TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – University of Alabama political science major Jack Parker of Mountain Brook has received first place in the national 2007 Olive W. Garvey Fellowship essay contest, sponsored by The Independent Institute.
The Garvey Fellowship program’s biennial essay contest awards cash fellowships to outstanding college students who write compelling essays on the meaning and significance of economic and personal liberty. Essays are reviewed by a panel of three independent distinguished scholars.
The Independent Institute is a nonpartisan organization whose mission is to redefine the debate over public policy issues and use independent scholarly inquiry to foster new and effective directions for government reform.
Parker’s essay, ‘The Politics of Development Economics,” examines the ramifications of wealth redistribution from the United States to the rest of the world through foreign aid programs. He argues that remedying poverty requires wealth creation and that the United States should not enable governments of third world countries to suppress market activity.
Parker, a senior majoring in political science, said he was inspired to enter the contest after taking a course in UA’s department of philosophy with Dr. James Otteson, associate professor of philosophy.
“I was just happy to have written something that was pleasing to people I hold in such high esteem,” Parker said. “Dr. Otteson in particular had a great deal to do with influencing the way I think about things, and I hope he considers my article to be a small thank you.”
The Garvey award comes with a $2,500 cash prize, which he plans to use to fund a trip to Nicaragua in February to look at issues surrounding international public health. His essay will also be published in select professional and academic journals.
“The philosophy faculty all take great delight in the achievements of our students,” said Dr. Scott Hestevold, chairman of the department of philosophy in UA’s College of Arts and Sciences. “Over the past year, Mr. Parker has worked closely with Dr.Otteson, and I know that Dr. Otteson is particularly pleased with Parker’s earning the Garvey Fellowship.”
The Garvey Fellowship Program was founded in 1974 by the late humanitarian and award-winning author Olive W. Garvey to encourage critical thinking and academic excellence among college students, particularly on the topic of human liberty.
First sponsored by the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library Association, the Garvey Fellowship Program has been sponsored by The Independent Institute since Garvey’s death at age 99.
Parker’s winning essay is available for viewing on the Independent Institute’s Web site at www.independent.org.
Contact
Carmen Brown, College of Arts and Sciences, College Relations, 205/348-8539, brown109@bama.ua.edu