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As it prepares to meet its founding class of 100 students, the University of Austin has welcomed esteemed professors, intellectuals, scientists, artists, philanthropists, and public figures to its new Scarbrough campus in the heart of downtown Austin, Texas.
On March 19, UATX counted among its visitors a former head of state: the Honourable Mr. Tony Abbott AC, 28th Prime Minister of Australia.
Mr. Abbott began the day with tea at the Scarbrough campus and a short address to UATX staff and visiting U.S.-based Australian scholars on education and the importance of founding new institutions.
The visiting scholars, affiliated with the Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation, currently study at Harvard, St. John’s College, Notre Dame, the University of British Columbia, McGill University and New York University.
The Ramsay Centre, based in Australia, promotes studies and discussion associated with the establishment and development of Western civilization, including by establishing scholarships for Australian graduates to study overseas.
“All of you have been given something special, and I just hope you earn this: not by accumulating glittering prizes, but by being good men and women," Mr. Abbott said.
Mr. Abbott led the Ramsay Postgraduate Scholars and St. John's College Graduate Institute Dean Brendan Boyle in close readings of Rudyard Kipling’s poem "If" and Winston Churchill’s Oct. 5, 1938 Munich Agreement speech.
From Scarbrough, the Ramsay Postgraduate Scholars and members of the UATX staff proceeded with Mr. Abbott to Austin’s Arena Hall, where Mr. Abbott participated in a lunch panel on The State of Freedom with Robert Doar, president of the American Enterprise Institute.
That evening, Mr. Abbott delivered remarks at an event hosted by UTAX founding trustees Matt and Teri Andresen for the Ramsay Postgraduate Scholars, university founders, parents, and several members of the UATX founding first-year class.
“In 100 years’ time, when this is one of the great universities of the world, you will be the pioneers,” Abbott said. “I am delighted that the University of Austin is going to be a place where all opinions, provided they are civilly put, provided they are advanced with a modicum of argument, will not just be welcomed but will be encouraged.”
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