Former Democratic Congressman Daniel Lipinski, who represented Illinois’ Third District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2005-2021, has been named Pope Leo XIII Fellow on Social Thought at the University of Dallas. As a pro-life Democrat, Lipinski built a strong reputation as a legislator who worked to bring people together across the aisle to solve problems.
In his role as Pope Leo XIII Fellow on Social Thought, Lipinski will mentor students, provide public lectures, and co-teach a course titled Politics and Parties with Constantin College Dean, Philip Harold, Ph.D.
“We’re thrilled to have Congressman Lipinski join the University of Dallas. In addition to this academic background and experience, he brings a wealth of real-world political experience from his tenure in the House of Representatives. His unique experiences, together with his deep learning in and application of Catholic social teaching, will enable him to educate our students about the practical workings of government in a way that few others can,” said University President Jonathan J. Sanford, Ph.D.
“I am honored to be returning to campus life and the classroom as the Pope Leo XIII Fellow on Social Thought at the University of Dallas,” said Lipinski. “While I served in Congress, I endeavored to be guided by the fullness of Catholic social thought, especially the teachings of Pope Leo. I look forward to drawing upon my knowledge and experiences to contribute to the university’s mission to educate students about applying faith and reason and becoming virtuous leaders in their family, community, country, and church.”
"With his decades of experience in Congress, Rep. Lipinski will make an important intellectual contribution to the life of the University and to our flourishing Politics program," said Harold.
After completing a BS at Northwestern University and an MS at Stanford University in engineering, Lipinski earned his doctorate in political science from Duke University.
In Congress, Lipinski authored 18 laws in a wide variety of issue areas, including laws that boosted American manufacturing, increased research funding for the National Science Foundation, spurred technological innovation, protected the environment, empowered victims of sexual assault, expanded consumers’ rights, and honored veterans. Lipinski served on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he chaired the Subcommittee on Rail, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials as well as the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, where he chaired and served as ranking member of the Research and Technology Subcommittee for a decade. He was the Democratic co-chair of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus and the International Religious Freedom Caucus.
Lipinski is currently president of Lipinski Solutions, LLC, a consulting firm. He authored “Congressional Communication: Content and Consequences” (University of Michigan Press, 2004) and has published several academic articles and book chapters on Congress and the legislative process, including a recent chapter in “Under the Iron Dome: Congress from the Inside” (Routledge). He has authored articles in First Things, America, The Atlantic and Public Discourse. He has also contributed op-eds to numerous newspapers including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Dallas Morning News and The Chicago Tribune. Lipinski is working on a book about his work in Congress and what needs to be done to mend the dangerous divide in America.
