Regent University to Host “Carry the Torch” Conference for Educators on America’s Founding Principles

March 10, 2026

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (March 10, 2026) — On March 20, Regent University will host “Carry the Torch: Igniting American Patriotism for the Next 250 Years,” a free one-day conference for educators exploring the philosophical, religious, and political foundations of American self-governance.

The one-of-a-kind event brings together prominent scholars from institutions including Regent, the Bill of Rights Institute, Christopher Newport University, the James Madison Foundation, and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Together, they will equip educators from public, private, and homeschool settings with engaging pedagogical strategies and deep knowledge of America’s founding principles as the nation approaches its 250^th anniversary.

Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s American History and Civics Education Initiative, “Carry the Torch” content is being curated by Project Director William Reddinger, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Government for Regent University’s College of Arts & Sciences. “As a university that unapologetically teaches and cherishes America’s founding principles and the U.S. Constitution, Regent is well-situated to host this important conference,” Reddinger said.

“Each of the speakers on the schedule — historians, political scientists, and K-12 educators — is excited to share their expertise in, and their love of learning about, what has made America the exceptional country that it has been for these past 250 years,” Reddinger continued. “All Americans, especially educators, have a responsibility to pass on the civic knowledge necessary for preserving our republican constitutional order to the next generation.”

Kurt Kreassig, Ed.D., Dean of the Regent University School of Education, will serve as master of ceremonies for the event. “As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, educators need more than headlines — they need a deeper grasp of the ideas that made self-government possible,” Kreassig said. “‘Carry the Torch’ equips teachers with rich content and classroom-ready strategies grounded in the Declaration, Washington, Lincoln, and the enduring relationship between liberty, faith, and civic responsibility.”

Lectures, breakout sessions, and an educator resource panel will cover essential topics, including:

The principles of the Declaration of Independence and their impact on American history
The religious and philosophical origins of the right to resist tyrannical authority
Washington’s political wisdom in his Circular Letter and Farewell Address
Christianity’s influence on American political thought
The Declaration’s promise of equality and its impact on Black Americans throughout history
The essential connection between economic freedom and political liberty
Constitutional continuity through 250 years of technological and social change
Lincoln’s Lyceum Address on preserving republican self-government
Christianity and the meaning of American patriotism

“Whether you teach elementary students or high school seminars, the need is the same: help students understand why ordered liberty matters and how it’s been tested and sustained across generations,” Kreassig said. “This conference gives educators a coherent storyline, primary-text touchpoints, and resources to bring civics and history to life in any setting.”

With no cost to attend, the conference will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at The Founders Inn and Spa in Virginia Beach. A complimentary lunch will be provided by Regent University. Professional development points are available.

A live stream will be offered on YouTube for those who are unable to attend the event in person. For more information and to register, visit regent.edu/250.

About Regent University

Founded in 1977, Regent University is America’s premier Christian university, with nearly 14,000 students studying on its 100-acre campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and online worldwide. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than 150 areas of study, including business, communication and the arts, counseling, cybersecurity, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, nursing, healthcare, and psychology. Regent University has been ranked the #1 Best Online Bachelor’s Program in Virginia for 14 years in a row (U.S. News & World Report, 2026) and the #1 Best Christian College in America (Bible College Online, 2025).

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