A Reagan 100

Back in college, I found a lot of good resources for Conservative students from the Young America’s Foundation.  This year, YAF is participating in celebrations of President Ronald Reagan’s 100th birthday.  I noticed this announcement for the college crowd, and any of us alumni who might still live close to campus:

To celebrate the 100^thanniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth—what Young America’s Foundation is calling Reagan 100—the Reagan 100 Scholars will join the Reagan 100 Lecture Series and speak on campuses across the country to inspire young audiences with Ronald Reagan’s ideas and lasting accomplishments.

These best-selling authors, commentators, and public policy leaders will also share free market ideas, American history, conservative ideas, and the importance of freedom with today’s students. The series is made possible through the generous support of the Wendy P. McCaw Foundation.

The Reagan 100 Scholars include:

• Michael Reagan, best-selling author and son of Ronald Reagan
• Dinesh D’Souza, New York Times best-selling author and policy analyst for the Reagan administration
• Ann Coulter, seven-time New York Times best-selling author and syndicated columnist
• Ben Stein, actor, author, economist and Presidential speechwriter
• Michelle Malkin, New York Times best-selling author and commentator
• David Limbaugh, New York Times best-selling author and syndicated columnist
• Steve Moore, Wall Street Journal senior economics writer and editorial board member
• Paul Kengor, New York Times best-selling author and professor at Grove City College
• Jonah Goldberg, New York Times best-selling author and syndicated columnist
• Kate Obenshain, Young America’s Foundation vice president and frequent Fox News guest
• Peter Schweizer, New York Times best-selling author and research fellow at the Hoover Institution

Young America’s Foundation has already scheduled theseReagan 100 Scholars to speak on campuses. Upcoming events include Stephen Moore at Middle Tennessee State University on February 10, Ann Coulter at CPAC in Washington, D.C., on February 11, and Michelle Malkin at Syracuse University on March 3.

While I’m disappointed not to be included in their illustrious company—and I’m really disappointed that they couldn’t get anybody more attuned to Reagan’s legacy than Sarah Palin to keynote this weekend’s event at the Ranch—it’s nice to see the beacon of the happy warrior lives on.

I usually stay out of politics on this blog—the Category is “Policy”, not “Politics”, but I believe it is important to engage in the arena, to discuss the issues of the day.  It is particularly important to reach out to young people, to help balance the debates and give students a chance to consider different perspectives than they might get in class.  If an idea can’t stand up to the light of day, it has no place in an enlightened community.

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