The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation would like to announce that Lewis F. Larsen, the Foundation’s President and first employee, is retiring on September 30, 2024, after an incredible career spanning 38 years.

In 1989, Senators Orrin G. Hatch and Edward M. Kennedy invited Mr. Larsen to be the first employee of the U.S. Federal Government’s newly established James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation as the Director for Foundation Development. The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation was chartered by Congress in 1986 with the assistance and encouragement of The Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution.

Over the course of his 38 years with the Foundation, Mr. Larsen helped grow and strengthen the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation both financially and organizationally, and inspired over 1,700 Fellows to improve their teaching of the U.S. Constitution in secondary schools throughout the nation. In 2010, the Foundation’s Board of Trustees appointed him as President of the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation following the retirement of the Foundation’s first President, Admiral Paul A. Yost, Jr.

Mr. Larsen graduated with his B.S. in Business Management/Finance from Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah in 1981 and received his MBA in Finance from George Washington University in 1987. From 1981 to 1986, Lew was a valued aide to United States Senator Orrin G. Hatch with a promotion in 1986 to become the Washington Finance Director for the Hatch Election Committee where he worked until 1989.

Mr. Larsen oversaw critical operations and management processes that helped the James Madison Foundation adapt and grow as the fellowship award process developed. He also helped the Foundation move to a permanent location in Alexandria, Virginia from its temporary office space donated by the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution to a leased location in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Larsen has always been a champion of establishing new partnerships within the education community and contributed significantly to the Foundation’s focus on excellence in teaching. His work ethic, knowledge of governmental, educational, and congressional affairs, devotion to the Foundation and client focus have been exemplary, and he has been a mentor to many James Madison Fellows over the past three decades. During the COVID-19 crisis, Mr. Larsen played an instrumental role in working with the Foundation staff, government agencies, and James Madison Fellows. Thanks to Mr. Larsen’s efforts, the Foundation was able to continually support the James Madison Fellows as they dealt with the challenges of the pandemic. His influence has made an indelible impact on generations of secondary school U.S. history and civics teachers.

Mr. Larsen will be greatly missed at the James Madison Foundation, but his legacy will continue. To this end, the Foundation is proud to announce the creation of the new Lewis F. Larsen–James Madison Fellowship.

The James Madison Foundation Board of Trustees and the James Madison Foundation staff wish Mr. Larsen all the best in his retirement and hope he enjoys time with his family and friends.

Contact:
Clare Iglesias
James Madison Foundation
ciglesias@jamesmadison.gov
571-858-4200