NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Former U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan is joining the University of Notre Dame for the 2019-20 school year and lecture on political science and economics, the university has announced.
In his role as professor of the practice, Ryan will discuss topics fundamentals of American government, the current state of political polarization, and Catholicism and economics, among other topics.
Other recent appointments to Notre Dame include former U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-IN) and former White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough.
“The study of political science is strengthened when students hear from people with real-world policy and political experience,” said David Campbell, Packey J. Dee Professor of American Democracy and chair of the Department of Political Science at Notre Dame. “Having former officials in the classroom provides important insights for students — an opportunity to put the theories we study to the test.”
Ryan, a Wisconsin native and member of the Catholic church, said he looks forward to working with the school’s students and faculty.
“It is an honor to be part of a University where Catholic principles, robust debates, academic freedoms and diverse viewpoints are allowed to flourish,” Ryan said. “As much as I hope to impart as a lecturer, I know that I will learn a tremendous amount from Notre Dame’s remarkable students as we discuss the big challenges before our nation and collaborate on how best to address them.”
(Photo by Darren Hauck/Getty.)
