The Montesquieu Forum welcomed students, faculty, staff and guests to Roosevelt University’s Sullivan Room on November 20 for an engaging lecture titled “Wanted: An Education to Set One Free.” The event featured Dr. Molly Brigid McGrath, who visited Roosevelt University to explore the connections between education, freedom, storytelling and democratic life.
Dr. McGrath’s talk examined how a truly liberating education requires more than technical training—it demands the cultivation of curiosity, critical thinking and the capacity to engage thoughtfully with the world. Drawing from political philosophy and contemporary examples, she invited attendees to consider how stories shape civic identity and how higher education can prepare individuals to resist tyranny, embrace responsibility and contribute meaningfully to society.
The Sullivan Room provided an intimate setting for thoughtful dialogue, allowing participants to ask questions and reflect on the role of liberal education in their own lives. Attendees represented a range of academic disciplines, highlighting the relevance of the Forum’s work across the university.
The event continued the longstanding mission of the Montesquieu Forum, which is chaired by Professor of Philosophy Stuart Warner and promotes engagement with classical and European intellectual traditions—from Plato and Cicero to Locke and Montesquieu—and encourages conversations about liberty, governance, and the responsibilities of citizens in a democratic society.
Students and faculty left the lecture inspired to think more deeply about how education can both broaden perspectives and empower individuals. The Forum will continue hosting public lectures and programs throughout the academic year that bring these important ideas into conversation with current issues.
