TGR Hosts Inaugural Franklin Society Debate at Fancy Hill

Lexington, VA – March 14, 2026

On March 14, The Generals Redoubt (TGR) convened students, faculty, and alumni at Fancy Hill for the inaugural meeting of its revived Franklin Society, launching a new forum dedicated to civil, substantive debate on questions affecting Rockbridge County and the W&L community.

The Franklin Society at Fancy Hill is structured as an evening program of dinner and debate. Participants first gathered for a formal dinner, dressed in chapel attire, in the Fancy Hill dining room. In keeping with Society custom, no discussion of the evening’s resolution was permitted during dinner.

Following the meal, the party adjourned to the Robert E. Lee Parlor. There, the formal debate was conducted under the Franklin Society’s historic rules of order, with Kamron Spivey, ’24, serving as “Mr. President.”

Twelve participants attended, including nine students and two faculty members. The resolution for the evening — “Should alumni be incorporated and invested with the power of electing trustees and managing the affairs of the institution?” — addressed a question central to The Generals Redoubt’s founding mission.

The debate followed a structured, Jeffersonian format emphasizing civil discourse. At the outset, all participants subscribed to the Society’s traditional “Promise,” affirming a commitment to respectful engagement. In accordance with this commitment, members refrain from making remarks in “derision or contumely,” and the proceedings are conducted without recording.

Discussion touched on several key questions, including whether alumni, as long-term stakeholders, possess a distinct claim to influence institutional governance; how such involvement would balance with the need for professional expertise in managing complex organizations; and whether expanded alumni participation would effectively broaden representation. Participants also considered differences between private and public governance models, looking to VMI as an example.

An initial vote showed a majority aligned with the affirmative position, though several participants remained undecided. Following discussion, a final vote reflected a modest shift, with one participant moving to the negative and another remaining undecided.

A full summary of the debate proceedings is available on The Generals Redoubt website at the Franklin Society page: https://www.thegeneralsredoubt.us/franklin-society

The Franklin Society debate marks the beginning of what TGR intends to be a recurring forum for civil and substantive discussion on questions affecting higher education and institutional life.

The next Franklin Society debate will be held at Fancy Hill on May 9 at 5:00 PM, with the resolution to be announced in coming days. Those interested in attending or proposing resolutions, may inquire at: info@thegeneralsredoubt.us