America 250 Demands a Return to the Founders’ Dream for Higher Education
America 250 demands a return – Leading a major public university reveals something the administrative class often overlooks: institutions are living entities, not static bureaucracies. The people entrusted with guiding them must adapt and recalibrate to uphold the core ideals of the nation. As a former president of the University of Alabama from 2015 to 2025, I witnessed the transformation of the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) movement from a noble effort to promote opportunity into a force that prioritizes ideology over intellectual merit. This shift, I argue, has placed American higher education at a crossroads, threatening the very principles that once defined its purpose.
The Ideological Capture of Academic Spaces
The DEI movement, once framed as a commitment to broadening access for underrepresented groups, has increasingly evolved into a system of ideological enforcement. This framework, while well-intentioned, has begun to suppress free inquiry, marginalize merit-based achievement, and overshadow the aspirations that fueled the American university’s founding. When the Alabama Legislature enacted SB 129 in 2024 to ban taxpayer-funded DEI offices, my administration collaborated closely with the state to implement the change. Our swift and unwavering action earned praise from the bill’s sponsors, who acknowledged our dedication to restoring institutional clarity.
Outreach efforts to identify gifted students from rural and underserved communities continued unimpeded. These programs, rooted in a recognition of talent rather than political philosophy, remained central to the mission of public universities. The original goal of these institutions—to cultivate a citizenry capable of self-governance—has always been tied to the pursuit of excellence and the promotion of merit. Yet, the confusion surrounding DEI has led many to question whether this purpose is still being served.
“A virtuous people are the only ones capable of freedom.” — Benjamin Franklin
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, the nation requires leaders in academia who have navigated the ideological challenges of recent decades and emerged with a stronger commitment to the founders’ vision. The early architects of our constitutional order believed education was essential to shaping societies capable of enduring self-rule. Benjamin Franklin, for instance, established the University of Pennsylvania with the explicit aim of fostering a populace equipped to govern itself. His insight—that a free society depends on a morally grounded citizenry—remains as relevant today as it was in the 18th century.
Thomas Jefferson’s founding of the University of Virginia echoed this philosophy. He envisioned an institution where students would be exposed to a broad range of disciplines, from history and theology to rhetoric and reason, to develop a well-rounded understanding of the world. George Washington, in his farewell address, emphasized that virtue and morality were the lifeblood of democratic governance. John Adams, meanwhile, declared that the Constitution was designed for a people who were “moral and religious.” These founding figures saw education as the engine of national greatness, a tool to cultivate the character and knowledge needed to sustain liberty.
The Erosion of Truth and the Rise of Identity Politics
Over time, however, higher education has veered away from this foundational ideal. The progressive redefinition of diversity, which positions identity as the primary criterion for value, has supplanted the pursuit of truth. This new paradigm treats objective knowledge as secondary to personal narratives, casting merit as an adversary and excellence as a threat to ideological progress. The consequences of this shift are now impossible to ignore, as universities increasingly prioritize activism over scholarship, and partisanship over intellectual rigor.
Western civilization, once celebrated as a pinnacle of human achievement, has been recast as an outdated construct. The idea that rigorous study of history, philosophy, and science is essential to understanding the world has given way to a focus on identity politics and cultural critique. Students are no longer taught to think critically but are instead trained to reach predetermined conclusions. This transformation has eroded public trust in higher education, as institutions are perceived as more interested in ideological conformity than in the pursuit of knowledge.
“The Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.” — John Adams
Yet, amid this decline, there are signs of renewal. Florida has emerged as a beacon of hope, with Governor Ron DeSantis spearheading a renaissance in public higher education. His administration’s emphasis on restoring academic freedom and redefining the mission of universities has sparked a wave of reforms. One notable initiative is the Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education, launched at the University of Florida in 2022. This program exemplifies a renewed confidence in the power of education to shape virtuous and informed citizens, emphasizing the enduring questions that define free societies.
The stakes of this revival extend far beyond the borders of one state. In an era of geopolitical uncertainty and fierce competition, the United States must reclaim its position as a leader in innovation and thought. A return to the founders’ vision is not just a nostalgic exercise—it is a necessary step to ensure that higher education remains a pillar of national strength. The challenge now is to rebuild trust, revive the pursuit of truth, and recenter the mission of universities on their original purpose: to educate citizens who can govern themselves, think independently, and uphold the values that have long defined American exceptionalism.
A Call for Renewal and Responsibility
As the nation moves toward its 250th year, the urgency to reaffirm the principles of the American university has never been greater. Presidents and administrators must be willing to confront the ideological trends that have captured the attention of academia and redirect it toward the core mission of fostering knowledge and virtue. The closure of DEI offices in Alabama and other states signals a growing recognition that this mission cannot be subordinated to partisan agendas. It is time for a serious moral reset—one that restores the balance between diversity and merit, ideology and inquiry, and ambition and integrity.
Higher education’s future hinges on its ability to reconnect with the ideals that once inspired it. By prioritizing the cultivation of virtuous citizens over the imposition of ideological conformity, universities can reclaim their role as engines of progress. The founders understood that education is not merely about imparting knowledge but about shaping the moral and intellectual character of a people. Their vision, though tested by time, still holds the key to ensuring that American universities remain worthy of the trust placed in them.
