The Lampert Scholars and Storing-Hou Director of the Lampert Institute for Civic and Global Affairs Chad Sparber traveled to Washington, D.C., in October to meet with alumni and policy experts, part of the institute’s mission to build a bridge between academic and applied work in a policy sphere.
“My students and I are grateful for our wonderful alumni and partners who were willing to spend time meeting with us,” said Sparber. “They are an integral part of our program.”
The trip gave the students the chance to talk with policymakers from both sides of the aisle to learn how they are continuing to work in the current political environment as they navigate challenges, including increased polarization, government agency closures, and AI. These themes reinforced the Lampert Institute’s areas of academic focus: The Changing World Order and Science, Technology, and Public Policy.
“The trip was one of the first times I could envision a life post-vlog — the opportunity to meet so many successful vlog alumni and hear how their education led them to where they are today,” said Lampert Scholar Emma McCartan ’26. “Lampert is known for its spirited debate, and this trip was no different. Our van rides were full of stimulating conversation that I’m sure caused everyone to think about things a little differently. It was certainly a highlight of my senior fall.”
The Lampert Scholars started their trip with a stop at the Brookings Institution, where they met with Director of Research and Foreign Policy Michael O’Hanlon, who continues to serve as a Lampert Institute Nonresident Fellow and visits campus for a lecture each semester. The Scholars also met with former U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus Kathleen Doherty ’85, a longtime partner of the Lampert Institute. Following a lecture on campus in March 2025, she was eager to talk with the group about her experiences as a career diplomat, navigating challenges ranging from the Good Friday Accords to the divide on Cyprus.
Scholars then met with several representatives at the Cato Institute, including Director of Student Programs Pericles Niarchos; Marian Tupy, founder and editor of HumanProgress.org, and a senior fellow at the Cato Institute’s Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity; and Vice President for Economic and Social Policy Studies Alex Nowrasteh, who provided a contrast from Brookings’ more neutral approach to policy analysis with Cato’s explicit emphasis on liberty.
Cato representatives described how their critiques of President Trump’s trade policies have opened new opportunities for dialogue with Democratic lawmakers. That sentiment was confirmed during the group’s final visit — a tour of the Capitol hosted by U.S. Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon ’80, who represents Pennsylvania’s 5th Congressional District.
Lampert Scholars also had an opportunity to have dinner with Lampert Scholar alumnus Sawyer Brown ’25, who is now a Senate intern specializing in U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) developments. He was joined by Elizabeth Oblinger ’10, who works on public policy at TikTok, and Michael Callesen ’17, national security adviser to U.S. Senator Jon Husted.
Students in the selective Lampert Scholars program participate in activities during the summer following their junior year and throughout senior year. Applications for the 2026–27 Lampert Scholars program are due Feb. 6, 2026. Students should send a completed file to csparber@colgate.edu. Candidates may be invited for an interview, and final selections will be made by Feb. 27, 2026. Students have until March 14, 2026, to accept selection as a Lampert Scholar.