The Buckley Institute is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2024 Lux et Veritas Faculty Prize is Dr. Gregory Collins, lecturer in the Department of Political Science and the Program on Ethics, Politics, and Economics at Yale University. The Lux et Veritas Faculty Prize honors faculty who go above and beyond to stimulate open discussion and debate in the classroom, creating an environment where all perspectives can be heard. Collins was chosen from around 90 nominations submitted by Yale students, faculty, and alumni.
Dr. Collins stood out for his willingness to support open and civil discussion in the classroom even on contentious issues. “Professor Collins has fostered the most open intellectual environment I have experienced in an academic setting at Yale,” one student commented. “From the first class, Professor Collins encourages students not to self-censor and to engage honestly with the course material.”
Collins was specifically cited for encouraging students in his classes to truly engage seriously with ideas they previously opposed. In his classes, he often requires students to take controversial positions in public and historical debates, assigning students to defend positions with which they disagree. “Professor Collins pushed students to set aside their preconceived biases and be open to new ideas,” another student commented. He “asked sharp questions to students who were dismissive of conservative and originalist thinkers.”
Collins impressed his students with his ability to cultivate a classroom environment where students feel comfortable speaking up and sharing their perspectives. “In my four years at Yale, I never felt as free to speak my mind (both generally and when it came to thorny issues) as I did in Professor Collins’ class,” a third student said.
“Professor Collins’ innovation sets a model for other professors who care about increasing intellectual diversity at Yale,” one student concluded.
In recognition of his support for open dialogue and debate in the classroom, the Buckley Institute will present Dr. Collins with a memorial plaque and a $10,000 prize during a celebratory event in the fall. The ceremony will feature a discussion with Dr. Collins and reception.
Professor Collins is the second member of the Political Science Department to be presented with this award. Mordechai Levy-Eichel was awarded the Lux et Veritas Faculty Prize in 2022, the first year the award was given.