Former Congressman Appointed as Distinguished Fellow at University of Redlands

At the University of Redlands, Lewis Hall, the one-story, earth-sheltered “green” building where classrooms and offices are housed, was named in honor of Congressman Jerry Lewis in recognition of his support for federal funding of university research. This year, the former congressman will be on campus sharing first-hand his experiences of his time serving in Washington, D.C. Lewis will share his experience as a member of Congress with students of the University of Redlands as a distinguished fellow providing guest lectures. The appointment is Lewis' first since leaving public office in December 2012. Lewis will participate in talks on sustainability issues important to Southern California and the Inland Empire region and offer insight based on his experiences to a number of academic programs including the university’s Department of Government and its programs in international relations and public policy. “In our culture of open debate and inquiry, where scholarship and practical experiences come together to forge new understanding, we welcome the illuminating discussions and context that an experienced legislator and government leader such as Jerry Lewis can offer our students,” said Ralph Kuncl, president of the University of Redlands. “What he brings is at the core of our mission: combining academic excellence with real-world experience.” Lewis’ role will be to provide students and faculty within the government department and across the university with insights on subjects such as policy to stimulate growth in America’s technology sector, issues of environmental sustainability, and funding for national defense, according to David Fite, interim provost and chief academic officer. “We believe Mr. Lewis will contribute significantly to the intellectual life of this campus,” Fite said. Fite credited Graeme Auton, professor of Government at the University of Redlands since 1987 and a former NATO research fellow, for helping define the Fellow position and opportunity. “We consider it an honor to work with Mr. Lewis in his teaching, advising and collaboration role at the University of Redlands, and are excited about him becoming an integral part of the University community,” Fite added.