Carl Albert Congressional Research & Studies Center

Monnet Hall

I begin this venture by writing about one important part of my undergraduate experience at OU, the Carl Albert Congressional Research & Studies Center.  As an undergrad, I major in political science, economics and history, and because of the Albert Center took a special interest in the Congress.  “Back in the day,” serving in the Congress seemed to be a more lofty professional ambition.  When I was in Norman, I recall our bright, young delegation filled with the likes of OU alums, Dave McCurdy, Mike Synar, Jim Jones, Mickey Edwards, and, of course David Boren.  Times have changed in so many ways.  The political winds have shifted, the reputation of Congress has scarcely been less favorable, and political gridlock abounds, which makes the Carl Albert Center more important than ever.



Statue of Speaker Albert, gift of Clark & Wanda Bass

If folklore is to be believed, the Albert Center was the brainchild of a young political science professor Ron Peters, who dreamed it up over a backyard BBQ in the late 1970’s.  I don’t know if that is really true, but I do know that Ron—a newly-minted PhD from the University of Indiana—was an entrepreneurial scholar who saw a need for an academic center focused exclusively on the U.S. Congress.  OU, the alma mater of the 54th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Carl Albert, might make a logical home for such an institution, thought the new OU prof.  Peters gathered other Congressional scholars, archival collections, funds, graduate students, and more and set about to create a world class institution.

Fairly early on, I was among the undergrads who participated in the Congressional studies area of concentration as I took a degree in political science.  Through the generosity of the Center and the political science department and the Center, I was afforded the opportunity to work as an intern—for then Senator Boren—in Washington, long ago.

Ron, has since retired, leaving the Center in the capable hands of one of the PhD’s that he trained Cindy Simon Rosenthal, who continues to expand their portfolio of projects.  CAC boasts a Women’s Leadership Institute; an ever-expanding Congressional archives and oral history collections; public service and scholars programs; and the Rothbaum Lecture Series; among other offerings.  Likewise, the Albert Center’s doctoral students dot the academic landscape all over America at institutions including the University of Missouri, Harvard University's Institute of Politics, Suffolk University, the University of South Dakota, Randolph-Macon College, Winthrop University, Washington & Lee, and more.  Carl Albert Fellows have held impressive posts in government offices and worked for elected officials and, indeed, several have run for Congress.  Mr. Albert would be proud.