Former Senator Phil Gramm To Speak at Cedarville University

Cedarville University’s Robert W. Plaster School of Business will host former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm on Monday, March 23, for a public lecture examining “The Triumph of Economic Freedom: Debunking the Seven Great Myths of American Capitalism.” 

Event details: time, location, admission and program 

The event, which begins at 7 p.m. in the Scharnberg Business and Communication Center Auditorium, is open to the public. The lecture will be followed by a question-and-answer session and book signing. There is no admission fee to attend.  

“Our students are preparing to lead in business, government and ministry, and they need to think clearly about what drives prosperity and opportunity,” said Dr. Jeffrey Haymond, dean of the Robert W. Plaster School of Business. “This topic helps them evaluate claims about capitalism with evidence and careful reasoning.” 

Haymond said the university is looking forward to welcoming a speaker whose career spans economic scholarship, public service and private-sector leadership. 

“It’s not often students get to hear from someone who has taught economics, helped shape national policy and advised global financial leaders,” Haymond said. “Senator Gramm brings a perspective that will challenge listeners to examine assumptions and engage these ideas thoughtfully.” 

About Phil Gramm: economist, professor and author 

Gramm, an economist and former professor at Texas A&M University, earned his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Georgia and taught economics for 12 years. He has published articles and books on subjects ranging from monetary theory and policy to private property. His books include “The Economics of Mineral Extraction” and “The Role of Government in a Free Society.” Gramm is also a frequent contributor to the Wall Street Journal’s opinion page on economic issues. 

He served six years in the U.S. House of Representatives and 18 years in the U.S. Senate before retiring from public office in 2003. In the Senate, he served on the Appropriations Committee, the Budget Committee and the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. As chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Gramm helped steer legislation modernizing financial services, including the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. 

After leaving office, Gramm served as vice chairman of UBS Investment Bank, advising major corporate and institutional clients on economic, political and policy issues. He has also served as a senior adviser to US Policy Metrics, vice chairman of Lone Star Global Acquisitions and a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. 

For more information, contact the Robert W. Plaster School of Business. 

About Cedarville University 

Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.