The Steny H. Hoyer Center for the Study of Democracy

Founded in 2002, the Center for the Study of Democracy is a joint initiative of St. Mary’s College and its partner institution, Historic St. Mary’s City. The Center was dedicated to Hoyer in 2026. It explores contemporary and historical issues associated with the ideas of democracy, liberty and justice in national and international contexts. It facilitates activities that strengthen democracy and the rule of law, enhance security and individual freedoms, invigorate civil society, encourage free enterprise, and increase economic, environmental, educational and cultural equity.

Forge Partnerships – Sustain partnerships with external organizations, associations, universities and businesses.
Stimulate Dialogue – Support research on issues related to its mission in local, national and international contexts.
Organize public lectures, symposia, forums, workshops, conferences and discussions on political, economic, environmental, societal, cultural and security issues.
Enhance Learning – Advance historical and contemporary knowledge and understanding of ideas and practices associated with democracy, liberty and justice.
Promote Civic Engagement – Facilitate citizen involvement in politics and civil society organizations.

The Steny H. Hoyer Center for the Study of Democracy offers St. Mary’s College students three separate paid internship opportunities.

The William Donald Schaefer Internship for Government Service
The Schaefer Internship in the Office of the Comptroller are made possible through generous donations from Terry Meyerhoff Rubenstein, Henry A. Rosenberg, Jr., and friends of William Donald Schaefer.
The William Donald Schaefer Legislative Internship is funded by the Office of Government Relations and is available through the Center for the Study of Democracy.

The Thomas Penfield Jackson Award for Civic Responsibility and Democratic Citizenship

This Award, in honor of Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson and his lifetime service to our country and commitment to the Center, recognizes and supports students who intend to pursue careers in public service, law, international relations, or other activities that promote civil society in the country. The recipient will receive a $1500 stipend to enable them to take internships or to support early career options that strengthen our democracy or help build civil society.

David and Ginny Rosenbaum Award

A Florida native, David Rosenbaum was an award-winning American journalist and editor with the New York Times (1968-2005). He was best known for the Times feature, The Fine Print, in which he exposed hidden, perplexing or hypocritical aspects of legislation that were pending or had just passed.

Student Sponsorship
The Center provides support to student organizations interested in the many languages of democracy by funding activities of interest to them-whether they are speakers, exhibits, literary or artistic performances. Students are invited to join the discussions we host on campus and to recommend new speakers and dialogues on contemporary problems we face.

How to Apply for Funding
Proposals for student organizational funding must be delivered to the Center’s director. Funding will be considered and providing on a case by case basis.

SARS Stories

SARS Stories: Affect and Archive of the 2003 Pandemic: In SARS Stories, Belinda Kong delves into the cultural archive of the 2003 SARS pandemic, examining Chinese-language creative works and social practices at the epicenters of the outbreak in China and Hong Kong. As the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted issues of anti-Asian racism and sinophobia, Kong traces how Chinese people navigated the SARS pandemic and created meaning amid crisis through cultures of epidemic expression.

Haiti in the World

Birthright Citizenship, Dictatorships, and the 1937 Anti-Black Genocide in the Dominican Republic. The Amɘrica Dialogue Series, the Africa and African Diaspora Series, and the Center for the Study of Democracy presented a special set of programs entitled Legacies of Liberation: Haiti in the World. This series explored the revolutionary origins of Haiti, its profound impact on global liberation movements, and the lived experiences of Haitians today, including the systemic inequalities and discrimination faced by Haitian communities in the neighboring Dominican Republic.