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“Not very often does a college student get the opportunity to actually create something that could, in theory, have such enormous policy implications,” says Ken Kligge, a senior from Hatfield, Pa., and a graduate of North Penn High School. “Writing this honors thesis is somewhat daunting, given the complexities of nuclear arms reduction, not to mention actually forwarding a new policy proposal.”
Ken Kligge is immersed in a complex research project in international nuclear weapons policy, examining how to reduce the chance of an accidental launch of intercontinental nuclear missiles through an innovative weapons-storage policy.
His senior honors thesis in government and law is entitled “Missile Escrow: A New Policy Proposal for Nuclear Arms Control.” His adviser, Neil A. Englehart, assistant professor of government and law, says the project is original and compelling.
“Ken has a really interesting idea,” Engelhart says. “He proposes to separate nuclear warheads and missiles and create separate storage facilities for each.”
A double major in international affairs and government and law, Kligge says he became interested in the topic after meeting Admiral Stansfield Turner, the former U.S. Director of Central Intelligence, who is a proponent of nuclear missile storage solutions that safeguard against accidental launches. Turner is the author of the 1997 book Caging the Nuclear Genie – An American Challenge for Global Security.
“My project grew from there,” Kligge says. “Not very often does a college student get the opportunity to actually create something that could, in theory, have such enormous policy implications. Writing this honors thesis is somewhat daunting, given the complexities of nuclear arms reduction, not to mention actually forwarding a new policy proposal.”
“Completing an honors thesis is a valuable educational opportunity,” Engelhart adds. “It really takes a student to the next level. In this case, the work may even have broader repercussions. Ken and I have been working on a number of issues that will help make the thesis credible.”
Kligge’s project may help him in his ambition to become a policy analyst. “Working on the project is helpful, because I am able to actually develop a policy proposal, which I hope to be doing regularly in my career.”
Another Side of Ken
He is a member of Dobro Slovo, the national honor society for students of the Russian language or culture, and treasurer of the International Affairs Club. In his very first semester at Lafayette, he participated in a distinctive “European Union Simulation,” in Washington, D.C. He was one of 16 Lafayette students who played the roles of Belgian officials. Kligge is president of Kirby House, a distinctive Lafayette student residence.