Kate Reagan

The Institute of American Civics Inspires 59 Students to Explore Civil Liberties During Annual Tennessee History Day Competition

Knoxville, TN (May 8, 2025) – Recently, 217 students from across Tennessee participated in the 2025 Tennessee History Day Competition. Fifty-nine students chose to focus their projects on American Constitutional Liberties to be considered for a special award presented by the Institute of American Civics (IAC) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The annual competition…
Decent Respect for Another Point of View

Special Contributor Tom Griscom Partisanship tests ideas, but it should not be so rigid that it prevents us from considering other perspectives. A relationship between two political figures, Democratic President Jimmy Carter and Republican Senate Leader Howard Baker, exemplifies this principle. Despite their party differences, both men demonstrated a commitment to the nation over political…
Wiegand Receives Grant from the Stanton Foundation to Develop Nuclear Security Course

The University of Tennessee Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs (Baker School) recently received a grant from The Stanton Foundation to support the development of a new course on nuclear security. Dr. Krista Wiegand, Baker School professor and director of the Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs, used the…
Economic Impacts of Construction and Operation of a Small Modular Reactor on Tennessee

Prepared for the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Advisory Council Dr. Matthew N. Murray, Dr. Elis Vllasi and Dr. Jilleah G. Welch. October 2024
2024 Election – What Did We Learn? – with Andy Busch and Lindsay Chervinsky

An unprecedented presidential campaign ended with the decisive election of Donald Trump. Trump made inroads with nearly every demographic group, riding a wave of global anti-incumbent sentiment and voter dissatisfaction with the economy. In this episode, our hosts, former Tennessee Governors Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam are joined by Dr. Andy Busch, Associate Director of…
The Tom Gilbert Graduate Award

This award was established through the generosity of UT alumnus Vernon (Tom) Gilbert, a lifelong champion of conservation and education programs for natural resources across the world. His legacy includes biosphere reserves to preserve diverse and unique ecosystems. He founded the Southern Appalachian Man and the Biosphere (SAMAB) Cooperative, which supports integrated environmental research, education,…
Baker Students Reflect on the Big Orange Impact of Philanthropy

Philanthropy has a profound impact on the lives of students at the University of Tennessee, empowering them to excel academically, making education accessible, expanding horizons, encouraging excellence, and ensuring program strength. Every year, for one day in November, the University encourages its supporters to mobilize for the Big Orange Give. The annual day of giving…
How Valuable are Bike Lanes?

George Mangialardi and Charles Sims, November 2024
Dunn Appointed to the National Commission on American History and Civic Education

The Institute of American Civics (IAC) Executive Director Josh Dunn has been appointed to the National Commission on American History and Civic Education by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA). The appointment gives him the opportunity to contribute to a coordinated effort to strengthen the civic health of our nation. The commission will…
Baker School and Brookings Institution Discuss Foreign Affairs with Bob Corker

Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs (Baker School) Professor Krista Wiegand opened the school’s final installment of a lecture series examining key issues at stake during the 2024 presidential election with a simple question. “Why should Americans care about foreign affairs? The question was posed to Bob Corker, a former…