Providence, R.I.--Dr. James M. Ludes '93, the executive director of the American Security Project (ASP), will offer the principal address at the annual Liberal Arts Honors Convocation on October 16 at 6:30 p.m. in Slavin Center '64 Hall.

Dr. Stephen J. Lynch, professor of English and director of the honors program, said the ceremony is an opportunity for students and faculty to celebrate the accomplishments of current program participants and to hear from a distinguished graduate.

Ludes founded ASP, a think tank based in Washington, D.C., in 2006. ASP aims to educate the public on a broad range of national security issues and the value of a principled approach to security.

In addition to his work with ASP, Ludes was a member of then President-elect Obama's Transition Team, where he oversaw the confirmation team for Department of Defense nominees. He has served as a legislative assistant to U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts and as editor-in-chief of National Security Studies Quarterly, a defense and national security journal.

Ludes majored in history and modern languages at PC. He earned his Ph.D. in history from Georgetown University. A native of Manchester, Conn., he is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Ludes spoke at PC in February in an event sponsored by the College's chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honor society.

The convocation, which is annually attended by students, faculty, and alumni, also will feature the presentation of the Paul van K. Thomson Award. The prize is given annually to the student who demonstrates exemplary, sustained work in the Honors Development of Western Civilization Program during the two-year, four-course sequence.

- Joe Miller '10

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