Leadership for America

“The way for a young man to rise is to improve himself in every way he can…”Abraham Lincoln

Thomas More, Abraham Lincoln, Aristotle, Socrates, Plato, King Henry V, and Julius Caesar all made a difference in their world. Leadership for America is looking for high school students who want to make a difference in ours. To understand more clearly the complexities and challenges of great leadership, we will investigate the life, times, and writings of those who made a positive contribution and achieved historical prominence.

The underlying principles of leadership based on the natural law, moral convictions, freedom of conscience, and democratic ideology will be studied in light of Catholic values and revealed Truths.

“You are ambitious for knowledge, for leadership, for great ventures. Good. Very good. But let it be for Christ, for Love…”Saint Josemaria Escriva, The Way #24

Leadership for America is an annual college-level seminar series for qualified high school boys from the Western United States. Each year, the Seminar focuses on particular leaders and concepts. Because of their inherent value, some of them will be repeated in subsequent years. The Seminar is also designed with the purpose of strengthening the Catholic faith of the participants through formative talks, daily Mass, and the rosary. The formation given is in keeping with the spirit of the Prelature of Opus Dei – finding God in everyday life.

The Leadership for America Seminar Series is sponsored by the Ahead Leadership Seminars of the Tilden Study Center (Los Angeles, California) in cooperation with other centers of Opus Dei in California.

“Associate yourself with people of good quality, for it is better to be alone than in bad company…”Booker T. Washington

2024 SEMINAR

Monday, June 10 – Saturday, June 15, 2024

The topic and faculty for this year’s LFA are still to be determined.

Eligibility

Motivated and academically successful high school boys entering their  junior or senior year as well as those who are entering their freshman year of college.

Cost

$470 ($445 if application is received by April 27)

Payments can also be made by credit card installments.  Please email info@tildensc.org to request alternative payment methods

Please do not pay until you have been accepted.

Admission Procedure 

Early discount DEADLINE is April 27

Applicants will be admitted by a selection committee from completed applications. An interview may be required at a sponsoring center. For more information, call Matt at the Tilden Study Center in Los Angeles: (310) 208-0941.  You can access the application from the link at the top of this page.

Seminar Dates and Schedule

This year’s Leadership for America Seminar will begin at 5 PM in the afternoon of Monday, June 10 and end on Saturday morning, June 15 at 10 AM.  It will take place at Trumbull Manor (50 Rica Vista in Novato, California).

The daily schedule will include the following:

  • Mornings: Prayer, Holy Mass, seminar classes, free time and study time.
  • Afternoons: Holy Rosary, sports/swimming, classes. Evenings: Talent Show, free time, Debate Night, reading time.
  • Special Events: Guest speakers, Angel Island hike, movie.

Previous Seminars and Faculty

2023 – Rebuilding American Culture – Faculty: Dr. Dale Parker – Visiting Scholar, De Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture, Notre Dame

2022 – Should there be Harmony between Moral Truths, Religious Truths, and Civil Law? – Faculty: Dr. Nathan Pinkoski – Research Fellow and Director of Academic Programs, Zephyr Institute

2021 – The Human Person: Made to Know Truth and Love Others – Faculty: Dr. Christopher Kaczor – Professor, Loyola Marymount University 

2019 – The Servant Leader – Faculty: Carl B. Sauder, University of Laval; Pontifical Catholic University. Trevor MerrillYale University, UCLA; Lecturing at Caltech.

2018 – The Challenge of Human Freedom – Faculty: Tim McDonnell; M.Ed. Columbia University.  Kevin Walker; Vanguard University

2017 – On Human Dignity and Identity- Faculty: Matthew J Peterson; Claremont Institute.  Kevin Walker; Vanguard University

2016 – Who is God and Who is Man: Hear the Strong Voices of Philosophers, Scientists, and Artists – Faculty: Michael J. Kelleher; University of California Berkeley Extension.  Tim Mc Donnell – Seminar Instructor – Film Studies

2015 – Marriage, Family, and the Natural Law – Faculty: Matthew J. Peterson, Claremont Graduate University, Ph.D. Political Science.  Ashton Ellis, Claremont Graduate University, Pepperdine University

2014 – What about the Poor?  A Challenge for All Times – Faculty: Professor Ashton Ellis; Pepperdine University; Claremont Graduate University.  Professor Kevin Walker; Vanguard University

2013 –   Religious Freedom and Expression -Faculty:  Dr. Jeffrey Lehman; Thomas Aquinas College / Hillsdale College. + Dr. Matthew Peterson; Claremont Graduate University.  

2012 – The Road to Virtue: From Socrates to the 21st Century. —Faculty: Thomas Cavanaugh, Department of Philosophy; University of San Francisco.  Steven Smith, Professor of Sacred Scripture; Mount St. Mary’s University, Maryland.

2011 – The Philosophy of Law. —Faculty: Ashton Ellis, School of Public Policy, Pepperdine University.  Dr. Jeffrey Lehman, Thomas Aquinas College.

2010 – The Philosophical Equation: Human Dignity + Moral Absolutes = Human Rights –  Faculty: Dr. Jeff Langan (Holy Cross College at Notre Dame) — Brendan Palla (Fordham University).  

2009 – Liberty and Unity: Philosophy from Lincoln’s Speeches. —Faculty: Dr. Phillip Muñoz (Tufts / Princeton / Notre Dame) —Peter Campbell, Ph.D. candidate, Notre Dame.  

2008 – God and Caesar : Religion in the Public Square.  —Faculty: Dwight Duncan, J.D., Southern New England School of Law. —Dr. Richard Ferrier, Thomas Aquinas College.  

2007 – Natural Law : Common Truths Written in Your Heart. —Faculty: Dr. Jeffrey Langan – University of Notre Dame. — Mr. Jason Joseph, M.A. – Cistercian Preparatory School, Dallas Texas.  

2006 – The Tyranny of Relativism and the Freedom of Reality. —Faculty: Dr. Sean Kelsey – UCLA. — Dr. David Thunder – University of Notre Dame.  

2005 – Politics and Religion in America: The Philosophical Roots of Freedom. —Faculty: Dr. Richard Ferrier – Thomas Aquinas College. — Dr. Jeffrey Langan – University of Notre Dame.  

2004 – Science and Faith: The Harmony of Nature and Spirit. —Faculty: Dr. Richard Ferrier – Thomas Aquinas College. — Dr. Michael Kelleher – University of Ibadan (Nigeria).  

2003 – Democracy in America: Political Philosophy and Statesmanship Focusing on the Writings of Alexis de Tocqueville.  —Faculty: Dr. Dwight Duncan – Southern New England School of Law. — Dr. Phillip Muñoz – North Carolina State University  

2002 – The American Founding: Leadership for a Modern Democracy. Included a study of Thomas More, Socrates, Abraham Lincoln, Julius Caesar.—Faculty: Dr. Gerard B. Wegemer – University of Dallas.  —Mr. Travis Curtwright – Ph.D. Candidate, University of Dallas

2001 – Thomas More: A Case Study in Leadership. Included a study of Shakespeare’s Henry V. — Faculty: Dr. Gerard B. Wegemer – University of Dallas/Director of the Center for Thomas More Studies and author of Thomas More: A Portrait of Courage. —Dr. Stephen Smith – Hillsdale College (Michigan)