School of Civic Leadership - UT Austin

On June 19, 1865, U.S. Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and issued General Order No. 3, informing the people of Texas that all enslaved people were now free. Juneteenth commemorates this pivotal moment in the history of Texas and the United States.

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”

General Order No.3

Our first orientation of Summer 2026 is in the books, and we were proud to welcome our second cohort ever! SCL advisors met with students and parents, answered questions, and helped students plan their courses.

Students also went home with unique School of Civic Leadership "America 250th" t-shirts. We look forward to welcoming more students all summer long.

In partnership with the Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society at Ohio State at The Ohio State University and the Canterbury Institute, SCL is hosting a conference on Natural Law & War: "400 years of The Law of War and Peace" at the Centre for Theology, Law, & Culture at Pusey House and St Cross College, Oxford.

About the conference: In The Law of War and Peace (1625), Hugo Grotius revives two ancient questions: ‘What is war? What is law?’ Four hundred years later, war is still with us and peace seems just as difficult to make as it ever was. Law remains a contested domain, especially between jurisdictions and nations.

Watch the stream from today’s sessions or tune in tomorrow at 11:15am CDT / 5:15pm BST.

Watch today's lectures: https://youtube.pulse.ly/xgkjpg8lti
Livestream Friday 19th: https://youtube.pulse.ly/bixvqx7a6q

Natural Law and War Conference, Day 2 Lectures Presented in partnership with the Chase Center at Ohio State Univer...

The The University of Texas at Austin ranked No. 35, and among the top 0.2% of universities in the world in the Center for World University Rankings. We’re proud to be part of a university defined by world-class faculty and countless opportunities for our students to excel.

Read more: https://utexas.pulse.ly/jtcvdq3pvr

We’re hitting the road. Can’t make it to campus? We’re bringing SCL to you.

Next week, we'll be in Dallas, Houston, and the Rio Grande Valley, hosting information sessions for prospective students and families. Come learn more about our majors and minors, ask questions, and see why SCL could be the right fit for your college journey.

RSVP here
Dallas: https://utexas.pulse.ly/qt9np4cmll
Houston: https://utexas.pulse.ly/byxkvgmdcf
Rio Grande Valley: https://utexas.pulse.ly/ulx19sjjut

SCL professional development seminars for K-12 teachers are continuing across Texas this summer, and our faculty are on the road!

Last week in San Antonio, participants examined the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution through the lens of the American civic tradition, exploring their original meaning and how interpretations have evolved over time. The seminar also covered the American Founding, the Civil War, and Civil Rights Movement. Teachers were especially eager to discuss ways to bring more primary sources into the classroom and encourage students to spend less time with technology and read more.

To learn more about this three-year program, visit our website: https://utexas.pulse.ly/l2htqegiug

On Flag Day, nearly 100 years ago, former President Calvin Coolidge urged Americans to remember the significance of the flag and the responsibilities that accompany citizenship:

"When we look at our flag and behold it emblazoned with all our rights, we must remember that it is equally a symbol of our duties. Every glory that we associate with it is the result of duty done."

President Coolidge (June 12, 1931, Northampton, MA)

The Spring 2026 edition of Forum is live!

Inside, we recap Spring semester, reflect on our first academic year, and preview what's ahead in 2026-27. You’ll find interviews with students, faculty, and supporters, along with highlights of SCL faculty making headlines.

Read it here:

Forum | UT School of Civic Leadership Read the current issue of Forum (Spring 2026): Check out back issues of Forum below: Spring 2026 Fall 2025 Summer 2025 Spring 2025 Fall 2024 Summer 2024