Welcome to the Salvatori Center
Advancing the study of Freedom, Democracy, and American Constitutionalism
History & Mission
The Henry Salvatori Center for the Study of Individual Freedom in the Modern World is the oldest institute at the College. It was founded in 1969 as a result of a conversation between George C. S. Benson, the founding president of CMC, and Henry Salvatori. Its inspiration was Mr. Salvatori's concern for the nature and problems of freedom in the modern world.
In the words of the founding agreement, the Salvatori Center’s mission is to study “the civil, political, and individual liberties of persons living in an ordered society.” It is devoted to developing close relations between scholars and students to engage in the study of freedom, particularly as it relates to American Constitutionalism and the political philosophy that informs it.
The Center is uniquely positioned to further the College’s mission of promoting responsible citizenship and leadership by encouraging and nurturing a deeper understanding of the civic, moral, political, and philosophical underpinnings of liberal democracy.
Our Programs
Big Questions. Real Conversations.
From Friday lunch seminars to Saturday salons, students gather to explore the fundamental questions that shape political and moral life. Our discussion-driven programs extend learning beyond the classroom and cultivate a community grounded in open inquiry and thoughtful disagreement around the perennial questions of political order.
Engaging Leading Voices
Through partnerships at the CMC Athenaeum and beyond, we bring distinguished scholars and public figures into direct conversation with students and faculty. Lectures, lively panel discussions, and informal seminars offer rare access to leading minds—and the chance to ask hard questions.
Research That Matters
We support research that speaks to enduring political questions and helps us better understand our world. Salvatori Research Fellows help launch new initiatives, organize programs around visiting speakers, and contribute meaningfully to the intellectual life of the College.