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Learning and Leading in Freedom Studies
Welcome to The Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom! The center is named in honor of the United States’ founding document, The Declaration of Independence, which constitutes the nation as a political community and expresses fundamental principles of American freedom.
Apply now to become a Freedom Studies Scholar!
Our Mission
The center is dedicated to providing students, faculty, and citizens throughout Mississippi with enriching opportunities to study and contemplate the nature of American Freedom. This mission is pursued in a number of ways:
- For Students: The center sponsors and supports an academic Minor in Freedom Studies, a Freedom Studies Scholars program , and helps students take advantage of other internships, scholarships, and fellowships.
- For Faculty: The center supports faculty research endeavors.
- For the Public: The center hosts a series of free public events.
Upcoming Events
Email freedom@olemiss.edu to join our mailing list and stay up to date on the Center.
Information about all of our events can also be found on our social media!
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The Center Hosts National Leaders
Lecture Series
Meet the Director
Steven Skultety earned his B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Montana in 1999. He went on to complete his Ph.D. at Northwestern University, successfully defending his dissertation in 2006. Steven joined the faculty at the University of Mississippi, where he became Associate Professor of Philosophy and Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion in 2012. He was promoted to Professor in 2020 and appointed Director of the Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom in 2021.
Steven C Skultety
Chair and Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom
Help Support the Declaration of Independence Center
The Declaration Center supports a large number of exciting activities and programs. We teach unique Freedom Studies classes, provide student Scholarships, work to link talented students to opportunities and internships, and host public lectures and other community events. All of these require resources and we could use your support!
If you would like to help, please consider making a tax deductible donation through the University of Mississippi Foundation. Be sure to indicate that you would like your support to go to the Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom.
Specific questions about how you could best help promote our mission should be directed to Steven Skultety, director of the Declaration Center.
America's Founding Documents
Major Events
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Thursday, March 19 | 4 PM
Jonathan Turley, attorney, legal scholar, and professor at George Washington University Law School, will join the Declaration Center for the evening.
Jonathan Turley's Academic Page -
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Erika Kirk and J.D. Vance spoke at UM for the This is the Turning Point Tour, sponsored in part by the Declaration Center.
Full Video of the Speeches