During the Spring Conference, the Center recognizes two Fellows for their original research papers.
Center President Dr. David Abshire, Moffett Award Winner Chelsea Gibson, Marron Award Winner George Bodgen, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen
The James R. Moffett Award for the Most Original Paper on the Modern Presidency
Papers in consideration for the Moffett Award represent a superior standard of scholarship and an ability to analyze events pertaining to the Presidency in an original manner. They begin with a well-developed thesis that presents a compelling policy recommendation or analysis of the Presidency, utilizing a well-grounded argument with an original interpretation. This is followed by a body of work that not only supports this thesis, but also reflects a deeper understanding of the material beyond the simple facts. Included here should be the newest available information or in the case of a historical paper, a unique perspective on events.
2011 Winner: "Woodrow Wilson and Immigration: Hyphenates and the Failure to Unite America" by Chelsea Gibson, North Georgia College and State University
The Donald B. Marron Award for the Best Historical Analysis of the Presidency
Papers in consideration for the Marron Award also represent superior scholarship, and examine historical subject matter such as a key moment in political or social history important to the Presidency. In the thesis, the author will have laid out a new and unique interpretation of the historical events to be covered. The body of the work should reflect extensive and/or original research into the subject mater as well as mentioning possible conflicting opinions that arise concerning their arguments.
2011 Winner: "American Missiles in Turkey: Ideological Dissonance and the Paradox of Proximity" by George E. Bogden, Yale University
Past Winners of the Moffett Award
2010: "A Loaded Weapon? The Future of Presidential Powers in the War on Terrorism" by Nicolas W. Sher, Haverford College
2009: "The Bush Administration and the Classification of al Qaeda: America’s Strategy for Counterterrorism in the Twenty-First Century" by Jeffrey S. Deitel, United States Coast Guard Academy
2008: "The Rules That Shape the Election" by Jason Bello, Columbia University
2007: "Precedential Value of the Lincoln Model: Examining Presidential Response to Grave National Security Crises" by Evan Bieber, Tulane University
2006: "Promoting Democracy Abroad: U.S. Influence on the Democratization of Korea and Taiwan" by Jason I. Chen, Stanford University
2005: "Religion and the Presidency" by Jennifer L. Cummins, Yale University
2004: "The Uncertain Future of the Multiple Advocacy Process in Foreign Policy Making" by Joshua N. Williams, Middlebury College
2003: "Days of Infamy: Presidential Lessons Learned from the Two Greatest Intelligence Failures in American History" by Andrew DeFilippis, Princeton University
Past Winners of the Marron Award
2010: "Fireside Chats and Web Addresses: Can Obama Replicate FDR's Rhetorical Model Today?" by Jaime L. Fuller, Middlebury College
2009: "The Perils of Exclusionary Decision-Making: Infighting, Incoherence, and Myth in Sino-US Normalization" by William A. Lundin, Dartmouth College
2008: "Power, Politics, and Identity: President Carter and the Forging of the Camp David Accords" by Sara E. Del Nido, Dartmouth College
2007: "Embracing Dissent: Presidential Leadership and the Rise of Legitimate Party Opposition in the United States, 1789-1828" by Jeffrey Selinger, Cornell University
2006: "The Reagan Doctrine: Tearing Down the Wall" by April N. Russo, Colorado College
2005: "Presidential Message-Making and Credit-Taking" by Susanna Dilliplane, Barnard College
2004: "Taking Over the Controls: Power Struggles During the Missile Gap Period" by Dana L. Craig, Stanford University
2003: "Safeguarding the Freedom, Common Heritage, and Civilization of the Peoples: President Truman and the North Atlantic Treaty" by Seth A. Johnston, United States Military Academy
Staff Contact
For more information on the Presidential Fellows Program, please contact Parry VanLandingham, Program Director, via
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or at 202-872-9800.
