AHI’s Robert Paquette to Receive Jeane Jordan Kirkpatrick Prize for Defending Western Civilization Curriculum

Robert Paquette holding crystal eagle, symbol of the Jeane Kirkpatrick Award, presented at the Ronald Reagan Dinner.

The American Conservative Union Foundation (ACUF) and The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation have announced that the Jeane Jordan Kirkpatrick Prize for Academic Freedom will be presented to Professor Robert L. Paquette, Professor of History at Hamilton College and a co-founder of the Alexander Hamilton Institute for the Study of Western Civilization (AHI).  The distinguished award – which carries a $10,000 stipend to the honoree–will be made at the 2014 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Ronald Reagan Banquet on Friday, March 7, 2014 in Washington, D.C.  The prize honors the memory of Dr. Kirkpatrick, the former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, for her fierce defense of academic freedom.

Professor Paquette is an expert on conservative thought and an advocate for the freedom of expression on college campuses. Professor Paquette holds a B.A. from Bowling Green State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Rochester. He is also the author of many books and articles including “Sugar Is Made with Blood: The Conspiracy of La Escalera and the Conflict between Empires over Slavery in Cuba and History” and “Women, Culture and Faith: Selected Writings of Elizabeth Fox-Genovese.”

“The study and teaching of Western Civilization is fading from college campuses,” said Michael W. Grebe, President and CEO of the Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation.  “Robert Paquette’s scholarship ensures that students will gain an understanding of society’s foundations and how to meet future challenges.”

“We would like to congratulate Bob on this amazing honor,” said Richard Erlanger, President of the AHI.  “He is a staunch defender of western civilization curriculum and we are proud of his efforts and contributions.”