DeSantis praises UF’s Hamilton School, cites tuition policy and donor support
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Summary
Governor DeSantis lauded the new Hamilton School at the University of Florida as a leading center for Western civilization studies, thanked trustees and donor Ken Griffin, highlighted Florida higher-education policies (tuition held at $6,300; Bright Futures and Florida Prepaid programs), and congratulated Justice Charles Kennedy on his new leadership role.
Governor DeSantis praised the newly established Hamilton School at the University of Florida as a leading center for the study of Western civilization and thanked trustees, donors and university leadership during remarks at a campus event.
DeSantis said the Hamilton School "is the premier place for the study of Western civilization and the foundations of The United States Of America," and credited recruited faculty and trustees for the program's rapid progress. He singled out Maury Hosseini, identified in his remarks as chairman of the board, and other trustees for their unpaid work to make the School a reality.
The governor framed the School as a response to what he called missteps in "modern academia," saying some institutions have "turned your back on the core pillars of Western civilization" and that classical study of citizenship has become a "lost art." He said the Hamilton School was founded to address that need.
DeSantis also thanked donor Ken Griffin for a "very generous" gift, noting Griffin's ties to Florida and recent relocation of his company to the state; the transcript does not specify the donation amount. The governor congratulated Justice Charles Kennedy on being named the Hamilton School's leader, praising Kennedy's background — which DeSantis summarized as including Yale Law School, nearly two decades on the Florida Supreme Court, prior service as a state representative and as a U.S. congressman — and saying Kennedy brings intellectual and public-service experience to the role.
On state higher-education policy, DeSantis highlighted Florida's approach to tuition and financial aid. "We have not raised tuition since I've been governor at $6,300 for our Florida residents," he said, and pointed to programs such as Bright Futures (which he said can pay full or partial tuition) and the Florida Prepaid Scholarship Program. He added that the state refunded money tied to Florida Prepaid assumptions about tuition inflation, saying families "got their money back" though the transcript does not specify amounts returned.
DeSantis closed by praising the University's leadership (he thanked President Landry by title) and said he looked forward to future milestones, including breaking ground on facilities and continued legislative and philanthropic support. "So this is a great day," he said, adding thanks to faculty and supporters.
The event continued with introductions and a historical reading by an unidentified speaker addressing the governor and university leadership.
