The University of Chicago (UChicago)

New knowledge cannot be formed when we’re hindered by old ways of thinking. By cultivating a wide range of thoughts from our peers, students, and the communities where we live and work, we are better able to bring forth ideas that change the world. r able to bring forth ideas that change the world. Since 1890, UChicago has followed a distinctively different path. Our founders defined what they believed would build an enduring legacy: a commitment to rigorous academics for people of all backgrounds. Since its inception, the University has blurred the lines between traditional disciplines. Students, faculty, and scholars collaborate across fields to solve complex questions and uncover new knowledge. Through sequences in the humanities, social sciences, and physical and biological sciences, as well as the historical development of civilizations, our students engage with the language, questions, and methods that characterize broad fields of inquiry. Every year since 1961, a University of Chicago faculty member has been invited to address students in the College regarding their view on the aims of a liberal education. In 1962 the Aims of Education Address was added to Orientation Week and officially became a tradition for incoming students. The address encourages students to reflect on the purpose and definition of education as they embark upon their collegiate years. In recent years, the address has been followed by colloquia in the residential College Houses led by faculty members, enabling students to reflect in community upon the speaker’s views, share opinions, and develop their own theories about the aims of education and their role in society. The Aims of Education Address provides a collective moment for students entering the College during which they can think about the broader aspects of education, before becoming fully immersed in its details as classes begin. While our outreach efforts span the globe, we place a distinct emphasis on supporting our neighbors on the South Side of Chicago. We do this by leveraging our financial resources, as well as the power of education, research, and innovation, to promote meaningful change. We believe in the power and protection of free speech. It fosters an unfettered exchange of ideas, forces us to re-examine our assumptions, and opens the door to original ideas. An education with free and open debate empowers students to grapple with challenging ideas. ...view more