“Wisdom … comes not from age, but from education and learning.” -Anton Checkhov
One can hear many claims in today’s culture about what people can or can’t do. “I identify as whatever I want to be!” “No one should tell me what to believe in.” “I can do what I want with my own body.” While there are many people claiming what a person can do, there aren’t as many who can accurately say who a person is. Yet, our conception of right action must be rooted in an accurate understanding of reality, especially the reality of what it means to be human.
In this year’s seminar, we will go through different philosophical works to understand who a person is and how this reality shapes our relationships with those around us. Through the different seminars, you will gain a better understanding of who a person is, what a person can and can’t do, and the beauty of how we’re designed.
Leadership for America is an annual college-level seminar series for qualified high school boys from the Western United States. Each year, the seminar aims to equip its participants with philosophical principles that will help them be leaders who can help society make authentic progress. 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 Opus Dei.
“Be not forgetful of prayer. Every time you pray, if your prayer is sincere, there will be new feeling and new meaning in it, which will give you fresh courage, and you will understand that prayer is an education.” -Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov
The Leadership for America Seminar Series is sponsored by the Ahead Leadership Seminars of Tilden Study Center (Los Angeles, California) in cooperation with other centers of Opus Dei in California.
2024 SEMINAR
Monday, June 10 – Saturday, June 15, 2024
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
$545 ($495 if application is received by May 20th)
Payments can also be made by credit card installments. Please email sergio@tildensc.org to request alternative payment methods
Please do not pay until you have been accepted.
Admission Procedure
Early discount DEADLINE is May 20
Applicants will be admitted by a selection committee from completed applications. An interview may be required at a sponsoring center. For more information, call Sergio at the Tilden Study Center in Los Angeles: (773) 459-1443. 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 Merrill – Yale 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)