Recipients announced for the 2017 Stephen Whelan '68 Senior Thesis Prize for Excellence in Constitutional Law and Political Thought

June 5, 2017

The James Madison Program is pleased to announce the winners of the Stephen Whelan '68 Senior Thesis Prize for Excellence in Constitutional Law and Political Thought. This year there are two winners; Alexander Costin '17 for his thesis on "The Lochner Era in the Lower Courts," and Owen Smitherman '17 for his thesis on "Executor and Aide: Appellate Mischief and the Dual Responsibility Model."

The Stephen Whelan '68 Senior Thesis Prize for Excellence in Constitutional Law and Political Thought is an endowed university prize awarded by the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. It is awarded to a senior whose thesis in the area of constitutional law or political thought is judged to be of superlative quality.  This year, the amount of the prize for each recipient is $1,250. Nominations are accepted from all disciplines.

Pictured from left to right are Alexander Cotsin '17, Robert P. George, Director of the James Madison Program, and Owen Smitherman '17.