Dr. Bill Stewart, Hartselle native and professor emeritus of political science at The University of Alabama, was  recently presented with the National Association of Secretaries of State Gold Medallion Award by Alabama Secretary of State  John H. Merrill.

His plaque says the award was based on “his service to the people of the State of Alabama.”  An accompany commendation by Governor Robert Bentley said that “his hard work and ingenuity reflect immense honor upon the entire state of Alabama.”  His family was closely involved in the politics of Hartselle and Morgan County  dating from the late nineteenth century. He served as chair of his department at the University from 1991-2000.  His major books include The Alabama Constitutional Commission (1975),   Alabama Government and Politics (co-author, 1988), Executive Leadership in the Public Service (co-editor, 1992), The Alabama State Constitution:  A Reference Guide (1994, second edition forthcoming), and Concetti del federalismo (co-author, 1995).  Stewart is familiar to those who follow Alabama politics by virtue of his numerous appearances on TV and radio and his observations on state happenings as published in newspapers and online in Alabama and nationally/internationally.  He is currently working on two additional books, both related to this state’s government and politics.