On March 2-4 a group of TFAS alumni from across the United States joined President Roger Ream (ICPES 76) and Alumni Affairs Director Emily Hill (IPVS 05) in San Antonio for the third of four Curriculum of Liberty Seminars cosponsored by TFAS and Liberty Fund, Inc. The seminar entitled “Philanthropy and Liberty” welcomed 14 alumni working in the nonprofit sector for a Socratic-style discussion facilitated by Professor Richard Gunderman of Indiana University.
Participants prepared for the weekend seminar with an extensive reading list that included Andrew Carnegie’s Gospel of Wealth, and works by William Easterly, Arthur Brooks, Charles Murray, and Richard Cornuelle and others. The seminar sessions focused on the readings and examined the role of philanthropy in a free society. The group discussed what obligations, if any, the wealthy have toward the poor, what considerations should be brought to bear in deciding whom and how to help, and what incentives should be established to minimize potentially harmful side effects to charity.
“It was impressive how much we learned in such a short period,” said seminar participant Akl Fahed (I 06, P 07). “I have to admit that every TFAS activity I’ve participated in since 2006 has always set the bar high in terms of goal, learning and organization.”
In their free time the delegation of alumni visited the Alamo and enjoyed the atmosphere of the famous San Antonio River Walk.
The Curriculum of Liberty seminars are invitation-only seminars for TFAS alumni held throughout the year in various locations in the United States. The seminars focus on a variety of topics centered on liberty. Each conference is geared toward a special group of alumni. The next seminar, “Liberty and Equality,” will be held in Washington, D.C. for undergraduate students.
Based in Indianapolis, Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals. The organization sponsors over 150 conferences a year throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America and Europe.
If you are an alumnus working in the nonprofit sector and are interested in participating in future Curriculum of Liberty Seminars, contact Michelle Le (J 95, A 96) at mle@TFAS.org.
Philanthropy and Liberty Participants
Melissa Arsenie (IPVS 09)
Rudy Cope (IPVS 99)
Akl Fahed (IIPES 06, IPJ 07)
Patty Gentry (IPVS 04)
Megan Hoot (IPVS 02)
Katie Konstanzer (IPVS 07)
Madison Loeb (IPVS 08)
Patricia Nichols Mora (IPVS 05)
Cyndi Munson (IPVS 07)
Marissa Petersen (IPVS 05)
Jean Schindler (AIPE 06)
Amy Sponsler (IPVS 01)
Megan Springer (IPVS 06)
Emily Van Zant (IPVS 08)