Pictured: An Evening With Bill Nye and Michael Shellenberger at the Sarasota Opera House on Sept. 14 2024. Hosted by New College of Florida. Photo by Daniel Wagner / WAGNER VISUALS.

Sarasota has always been a place where culture thrives. From the opera and ballet to world-class museums and a dynamic theater scene, our city has long been a beacon of artistic and intellectual excellence. But Sarasota is not just preserving its cultural legacy—it is evolving. Today, it is emerging not only as a home for the arts but also as a center for fearless conversation, civic engagement, and public discourse on the most pressing issues of our time.

New College of Florida is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation. As Florida’s Honors College, we have always been a place where students and scholars challenge assumptions, seek truth, and embrace intellectual courage. Over the past year, we have extended these conversations beyond our campus, creating a public forum where ideas are tested, policies are debated, and meaningful discourse thrives.

That commitment continues on March 20, when we welcome Governor Ron DeSantis to the Socratic Stage for one of the most significant discussions in our series. Joined by Border Czar Tom Homan and Former Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, the Governor will engage in a high-level conversation on immigration policy, national sovereignty, and the rule of law—issues that affect the future of our state and country.

Governor DeSantis’s presence at this event underscores Sarasota’s growing role as a hub for serious intellectual engagement. His leadership on issues of national importance has made Florida a model for bold policymaking, and his participation in this discussion reflects a commitment to open debate and fearless inquiry.

This event is about more than policy—it is about Sarasota and New College’s continued evolution into a place where the great challenges of our time are confronted with depth, dialogue, and intellectual rigor. Like Athens in its golden age—a city where philosophy, politics, and art flourished together—Sarasota is proving that great cities do more than inspire; they cultivate ideas and curiosity in community.

We invite you to be part of this continued evolution. Join us at New College of Florida. Attend the Socratic Stage, engage in the conversation, and help Sarasota continue to grow as a beacon for culture, intellect, and free expression.

For event details and live stream access, visit NCF.edu/SocraticStage.

Pictured: An Evening With Bill Nye and Michael Shellenberger at the Sarasota Opera House on Sept. 14 2024. Hosted by New College of Florida. Photo by Daniel Wagner / WAGNER VISUALS.