Daniels to receive national award for commitment to academic freedom and affordability

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni on Wednesday (April 25) announced that President Mitch Daniels will receive the 2018 Philip Merrill Award for Outstanding Contributions to Liberal Arts Education in October at ACTA's annual Alumni and Trustees for Higher Education Accountability Roundtable event in Washington, D.C.

Daniels was selected by a committee of distinguished leaders from around the country for his work to promote uncompromising freedom of expression on campus, maintain rigorous academic standards, create the Purdue Polytechnic High School and freeze tuition for all Purdue students for seven consecutive years.

“Mitch Daniels has demonstrated how, with strong leadership and vision, a great university can reach new heights of excellence in teaching and learning, safeguard freedom of expression, expand opportunities for disadvantaged students, and still succeed in keeping college affordable. He inspires colleges and universities to see that both excellence and affordability can be within reach,” says Michael Poliakoff, ACTA president.

The Merrill Award, ACTA’s most prestigious honor, remembers the legacy of the late Philip Merrill, “a passionate proponent of academic excellence and an articulate spokesman for the importance of liberal education in free society.” Merrill served as a trustee of numerous universities and cultural institutions throughout his career as a public servant, publisher, businessman and philanthropist.

More information is at https://www.goacta.org/news/purdue-university-president-to-receive-actas-national-award-for-commitment-to-academic-freedom-and-affordability.