Dr. Joseph Loconte Accepts Position at The Heritage Foundation
Dr. Joseph Loconte has accepted a position as Director of the B. Kenneth Simon Center for American Studies at The Heritage Foundation.
Dr. Joseph Loconte has accepted a position as Director of the B. Kenneth Simon Center for American Studies at The Heritage Foundation. Beginning on June 15, he will act as the resident historian for Heritage in Washington, D.C., concluding his teaching tenure at King’s.
Provost Dr. Mark Hijleh says, “Though this is a bittersweet moment for us all, I invite you to celebrate with me the extraordinary opportunity it represents for Professor Loconte to continue to serve the larger mission of The King’s College as our loyal friend. His new appointment is a signal honor, in recognition of the gifts and ongoing service he brings to the cause of ‘building an America where freedom, opportunity, prosperity, and civil society flourish.’”
Since joining the faculty in early 2009, Loconte has taught classes at The King’s College in Western Civilization, U.S. Foreign Policy, and International Human Rights. Because of his contributions to the public square, he was appointed a Senior Fellow in Christianity and Culture in early 2019. He has facilitated several major King’s events, including the 2018 Founders Day lecture with John Beckett and a 2018 lecture with Dr. Michael Ward. Off campus, Loconte, along with Dr. David Tubbs, has regularly welcomed alumni into his home for conversation and meal sharing.
In his position as Director of the B. Kenneth Simon Center, Loconte will “articulate and promote to new audiences the principles of conservatism and the American Founding.” Loconte’s new role is not his first involvement with Heritage, however. From 1999 to 2006, Loconte served as the William E. Simon Fellow holding the first chair in religion and civil society. He has stayed connected to the Foundation through friendships over the years.
He calls this “the opportunity of a lifetime” but says it “would not have been possible without my experience at King’s.” To his students, he says, “Because of you, my life has become a little less selfish, and more deeply enriched than I could have imagined.” Going forward, Loconte is enthusiastic about continuing “to support the Christian mission of King’s in every way I can.”