History
Watch VideoActon has its roots in the entrepreneurship curriculum developed by the Acton Foundation for Entrepreneurial Excellence (AFEE). AFEE was created to publish entrepreneurship cases and notes as well as develop entrepreneurship curriculum to be used at schools across the United States.
Acton co-founders, Jeff Sandefer, Phil Siegel, Vaughn Brock and Jack Long began their teaching careers at the University of Texas at Austin. In early 2002, they left UT and in 2004, Acton graduated its first class of Acton Scholars.
The four founders named their new school in Lord Acton’s honor. The 19th century scholar’s study and advancement of liberty are the heart and soul of entrepreneurship today. Entrepreneurs thrive in an environment that encourages private property and free markets, where they can be rewarded for expressing new ideas.
Lord John Emerich Edward Dahlberg Acton (1834-1902) saw liberty not as a license, but as the free freedom to do what was right. He was suspicious for power for the sake of power, which led to his most famous quote: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
As our Acton Scholars prepare themselves for success in a free-market economy, Lord Acton stands as a powerful reminder that power and riches are poor masters and that contributing something important, raising a loving family, and defending our freedoms are far better aspirations for a life of meaning.
Acton is offered through Hardin-Simmons University which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Association of Colleges of Business School Programs (ACBSP).
