Michael Barkun, professor emeritus of political science, comments that William Potter Gale, who proposed the idea of a constitutional sheriff, believed, "We know what the law really means. It’s all those lawyers who have erected a kind of apparatus of deception."

Tom Perreault, professor of geography, was named Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence. In addition, Francine D'Amico, teaching professor of international relations, received a Meredith Teaching Recognition Award. These awards recognize and reward outstanding teaching at the University.

"Certainly, he [President Trump] won't be shy about using executive powers—that will be the same—but Obama also used his remaining time, especially in his second term, to exercise the rhetorical presidency," says Grant Reeher, professor of political science and director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute.