Last updated on: 10/7/2010 | Author: ProCon.org

John McCardell, PhD Biography

Title:
Professor Emeritus, Middlebury College
Position:
Pro to the question "Should the Drinking Age Be Lowered from 21 to a Younger Age?"
Reasoning:

“The drinking age has effectively banished alcohol from public places and public view. But it has done little to reduce drinking…

Supporters of the law continue to urge abstinence and enforcement. Such an approach makes no allowance for human judgement or discretion…”

“Rethinking the Drinking Age of 21,” Guardian, Aug. 22, 2008
Theoretical Expertise Ranking:
Experts
Individuals with MDs, PhDs, JDs, or equivalent advanced degrees in fields relevant to the minimum legal drinking age. Also top-level government officials (such as foreign leaders, US presidents, Founding Fathers, Supreme Court Justices, members of legislative bodies, cabinet members, military leaders, etc.) with positions relevant to the minimum legal drinking age.
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • Professor Emeritus, Middlebury College, 2004-present
  • President, Sewanee, University of the South, 2010-present
  • Vice Chair, Board of Trustees, Episcopal High School, 2010
  • Board Member, Community Financial Services Group, 2010
  • Board Member, National Civil War Museum, 2010
  • President, Middlebury College, 1992-2004
  • Scholar-in-Residence, University of South Carolina, 2002
  • Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Southern Studies, University of South Carolina, 1980-1981, 1995-1996
  • Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Middlebury College, 1989-1991
  • Dean of Faculty, Middlebury College, 1988-1989
  • Dean for Academic Planning, Middlebury College, 1985-1988
  • Professor, Middlebury College, 1976-1985
  • Chair, NCAA Division III Presidents Council
  • Founder, Amethyst Initiative
  • Founder, Chooseresponsibility.org
Education:
  • PhD, History, Harvard University, 1976
  • BA, Washington and Lee University, and Johns Hopkins University, 1973
Other:
  • Member, Founders Award Committee, Confederate Memorial Literary Society
  • Member, Vermont Business Roundtable
Quoted in:
Pro & Con Quotes: Should the Drinking Age Be Lowered from 21 to a Younger Age?