The James Madison Program mourns the passing of Dr. Jeffrey J. Poelvoorde.  Jeff was a brilliant and gifted teacher.  He gave us his unrivaled talents in the classroom for five summers, co-teaching Principles of American Politics, our summer seminar for high school students, and had agreed to do so again in the coming summer. 

Jeff's infectious energy and irrepressible spirit were on display at every moment, whether in or out of the classroom.  He would not hesitate to pay tribute to the influence of his great mentors: Martin Diamond, Herbert Storing, Morton Frisch, Mary Nichols, and James Ceaser.  Jeff was also an inspiration and model to other scholars around the country. 

We will not forget the courage and commitment to the highest academic values he exemplified in refusing to submit (even when his employment and livelihood were explicitly threatened) to mandatory “diversity training” at the college to which he had given three decades of his life.  As our Director, Robert George, has said, "We in the James Madison Program were proud to stand in support of his brave witness." 

May Jeff’s memory be for a blessing, and may all who knew and loved him, as we did, be comforted together with the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.