U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Nicholson has been honored with Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from Regis University; the University of Dallas, TX; John Cabot University, Rome; Ave Maria School of Law, Ann Arbor, MI; King's College, Wilkes Barre, PA; University of Denver College of Law; and the University of Rome, Italy. He gave the Commencement Address for the universities listed above, as well as the US Merchant Marine Academy. Additionally, he was recognized for by the Volunteers of America Ballington and Maude Booth Award for Public Service; President's Medal for Public Service, Georgetown University; Builder Hall of Fame by the National Association of Homebuilders; the Beckett Fund "Canterbury Medal"; Annual "Top Irish American Award" by Irish American Magazine; and Military Chaplains Association 2007 Citizenship Award. Political career Nicholson has never held elected office, but has long been active in the Republican Party. In January 1986, he was elected committeeman from Colorado for the Republican National Committee (RNC). In 1993, he was elected Vice-Chairman of the RNC, and was the "surprise pick" for GOP national chairman in January 1997. He served in that role through the 2000 presidential election. Between 2001 and 2005, Nicholson served as United States Ambassador to the Holy See (the Vatican). In 2003, Pope John Paul II knighted him with the Grand Cross for his leadership on human rights issues and standing for religious freedom. Order of Pius IX. In 2016, according to a Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) Short Form Registration Statement dated October 21, 2016, Nicholson began working as “Senior Counsel” for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Working with other foreign agents hired by the lobbying firm of Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber, & Schreck, Nicholson's primary duties include facilitating & attending meetings with U.S. federal government officials on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. References External links Official biography from the Department of Veterans Affairs website VIP Speakers Bureau, Jim Nicholson Former Vatican Ambassador Nicholson sees wisdom of Holy Spirit in election of Pope Francis |- |- |- 1938 births Living people 21st-century American diplomats 21st-century American politicians Ambassadors of the United States to the Holy See United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War American real estate businesspeople Colorado lawyers George W. Bush administration cabinet members Iowa Republicans Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Pope Pius IX People from Plymouth County, Iowa Recipients of the Air Medal