The Reubin O’D. Askew Department of Government proudly presents the Seligman First Amendment Lecture Series with Dr. Jay Cost presenting To Preserve the Freedom of the Human Mind: The First Amendment and the Pursuit of Happiness on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Museum of Commerce, 201 Zaragoza Street. Reception prior at 5:30 p.m.

Dr. Jay Cost is the Gerald R. Ford nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where he focuses on political theory, Congress, and elections. He is also a visiting scholar at Grove City College and a contributing editor at the Washington Examiner. Dr. Cost’s interests are broadly focused on civic republicanism in the United States, with emphases on the political theory of James Madison, the problem of political corruption, the role of political parties, the development of civic institutions over time, and the power and responsibility of Congress.

The lecture will be followed by a Q&A and a book signing of Dr. Cost's latest book, James Madison: America's First Politician.

This Seligman First Amendment Lecture is made possible by a generous gift from the Jane G. and Fred K. Seligman Endowment and the John C. Pace Symposium Series.

If you have any questions about this event, email the Reubin O’D. Askew Department of Government at govt@uwf.edu.

Register for the event today!