Arneson Institute for Practical Politics and Public Affairs

“With a view to serving the public interest and regardless of the nature of my future vocations I pledge that, upon leaving college, I will devote a portion of my time to active and definite participation in public affairs.”

YEAR AFTER YEAR, enthusiastic Ohio Wesleyan University students signed pledge cards emblazoned with this oath that were distributed by Dr. Ben Arneson during his 36-year career as professor and chair of the Department of Politics and Government (1917-1953).

The results of his efforts have been felt ever since. For example, during the 1960’s, more Ohio Wesleyan students joined the Peace Corps, per capita, than those form any other college in the country. Today, at least 68% of Ohio Wesleyan alumni are known to honor the spirit of the “civic pledge”, even though Ben Arneson is no longer with us to hand out the pledge cards.

Very much with us to nurture commitment to public life is the Arneson Institute for Practical Politics and Public Affairs. It was founded by Professor Arneson in 1947 with a grant from the Falk Foundation, along with “Seed” money from Arthur S. Flemming as well as other prominent alumni. The Institute brought to life Ben Arneson’s favorite quotation from Thomas Jefferson, “better minds for better politics.”

Today the Arneson Institute not only continues these traditions, but offers expanded opportunities for political and public involvement to Ohio Wesleyan students, faculty, alumni and the broader community. Included among these opportunities are:

• Public Affairs Lectureship, bringing a distinguished person in public life to campus for a week of lectures, seminars, informal sessions, and at least one public address.
• Support for student research projects and honors projects as well as supporting faculty research, primarily sub-national politics and public affairs.
• A Public Policy Speaker Series, attracting prominent persons to campus for day-long, formal and informal interaction with the university community.
• Support for the ongoing quadrennial mock presidential conventions, and development of a model legislature, and model United Nations.
• Edit and publish the Civic Arts Review, a journal focusing on the relationships between education and public life.
• A leadership concentration to analyze decision-making in the public sector through seminars and meetings with effective public servants at the state and regional level.
• Public Service Awards which recognize outstanding achievements in public and community service.

“I was bold in the pursuit of knowledge, never fearing to follow truth and reason to whatever results they led, and bearding every authority which stood in their way.” – Thomas Jefferson, 1814

Wesleyan in Washington

The Wesleyan in Washington Internship Program allows Ohio Wesleyan students the opportunity to spend a semester living and working in the nation’s capital. Student receive academic credit in return for working full-time in a variety of settings in and around the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. For more information, contact Dr. Craig Ramsay or Dr. William Louthan.