ACTA in the NewsCivic Education
Death of American history? Professors warn students, even teachers show ‘shocking ignorance’ of founding docs
Professors at Ole Miss are sounding the alarm over teachers and students’ “shocking […]
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.
RELATED
CONTENT
Press ReleasesGeneral Education
Three Exceptional Programs Join ACTA’s Hidden Gems Initiative
Washington, DC—The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) has designated three new exceptional academic programs as Hidden Gems. ACTA’s Hidden Gems initiative shines a light on honors colleges and major, minor, and certificate programs that provide high-quality interdisciplinary education in the liberal arts. Launched in 2019, it now includes 26 programs spanning from coast […]
ACTA in the NewsCivic Education
On Saving the Humanities
“Will Republicans save the humanities?” So asked Jenna and Ben Storey in their widely read article last year about the rise of civics centers at public universities in red and purple states. For us (two classicists), the future of the humanities is of the utmost importance, and we were especially interested to hear the speakers at the […]
RELATED
PRESS MENTIONS
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 […]
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.
Discover MoreSTAY INFORMED
Sign up to receive updates on the most pressing issues facing our college campuses.