Dr. Alan Heslop’s intellect, wit, and unmistakable British accent made him a towering figure on campus, especially to a sophomore CMCer at the Rose Institute.
The Rose Institute and Dr. Heslop were core to my most memorable times at CMC, especially in researching and writing on state and federal term limits. This would ultimately be the topic of my senior thesis, and Dr. Heslop was a leading scholar on this issue who thankfully agreed to be my thesis advisor. In the early 1990s, there were virtually no academic studies on this consequential political movement. Dr. Heslop facilitated introductions for me with varied politicians, officeholders, campaign strategists, and activists as well as access to obscure historical and legislative resources. In May 1991, I completed my thesis: “Term Limits: An Idea Whose Time Has Come”.
With Dr. Heslop’s mentorship and the resources of the Rose Institute, my thesis became a blueprint for my future. Following graduation, I moved to Washington, D.C., and co-founded U.S. Term Limits, a national political organization. U.S. Term Limits developed state-based campaigns, drafted ballot initiatives, collected signatures for qualification, and coordinated a national media campaign for congressional term limits. In the November 1992 election, U.S. Term Limits was victorious in all 14 states where initiatives appeared on the ballot. Following the election, I enrolled in law school and went on to have a successful career in political law, before broadening my legal practice and endeavors.
Dr. Heslop and the Rose Institute were instrumental in both my academic growth and the success of the national term limit movement – as well as my early career – for which I am forever grateful.