Hillsdale College Graduate Student Charles Stalzer Wins Judith Finn Memorial Award
HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hillsdale College announces the newest recipient of the Judith Finn Memorial Award, Charles Stalzer. Stalzer will receive his master’s degree this year in Politics from the College’s Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship. His academic interests include 21st-century American Progressivism, Catholic Political Thought, and the U.S. Intelligence Community and National Security State.
“Charles shows persistent curiosity and desire to better understand the art of politics,” said Ronald J. Pestritto, dean of the graduate school and professor of politics. “We are proud to honor him in this way.”
The Judith Finn Memorial Award is presented each spring to a Hillsdale College master’s graduate based on his thesis or comprehensive exam and overall graduate program performance. The winner is selected by a committee of faculty members from the Graduate School of Statesmanship.
“I am grateful for this honor and for my time at the Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship,” said Stalzer. “The program’s community of students and professors is special and rigorous. I am very fortunate to have been a part of it.”
The Judith Finn Memorial Award was established by Finn’s husband, Michael Finn, and family following her passing in 2015. It honors her legacy of civic engagement and scholarly work. Finn earned a master’s degree in political science from Michigan State University but as noted by her family, “would have much preferred a degree from Hillsdale College had its graduate school been established 50 years earlier.”
Upon graduation, Stalzer will join the University of Notre Dame’s Ph.D. program in political science.