On September 12th, 2024, Reliance College hosted an enlightening Jefferson Dinner at The Mountain Terrace in Woodside, California. This unique event, inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s tradition of hosting intellectual gatherings, was a resounding success, offering attendees the opportunity to dive deep into discussions about education and its role in a free society.
A Welcoming Spirit
The evening began with cocktails, followed by a gourmet dinner, allowing guests to mingle and connect. Robert Begley, Director of Development for Reliance College, warmly welcomed everyone and laid out the program. The evening’s main theme was “Education for a Free Society“, focusing particularly on the college experience — past, present, and future. The discussions would later explore the ways in which education can cultivate autonomous individuals capable of thriving in a free society.
Personal Journeys and Reflections
After dinner, Begley set the tone with his personal educational journey, which sparked broader reflections from the audience. He shared how his initial aversion to college, influenced by rebellious sentiments like those from Pink Floyd’s famous song, “Another Brick in the Wall,” evolved into an appreciation for education that fosters self-reliance. His journey, from delivering newspapers as a young boy to pursuing a technical degree to avoid military conscription, resonated with many attendees.
As the conversation unfolded, participants shared their varied experiences with higher education. From those who found college life transformative to others who questioned its relevance, the dialogue was rich and reflective. Carrie-Ann Biondi, one of Reliance College’s board advisors and a former philosophy professor, shared her perspective on academia, emphasizing the importance of independent thinking and the pitfalls of grade inflation and ideological conformity. Her commitment to helping students think for themselves mirrors the values Reliance College seeks to instill.
The Future of Education
The highlight of the evening was a speech by Marsha Familaro Enright, founder of Reliance College. She shared her vision for the institution, which is built on the Montessori philosophy and designed to foster independent, self-reliant thinkers. Enright passionately spoke about how Montessori’s methods, traditionally associated with early childhood education, could be adapted for young adults. She shared the success of our summer program, The Great Connections, and its transformative impact on students. Many alumni of the program have reported gaining the confidence to judge for themselves and felt their ability to think critically had been vastly enhanced.
Eric Rhodes, an alumnus of The Great Connections, gave a heartfelt testimony about his experience, describing how the rigorous study of works by Plato, Aristotle, and other philosophers had a profound effect on him. He shared, “I started to grasp the texts more deeply, my thoughts became clearer, and I was able to apply the lessons from one reading to the next.”
Eric emphasized that the intellectual depth and the connection between the ideas discussed transformed his ability to think critically. He also noted, “One week of The Great Connections seminar was worth a semester of college, both in the depth of knowledge gained and in the development of reasoning skills… The level of depth you go into on just a few things—your ability to reason, understand, explain, and hold in new ideas and bring them together—is benefited, boosted, greater than any single semester of college, any year of college I’ve ever been in.”
Our vision for Reliance College centers on a rigorous liberal arts curriculum that encourages students to question, explore, and apply their learning to real-world situations. With no tenure and a privately funded structure to avoid government interference, Reliance College aims to provide an environment free from ideological pressures. Students will engage in practical work every year, applying their education to solve problems in their areas of interest.
Table Discussions
In keeping with the Jefferson Dinner tradition, attendees broke into smaller groups to engage in guided discussions. Participants reflected on questions such as “What does it mean to thrive in a free society?” and “How can education foster autonomy?” The conversations were lively, with many questioning the current state of higher education and the role of culture in shaping independent thinkers.
One table debated the growing authoritarianism seen in both the U.S. and abroad. While some noted that many Americans seem disengaged from meaningful protest, others pointed to the independent spirit of immigrants and people in other countries who resist authoritarian regimes. The group also explored the tension between destruction and creation, with some lamenting how youthful energy often gets misdirected into destructive movements rather than constructive, civilizational advancement.
The Importance of Self-Reliance
The recurring theme of self-reliance pervaded the evening’s conversations. From personal finance to critical thinking, attendees discussed how education should prepare individuals to take charge of their lives, not just academically but also in practical ways. One guest emphasized the importance of teaching students personal finance, a skill often overlooked in traditional education but crucial for fostering self-sufficiency.
Looking Ahead
As the evening drew to a close, Enright reiterated Reliance College’s ambitious goals. With its Chicago-based campus poised to offer a unique educational experience, the college is seeking to raise $2 million to open its doors and $10 million to sustain its early years. The overwhelming interest shown in the market research conducted last summer—82% of respondents expressed a desire for an alternative education like the one Reliance offers—was proof that there is a demand for a new kind of liberal arts education.
Enright’s closing words left the audience inspired and hopeful for the future of education: “Autonomous people don’t tolerate being ruled. If we can develop individuals who understand what their freedom depends on, they won’t allow the kind of authoritarianism we’re seeing today to thrive.”
As Reliance College continues its journey, the Jefferson Dinner served as a poignant reminder of the importance of education in safeguarding freedom, fostering independent thinking, and nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. Attendees left not just with full stomachs, but with full minds—buzzing with ideas, reflections, and a renewed sense of purpose in the pursuit of knowledge and liberty.
