Hinckley Institute to honor pollster

For his prominent role in and contributions to Utah politics, Dan E. Jones will be honored by the Hinckley Institute of Politics as an institute fellow, with a scholarship in his name.

"He's been an incredible mentor to me, as well as thousands of students and officials in our state," said Kirk L. Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute. The support shown to Jones' work and teaching — and the excitement surrounding the new scholarship — is a "testament to the incredible influence one person can have in society."

The Dan E. Jones Future Leaders Scholarship, Jowers said, will honor the public service and wisdom of Jones, "who has served communities as a teacher, pollster, mentor and political guru." Jones has delivered numerous lectures related to government and has influenced many leaders in business and politics.

"We've found there is such a love for Dan in this state," Jowers said. "He's seemingly everyone's favorite teacher ... his is a legacy of people who are drawn to democracy and service."

The scholarship will be awarded to about 10 students each year, in the amount of $500 to $1,000 to fund "anything the student needs during their internships," Jowers said. Eligible students must be state and local interns who are committed to public service and demonstrate outstanding academic accomplishment and leadership potential.

The Hinckley Institute gives out more than $500,000 per year in scholarships for internships. The Dan E. Jones Future Leaders Scholarship will provide even more opportunities, Jowers said. The program has grown over the years to support nearly 300 international, national, state and local interns annually.

So far, Jones' scholarship has received more than $100,000 in sponsor donations.

"A lot of people have ties to Dan," Jowers said.

A fundraising luncheon will be held today at the Rice-Eccles Stadium Tower at noon. Reservations can be made by calling 801-581-8501. It is "designed to bring influential leaders into Salt Lake for a few days of meetings, speeches and other activities to enrich the university," Jowers said. Proceeds from the lunch will supplement Jones' scholarship.

Also today, Jones will speak at a Hinckley Forum entitled "A Utah Political Perspective: Five Decades of History," at 10:45 a.m. in the Hinckley Caucus Room at Orson Spencer Hall.

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E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com