By: Ryan Rogers
Eighteen new students have been selected to join the Lyceum Scholars Program at Clemson University. Scholars study the foundations of a free society, the principles of the American founding, the morality of capitalism and the importance of moral character. These ideas are explored through readings of great works in philosophy, history, economics and literature, accompanied by discussions led by Lyceum faculty.
“We are thrilled to welcome our new cohort of Lyceum Scholars to the program,” said Spencer Krauss, assistant director of the Lyceum Program. “We are honored to work with students who have such an earnest concern for good character and the principles of a free society, and we have every confidence that they will live up to the very high standards set by the Scholars of past years.”
The Lyceum Scholars Class of 2029 (from bottom left to right): Keira Neville (health sciences), Lila Evans (general engineering), Katie Barta (English), Clara Condon (English), Lucas Wilhelm (general engineering), Georgia McGahey (general engineering), Paige Cousins (political science), Bella Taylor (pre-business), Georgia Zazzaro (pre-business), Cooper Dunlop (mathematical sciences), Nathaniel Rogers (general engineering), Will Schirger (history), Luke Vosburgh (economics), Andy Christmas (mathematical sciences), Will Langhals (general engineering), Andrew Wilson (pre-business), Caedmon Strickler (general engineering). Not pictured: Maclain Conlin (philosophy).
Acceptance into the Lyceum Scholars Program continues to be extremely competitive. This year, over 950 students applied to the program. Applicants completed a challenging application process, including essays and an interview, designed to identify high-achieving students capable of thriving in a program that emphasizes deep intellectual thought and moral reflection.
Thanks to an extraordinary gift from the Snow family last spring, the Lyceum scholarship has been significantly increased from $10,000 to $60,000. This increase maintains the program’s prestige, strengthens its national competitiveness and ensures Lyceum can continue attracting top-tier students from across the country.
Maclain Conlin said, “I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a Lyceum Scholar. I have looked at many universities and many programs, and the Lyceum Scholars Program is the first that I believe can truly help me achieve my goals.”
The Lyceum Program, where students read from classic texts about renowned academics in political and economic thought, draws on the inspiration from the Lyceum school Aristotle founded in 335 B.C.
About the Snow Institute for the Study of Capitalism
The Snow Institute for the Study of Capitalism is dedicated to exploring the moral foundations of capitalism. In pursuit of this mission, the Institute collaborates with students, the academic community and the general public to raise awareness of capitalism’s core principles and institutions. The Lyceum Program, founded in 2014, serves as the flagship initiative of the SISC and remains the only University program focused on the study of liberty, capitalism, the American founding and moral character.
