Archived News

Smith named 2014-2015 ISI Honors Fellow; one of 60 nationwide
(May 13, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Sophomore McConnell Scholar Natalie Smith was one of 60 nationwide named as a 2014-2015 Honors Fellows at the Intercollegiate Studies Institute.
Humphrey to intern at Library of Congress
(May 14, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Freshman McConnell Scholar Alicia Humphrey will spend 10 weeks as a Junior Fellow with the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.
Moore (’16) spends semester abroad at University of Westminster
(May 15, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Sophomore McConnell Scholar Philip Moore recently returned from a semester abroad in London, England, where he completed a law internship and studied at the University of Westminster.
Four McConnell Scholars complete UofL’s ‘Task Force Freshman’
(May 19, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Freshman McConnell Scholars Jason Jewell, Advocate Scott, Landon Lauder and Aaron Vance completed the Student Government Association’s Executive Branch freshman mentoring program.
Humphrey named Freshman LEAD director, three Scholars complete leadership program
(May 20, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Freshman McConnell Scholars Jeremy Ball, Diana Lalata and Alicia Humphrey were three of 60 students who completed the University of Louisville's Freshman LEAD Program.
Jewell ('17) co-hosts radio show on WLOU 104.7
(May 19, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Freshman McConnell Scholar Jason Jewel co-hosts “Brothers Helping Brothers” with Jerald Muhammad on Saturdays at 4 p.m. on WLOU 104.7.
Ball, Lalata to spend summer orienting new UofL students
(May 13, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Freshmen McConnell Scholars Jeremy Ball and Diana Lalata will serve as UofL Student Orientation Staffers for Summer 2014.
Center to host high-level Army seminar
(May 30, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Center welcomes 30 mid-career US Army officers to the University of Louisville.
Allen earns UofL history scholarship
(June 3, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Sophomore McConnell Scholar Victoria Allen was awarded the UofL Department of History’s Harry L. and Cecilia H. Smith Endowed scholarship.
Moore (’16) earns full scholarship to Spanish immersion program in California
(June 20, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Sophomore McConnell Scholar Philip Moore will attend a Spanish immersion program in Oakland, Calif.
McConnell Center named 1 of 50 "Oases of Excellence"
(June 12, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A non-profit organization that encourages academic freedom, excellence and accountability at U.S. colleges and universities has cited the University of Louisville’s McConnell Center as one of the best programs of its kind in the nation.
Southard (’15) to intern at RunSwitch, a PR firm
(June 12, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – McConnell Scholar Sean Southard will intern at RunSwitch, a PR firm cofounded by McConnell Scholar alum Scott Jennings (’00), this summer.
Buckley (’07) joins Goss Samford as an associate attorney
(June 14, 2014) LEXINGTON, Ky. – McConnell Scholar alumnus Evan Buckley joined Goss Samford, PLLC, as an associate attorney.
Bencomo earns McConnell scholarship to the University of Louisville
(June 14, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Frank Bencomo, of Louisville, Ky., has been named a McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville.
Bush earns McConnell scholarship to the University of Louisville
(June 14, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Christian Bush, of Louisville, Ky., has been named a McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville.
Gassman earns McConnell scholarship to the University of Louisville
(June 14, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Robert Gassman, of Louisville, Ky., has been named a McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville.
Hilbrecht earns McConnell Scholarship to the University of Louisville
(June 14, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Kyle Hilbrecht, of Louisville, Ky., has been named a McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville.
Holland earns McConnell scholarship to the University of Louisville
(June 14, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Ocey Holland, of Louisville, Ky., has been named a McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville.
Hutchinson earns McConnell scholarship to the University of Louisville
(June 14, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Ronica Hutchison, of Falmouth, Ky., has been named a McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville.
Lawson-Mayes earns McConnell scholarship to the University of Louisville
(June 14, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - X’Zashea Lawson-Mayes, of Cadiz, Ky., has been named a McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville.
Lentsch earns McConnell scholarship to the University of Louisville
(June 14, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Phillip Lentsch, of Louisville, Ky., has been named a McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville.
Mayes earns McConnell scholarship to the University of Louisville
(June 14, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Macey Mayes, of Central City, Ky., has been named a McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville.
Pepper earns McConnell scholarship to the University of Louisville
(June 14, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Anna Cecile Pepper, of Elizabethtown, Ky., has been named a McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville.
McConnell Center hosts 24 high school students for Young Leaders Academy
(June 16, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville's McConnell Center will host 24 high school students from across the state for its Young Leaders Academy, scheduled from June 18 to 21.
McConnell Center wishes Vaughn well as family moves to Cleveland
Vance ('17) earns national scholarship from fraternity
(June 18, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Aaron Vance, a McConnell Scholar (’17) at the University of Louisville, has earned the Charles M. Shaw Scholarship from Phi Kappa Tau.
McConnell Center to present Kentucky Chautauqua program on Caleb Powers
The Aug. 4 program is part of the McConnell Center's annual leadership retreat with McConnell Scholars to a Kentucky state park.
McConnell Center welcomes 10 new McConnell Scholars
(July 15, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky.—The McConnell Center welcomes its 22nd class of McConnell Scholars to the University of Louisville.
28 Ky. teachers complete McConnell Center’s Teachers Scholars Program
(July 17, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Twenty-eight teachers from across Kentucky have successfully completed the yearlong Teachers Scholars Program through the University of Louisville’s McConnell Center.
30 U.S. Army soldiers complete Center broadening program
(July 17, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Thirty U.S. Army soldiers stationed around the world converged at the University of Louisville’s McConnell Center during the month of June to enhance and broaden their strategic thinking and leadership skills.
Center launches 'Debating America' fall lecture series
(Aug. 1, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville's McConnell Center will offer a series of public talks this fall. All events are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.
Center welcomes Ben Gies as civics graduate assistant
(Aug. 19, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Gies will develop civic enrichment programs such as the McConnell Center’s Young Leaders Academy for high school students and facilitate professional development conferences for Kentucky social studies teachers.
McConnell Center sponsors panel at annual APSA meeting
(Aug. 26, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Four scholars to consider the intersection of politics and literature at political science conference.
A note from Natalie Smith, outreach director
(Oct. 9, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – McConnell Scholar Natalie Smith, of Elizabethtown, Ky., invites high school seniors from Kentucky to visit the McConnell Center and apply for the McConnell Scholarship.
Lauder ('17) to attend World Affairs Council's national conference, earns local scholarship
(Oct. 14, 2017) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Landon Lauder, of Russell, Ky., has been selected to participate in the World Affairs Council's national conference.
McConnell Center fellow to deliver 'Presidential All Stars' before UofL homecoming game
(Oct. 17, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Louisville alumna Barbara Perry, PhD, will explore how presidents use athletics to bolster their political image in the next College of Arts and Sciences pre-game talk.
Thomas, Whitlock invited to attend West Point Academy conference
(Oct. 20, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Two McConnell Scholars will attend a four-day conference with other civilian student delegates and West Point cadets on "The Politics and Policy of Crisis Management."
Professional development immersion conference for Ky. teachers announced
Nov. 7, 2014 application deadline; conference dates are Feb. 26-March 1, 2015, to St. Louis, MO
McConnell Center partners with James Madison’s Montpelier
(Nov. 12, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville’s McConnell Center has partnered with the Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution at James Madison’s Montpelier. The civic education partnership will allow Kentucky social studies teachers in the McConnell Center’s professional development network to further immerse themselves in primary source documents related to the U.S. Constitution.
Memorabilia, civics lessons from McConnell's life, career on display in archives
(Nov. 13, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has been in public service for more than 40 years and was just elected by his peers to serve as Senate Majority Leader in the upcoming congress.
Young named president of local Chi Omega sorority
(Dec. 5, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Mary Elizabeth Young, of Louisville, was recently elected president of her local sorority chapter.
Abrahamson named assistant editor-in-chief
(Dec. 10, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – McConnell Scholar named second-in-command at student newspaper
United Nations Ambassador Samantha Power to visit McConnell Center
(Dec. 16, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Samantha Power, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, will speak at the University of Louisville Jan. 12 as a guest of the university’s McConnell Center.
McConnell Center extends ‘Debating America’ series
(Dec. 17, 2014) Public invited to series of public talks on overlooked debates, ideas and people
Ambassador becomes 47th distinguished guest speaker at McConnell Center
(Jan. 15, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Samantha Power, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, was the 47th Distinguished Speaker at the McConnell Center. She is also the third Pulitzer Prize winner to visit the center.
Haque named 14th-best moot court orator in nation
(Jan. 21, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Senior McConnell Scholars finish among top 48 undergraduate moot court teams in national competition.
Ball receives 'Readers' Choice Award'
(Jan. 28, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - McConnell Scholar Jeremy Ball writes most popular blog on 'The McConnell Center Life.'
Whitlock, Grout intern with Kentucky Legislative Assembly
(Feb. 3, 2015) FRANKFORT, Ky. – McConnell Scholars intern for Ky. Sen. Pro Tem David Givens.
Smith interns with local literary agency
(Feb. 5, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – McConnell Scholar Natalie Smith spends the semester interning for Speilburg Literary Agency.
Holland to attend Future Educators national conference
(Feb. 2, 2015) - LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Freshman McConnell Scholar to attend national education conference in Washington, D.C.
Ball to attend Harvard conference
(Feb. 17, 2015) CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Jeremy Ball selected for the Harvard Kennedy School's Public Policy and Leadership Conference.
Scholars represent UofL in 'Up to Us' competition on national debt
(Feb. 12, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Four McConnell Scholars help raise campus awareness on long-term national debt.
Three Scholars chosen for UofL's Student Orientation Staff
(Feb. 13, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Holland, Pepper, and Ball to lead incoming freshman as Student Orientation Staff members.
CIVICS: Professional development trip to Atlanta
(Feb. 6, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Kentucky social studies teachers are invited to apply for a week-long conference on 'The Intellectual Foundations of Political Economy.' Applications are due March 2.
McConnell Scholar named Miss University of Louisville
(Feb. 23, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Anna Cecile Pepper wins preliminary competition for Miss Kentucky.
McConnell Scholars participate in the Oxford Society
(Feb. 25, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - McConnell Scholars study British and Scottish literary works in preparation for trip abroad.
Humphrey, Lalata attend Clinton Global Initiative University
(March 7, 2015) CORAL CABLES, Fla. – Six University of Louisville students attend the eighth annual Clinton Global Initiative University.
Cambron interns with Schneider Electric Energy: Sustainability Services
(March 9, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Junior McConnell Scholar Katie Cambron to work in the regulated markets department in financial analysis.
Lalata to intern at Library of Congress
(March 9, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Sophomore Diana Lalata will spend 10 weeks as a Junior Fellow at the United States Library of Congress.
McConnell Scholars participate in raiseRED dance marathon
(March 11, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - More than McConnell Scholars dance for 18 hours to raise money for pediatric cancer research.
UofL graduate named McConnell’s legal counsel
(March 11, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Daniel Cameron, a 2011 graduate of the University of Louisville’s Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, has been named legal counsel for Sen. Mitch McConnell effective March 2.
Gies receives research grant to study Kentucky state formation
(March 12, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Graduate assistant Benjamin Gies, of Louisville, is the recipient of a $1,000 grant from the Council on the Kentucky Society of Colonial Wars.
Brewer receives Russian critical language scholarship
(March 20, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Paige Brewer, a senior McConnell Scholar, will spend eight weeks in Russia.
Dahmer ('13) receives Edinburgh Gaelic Award
(March 23, 2015) EDINBURGH, Scotland. - Adam Dahmer ('13) wins the University of Edinburgh's most prestigious honor
McConnell Scholars lead 2015 Collegiate Youth Rights Conference
(Apr. 8, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Diana Lalata, Jason Jewell, and Landon Lauder direct collegiate conference on social justice.
McConnell Scholar wins Tachau Award for Excellence in History
(April 10, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Sam Whittaker chosen as the top graduating student in the history department.
Class of 2015 graduates from McConnell Scholars Program
(Apr. 28, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Ten Scholars graduate from the McConnell Scholar Program at the University of Louisville.
McConnell Center partners with Kentucky Commission on Women to produce film
(Apr. 28, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The McConnell Center joins with the Kentucky Commission on Women to produce and promote a film about famous Kentucky women.
Gassman named Debate Society winner
(April 28, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Freshman McConnell Scholar Robert Gassman wins the Debate Society championship.
Daniel Boone documentary to air May 4 on KET
(May 1, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The McConnell Center is one of several sponsors of the two-hour film, produced by Witnessing History, LLC.
Scholars earn top student awards
(May 4, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - McConnell Scholars receive top awards at the University of Louisville.
Two Teacher Scholars Program participants recognized for excellence
(May 4, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Ky. social studies teachers Carmen Thompson and Sonya Gardner have been recognized for excellence in civic education.
Robinette earns Paul J. Weber Mentoring Fellowship Award
(May 4, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – McConnell Scholar Danielle Robinette will pursue a graduate-level teaching degree at UofL in the fall.
Scholars selected as Harvard IOP National Campaign Ambassadors
(May 5, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Two McConnell Scholars will direct a year-long campaign on sexual assault prevention and response at the University of Louisville.
Lalata completes highest number of service hours
(LOUISVILLE, Ky.) May 18, 2015— McConnell Scholar Diana Lalata ('17) records 189 service hours for 2014-2015.
Scholars complete honors theses
Four 2015 graduates of the McConnell Scholars Program successfully passed their senior honors theses this spring.
26 Kentucky high schoolers participate in Young Leaders Academy
(June 18, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The McConnell Center hosted its annual Young Leaders Academy June 14 to 17 at the University of Louisville.
Center welcomes 11 new McConnell Scholars
(June 17, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The McConnell Center welcomes its 24th class of McConnell Scholars.
Allen receives John Lewis Fellowship
(June 22, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – McConnell Scholar Victoria Allen ('16), of Auburn, Ky., has been named a John Lewis Fellow.
Alumnus shares civic-mindedness with Boy Scouts
Sam Whittaker ('15), of Paducah, Ky., is serving as Program Area Director for Citizenship and Personal Development for Camp Crooked Creek in Shepherdsville, Ky.,
Alumnus wins scholarship to study in Paris
(June 23, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Arsh Haque will spend the next two years in Paris on a full scholarship.
Archivist celebrates 40 years in profession
(June 23, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Deborah Skaggs Speth celebrates distinction in her field of work.
CIVICS: Professional development conference on 20th Century dystopian literature
(June 26, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Kentucky social studies teachers are invited to apply for a three-day conference on '20th Century Dystopian Literature.' Applications are due Aug. 3.
Senior Scholar Profile: Victoria Allen
(Sept. 15, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Meet Victoria Allen, a senior McConnell Scholar from Auburn, Ky.
Scholars earn top summer internships
(July 29, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - From Louisville to DC, several UofL students have spent the summer interning for local and national governmental and political offices.
Lecture series considers key U.S. founders, America at end of war
(Aug. 12, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – McConnell Center considers America's role at the end of war in fall lecture series.
Teachers to consider role of religion at American Founding
(Aug. 13, 2015) Kentucky social studies teachers are invited to attend a fully-funded four-day professional development conference in Boston. Applications are due Oct. 15.
Center welcomes 22 to Teacher Scholars Program
(Sept. 2, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Twenty-two social studies teachers have been named to the the McConnell Center’s prestigious year-long Teacher Scholars Program.
Senior Scholar Profile: Kevin Grout
(Oct. 15, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Meet Kevin Grout, a senior McConnell Scholar from Florence, Ky.
McConnell Center sponsors panel at annual APSA meeting
(Sept. 10, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Scholars gathered to discuss and consider the role of statesmanship, citizenship and constitutionalism in ancient and modern times.
Center celebrates Constitution Day with debate, cupcakes and pocket Constitutions
(Sept. 11, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Thursday, Sept. 17, marks the 228th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.
Scholars selected to attend West Point conference on inequality
(Sept. 15, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Two McConnell Scholars have been invited to participate in West Point Academy’s Student Conference on U.S. Affairs (SCUSA).
McConnell Scholar joins Louisville Committee on Foreign Relations
(Sept. 17, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Jeremy Ball ('17) was awarded a one-year membership to study foreign policy.
Fellow releases new book on Russell Kirk
(Sept. 16, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Non-resident McConnell Center Fellow, Bradley Birzer, PhD, reflects on the life and work of the famous conservative author.
McConnell Scholar starts Odyssey chapter at UofL
(Oct. 22, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Macey Mayes, a sophomore McConnell Scholar, launches the local chapter of the Odyssey Online.
McConnell Scholars journey through Dante's Hell
(Oct. 23, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Dante Society, led by Dr. Andrew Rabin, allows the McConnell Scholars to explore Dante's Inferno.
Five Scholars chosen as Task Force Freshmen
(Oct. 27, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Five freshmen were selected for a leadership development program at the University of Louisville.
McConnell Scholar studies in Spain
(Oct. 27, 2015) Seville, Spain - Diana Lalata ('17), a member of the World Scholars Program, won a grant to study in Spain for the spring semester.
McConnell Center to host U.S. Sen. Tim Scott
Abrahamson named Director of Communications for SGA
(Nov. 12, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Junior McConnell Scholar selected as member of the Student Government Association's Executive Staff.