Acton Institute's 22nd Annual Dinner

Mr. Eric Metaxas, author of two acclaimed New York Times bestselling biographies, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy and Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery. In addition to being named “Book of the Year” by the ECPA, Bonhoeffer also won the 2011 John C. Pollock Award for Biography and a 2011 Christopher Award in the Non-fiction category.  Called a “biography of uncommon power,” Bonhoeffer appeared on numerous 2010 “Best of the Year” lists and was featured in many prominent news outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, The New Republic, Harper’s, C-SPAN’s Book TV, Christianity Today, and First Things.

Metaxas was the keynote speaker at the 2012 National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC and is currently the voice of Breakpoint, a daily radio broadcast begun by Chuck Colson in 1991, that provides Christian perspective on today’s news and trends to an audience of eight million people. In 2011, Metaxas was the 17th recipient of the Canterbury Medal awarded by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.

Rev. Robert A. Sirico is known by many as a public intellectual. He is often in the pages of prominent newspapers or on the radio or television, being called upon for statements regarding economics, civil rights, and issues of religious concern. In addition to his duties as president of the Acton Institute, Rev. Sirico serves on the staff of Sacred Heart of Jesus parish in Grand Rapids, Michigan and is the founder of a new religious community, St. Philip Neri House, also in Grand Rapids. Rev. Sirico received his Master of Divinity degree from the Catholic University of America, with undergraduate study at the University of Southern California and the University of London. He holds an honorary doctorate in Christian ethics from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, as well as an honorary doctorate in social sciences from Universidad Francisco Marroquin.

In November 2004, Jeff Fortenberry was elected to the United States House of Representatives to serve Nebraska's First Congressional District.

Jeff's work in Congress is rooted in the belief that the strength of our nation depends on the strength of our families and communities. His efforts are focused on five critical areas: strengthening national security and diplomatic engagement; promoting alternative energy and environmental sustainability; increasing small business entrepreneurship and rural vitality; creating patient-centered health care, and upholding family life and culture.

Joseph G. Scoville serves as United States Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Michigan. Before taking the bench in January of 1988, he was a partner in the law firm of Warner, Norcross & Judd in Grand Rapids. He is a past president of the Federal Bar Association, Western Michigan Chapter, and has been a faculty member for many continuing legal education programs in the State of Michigan. He has served on a number of charitable boards, including the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, where he is presently Chairman of the Board.

Judge Scoville is a graduate of Michigan State University (1971) and University of Michigan Law School (1974). Joe and his wife, Margaret, have been married for thirty-nine years and have two adult sons and three adorable granddaughters. They are members of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, where Joe is a member of the Schola Cantorum, which sings Gregorian Chant at the Latin Mass.