May 18, 1941–Aug. 29, 2020
Bertram J. Levine had an unconventional path through Colgate University. He began as a member of the Class of ’63, but because of significant learning disabilities, he was unable to complete his four years. After spending a few years at Colgate, Levine started his career as a legislative assistant to New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller (under the mentorship of Joe Boyd ’61). Levine then went on to earn a JD from St. John’s School of Law in 1970 (made possible because Colgate’s Dean William Griffith ’33 helped him gain acceptance into law school without a bachelor’s degree).
Little did Levine know, he would find himself continuously returning to our institution on the Hill — first to complete his degree in 1986 and later to become the renowned Charles Evans Hughes Professor of American institutions, the A. Lindsay O’Connor Professor of political science, and the Charles Evans Hughes Fellow in political science.
Levine moved through several positions on Capitol Hill, primarily working on health policy for the counsel to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and on various political campaigns. His other positions included the legislative liaison to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare; the legislative liaison for the Special Action Office for Drug Abuse Prevention at the White House; and minority counsel for the Health and Environment Subcommittee of the Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee of the United States Congress throughout the 1970s. Afterward, he began work as a lobbyist for Johnson & Johnson and eventually became its vice president of federal government relations.
Despite his many years in a successful career, Levine was determined to finish his Colgate degree. He completed independent study courses with political science professor Stanley Brubaker and finally marched down the Hill with the Class of ’86.
“I was supposed to be his professor, but it soon became clear that he was my mentor,” says Brubaker, who later co-led the Washington Study Group with Levine. “I learned a lot about politics from him, but more importantly I learned about life and friendship. He was one of the most generous people I’ve ever known, always willing to go the extra mile and then some.”
After 20 years with Johnson & Johnson, Levine switched careers to return to academia. At Rutgers University, Levine was an adjunct professor and earned his PhD in political science in 2005. He then served as a visiting assistant professor at Bucknell, followed by a visiting lecturer position at the University of Pennsylvania, and finally as a professor of American studies and political science at Colgate.
Levine used his professional experience in his classes and published frequently on the topics of lobbying and interest groups. His 2008 book, The Art of Lobbying: Building Trust and Selling Policy on Capitol Hill, is still used in college classrooms today.
He’s remembered fondly for his time leading the Washington Study Group. “He brought a world of political and business knowledge to our Washington Study Group program and to his on-campus classes,” says Michael Johnston, Charles A. Dana Professor of political science emeritus. “He was a superb colleague and scholar.”
Brubaker adds, “He was a natural in the classroom; his classes were packed. Students loved him and were inspired by him.”
Levine is survived by his wife of 54 years, Shelly Brown Levine; a daughter and son-in-law; a son and daughter-in-law; and five grandchildren.