51����

Nearly two years ago, Dr. Thomas R. Krause, a member of the 51����, founded the , a consortium of some 30 educational institutions and other organizations, including 51����, that advance “the enduring value of lifelong liberal learning, which prepares us to live freely and well.” Now the Alliance — or ALL, as it is known — is set to hold its in Chicago on October 28-29.

With the theme of “making connections,” the conference aims to bring together “representatives from institutions both academic and outside the academy — schools and colleges with formal great books and core texts curricula, residential and travel learning programs, degree-granting and non-degree — all with a common interest in the value of lifelong liberal education.” Attendees will have opportunities to form partnerships, network, and learn about other organizations’ outreach, media, and public-relations strategies.

To that end, the conference’s (PDF) includes discussions on the following topics:

• “Building Better Leaders with Great Books”
• “Partnership Strategies for Survival”
• “Increasing Participation in liberal learning through the virtuous circle of education and recognition”
• “Community Partnerships”
• “A K-8 Classical Education”
• “Building a National Movement for Reading Great Books”
• “Innovations in the teaching of Liberal Arts”
• “Establishing a Successful Development Campaign”
• “Some Connections and Disconnections between Secondary and Tertiary Studies”

Dr. Krause is a longtime devotee of liberal education, dating back to the decision of his daughter Christel (Kelsey ‘91) to attend the College in 1987. A member of the Board of Visitors and Governors at St. John’s College, as well as a member of the 51����, he is the founding president of the , which offers great books seminars in Ojai, California, and serves as a director of the Alliance for Liberal Learning.

is still available via the Alliance’s website.