The Center for Political and Economic Thought is an interdisciplinary public affairs institute of Saint Vincent College. It sponsors research and education programs in economics, politics, and culture and seeks to advance a free and well-ordered society in the American and Western traditions. The Center was founded in 1991 as an outgrowth of the Alex G. McKenna Economic Education Series, which was inaugurated in 1986. Programs include: The Alex G. McKenna Economic Education Series, the Government and Political Education Series, the Civitas Forum on Principles and Policies for Public Life, Culture and Policy Conferences, the Alex G. McKenna Economic and Policy Scholarships, and the Internships and seminar program for student affiliates of the Center. In addition, the Center supports research and educational activities by its staff and produces publications.

The Center is part of the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics, and Government. The formation of the McKenna School is the first step of an aggressive reorganization plan designed to make Saint Vincent College a national leader in higher education. Gary Quinlivan, who serves as Executive Director of the Center, is the Dean of the McKenna School.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Center for Political and Economic Thought at Saint Vincent College is to promote scholarship and informed discussion on political, economic, and moral-cultural principles, problems, and controversies, and on the public policy questions arising out of them.  The Center seeks to understand and reinforce the intellectual and social underpinnings of a free and well-ordered society, with a particular emphasis on the American experience.  The programs of the Center are oriented toward the scholarly exposition of individual freedom, limited constitutional government, free market economics, and the philosophical and moral foundations of America and the West.  The Center seeks to enhance the curricula of the Political Science, Economics, Public Policy, and Business Programs of Saint Vincent College; to provide an educational forum for the Saint Vincent community and the general public; and to contribute intellectually to the greater academic and public affairs communities.

Member of the 1997-98 Templeton Honor Rolls for Education in a Free Society