We are saddened to announce the passing of Brigadier General Amos A. “Joe” Jordan, Jr. on June 7, 2018, at the age of 96. General Jordan was a pillar of expertise and leadership for the Wheatley Institute in its early years. His extensive service in the government, military and academic world and his influence and recommendations allowed the Institution to feature highly sought after speakers at BYU. From his youth as a boxing champion to his young adult years at West Point to his outstanding accomplishments as an adult, he leaves behind a legacy of personal integrity and character.

In his latest opinion piece for The Washington Post, Wheatley Fellow and former U.S. Senator Jeff Flake reflects on the importance of congressional leadership in shaping American foreign policy. He underscores the need for principled engagement on the global stage and calls on lawmakers to uphold the values that have long guided U.S. diplomacy.

Wheatley Distinguished Fellow Shima Baughman contributed an op-ed to Newsweek examining the decline of American trust in marriage, a trend now increasingly reflected in popular media. Baughman cites studies showing marriage rates at historic lows and an increasing public sentiment viewing marriage as old-fashioned or restrictive. But despite shifting public attitudes, marriage continues to be research-proven way to provide happiness for parents and stability for children.

Wheatley Institute Constitutional Government Director, James Phillips, wrote a blog post today for The Federalist Society regarding the Supreme Court yesterday denying a petition for certiorari in Apache Stronghold v United States. Justice Gorsuch argued in his dissent from the denial, joined by Justice Thomas, that allowing the lower court’s ruling to stand poses a threat to religious liberty.