Making the case for a traditional understanding of free speech.

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Hello
John,
On Thursday, May 23rd, the Wall Street Journal ran an op-ed ([link removed]) that former Michigan Governor John Engler and I wrote announcing a new Kirk Center initiative aimed at offering a constructive response to the free speech and academic freedom debates.

As we noted, Justice Samuel Alito recently warned that freedom of speech on campuses and in many corridors of American society is imperiled. “Troubled waters are slamming against some of our most fundamental principles,” he said in a commencement address at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. “Support for freedom of speech is declining dangerously, especially where it should find deepest acceptance.”

Per their policy, our WSJ op-ed is behind a paywall for 30 days. We’ll share it online when we can. In it we argue that, “Free speech is the healthy byproduct of America’s tradition of self-government. When such freedom is threatened, flashpoints of a larger social crisis emerge everywhere. This problem may seem irreversible, but it isn’t. Decorum and civility can coexist with robust free speech. We need fresh examples across academia, business, media, entertainment, and politics that are working to revitalize our culture and polity. We need educational leaders of integrity.”

That is why the Russell Kirk Center launched the Richard D. McLellan Prizes for Advancing Free Speech and Expression. Through these awards, we will recognize those who have given us insights in books, journalism, public advocacy, new media or creative arts each year.
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Learn more about prize eligibility and selection criteria ([link removed]) .
The Inaugural Jury for the McLellan Prizes

The McLellan Prizes—one $50,000 award for exceptional work promoting free speech and two $12,500 research fellowships for scholars and writers—are meant to inspire people at all levels of American society to stand up for ordered liberty. The McLellan Prizes will support outstanding original work that asserts the enduring worth of our constitutional rights.

The McLellan Prizes will become part of the Kirk Center’s School of Conservative Studies ([link removed]) that we'll be launching next year–though we’ll have some pilot online offerings to share with you later this fall. As we build out the School of Conservative Studies’ constitutional studies department, the McLellan program will grow to include some signature educational elements beyond the prizes within our new curriculum.

We are proud to announce the inaugural jury for the McLellan Prizes ([link removed]) . It includes people who, among their many accomplishments, have dedicated their lives to upholding free speech. They include former Gov. Mitch Daniels; prominent journalists and executives Susan Goldberg, Walter Hussman Jr., and Charles Overby; Federal Judges Michael McConnell and James Ho; as well as writers and scholars Jacob Mchangama, Nadine Strossen, Dr. James Stoner Jr., and Heather Mac Donald. It’s a distinguished panel of judges that will help the McLellan Prizes get off to a strong start.

I encourage you to nominate worthy candidates for either the main prize of $50,000 or journalists and scholars for summer research grants that will go a long way to contributing to our understanding of and appreciation for freedom of speech and our First Amendment freedoms. More information and the nomination form ([link removed]) may be found on our website here ([link removed]) .
I hope you will help us realize the promise of the McLellan Prizes. And please plan to join us on December 5, 2024 at the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for a celebratory night to remember.
Thank you for your partnership and prayers as we continue to defend and enliven the permanent things, and work to restore a traditional understanding of free speech.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey O. Nelson, Ph.D.
Executive Director & CEO
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