Hunter
12/08/25
The Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa held their inaugural kickoff event over the weekend, featuring a variety of conservative leaders, including Governor Kim Reynolds.
Conservative activist Christopher Rufo, one of the panelists, blamed the shooting death of Turning Point USA leader Charlie Kirk on critical race theory and diversity programming on college campuses, calling the assassin someone who was, quote, “ill-served by the institutions around him.” Rufo added that the killer had absorbed the idea that it was OK to kill because of a difference of opinion, and that idea came from academic institutions.
Former Regent David Barker is now US Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education. He said the new Center stands to chart a new higher education course and said it could become a model for the country.
The Center for Intellectual Freedom was mandated by the Iowa Legislature in the 2025 session. Its 26 member independent council includes just one representative from the University of Iowa, and 13 faculty, but from other out-of-state institutions.
The panelists criticized UI President Barb Wilson and Provost Kevin Kregel for not attend the opening event.