The Troyer Steele Anderson Prize is awarded to the person whom Council considers to have made the most outstanding contribution to the advancement of the purposes of the Association. The prize was established by a bequest from Frank Maloy Anderson (1871–1961), a diplomatic and constitutional historian and a life member of the AHA, in honor of the memory of his son, a historian and public servant.
Past Recipients
Current Recipient
Michael Les Benedict, Ohio State University
As parliamentarian, Benedict worked behind the scenes with AHA officers and staff to develop and implement a series of fundamental revisions to the Association’s Constitution and Bylaws in response to a changing legal and cultural landscape, as well as a straightforward process of continued institutional learning. He also played an essential role at the annual business meeting, serving as the right hand for the presiding presidents and helping them navigate the complexities of parliamentary procedure amid controversy (often after spending additional hours beforehand preparing them for their role). His calm presence and assured mastery of parliamentary procedure helped maintain good order at many potentially contentious meetings. AHA staff often received comments about the quality of democratic process—a significant accomplishment given vigorous debates over content and process.