AUSTIN, Texas — Recognizing the significant impact of Jewish thought and the state of Israel on the modern world, The University of Texas at Austin is launching two collaborative initiatives that will deepen our students’ understanding of the foundations of Western civilization and the American tradition of ordered liberty. These initiatives are being bolstered through $12.5 million of generous philanthropic support from Tomas and Abby Ackerman, Gary and Lee Rosenthal, and Paul and Karen Levy.
Students in the Ackerman Program on Jewish and Western Civilization and the Rosenthal-Levy Scholars program will study in UT’s School of Civic Leadership, which equips the next generation of leaders to understand America’s constitutional democracy. Both programs will begin in Fall 2026.
“The School of Civic Leadership is leading the way toward the renewal of classical liberal education in America,” said Tomas Ackerman, who is a UT alumnus. “We are thrilled to support an effort that brings Jewish ideas and the study of modern Israel into this new citadel for advancing reasoned thought, moral clarity and historical literacy.”
The Ackerman Program will focus on four key pillars:
- A series of new courses on the classic works of Jewish civilization — exploring Jewish insights into the human condition and how Hebraic ideas have shaped the Western world.
- A new study abroad program in Israel, allowing students to study the ancient roots and enduring significance of Jewish ideas, the history of Zionism and modern Israel, and the role of Israel in shaping the future of the Middle East.
- A regular series of conferences, speakers and public events focused on the themes of Jewish and Western civilization, modern Israel and American civic life.
- A dedicated faculty focused on advancing world-class scholarship covering the great questions of Jewish and Western civilization.
As part of this new initiative, the Ackerman Program will become the academic home of the Rosenthal-Levy Scholars program at UT, a prestigious national program and initiative of Tikvah offering full scholarships and merit-based stipends for exceptional undergraduate students interested in Jewish, Western and American civilization. All Rosenthal-Levy scholars will take a rigorous sequence of Ackerman Program courses and pursue full academic majors at the School of Civic Leadership.
“The Ackerman Program and the Rosenthal-Levy Scholars program exemplify the world-class teaching and research we undertake at The University of Texas,” said Executive Vice President and Provost William Inboden. “Jewish ideas are central to the foundations of Western culture and the American constitutional order. Modern Israel is one of the world’s most remarkable nations — a singular story of political refuge, economic growth and strategic influence. These programs will expose our students to these themes in an era when they are as important as ever.”
“The School of Civic Leadership was created to prepare a new generation of American leaders by immersing students in the great books, foundational ideas and most consequential leaders in the history of Western civilization,” said Justin Dyer, dean of the School of Civic Leadership. “The Ackerman Program will integrate the study of Jewish civilization and modern Israel into the core of our educational vision.”
