LATROBE, PA – Two professors in the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics and Government at Saint Vincent College have contributed chapters to a book of essays in honor of one of their mentors.
Dr. Jacob Boros, C’16, assistant professor of political science, and Dr. Jerome Foss, professor of political science and Endowed Professor of Catholic Thought and Culture, each authored a chapter for “Constitutionalism and Liberty: Essays in Honor of Dr. David K. Nichols.”
“Constitutionalism and Liberty” is a collection of articles by scholars at several institutions who were inspired by Nichols, a retired professor of political science at Baylor University. The chapters focus on topics such as the separation of powers and checks and balances in the American constitutional system, various aspects of American legal practice and the intersection of political theory with literature and art.
“Dr. Nichols helped me become a serious scholar, but one who does not take myself too seriously,” said Boros, who studied under Nichols at Baylor. “His humility and honesty helped me worry less about my future and be a more confident academic and by extension, a fuller and more confident person.”
Boros’ book chapter, “The Flag and the American Constellation,” is about the connections between the American flag and the ideas and principles of our nation’s politics. Boros writes that Old Glory captures the difficulties and tradeoffs off the American project better than any other national symbol.
“The flag is a symbol of unity and pluralism—both 50 states and one country,” Boros said. “It represents a hopeful, forward-looking promise of liberty for all and deep respect for our past. We treat it with religious strictness and cavalier abandon.”
Foss’ chapter, “Macbeth and Christian Rule,” focuses on the challenge of being a statesman and a faithful Christian. As a student at Baylor, Foss took Nichols’ class about the American founding. “It fundamentally changed my view of the founding and the Constitution,” Foss said. Foss added that he was influenced by deep conversations with Nichols and his wife Mary about the intersection of political philosophy and Shakespeare's plays.
“It is an honor to contribute an essay to the volume and to be part of a celebration of David Nichols's life as a teacher and scholar,” Foss said. “It is a celebration of a good friend.”
he book, which was released in January, is available through the Lexington Books website: www.Rowman.com/Lexington.
Dr. Jacob Boros and Dr. Jerome Foss
