Seventeen recent TFAS graduates were invited to participate in the 2011 Freedom Scholars program, which began with a seminar held April 8 – 10 in Washington, D.C. The weekend retreat, which was funded by the Earhart Foundation, was the first of four in a series of academic and professional development programs, taking place throughout the year.
The Freedom Scholars are a group of TFAS alumni that are still in school. They have been selected to participate in the program based on academic excellence and leadership ability. Each student is awarded a full scholarship to participate in the series.
“The Freedom Scholars program has been a welcome follow-up to the summer program as an opportunity to explore more fully those ideas for which my curiosity had only been whetted,” said Freedom Scholar Jesse Schaefer (P 10) of Washington College. “The experience confirmed my place in the TFAS organization for years to come.”
Sessions for the April seminar were led by TFAS Charles G. Koch Senior Fellow Jim Otteson of Yeshiva University, Professor Brad Birzer of Hilsdale College and Professor Will Ruger of Texas State University. The Discussions were based on select readings by renowned economists and philosophers, including Adam Smith, Edmund Burke, Friedrich Hayek and Frank S. Meyer.
“I loved the more personal nature of this conference – each of the participants really got the chance to learn about and from one another,” said another Freedom Scholar. “This wasn’t just your average ‘networking conference.’ Real relationships were started and real, meaningful ideas were shared.”
Future events for the scholars include two online academic and professional development seminars in the summer and another weekend retreat, which will be held in conjunction with the TFAS Leadership Network in Dallas, Texas from October 14-15.
2011 Freedom Scholars
Carolyn Aker (P 10), Brown University
Matthew Atha (E 10), Azusa Pacific University
Jessica Ching (B 10), University of Southern California
Peter Costa Jr. (E 10), Davidson College
Bryson Cowan (B 10), Connecticut College
Benjamin Doherty (A 10), University of Florida
Katie Epley (E 10), Campbell University
George Fenton (E 10), Boise State University
Karen Fowler (B 10, ILA 11), Texas State University
Jay Friedel (E 10), University of Pennsylvania
Samantha King (J 10), Elon University
Kenneth Luu (B 10), University of Michigan
Christopher Mylenbusch (E 10), Georgia State University
Jesse Schaefer (P 10), Washington College
Bergen Sopher (J 10), Northwestern College
Louanne Woznicki (B 10), Clemson University