ACTA in the NewsCivic Literacy
University Innovation in the Buckeye State?
When one thinks of states that are blazing the way with innovative public policy solutions, conservatives and libertarians think of places...
Speeches & Testimony
Yale professor Donald Kagan delivers remarks upon accepting the fourth annual Philip Merrill Award for Outstanding Contributions to Liberal Arts Education with an introduction by the Honorable Jose A. Cabranes. Professor Kagan implored participants to be freshmen—to approach issues from an independent perspective and to open their minds to a broad range of ideas and philosophies. He warned against being a sophomore, which, as its Greek root makes clear, means self-satisfied, opinionated, and know-it-all. The award was presented on October 17, 2008 in New York City.
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The ForumLiberal Arts
In Memoriam: Benno C. Schmidt, Jr.
Benno Schmidt, an extraordinary educator and an extraordinary friend to ACTA, has died. We deeply mourn his loss. There are few who brought such versatility of vision and intellect to the most important issues in education. He was a fierce and consistent defender of campus freedom of expression, deeply committed to the First Amendment and […]
Press ReleasesGeneral Education
ACTA Welcomes Two More Programs to Oases of Excellence Network
The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) is delighted to welcome the Madden Center for Value Creation at Florida Atlantic University and the Center for Great Books & Human Flourishing into the Oases of Excellence network. Oases of Excellence are outstanding programs at colleges and universities across the country that are dedicated to educating […]
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ACTA in the NewsGeneral Education
Freshman Classes Getting Hooked on the Classics
Six years ago, a faculty committee at Ursinus College near Philadelphia sat down to review its core curriculum. The usual results of such meetings, some critics of higher education say, are minor adjustments in a smorgasbord of courses that don’t really have much to do with each other. At Ursinus, with 1,500 students and a […]
ACTA in the NewsGeneral Education
Learning the Value of Liberal Arts
I am upset that my daughter won’t take an economics course, and that her college won’t make her do so. You will be surprised how few of our nation’s finest colleges–I have a list of 50 in front of me–require general economics for graduation. But let’s first consider the broader issue of liberal arts courses […]
ACTA in the NewsGeneral Education
College students need solid, uniform base before learning what they want
College students around the country are returning to school this weekend. What are they going to learn when they get there? Not what they should, according to a recent publication of the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, titled “What Will They Learn? A Report on General Education Requirements at 100 of the Nation’s Leading […]
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