NRI On Campus


Students Standing Athwart History

William F. Buckley Jr. speaks to students at the Pepperdine College Forum, May 1966. (c) University Archives Photograph Collection, Pepperdine University Special Collections and University Archives.

William F. Buckley Jr. began his career as a public intellectual by writing God and Man at Yale, a scathing critique of his alma mater and its growing bias towards secular collectivism. Buckley understood how vitally important well-informed young people are to the survival of our principles, and he frequently spoke on college campuses throughout his illustrious career to promote the principles of classical liberalism and limited government. It was Buckley’s unyielding dedication to these principles that united the freedom movement and launched conservatism back into the political mainstream.

In this spirit, National Review Institute brings the National Review mission to students through events on college campuses across the nation to learn about the principles and ideas of a free society and empowers them to “stand athwart history.” Through events, workshops, conferences, social media, and disseminating NR magazine, NRI reaches today’s students and future influencers with timeless conservative ideas rooted in Buckley’s own powerful campus legacy.


About On Campus Events

Though partnership with college groups, NRI brings National Review writers and NRI fellows to speak at college campuses around the country. Our on-campus events take different forms, including lectures, roundtable discussions, debates, and seminars designed to engage as many students as possible on each campus that we visit. In the past, we have hosted events on topics ranging from foreign policy to pro-life issues and free speech to cultural commentary and academic discrimination, among others.

Upcoming events:

October 29, 2025 | University of Wisconsin Madison | Madison, WI
“How the Right Should Fight” featuring Dan McLaughlin. Cohosted with the
Center for the Study of Liberal Democracy, the Madison Federalist, and
the YAF student chapter.

November 10, 2025 | University of Dallas | Irving, TX
“Does God Still Bless America? Bill Buckley, Christian Patriotism, and Life After Charlie Kirk” featuring Kathryn Jean Lopez. Co-hosted with the Tocqueville Society and the YAF student chapter.

November 14, 2025 | Yale University | New Haven, CT
“William F. Buckley Jr. at 100” panel discussion featuring Kathryn
Jean Lopez, hosted by the Buckley Institute.
Register here

November 14, 2025 | Yale University | New Haven, CT
“Can Conservatives Reclaim the Culture?” panel discussion
featuring Brian T. Allen, hosted by the Buckley Institute.
Register here

November 18, 2025 | Arizona State University | Tempe, AZ
“Gen Z and the Future of American Politics” featuring NR staff writer Caroline Downey. Cohosted with the Center for American Institutions.
Register here

November 20, 2025 | University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA
“Breaking into Conservative Journalism” featuring NR politics reporter Audrey Fahlberg. Cohosted with the Blue Ridge Center.

November 24, 2025 | Franciscan University of Steubenville | Steubenville, OH
“William F. Buckley Jr.: A Witness of Catholic Journalism” featuring Kathryn Jean Lopez.
Co-hosted with the Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Interested in partnering with us? Contact us at students@nrinstitute.org.


Past events


Complimentary National Review Subscription

William F. Buckley Jr., editor of National Review, holds a copy of the magazine. 1955 (c) Bettmann/Corbis / AP Images

National Review Institute is pleased to provide a complimentary digital subscription to National Review to college students who have a valid .edu email account. Email students@nrinstitute.org for information on how to sign up!