One of my reasons for admiring Thomas Jefferson is his dedication to merit and education. He was an ardent believer in the people and the necessity of education for our experiment in republican government in the United States of America. An independent people, able to view media and make informed decisions would be essential to this new nation. He was instrumental in reforming the curriculum of the college of William & Mary and in the founding of the University of Virginia!

On July 26, 1780, he wrote to James Madison, “Our new institution at the college (William and Mary) has had a success which has gained it universal applause.” He was excited to hear of George Wythe’s success as a law professor in the training of students who would become future leaders in Virginia.