Author to Discuss American Presidency at WSU
OGDEN, Utah — Long before George Washington and Alexander Hamilton gained fame from a Broadway musical, they contributed to the birth of our nation. Author Stephen F. Knott will discuss the unlikely alliance between these two Founding Fathers during this year’s Haven J. Barlow Spring Civic Leadership Forum, sponsored by Weber State University’s Olene S. Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service on April 13 at noon in the Hurst Center Dumke Legacy Hall.
Knott began writing about the history of Alexander Hamilton and George Washington before “Hamilton: The Musical” popularized the Founding Fathers’ story. He has authored multiple books on the subject of American presidencies, including his most recent novel “Washington and Hamilton: The Alliance That Forged America.”
“George Washington and Alexander Hamilton fashioned a working relationship during the Revolutionary War that endured until Washington's death in 1799,” said Carol McNamara, director of the Walker Institute. “Consideration of the relationship between Washington and Hamilton can teach us a lot about the requirements of thoughtful and prudent leadership for the United States.”
Knott is a professor of national security affairs at the United States Naval War College. Before that, he was co-chair of the Presidential Oral History Program at the University of Virginia. He also served for seven years as a political science associate professor at the United States Air Force Academy.
“I hope that students and the public will join the Walker Institute and our guest Stephen Knott,” McNamara said. “The forum will discuss the important foundation Washington and Hamilton's conception of the presidency provides for us. Those who attend will learn how their example might impact our understanding and expectation of the exercise of presidential power going forward.”
Free lunch will be provided for those who RSVP to Carla Price by April 7 at cprice@weber.edu. The annual event is made possible with the generous support of Haven J. Barlow, whose 42 years of service in the Utah Senate was the longest in state history.
The Walker Institute is a non-partisan center dedicated to promoting leadership and public service among WSU students and in the community. The Walker Institute provides opportunities for civic education, public forums on current issues and ideas for political reform. A robust program of internships in local, state and national politics, along with government and public service organizations, is central to the Walker Institute mission.
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Rachel Badali, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7295 • rachelbadali@weber.edu- Contact:
Carol McNamara, Walker Institute director
801-626-6206 • carolmcnamara@weber.edu