The Founders Award

The Founders Award is presented to individuals who have been instrumental in supporting the vision and mission of the Les Aspin Center for Government.

Former recipients include:

Aspin awards

• The Les Aspin Democracy Award
• The Les Aspin Distinguished Public Service Award
• The Founders Award

• Marquette's program in Washington, now the Les Aspin Center, was a substantial part of my decision to engage in politics for the betterment of society.
  • Honorable Pedro Colón
    First Hispanic elected to Wisconsin state legislature
    Milwaukee County circuit court judge
• Marquette's Washington program provided me with a solid academic understanding of Capitol Hill, in addition to the exposure of daily life and work here.
  • Tim Yehl
    Former chief of staff
    U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (N.J.)
• Interning at the Les Aspin Center in Washington played a big role in advancing my career on Capitol Hill.
  • Steve Radke
    Vice president of government relations
    Northwestern Mutual
• My internship in the mayor's office has been an amazing experience. I have learned so much about how city government works.
  • Sheena Adams
    Kleczka Internship: Milwaukee mayor's office
    Major: Marketing

Quick fact:

• 2,200 students have graduated from Les Aspin Center programs.
• More than 50 alumni work as professional staff members in the U.S. Congress.
• We've trained more than 400 African leaders on democracy.
• Students intern at nearly 100 congressional offices, the White House, the FDA, the Department of Defense and more.
• Students live only four blocks from the U.S. Capitol.
• We welcome students majoring in biomedical science, business, communication, engineering, nursing and political science.
• We've been taking students to Africa for nearly 20 years.
• Our biomedical engineering students have interned at the FDA for 15 years.