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ACTA Holds These Truths…

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting academic excellence, academic freedom, and accountability at America’s colleges and universities.
October 28, 2025

Launched in 1995, we are the only organization that works with alumni, donors, trustees, and education leaders across the United States to support liberal arts education, uphold high academic standards, safeguard the free exchange of ideas on campus, and ensure that the next generation receives an intellectually rich, high-quality college education at an affordable price.

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Former Harvard president to be honored for dedication to ‘truth-seeking,’ academic rigor

Lawrence Summers, president emeritus of Harvard University, will be honored with an outstanding education award this weekend for his long reputation of defending rigorous academics, advocating for free speech, and attempting to steer modern universities back to their “truth-seeking” mission. The Philip Merrill Award for Outstanding Contributions to Liberal Arts Education comes from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni as part of its 30th anniversary celebration Friday in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes his outstanding contributions to higher education, particularly his commitment to academic rigor and expanding access to quality education.
Press ReleasesIntellectual Diversity

ACTA Names Pano Kanelos as 2025 Hero of Intellectual Freedom

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) will honor Pano Kanelos, the founding president of the University of Austin (UATX), as our 2025 Hero of Intellectual Freedom. A passionate advocate for liberal education and intellectual diversity, Dr. Kanelos and his fellow co-founders formed UATX to preserve the “lively clash of ideas and opinions” that fuels discovery, innovation, and the search for truth.
WHO WE ARE

Launched in 1995, we are the only organization that works with alumni, donors, trustees, and education leaders across the United States to support liberal arts education, uphold high academic standards, safeguard the free exchange of ideas on campus, and ensure that the next generation receives an intellectually rich, high-quality college education at an affordable price.

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