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In Memoriam: Herbert Wiley Vaughan

I share your commitment to academic freedom and excellence in education. I wish to help you support high academic standards, ensuring that serious scholarship remains a top priority at our nation's colleges and universities. Through alumni involvement, we can work together to see that future generations are able to engage in free academic debate and the pursuit of truth.

With that pledge, in 1995, Herbert Wiley Vaughan, "Wiley" to his friends, became one of ACTA's first supporters. From that point, there was no looking back. Wiley and ACTA became a team - in a campaign that has grown stronger, thanks to Wiley's extraordinary counsel and support. Wiley was a supporter - yes. But he was so much more. He and his wife - a talented artist - brought energy, creativity, and thoughtfulness to their work and their avocations.

First, as an ACTA charter member, then as a founding member of our distinguished donor societies, and a leader of ACTA's Donors Working Group, Wiley set the example for ACTA's abiding philosophy: identify a problem and take action to solve it. That's why, after Yale refused to establish a Western Civilization program funded by Lee Bass, Wiley believed it essential to show donors how they could exert a beneficial influence on some of the disturbing trends in higher education. Thanks to Wiley and others, ACTA created the Fund for Academic Renewal to provide "micro" advice for donors, and followed up with a publication to help donors target their gifts, The Intelligent Donor's Guide to College Giving.

How appropriate, then, that in our second edition, published more than a decade after our first meeting, we showcased Wiley - whose intelligent giving and visionary plans have incomparably contributed to the restoration of academic excellence on our campuses.

Herbert Wiley Vaughan supports higher education in a variety of ways, and his gifts offer an example of intelligent giving. Before making his first gift, Vaughan consulted a "faculty friend" - a former associate who was on the Princeton faculty. The professor pointed out that many senior scholars, who were steeped in traditional learning and were remarkable for their intellectual integrity and commitment to students, are retiring. This unfortunate fact is coupled with the reality that most new support often goes to professors who are caught up in the intellectual fashions of the moment. As a result of this understanding, Vaughan established a trust to support younger scholars who take more traditional approaches. This trust will ensure that the best academic traditions continue in the next generation.

In 2007, Vaughan noticed another need in higher education - a deeper understanding of the founding principles and core doctrines of our system of government. He gave his alma mater, Harvard Law School, another gift. This time, his donation instituted a new program, called the Herbert W. Vaughan Lecture Series, which invites intellectuals and public figures every other year to discuss the U.S. Constitution and its doctrines. United States Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia delivered the inaugural lecture in this series, addressing a packed house on the topic of originalism in constitutional law.

Two aspects of Vaughan's latest gift make it especially noteworthy. First, it is a two-pronged program. In the years when the lectures are not held, Vaughan's gift funds an academic activity sponsored by the Federalist Society chapter. Because both Harvard Law School and the Federalist Society are regularly called upon to oversee the designated programs, they must stay focused on the continuing applications of the restricted gift. Second, Vaughan stipulated in his gift agreement that a statement outlining his reasons for funding the lectures must be read before each lecture. Requiring this statement each year will help both the school and the audience focus on Vaughn's intent. Vaughan used these two mechanisms to ensure that his intent would be followed when he gave this gift. Because of Vaughan's dedication to intelligent giving, students at Harvard Law School now hear and engage perspectives outside the classroom that enhance what they learn inside it. ACTA has lost a great friend - Herbert Wiley Vaughan - an inspiration and supporter from the very start. A charter member of the Society of Fellows and the Donors Working Group, Wiley shared ACTA's interest in quality education and adherence to donor intent.

Time and time again, Wiley came to the front lines in ACTA's fight for academic freedom and excellence. And in all cases, he modeled seriousness of purpose, professionalism, good judgment, and gentlemanliness. ACTA benefited from Wiley's friendship and wise counsel. Wiley, in every way, embodied fine character, great achievement and high public purpose. All of us who believe in quality education and the robust exchange of ideas are in Wiley's debt. We have lost a great champion of quality higher education and a good friend.

Anne D. Neal

Posted by Anne D. Neal on January 17, 2012 at January 17, 2012 10:05 AM

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