Darrell West '76, recently made a $100,000 commitment to create the Darrell West Lecture in American Politics Fund. The commitment was made in honor of West's experience as a student in Miami's department of political science and the impact it had in shaping his career. The fund will be used to support one or more lectures during each academic year on the subject of American politics.
West is the vice president and director of governance studies for the Brookings Institution and is also the founding director of the institution’s Center for Technology Innovation. He previously served 26 years as a faculty member in Brown University’s department of political science, where he was director of the Taubman Center for Public Policy and American Institutions. He is author of 18 books.
“I am happy to support Miami’s political science department with a lecture series that will bring outstanding speakers to campus and expose Miami students to knowledgeable voices from around the country,” West said. “As a student, I always enjoyed visiting speakers, and my perspectives on the state of American politics were broadened through their insights.”
West graduated with honors from Miami in 1976 and earned his master’s degree and doctorate from Indiana University.