On October 4, 1790, Samuel Adams sat down to write a letter to his cousin, John Adams, who was vice president of the United States. Samuel Adams stated: “Let patriots unite their endeavors to renovate the age, by . . . educating their sons and daughters in the fear of the Lord . . . love of their country and . . . the art of self-government.”
The word renovate means “To renew; to restore to the first state, or a good state, after decay, destruction or depravation.” It may seem surprising to us that Adams expressed the need to renovate the age, being as it was, such an early time in our nation’s existence. Is it possible he felt the teachings of the Fear of the Lord, Love of Country, and the Art of Self-Government were entering a state of decay?
Ronald Reagan stated, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” Could it be that EVERY generation needs to Renovate the Age? The Dean’s List is a show resolved to Renovate the Age by shining the light of truth on the decaying American education system while also shining the light of hope for parents and grandparents who will endeavor to reclaim ownership of their children’s and grandchildren’s education.
