Cal Thomas to receive William L. Armstrong Award at Western Conservative Summit
LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Conservative syndicated columnist Cal Thomas will receive the 2022 William L. Armstrong Award for Visionary Leadership in Service to the American Idea by the Centennial Institute, Colorado Christian University’s (CCU) public policy think tank, in partnership with the family of former U.S. Senator William L. Armstrong.
The William L. Armstrong Award is presented in honor of former businessman, United States Senator and Colorado Christian University President (‘06-’16) William L. Armstrong. The award is given to a leader who embodies the values that Armstrong held dear—faith, family, and freedom—and who has made a difference in America’s culture through business, politics or education. The award is presented at the closing dinner at the Western Conservative Summit, the largest annual gathering of conservatives in the Western United States.
“Since 2016, the Armstrong Award has recognized Americans for their national conservative leadership. Cal continues this legacy as a Christian journalist and American thought-leader,” said Jeff Hunt, director of the Centennial Institute. “His nearly 60-year journalism career has been marked by a commitment to principles, truthfulness, and thoughtfulness. Moreover, his friendship with Bill Armstrong makes this year’s Armstrong Award extra special.”
Dr. Donald Sweeting, president of CCU, remarked, “Cal Thomas has been one of the bright lights among editorialists giving brilliant, Christ-honoring commentary to our nation week after week for decades. We are so grateful for his voice.”
“Cal Thomas has been America’s columnist for as long as most of us can remember—an unapologetic Christian activist who brings the message of the Gospel, and the founding constitutional principles of our country, to his colleagues in the media, and to readers and listeners across the nation,” said Wil Armstrong, son of the late senator. “Those of us who care deeply about faith, family, and freedom, are forever in his debt.”
“It is often a cliche to say one is ‘honored’ by something or other, but in this case I truly am honored by this award. Bill Armstrong was a great example of what an honest politician, businessman, husband and father should look like,” remarked Cal Thomas on being notified of winning the Armstrong Award.
With a twice-weekly column appearing in hundreds of newspapers, Thomas is one of the most widely read and one of the most highly regarded voices on the American political scene. For 19 years he was a commentator on Fox News Channel, which included his own show “After Hours” and as a panelist for “Fox News Watch.” For ten years he and Bob Beckel wrote the “Common Ground” column for USA Today. He has worked for NBC News in Washington, D.C., and hosted his own program on CNBC that was nominated for a Cable ACE Award in 1995. In 2011, Thomas received the William F. Buckley, Jr. Award for Media Excellence from the Media Research Center.
Past recipients of the William L. Armstrong Award, given annually since 2016, include: conservative talk show host Dennis Prager; Focus on the Family and “Family Talk” founder Dr. James Dobson; former Attorney General and Counselor to President Ronald Reagan Edward Meese III; legal scholar and professor Robert George; Hobby Lobby president and chairman of the Museum of the Bible Steve Green; and Kay Coles James, former Heritage Foundation president and founder and chair of the Gloucester Institute.
The Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University works to enhance public understanding of the most important issues relating to faith, family, and freedom. As part of this endeavor, the Institute focuses its efforts on conducting research, analyzing public policy options and sponsoring seminars, conferences, and other activities that involve students, faculty, staff and outside experts. Each summer, it is the host of the nation’s largest annual conservative gathering west of the Mississippi, the Western Conservative Summit.
The Centennial Institute is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization that does not endorse or oppose any candidate or political party for public office.