The APU was founded in 1939 by Robert Morgenthau '41 and Richard Wilbur '42 with the goal of increasing political discourse on Amherst’s campus. The APU prides itself on its nonpartisan structure and serves as a safe environment for individuals with varied political views. The APU hosts numerous speakers throughout the year, most of which are open to the entire Amherst community. Past guests have
included: Eleanor Roosevelt, Charles Lindbergh, Senator Claude Pepper, Prime Minister of Pakistan Shaukat Aziz, NY Times Columnist Joe Nocera, former RNC Chairman Michael Steele, Harvard Law Professor Lawrence Lessig, Georgetown Law Professor David Cole, and many more. Our events range in format from one on one debates, to large panels, to student-driven discussions. The APU holds weekly meetings on Monday nights at 8pm in the McCaffrey Room in the Keefe Campus Center. All members of the Amherst College community are welcome.
