Hillsdale College Graduates First Doctoral Students
2018 Van Andel School of Statesmanship graduates Nathan Gill and Kathleen Thompson receive college’s first-ever PhDs
Hillsdale, Mich. – Hillsdale College congratulates graduates Nathan Gill and Kathleen Thompson on earning the first doctoral degrees granted by the College. Drs. Gill and Thompson received a doctor of philosophy in politics from the Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship at Hillsdale College’s 166th Commencement on May 12, 2018.
“We’re proud to be part of such a significant milestone in Nathan and Kathleen’s careers,” said Ronald J. Pestritto, dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship. “We look forward to seeing their future work and are confident their time here has prepared them to be engaged, successful citizens as well as leading academics in their field.”
Gill, who is originally from Delphi, New York, began his studies at the Van Andel Graduate School in 2013 following an undergraduate degree in history from Thomas Edison State College and a master’s degree in politics from Regent University. His studies involve the cross-section of modern progressivism and social contract theory. He completed a doctoral dissertation on the topic of social contract theory in antebellum New England.
Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Thompson entered the Van Andel Graduate School in 2012 after completing her undergraduate degree in English and politics at the University of Dallas. Her focus of study is on local and state politics, and her doctoral dissertation discussed the interplay of progressive politics and home economics.
The Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship accepted its first cohort of graduate students in 2012, thanks to many generous donations and significant support from the Van Andel family. The program offers two degree programs-master of arts in politics and doctor of philosophy in politics-and aims to ground students in American constitutionalism and prepare them for careers in academia, public service, journalism, and elsewhere. More information on the graduate school here.