Join Us and Be Part of the Legacy! 

Help Us Finish Documenting 70 Years of Socratic Learning

"There is nothing certain, nothing at all except the unimportance of everything I understand, and the greatness of something incomprehensible but all important." - War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy

This is more than a film. It is a powerful, urgent argument for the enduring power of collaborative, foundational education in a world increasingly dominated by AI and specialization. We are racing to preserve the legacy of a program that teaches students the essential skill of discovering how to ask their own questions —a skill humanity needs right now.

The Heart of the Story: A Sanctuary for Critical Thought

Imagine a place where ancient ideas spark modern minds. Where real conversation and collaboration bring ideas to life. Where students challenge each other and defend their own ideas using critical thinking.

The Integral Program at St. Mary's College is that place. It's about learning to learn, teaching students how to think, and developing their capacity for original and independent thought.

Unlike traditional college programs, this Great Books program takes students on a cohesive, four-year journey through 4,000 years of history, literature, and philosophy. Students actively engage with original works, not textbooks. There are no lectures or exams. Instead, they participate in small seminars and tutorials, engaging in active, Socratic dialogue with faculty and peers. The reading list forms a connected, coherent conversation through time.

As a graduate, I experienced the power of this education firsthand. Now, after filming the class of 2025, I am inspired by their passion and determination. I witnessed firsthand the joy in finding your own, authentic voice by questioning the great thinkers that came before us.

This documentary captures the dedication of the tutors, particularly Mike and Steve, both of whom graduated from the Program and have spent over 40 years guiding these conversations.

The Conflict: Why the Spark is at Risk

Enrollment is declining. Machine learning and AI are replacing dialogue and discovery. The spark encouraging young minds to search for what truly is, is at risk of going out.

We are at a crucial juncture. This film, The Enduring Legacy, needs to capture this moment.

Status Update: We Filmed the History!

Thanks to the incredible support of our generous initial donors, we have successfully completed filming! We were there to film Steve’s Lecture at Saint Mary's College, and we captured beautiful interviews with students, alumni, and colleagues about their experiences. (Watch a fabulous recruitment video we created with some of the footage)

Special Thank You: We owe immense gratitude to our production company, September Club, for their dedication. Most importantly, thank you to the 77 initial supporters and 96 followers whose early belief made filming possible. You are the foundation of this legacy!

Project Endorsement & Tax Deductibility

We're proud to be fiscally sponsored by From The Heart Productions, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Their careful selection process validates our mission. All new contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

The Final Push: Join the Circle of Patrons

This is a project of love, and we have captured the raw heart of the story. Now, we need your help to transform this footage into a powerful, polished documentary.

The funds raised in this Post-Production Campaign are critical for:

• Editing and Archival Footage ($8.5K): Shaping countless hours of interviews and classroom footage into a cohesive, emotional narrative.
• Sound Design & Original Score ($2k): Ensuring the film has the quality audio and musical score
• Finishing & Distribution ($2K): Final color correction, graphics, and, crucially, submission to film festivals to ensure this story sparks a national dialogue.

Your support is critical—and it makes you a co-champion of this educational legacy.

When you donate, you join a community of thinkers, alumni, and educators dedicated to defending the Socratic tradition. You become a Patron of Thought, ensuring this indispensable conversation continues.

Join us in preserving this exceptional program and ensuring this unique way of learning inspires the next generation.

“And all my life I shall pay the power and the might of Love such homage as I can.” - The Symposium, Plato: Collected Dialogues