Thursday 28 March 2024: US-based Ramsay Postgraduate Scholars and alumni last week joined Ramsay Board member and former Prime Minister the Hon Tony Abbott AC for a special program of events at a brand-new US university which has been established to support the principles of intellectual pluralism and liberal education.

Approximately 10 Ramsay Postgraduate Scholars past and present joined Mr Abbott for his visit to the new University of Austin, Texas (UATX,) as part of a special program of receptions, seminars and panels designed for them and Mr Abbott by Ramsay Postgraduate alumnus Benjamin Crocker.

Benjamin Crocker, who was a 2021 St John’s College, Annapolis, Ramsay Postgraduate Scholar, now works as Director of Special Programs at the new university.

The idea for UATX was conceived in 2021 – a university committed to intellectual pluralism and the principles of liberal education through open inquiry and civil discourse. Its founders include esteemed UK historian Niall Ferguson, former St John’s College, Annapolis President Pano Kanelos, and US journalist Bari Weiss. It will welcome its first undergraduates to campus in 2024.

2023 Ramsay Postgraduate Scholar Dalton Fogarty is studying a Master of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and intends to use what he learns from this degree to further create social venture enterprises to make it less risky for people to invest in poorer nations. He was one of the Ramsay Postgraduate Scholars who attended the program of events at UATX and wrote this reflection on the main day of activity:

The day began at 8am, where the scholars were invited to an American breakfast of black coffee, ham, bacon, eggs, and bagels with cream cheese. Joining the group were the UTAX Deans and Faculty who were excited to meet the Ramsay scholars and talk about their hopes for what the University of Austin could become. 

The scholars then joined former Prime Minister Tony Abbott for a small group seminar exploring two key texts: Rudyard Kipling’s “If” and Churchill’s Munich Agreement speech. Each scholar, having read and prepared on the text prior, proposed an interpretation, and invited lively debate. Topics of virtue, glory, war, and peace were covered and related to modern times. The respectful discourse, being held in one of the newly furbished classrooms could not have had a better home. 

Following the discussion, the scholars were greeted by UATX President Pano Kanelos, who was previously the president of St John’s College, Annapolis. There he recounted the story of how he and St John’s College, Annapolis had found a partner in spirit in the Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation. He spoke of the beginnings of the partnership, and how, having now founded the University of Austin, Texas, he knew there was great potential for further collaboration. 

Mr Abbott replied in kind, expressing the importance of an education in the Western tradition and how it was essential to people today. He also gave thanks for the specially prepared ‘local foods’ of fairy bread, pavlova and Tim Tams that were served during morning tea. 

The scholars and Mr Abbott were then escorted to Arena Hall, an Austin institute for entrepreneurship and civil discourse, named for President Teddy Roosevelt’s famed ‘Man in the Arena’ speech. There Mr Abbott and American Enterprise Institute President Robert Doar spoke side by side on ‘The State of Freedom’ to an audience of judges, venture capitalists, media proprietors and prominent Austin community members. Mr Abbott again relayed the importance of the United States to the world, applauding the country’s influence in ensuring that freedom and democracy continued to flourish. He encouraged further work to be done, mentioning that ‘the silent majority’ need to begin acting to defend America’s and the world’s freedom from non-aligned actors. 

Scholars afterwards networked with the group, showcasing their fields of study to a receptive crowd. The day then had a small gap where the scholars explored the city and toured the Capitol building. Resident architecture expert Margot Holbert (Ramsay Postgraduate Scholar) provided a deep dive into the different styles used throughout the building. 

The day ended with the scholars attending the home of UTAX founding trustees, Matt and Teri Andersen. There Dr Kanelos spoke to the community of sponsors, staff, incoming students and parents about the important work the University of Austin will be carrying out. Dr Kanelos highlighted how the first 100 students were demonstrating great courage by joining a completely new University and stressed that the future of the institution lay in their hands. Mr Abbott spoke again to the importance of an education in the Western tradition, how the ideals of democracy and freedom were what had made America great, and how important it was for Australia to maintain its relations with the US in light of the changing geopolitical landscape. The night followed on with more networking, where again the scholars were able to showcase their expertise and mix with UTAX community members.

2022 St John’s College, Annapolis, Ramsay Postgraduate Scholar Michael Connors also attended, and said the scholars had a fantastic time building networks, learning from Mr Abbott and strengthening friendships with each other.

“As a Ramsay Scholar I am constantly inspired by, and grateful for, the exciting experiences afforded me here in the US,” he said. “Following the UATX events, I was honoured to represent St John’s College at the Great Hearts Academies National Symposium for Classical Education in Phoenix, Arizona, at which Mr Abbott was a headlining speaker. It was an enriching experience spending time with Mr Abbott throughout these events, whose energy, authenticity, and high character were truly inspiring.”

“The common principle which connects and underpins the missions of the Ramsay Centre, UATX and St John’s College, is the pursuit of truth through the Great Books Canon of Western Civilisation. Mr Abbott emphasised the importance of studying ‘the best that has been thought and said’ throughout the week’s events, while commending and encouraging the partnerships which exist between these like-minded institutions.”

Interested in learning more about the Ramsay Centre’s Postgraduate Scholarships? Visit: https://www.ramsaycentre.org/scholarships-courses/postgraduate-scholarships/

Media contact: Sarah Switzer 0407 816 098 / sarah.switzer@ramsaycentre.org