Reaching Minds

Viewpoint Diversity is essential for developing critical thinking. We support educational opportunities students would otherwise not have: Opportunities to learn the moral and economic value of capitalism. We foster the experience of discovering different arguments and ideas and the chance to explore the rich intellectual tradition of individual liberty.

Weekend Exploring Liberty: Freedom Unveiled
Cohosted with Young Americas Foundation

“Thank you for making it possible for me and other students to attend the Freedom Unveiled Seminar. At the seminar, I had the opportunity to hear from multiples speakers who shared similar values to mine. I was also able to connect with like-minded students and form new relationships. I hope I can take what I learned from the seminar and get more students involved.”—Ashley, University of Illinois

  • Academy launches new initiatives exploring the important relationships between businesses and social change, fairness, and human well-being.

  • Students from all three University of Illinois campuses participate in the annual Weekends Exploring Liberty supported by donors to the Academy on Capitalism.

    These annual programs are a favorite of students because they provide an opportunity to interact with great thinkers and professors outside of their normal classroom settings. Students are given a chance over several days to get to know each other better, meet and learn from inspiring dedicated teachers, and be introduced to and explore ideas they might otherwise never encounter in a modern college setting.

    Every week seems to bring a new story to national attention about the lack of ideological diversity and intellectual openness on college campuses. The Weekend Exploring Liberty series gives students a chance to move outside of the limited scope of many existing courses and explore, debate, and learn in an open and encouraging environment where more sides and view points are introduced.

  • The visionary efforts of the Academy’s donors and faculty have led to the creation of a unique program in Liberty Studies that exists nowhere else in the world.

    This program provides students with a strong and challenging array of educational opportunities from new courses, study abroad programs, intensive weekend seminars and student groups. And Business and Society programs helps students explore the crucial and under-appreciated link between economic growth, human rights, and social progress.

  • Each semester the Academy supports lectures by scholars, authors, and leaders, to provide provocative and educational commentary on ideas critical to current events, human well-being, and American society. These events are open to the public and well attended by students, faculty, and the broader community.