Ron and Ed welcome Pano Kanelos, a founding trustee of UATX, a nonprofit dedicated to founding a university. It is currently in the process of applying for accreditation of the institution and its programs. The University will be devoted to the unfettered pursuit of truth as the cornerstone of a free and flourishing democratic society.

A bit more about Pano Kanelos…

Pano Kanelos is a founding trustee of UATX, a nonprofit dedicated to founding a university. Previously he served as the President of St. John's College in Annapolis, MD. Kanelos holds a Ph.D. from the Committee on Social Thought at University of Chicago, a M.A. in Political Philosophy and Literature from the University Professors Program at Boston University, and a B.A. in English from Northwestern University.

Use these show notes to follow along with the audio…

Segment one:

The idea for UATX really started to move forward about one year ago during a conversation about the state of American universities and the dangers associated with allowing them to continue to move forward in their current direction. “We should start a university.”
A good friend prodded Pano, “If people like you don’t step up, who’s going to do it? What are you waiting for?” For starters, we haven’t seen great American universities built in over a century.
How does it feel to go head to head against the status quo when starting an American university today? “Oh, it feels great!” — Those were the words of Pano WITH excitement. He’s deadly serious.
What does success for UATX look like to Pano? “Success for me is when we have dozens of competitors who are pushing us to be even better.”
“There’s a reason we call it higher education. We should be aiming for what’s higher. We should be aiming for what’s transcending.” —Pano Kanelos

Segment two:

Pano and the team have had about 5,000 faculty at other institutions reach out about jobs and the employment process for UATX. FIVE THOUSAND!!!
The price point of higher education has risen precipitously and it’s not because more money is being channeled into classroom instruction. That has remained flat. Pano wants to try and undo some of the habitual spending practices.
Ed mentioned the South Park episode that spoofs the NCAA. For those that are fans, check it out: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1932265/
What would it look like if all graduate students could apply for a startup grant the moment they graduate? That’s an example of the kind of creative thinking that can be done today when you are creating a university from the ground up.
If institutions become responsible for the results of their graduates post-graduation, institutions will ensure those graduates have optimal results.

Segment three:

“The age of the college major is ending.” —Pano Kanelos of UATX. The statistics are clear. Over 70% of the people working today are working in a field unrelated to their college major.
UATX will have centers for academic inquiry instead of traditional major based schools within the college. Students will be taught by people who have studied deeply and also those that have worked — as examples — for the Federal Reserve or opened their own business.
Rather than have a traditional major students will become junior fellows within their centers for academic inquiry as they learn through example and participation regarding how to get things done in the real world.
“Politics should be studied at universities. Politics should not be the operating system of universities.” —Pano Kanelos
“What we need to find is the HIGHEST common denominator. Not the lowest. We are truth seeking creatures.” —Pano Kanelos
The Forbidden Courses 2022 summer program at UATX brought together undergraduates to cultivate the habits of civil discourse. There were 80 spots and 40,000 students reached out about it. https://www.uaustin.org/forbidden-courses
A big THANK YOU to Pano Kanelos of UATX for joining us today and talking about THE FEARLESS PURSUIT OF TRUTH. Great stuff!

Bonus Content is Available As Well

Did you know that each week after our live show, Ron and Ed take to the microphone for a bonus show? Typically, this bonus show is an extension of the live show topic (sometimes even with the same guest) and a few other pieces of news, current events, or things that have caught our attention.

This past week was bonus episode 405 - Student Loan Forgiveness
Here are a few links Ron and Ed discussed on the bonus episode: