As part of the Steven McCollum Distinguished Speakers Series, presented by Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School (TJIDS), the school will host a discussion featuring New York Law School professor emerita, past president of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and constitutional law expert Nadine Strossen.

Strossen’s talk is set for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb 12, in the TJIDS Concert Hall of the Humphreys Arts and Student Life Complex, 3401 E. Newman Road, Joplin, MO. She will give a presentation on her “Free to Speak” series, which promotes conversations about free speech with the next generation. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public.

Strossen, who served as president of the ACLU for 17 years, is the John Marshall Harlan II Professor of Law Emerita at New York Law School and a Senior Fellow with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Education. She is a leading expert, frequent speaker, and media commentator on constitutional law and civil liberties and has testified before Congress on multiple occasions. She serves on the advisory boards of the ACLU, Academic Freedom Alliance, Heterodox Academy, National Coalition Against Censorship, and the University of Austin.

Strossen is the author of HATE: Why We Should Resist It with Free Speech, Not Censorship (2018) and Free Speech: What Everyone Needs to Know (2023). She will be available after the Feb. 12 presentation for questions and to sign her books if attendees bring a copy to the event. 

This is Strossen’s second time speaking at TJIDS. She previously held a discussion at the school in 2019. TJIDS is proud to have her back as a part of the speaker series and to offer this free event to the surrounding communities.

“At TJIDS, we challenge students to think critically, communicate clearly, and develop a strong moral compass. So, we are excited to host Nadine Strossen again and offer this invaluable experience to our community to hear one of our nation’s most prominent law and civil liberties experts speak,” said Jeff Park, TJIDS President.

For more information about the event or TJIDS, contact the school at 417-781-5124.

About The Steven McCollum Distinguished Speakers Series:
The Steven McCollum Distinguished Speakers Series brings the most prominent leaders in academic, public policy, and government institutions to the TJIDS stage as an opportunity to learn from and interact with these extraordinary individuals.

The series was established by Debra Humphreys, Chairman of the TJIDS Board of Trustees, in 2014 in honor of founding TJIDS faculty member Steven McCollum for his years of service to the school and continuing his legacy of academic excellence.

McCollum taught at TJIDS for 22 years, retiring at the end of the 2013-2014 school year. During his time at TJIDS, he profoundly impacted countless students’ lives and played an integral role in shaping the school’s culture and strong academic program.

TJIDS is proud to present the speaker series in honor of Steven McCollum.

For more information about the series or how to support it, visit tjeffschool.org/community/speaker-series or call 417-781-5124.