Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership to Host 2 Events in March

Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership to Host 2 Events in March

The University of Toledo's Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership will host visiting scholars from across the country for two events to kick off programming in celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026.

"Is Trump Good for Higher Education?" is a debate beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 12, in University Hall's Doermann Theatre. "Is Liberty Still Relevant?" is a panel discussion beginning at noon on Friday, March 13, in the Law Center's McQuade Law Auditorium.

Advance registration is requested via the institute website for each free, public event.

"The institute exists to study our constitutional tradition seriously enough to appreciate it and to cross-examine it honestly, and there is no better time to do both than our nation's 250th anniversary," said Dr. Jonathan Culp, director of the Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership. "In that spirit, we are kicking off our America 250 programming with two events: a debate over the proper scope of governmental authority over institutions of higher learning, and a panel that examines whether the Declaration of Independence's account of natural liberty still has a claim on us."

Dr. Steven Hayward and Nadine Strossen will present "Is Trump Good for Higher Education?" exploring the relationships between academic institutions and the country's political leadership.

Hayward is a senior fellow of the Public Law and Policy Program at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, while Strossen is a senior fellow of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Education (FIRE), a professor emerita at New York Law School and a past president of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Hayward will join Dr. Vincent Phillip Muñoz, Dr. Thomas West and Dr. Michael Zuckert for "Is Liberty Still Relevant?" analyzing the political and moral principles established in the Declaration of Independence.

Muñoz is a professor of law and political science and the founding director of the Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government at the University of Notre Dame. West is a professor of politics at Hillsdale College, and Zuckert is a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Notre Dame.

The Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership, a multidisciplinary center established at UToledo by the Ohio Legislature in 2023, offers a variety of courses on topics like statesmanship, civic discourse and the liberal and conservative traditions in the United States in addition to facilitating lectures, debates and other public programming.

Free visitor parking is available for each upcoming event with advance registration.

All other visitor parking requires payment through the ParkMobile app, a parking meter or a daily permit via ParkUToledo. Visit the ParkUToledo website for more information.