Press Releases | General Education

ACTA Announces the John Dickinson Forum for the Study of America’s Founding Principles at George Fox University as Oasis of Excellence

October 31, 2019 by ACTA

Washington, DC – In 2014, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) began honoring outstanding programs at colleges and universities across the country that promote the study of American history, Western Civilization, and the Great Books. The Oases of Excellence project includes over 60 programs at a wide range of institutions and serves as a valuable resource for alumni and donors committed to supporting a traditional liberal education. Today, we are pleased to announce that George Fox University’s John Dickinson Forum for the Study of America’s Founding Principles has joined this prestigious group.

Named after John Dickinson, the “penman of the Revolution,” the Forum seeks to “promote thoughtful study, discussion, and debate about America’s founding principles,” and “encourage conversations about whether or how these principles are relevant today.” The John Dickinson Forum promotes the study of the American Founding throughout the Pacific Northwest with a lecture series, book and current events discussion groups, and student debates.

“Jefferson claimed, ‘If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be,’” said Michael Poliakoff, president of ACTA. “The study of civic leadership will equip our students to safeguard our freedoms and democracy. In an age too often defined by ignorance, programs like the John Dickinson Forum ensure that students who enter America’s higher education system can grow into the informed citizens our nation needs.”

ACTA is proud to partner with a program that provides future private and public leaders with the essential understanding of political and civic thought necessary to secure the health of constitutional government for generations to come.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 31, 2019

MEDIA CONTACT: Connor Murnane

EMAIL: media@goacta.org

PHONE: (202) 798-5450

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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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