This academic paper by Julius Sigler explores the unique and revolutionary vision of Thomas Jefferson for a secular, state-supported University of Virginia, contrasting sharply with the religiously affiliated institutions of its time. Sigler details Jefferson's educational philosophy, emphasizing a broad curriculum and student self-governance, which unfortunately led to numerous challenges, including student riots and faculty conflicts. Despite these struggles, with the political support of allies like Joseph Carrington Cabell and the resilience of its faculty and alumni, the University of Virginia not only survived but thrived, embodying Jefferson's vision and contributing to the evolution of public higher education. The paper underscores the University's turbulent early years, marked by clashes between student autonomy and societal expectations, and the eventual establishment of an honor code and elective system that influenced American higher education broadly.
