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Louisville, KY [May 9, 2025] - Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (LPTS) joins nearly 600 college, university, and scholarly society leaders from across the nation in signing a joint statement opposing increasing political interference and government overreach in American higher education.
Developed through a series of national meetings convened by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, this unified declaration affirms a collective commitment to academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and open inquiry—principles that are vital to the health of American democracy and to the mission of higher education.
"The group of presidents who signed this letter is a remarkable demonstration of leadership from across the higher education landscape," remarked seminary president Rev. Dr. Andrew D. Pomerville. "I am honored to be counted among this cohort and see the value of partnering with institutions that also believe in intellectual freedom, the value of diversity, and the need for collaboration and dialogue."
With the full support of the Seminary’s Board of Trustees, President Pomerville’s decision to sign this national statement reflects LPTS’s enduring commitment to its mission: Led by the Holy Spirit, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary educates people to proclaim the Gospel, to care for all, and to work for justice in communities everywhere.
The statement recognizes the diverse ecosystem of American higher education—including public and private institutions, research universities, community colleges, and theological seminaries like LPTS—and emphasizes their shared responsibility to nurture inquiry and prepare graduates to strengthen society. It also warns that “the price of abridging the defining freedoms of American higher education will be paid by our students and our society.”
Elizabeth Clay, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Louisville Seminary and alum of the institution, added, "I am proud of our long-standing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a community of faith, God calls us to recognize the humanity of all God’s children everywhere."
By signing this statement, Louisville Seminary reaffirms its public commitment to justice, equity, and truth across all academic, theological, and societal spaces. The Seminary remains committed to cultivating an environment where faculty, students, and staff are free to pursue truth, speak with courage, and live out their vocations for the common good.
To read the full statement and view the list of signatories, visit AAC&U Statement on Higher Education Freedom1.
President Pomerville further reinforced this message in an interview with Louisville news station WHAS11, where he stated, “Our dedication to Black Church Studies, to some of our womanist studies, to our queer theology — what we do here is important.” His remarks underscore the Seminary’s unwavering commitment to inclusive theological education and to preparing faith leaders who are equipped to serve diverse communities with justice and compassion. Watch the full WHAS11 segment here2.
1AAC&U Statement on Higher Education Freedom. https://www.aacu.org/newsroom/higher-ed-freedom-statement
2WHAS11 News Story: “Two Louisville schools reject Trump’s higher education policies on DEI.” https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/two-louisville-schools-reject-trumps-higher-education-policies-on-dei/417-a25722cb-e4c0-4183-a1c9-694d940283f9
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