Alumni Receives James Madison Fellowship

June 15, 2020

Nicholas Hegge, an alumnus of Briar Cliff University, has been awarded a 2020 James Madison Fellowship by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation of Alexandria, VA. 

Named in honor of the fourth president of the United States and acknowledged “Father of the Constitution and Bill of Rights,” the James Madison Fellowship funds $24,000 of the selected recipients’ course of study toward a master’s degree.

A 2010 Briar Cliff graduate, Hegge received his degree in history and secondary education. He will go on to obtain his master’s in history at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

“I love the impact that teachers are able to have on a community. Civics and history teachers have a real opportunity to equip students with citizenship skills, that they can use as they move into adulthood,” Hegge said.

Attributing BCU to igniting his passion of history, Hegge recalls history professor Dr. Eric Juhnke as his role model, who has a passion for history and truly cares for his students.

Nicholas Hegge was selected for a James Madison Fellowship in competition with applicants from around the U.S. The fellowship requires its recipient to teach American History, American government or civics in a secondary school. The award is intended to recognize promising and distinguished teachers, to strengthen their knowledge of the origins, and development of American constitutional government.