We were honored to host the Second Annual Meeting of The Jefferson Council on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at the University Alumni Hall. It was a tremendous success by all accounts, bringing together alumni, students, faculty members, and parents in support of free speech, intellectual diversity, and the Jeffersonian tradition.

You can find a brief description and recording of each speech below.

What’s at State, a National Perspective
Allan Stam, professor at the Batten Institute for Leadership at the University of Virginia

Welcome and Opening Remarks
Bert Ellis, co-founder and president emeritus of The Jefferson Council and member of the University of Virginia Board of Visitors

Culture or Codes: Promoting Free Expression on Campus
Connor Murnane, director of engagement and mobilization for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression

Student Testimonials
Ann McLean, chair of The Jefferson Council’s Student Liaison Committee
Lauren Horan, CRs at UVA
Skylar Jackman, Young Americans for Freedom
Ian Schwartz, CRs at UVA
Paul Deaton, Burke Society
Nickolaus Cabrera, Young Americans for Freedom
Vidar Hageman, student council president candidate

How The Jefferson Council is Building a Culture of Pluralism at UVA
Jim Bacon, executive director of The Jefferson Council

Board of Visitors Update
Bert Ellis, co-founder and president emeritus of The Jefferson Council, member of the University of Virginia Board of Visitors

The Jefferson Council’s Accomplishments and Looking Ahead
Tom Neale, president of The Jefferson Council

Universities United to Support Free Speech, Academic Freedom, and Viewpoint Diversity
Chuck Davis, president of the Alumni Free Speech Alliance

Keynote Speech: Addressing Black Inequality, Embracing Black Patriotism
Glenn Loury, professor of economics at Brown University