The Ashbrook Center is committed to extending its programming beyond just the students in the Ashbrook Scholar Program and the Master of American History and Government program. Every year, the Center sponsors numerous public lectures through its Major Issues Lecture Series and Ashbrook Colloquia, produces a number of publications and podcasts, and maintains several web sites, all designed to extend the educational opportunites provided by the Center beyond the boundaries of the Ashland University campus.

The Major Issues Lecture Series, which began in 1983 during the Center's first year of existence, brings some of the most influential public figures in America to the Ashland University campus. Past speakers have included U.S. Senators, members of the U.S. House of Representatives, numerous statewide elected officials, as well as journalists from a wide variety of national publications such as National Review, The Weekly Standard, and The Washington Times. The Lecture Series is attended by students in the Ashbrook Scholar Program, students from local high schools, and the general public.

Ashbrook Colloquia are intended to provide a forum for the discussion of a wide variety of topics led by leading academic scholars in the field. Colloquia are always free of charge and open to the public. They are designed to allow students and the public to engage in conversation with an expert in a particular subject. The discussions last about an hour and a half and attendees may come and go as they wish. We introduce the guest, let him take no more than twenty minutes to characterize the subject, and then open the topic to discussion, which is usually lively.

The Ashbrook Center also produces a number of publications designed to educate the public and keep the Center's supporters apprised of its activities. On Principle, the Center's quarterly journal, typically includes a feature article or transcript of a recent speech given at the Center, a number of articles on recent activities at the Center, and a word from our Executive Director. Res Publica is an annual compilation of student-written essays on a wide variety of topics. Each of the essays included is the winner of a Taylor Excellence in Writing award which are given each semester to Ashbrook Scholars participating in an essay writing competition. The Center has also published several monographs and our ever-popular pocket-sized Constitution booklet.

In addition to our events and publications, the Center provides podcasts of all of its events. Additionally, our Executive Director records a series of podcasts in which he speaks with interesting and thoughtful (and sometimes well-known) people about American politics and what Mark Twain called the nation's temperament. Our audio is available in MP3 format for easy download on to mobile devices.

The Center also maintains a wide variety of web sites all committed to our goal of improving the nation's civic literacy. TeachingAmerican
History.org is the companion site to all of our teacher-related education iniatives. Within that site, you will find an extensive Document Library, as well as exhibits detailing the history of the Constitutional Convention, the Federalist-Antifederalist debates, and the Ratification of the Constitution. The Center also hosts a blog, known as No Left Turns, in which several of the Center's adjunct fellows post their thoughts on the news of the day.