About

The Forum was founded in 1989 through the gracious support of Samuel J. LeFrak. A titan of New York City real estate, Samuel J. LeFrak was dedicated to providing affordable housing for working class people. As a visionary with grand ambition, he saw the Forum as a way to encourage young adults to pursue their dreams and to become leaders of the future. 

The Forum was established in the Department of Political Science at Michigan State University. It is a center for the serious study of modern political life. It is dedicated to helping students think for themselves and to ask the fundamental questions of human existence. Through public lectures and conferences, the Forum encourages the MSU community and beyond to vigorously debate the pressing issues of modern democracy. In this endeavor, it is extremely important that all points of view be heard. The Forum is committed to fostering genuine intellectual debate, especially by introducing voices not regularly heard on university campuses.

As part of a new initiative, the Forum is establishing a “LeFrak Fellows” program. It is a premier academic community dedicated to civic education and political philosophy. Through the study of great thinkers and leaders of the past, students are encouraged to ask the big questions—What is justice? What is freedom? What is happiness? By openly exploring and debating these concepts, students come to know themselves and our constitutional republic. The overall objective of this program is to educate the next generation of leaders and citizens who are capable of perpetuating the blessings of American liberty.