The Allbritton Center for the Study of Public Life continues Wesleyan’s commitment to preparing students for lives as active citizens and for leadership. It seeks to support Wesleyan’s tradition of the scholar-teacher by encouraging faculty research in a manner that directly benefits and enhances student learning. The center reflects changes that have transpired across the social-scientific disciplines. These include the creation of new multidisciplinary ventures, the growing number of studies employing multiple methodologies, and the rethinking of the idea of the public in a variety of intellectual and social movements. In addition, university-based intellectuals have been rethinking their connection to the greater public and, consequently, are forging knowledge-seeking alliances with innovators and leaders in government and the corporate world. Social scientists are developing innovative and productive relationships with other sectors of the public, including artists, grassroots activists, and independent scholars. Our students are energized and excited by these developments. The center enables Wesleyan to focus resources; encourage curricular innovation, new research, and scholarship; and foster greater public understanding and responsibility.