Michigan Justice begins 17th year of teaching
Katie Rose McEneely
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: News
Hillsdale's Constitutional Law professor isn't just a professor.
Though currently serving a term as Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, a position he has held since 1999, Stephen Markman began teaching at Hillsdale College in 1993, after he finished serving as United States Attorney in Michigan under President George H. Bush.
Markman first heard of Hillsdale during the Grove City legislation, which sought to apply the rules and regulations of the federal government more aggressively against colleges that wanted to remain independent.
He has always respected for and has "greatly admired the academic quality of the campus, the values of the mission," he said.
Markman had spoken numerous times at the college before he approached the administration about teaching a class.
"[I admired] its commitment to a traditional constitution," he said. "I thought I could contribute something."
Markman's constitutional law class is usually held once per academic year, this year holding 26 students. He commutes from his office in Lansing, Mich., one night per week, this year on Tuesdays.
"I take some pride in this course in that we spend a considerable amount of time going through the provisions of the Constitution," Markman said. "I very much enjoy the opportunity to come to Hillsdale each week and teach my course. I've always been impressed with the caliber of students."
Juls O'Neill, a junior, said she thinks the class is a great experience.
"Justice Markman really knows the Constitution well and he has a passion for it," she said. "It's going to make a really great class. I think I'm gonna learn a lot."
"It's really intense," junior Elizabeth Tara Ryan said of the class. "Markman does not mess around. He really wants us to learn this stuff."
Prior to his 1989-93 term as United States Attorney in Michigan, Markman served as Assistant Attorney General of the United States from 1985-89 under Reagan, working with Attorney General Edwin Meese, who will speak at this year's graduation ceremony.
Markman served as Chief Counsel of the United States Senate Subcommittee on the Constitution and as Deputy Chief Counsel of the United States Senate Judiciary Committee from 1978 to 1985. He has also served as a contributing editor for National Review magazine.
Markman lives in Mason, Mich., with his wife and two sons, one of whom is currently a sophomore at Hillsdale.
Though currently serving a term as Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, a position he has held since 1999, Stephen Markman began teaching at Hillsdale College in 1993, after he finished serving as United States Attorney in Michigan under President George H. Bush.
Markman first heard of Hillsdale during the Grove City legislation, which sought to apply the rules and regulations of the federal government more aggressively against colleges that wanted to remain independent.
He has always respected for and has "greatly admired the academic quality of the campus, the values of the mission," he said.
Markman had spoken numerous times at the college before he approached the administration about teaching a class.
"[I admired] its commitment to a traditional constitution," he said. "I thought I could contribute something."
Markman's constitutional law class is usually held once per academic year, this year holding 26 students. He commutes from his office in Lansing, Mich., one night per week, this year on Tuesdays.
"I take some pride in this course in that we spend a considerable amount of time going through the provisions of the Constitution," Markman said. "I very much enjoy the opportunity to come to Hillsdale each week and teach my course. I've always been impressed with the caliber of students."
Juls O'Neill, a junior, said she thinks the class is a great experience.
"Justice Markman really knows the Constitution well and he has a passion for it," she said. "It's going to make a really great class. I think I'm gonna learn a lot."
"It's really intense," junior Elizabeth Tara Ryan said of the class. "Markman does not mess around. He really wants us to learn this stuff."
Prior to his 1989-93 term as United States Attorney in Michigan, Markman served as Assistant Attorney General of the United States from 1985-89 under Reagan, working with Attorney General Edwin Meese, who will speak at this year's graduation ceremony.
Markman served as Chief Counsel of the United States Senate Subcommittee on the Constitution and as Deputy Chief Counsel of the United States Senate Judiciary Committee from 1978 to 1985. He has also served as a contributing editor for National Review magazine.
Markman lives in Mason, Mich., with his wife and two sons, one of whom is currently a sophomore at Hillsdale.
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