Events @ Bridwell

TEF-Fall-2025

New Bridwell Institute Prize

The award will recognize the author of a book that makes an outstanding contribution to the public's broad understanding of American capitalism with a $15,000 prize.

The first recipient will be announce in spring 2026 for a book published in 2025. Nominations can be submitted below by December 31, 2025.

The prize honors the Work of W. Michael Cox and Richard Alm. Over three decades, their research and writing has focused on explaining in clear language the working of America's free enterprise system, especially the relentless churning of markets and innovation that delivers progress in the form of higher living standards.

This award has been created thanks to Richard Alm's generous donation.

Mike and Rick wanted to use data and economic ideas to show Americans that freer markets make us richer and more government leaves us poorer. We hope the Bridwell Institute Prize will spur authors to follow in their footsteps. - Robert Lawson, Director

Public Programs:

All events are free and open to the ÃÛÌÒ½´community and the general public.

 

Spring 2026

  • Semiquincentennial of Freedom

    Why the American Revolution Still Matters

    Featuring: 
    C. Bradley Thompson, Executive Director, Snow Institute for the Study of Capitalism & Professor, Department of Political Science, Clemson University
    Phillip W. Magness, Senior Fellow & David J. Theroux Chair in Political Economy, Independent Institute
    Description: The Bridwell Institute’s Semiquincentennial of Freedom is a year-long celebration of the 250th anniversary of two of the greatest documents in history, the Declaration of Independence and Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations. Our spring event features a moderated conversation with C. Bradley Thompson, author of What America Is: The Moral Logic of the American Revolution and Other Essays and America's Revolutionary Mind: A Moral History of the American Revolution and the Declaration that Defined It, and Phil Magness, author of The 1619 Project: A Critique.
    When: Thursday, February 26
    4:00 pm Reception, 5:00 pm Lecture
    (Crum Auditorium, Collins Executive Education Center, SMU)


  • Texas Economic Forum

    Rising Sports in North Texas: IndyCar & Cricket

    Featuring:
    TBD, Senior executive from Arrow McLaren IndyCar team
    TBD, Senior executive from Major League Cricket
    Description: DFW is a big-time sports city with many major league franchises, both men’s and women’s. Our spring 2026 Texas Economic Forum will feature two sports on the rise in our community: IndyCar and cricket. The inaugural Grand Prix of Arlington IndyCar race will bring the fastest American formula cars to our city on March 13-15. And each year Major League Cricket hosts an international-level cricket tournament at its dedicated cricket stadium in Grand Prairie.  Join us for a moderated discussion with top executives from the Arrow McLaren IndyCar team and Major League Cricket. We’ll hear about the challenging economics facing these organizations and the importance of these sports in our community.
    When: Thursday, March 12
    4:00 pm Reception, 5:00 pm Panel
    (Crum Auditorium, Collins Executive Education Center, SMU)

  • Other events (by invitation only):

    • Reading Group Summit
      • February 28