We: grew enrollment by over 500% raised retention rates to 85% created a standardized great books curriculum from Homer to Hannah Arendt with small, Socratic seminars revitalized study of Greek and Latin centered character and civic education throughout the college (2/21)

created civic engagement requirement, with the cooperation of over 100 community partners created Humane Letters major brought in multiple major grants and gifts brought theatre back to TU with Greek tragedies created two summer programs for high school students (3/21)

created honors residential college with faculty in residence & program officer  created study abroad programs in Rome, Greece, & Vienna raised endowment for study abroad created culture of viewpoint diversity through civil exchange of ideas (4/21)

created multiple leadership roles for our students assembled an academic advisory board to help with leading voices for liberal education like @McCormickProf @CornelWest @zenahitz @rooseveltmontas @JohnInazu @DavidDecosimo @AngelParham Named a “Hidden Gem” by @goACTA (5/21)

Our mission was: To offer an excellent general education, focused on the study of classic texts in the liberal arts tradition, in a vibrant intellectual community that fosters friendship, growth in excellent habits of mind and character, and service to the common good. (6/21)

Our vision was that education is personal formation, and liberal education the formation of free human beings and citizens, equipped with those excellent habits of mind and character necessary to lead flourishing live of meaning and purpose, regardless of their career. (7/21)

I always tell our students that while career paths take unpredictable twists and turns, they will remain persons who long to know and understand the world, to possess what they believe is good, and to appreciate what they find beautiful. (8/21)

In the Honors College, we study the liberal arts because these practices help us discover what we believe is true, good, and beautiful—and to understand why. This is an education in human freedom, and it builds a foundation for a meaningful life. (9/21)

The motto on our academic seal is wisdom, virtue, and friendship, because these are the common goods we seek together as members of the honors college. We learn from our shared past to have a deeper understanding of the present so we might forge a better future together (10/21)

Our ideal for the college was that it be a place of friendship and intellectual curiosity, a place where students grow together through challenging conversation and study, a place where they become more human and more humane by joining "the great conversation." (11/21)

Now for some personal news: today is my last day as Dean. I was stunned to be informed by our new provost there will no longer be a Dean of Honors, period.  Nor an Assistant Dean.  Rather, I was told there will be a “director” of honors--but that person will not be me. (12/21)

I was told my performance was exemplary but honors needed to "go in a different direction." So I have no idea what the future vision for it will be. I know the seminar format has been removed/class sizes increased. I know my wonderful Asst. Dean, Matt Post, has resigned. (13/21)

Despite the shock and sadness all this brings, I remain proud of all we accomplished together as a college in the past two years.  Being Dean of Honors has been the highlight of my career, and working with these students and faculty has been a privilege, honor, and joy (14/21)

I will now return to philosophy full time after a six-month research leave (for which I'm grateful).  I put many intellectual projects on hold to build & lead a new college, & I intend now to throw myself back into the life of the mind.  I have many books/essays to write! (15/21)

I am grateful to @bradrcarson for believing in me & convincing me to move to Oklahoma to prove that great books is beloved by students. We did that! I am grateful to my colleagues in Honors who helped to create such a life giving intellectual community with me. (16/21)

To all of our strategic partners who believed in what we were building—reformers, foundations, think tanks, donors, alumni, and all lovers of great books/liberal learning—I can never thank you enough for your support, your faith in me, and your encouragement & enthusiasm. (17/21)

I am grateful to our students, for whom the college was built. Teaching & mentoring these bright and enthusiastic young men and women, watching them learn and grow together, this is the pre-eminent privilege of being a professor and dean. I am grateful for every moment (18/21)

As I reflect on the last two years, I hope that Honors will not decline, but flourish.  Authentic liberal learning is deeply popular with students, but such learning is hardly ever supported by universities to the degree that it should be, if it is supported at all. (19/21)

This lack of admin support is a shame, because liberal education helps us fashion deeply meaningful and flourishing lives of purpose for ourselves. It offers students a truly higher education that helps them pursue truth, beauty, and goodness. (20/21)

Wherever I myself go from here, I pledge to keep fighting for authentic liberal learning through the study of classic texts.  Our students, our democracy, and our collective human future deserve no less from me and from our universities. And we should settle for no less. (21/21)

@jennfrey I'm so sorry to hear about this -- for you, but moreso for honor students at Tulsa. I hope you don't regret moving your family there for the sake of a project that is now being discontinued. Our universities are such a mess. You are one of the very few trying to make them better.

@DamonLinker Our family is devastated but I don't regret a second of it. It truly has been a wonderful two years here.

@jennfrey Very sorry for you and your family, Jennifer! You've been doing such admirable work

@jennfrey I’m so terribly sorry to hear this.

@jennfrey WHAT??!!?

@jennfrey Incredibly sorry to hear this.

@jennfrey Oh my, sorry to hear this

@jennfrey So sorry!

@jennfrey Dr. Frey, you don't know me but my wife and I love your work. You're one of several bright examples for my wife of theologically orthodox women who are making a difference in philosophy (she's the most talented philosophy person I know). That's a shame. And we all know what

@jennfrey This is very sad news. It is also infuriating. Praying for you and for your family.

@jennfrey not cool. it sounds like it was as successful as it could have been. good luck moving forward.

@jennfrey I'm so sorry. This is such a terrible decision on their part.

@jennfrey What?!?! I'm so sorry. That is such a shame.

@jennfrey Jennifer- hello from back home in S.C. Have followed your work since you were here at Carolina. Sorry to learn of this news. Will pray that a new window will open for you, now that this door has closed. Blessings!

@jennfrey This has happened before and will happen again. The university is no place for thinkers.

@jennfrey I’m so sorry. This is tragic.

@jennfrey Sorry to hear that. Having been a "director" of Honors, my experience is that administrators are more interested in such programs a recruiting tools, not for their scholarly rigor. The latter, in fact, was seen as a liability - can't be too difficult or you'll scare them off.

@jennfrey Very sad to hear this.

@jennfrey I’m so terribly sorry. Having formerly worked in higher ed for nearly a decade, I am painfully familiar with this process. And, might I add, it is absolutely unconscionable to inform you of this in the summer on such short notice. Unfair to both you and incoming students.

@jennfrey Deeply saddened to hear this news. You deserved better than this, and so do the faculty members, students, and all who have benefited from the model of education that you helped provide. That being said, I do look forward to reading what you write now that you have more time!

@jennfrey So sorry for your loss, after all that you have sacrificed in time, energy, and family life. Know that what you have accomplished is valued by so many, and those you inspired will create anew

@jennfrey Aggh. So sorry to hear this!

@jennfrey This is rough news. My daughter has been planning to join the Honors College this fall. She was so excited to be a part of this great endeavor you have built. Thank you for all you have done, Jennifer.

@jennfrey I'm very sorry to hear this. I guess I won't be sending my children to the University of Tulsa!

@jennfrey Oh man. I am devastated for you. I can't believe they're letting you go after you moved your whole family out there for them. Wherever you go will be better off for having you. I hope Tulsa doesn't lose the greatness you helped them build.