The Chicago area is home to a rich and diverse concentration of colleges and universities well suited to collaborative learning programs. The Jack Miller Center’s Chicago Initiative is a growing regional network that brings together faculty, students, and donors to work cooperatively to advance the education students need to be engaged and thoughtful citizens.
By working together, educators from the major campuses and donors in Chicago and the surrounding area will provide students a deeper understanding of our nation’s founding principles, a prerequisite to becoming responsible citizens dedicated to preserving our free institutions. Such an approach leverages both academic talent and philanthropic investment, providing for a transformation of civic education in the region.
The Chicago Initiative will be a model for similar programs with regional hubs in other locations such as Boston, Philadelphia and Washington D. C. In doing so, the Jack Miller Center working with partners on Chicago’s campuses can provide a template for additional partnerships across the country.
If you are ready to contribute now, you can donate online:
If you prefer not to donate online, your gift may be mailed to:
Nathan Fortner, Development Assistant
The Jack Miller Center
111 Presidential Boulevard, Suite 146
Philadelphia, PA 19004
You can also email nfortner@gojmc.org or call 484-436-4423
$1 million foundational investment
The Jack Miller Center, Mr. Miller, and their partners have already invested nearly $1 million in Chicago area programs that advance education in America’s founding principles and history, including:
Universities and Colleges
- University of Chicago: National Conference on Higher Education at the Gleacher Center, plus a visiting professorship, lectures, joint conferences and various programs
- University of Notre Dame: Post-doctoral fellowships
- Roosevelt University: Visiting professorship, lecture series, joint conferences, Liberty Fund library, curriculum development
- IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law: course in American Constitutional Tradition for pre-law students, The Kent Forum
- University of Illinois: Cline Symposium at the Cline Center
- Lake Forest College: Post-Doctoral Fellowship
- DePaul University: Conference on Jewish Thought and America’s Founding Principles
Goals and Objectives
While the initial focus of the Chicago Initiative is to develop and support scholars who will teach America’s founding principles and history, the benefits of the regional alliance will impact education throughout the community:
- Renewing a commitment to thoughtful citizenship among students on Chicago-area campuses
- Access to nationally renowned scholars, programs and resources that might not otherwise be available to individual institutions
- Enrichment programs for high school teachers
- Public lecture series, seminars and book clubs devoted to the roots of American Democracy that will be available to students, faculty, and the Chicago community
- Continuing education and life-long learning opportunities
Continuing Support
The success of the Chicago Initiative will require the financial support of visionary leaders who share our belief that American liberty depends on an informed citizenry, one that understands the roots and sources of our freedoms. For information about supporting this effort, please contact Rear Admiral Mike Ratliff, (USN, ret.), president of the Jack Miller Center, at 484.436.2065 or mratliff@gojmc.org.
