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September 5, 2007
Wheaton College is pleased to announce a three-faceted initiative honoring Wheaton College 1964 alumnus and former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives J. Dennis Hastert. The initiative includes:
- Establishing and endowing The J. Dennis Hastert Center for Economics, Government, and Public Policy (the Hastert Center) to address important policy issues to which Speaker Hastert has made significant contributions in his public life.
- Establishing and endowing a faculty Chair, The Jean and E. Floyd Kvamme Endowed Chair of Political Economy (the Kvamme Chair), in the Politics and International Relations Department. The Chair will teach on the faculty of Wheaton College and direct the Hastert Center.
- Renovating the Memorial Student Center (MSC) to house the Hastert Center and a Special Collection Library containing the Congressional papers of the Honorable J. Dennis Hastert and related collections. Two key academic departments, the Politics and International Relations and Business and Economics departments, will also relocate to MSC.
 At the time of this release, we have raised the $5 million necessary to complete renovations of the Memorial Student Center. Construction is ongoing on this project, with completion slated for early December, 2007. We have also received $2.5 million to fully fund the Kvamme Chair. Our remaining fund-raising efforts are now directed toward securing the $2.5 million needed to fully fund the programs and activities of the Hastert Center.
The J. Dennis Hastert Center for Economics, Government, and Public Policy
In recognition of the large number of Wheaton graduates in public service both in Washington, D.C. and at the state level, The J. Dennis Hastert Center for Economics, Government, and Public Policy at Wheaton College will advance the study of market economies and representative democracies, both within the campus community and in the general public.
The Hastert Center will affirm the values, institutions, and policy interests that characterize the Honorable J. Dennis Hastert’s career in public life. Specifically, the activities of the Hastert Center and the holder of the Kvamme Chair will uphold the principles and qualities evident in Speaker Hastert’s career as teacher, coach, state legislator, and Member of Congress. These include:
- integrating his Christian faith with thought and action
- the beneficial role of markets
- the foundation and relevance of economic analysis in the design and administration of public policies
- the role of free enterprise
- the value of incentives
- the benefits of localized decision making
- the value of competition
The activities of the Hastert Center will focus on classroom teaching, scholarly research, and public discussion on the core institutions and nexus of market economies, representative democracies, limited government, and human action with individual responsibility. The teaching, research, and public activities of the Hastert Center will address important policy issues which Speaker Hastert significantly contributed to in his public life. These include, but are not limited to:
- antitrust and government regulation of business
- education
- drug policy
- fiscal policies
- health policy
- international trade issues
- other relevant policy dimensions that affect the functioning of market economies and representative democracy
 The Center will provide financial and administrative support for guest lecturers, curriculum development, scholarly and policy relevant research, conferences, public lectures, student seminars and internships.
The Hastert Center will be directed by the Kvamme Professor of Political Economy under the supervision of the Politics and International Relations Department and the College’s senior administration. The Hastert Center will also receive counsel from the Hastert Center Advisory Board, consisting of five to seven distinguished scholars, public officials, or interested citizens who share the Speaker’s values and are known for discernment in areas related to the Hastert Center’s mission.
The Jean and E. Floyd Kvamme Professor of Political Economy
The Jean and E. Floyd Kvamme Endowed Chair of Political Economywill demonstrate a commitment to the institutions, policies, and central values that underscore the mission of The J. Dennis Hastert Center for Economics, Government, and Public Policy. The Kvamme Chairwill teach courses related to politics, political economy, and particularly the economics/politics nexus. The Kvamme Chair will have a background in political economy, government, economics, law, or public policy.
About Wheaton
Wheaton College (Wheaton, Ill.) is a coeducational Christian liberal arts college noted for its rigorous academics, integration of faith and learning, and consistent ranking among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
For more on the Hastert Center, contact Sarah Clark at 630.752.5714.
To view and print the original news release (pdf), click here.
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