Heart Of The Community Award Nominations Outstanding Green: Fill & Download for Free

Most Objectivist thinkers are ‘little known’ outside of Objectivist circles so I will post a list of the ones I know.Objectivist Intellectual’s Biographies (85) last updated 10/14/18 (not complete)Amesh AdaljaMD, 2002, American University of the CaribbeanDr. Adalja, a board-certified physician in infectious disease, critical care medicine, emergency medicine and internal medicine, specializes in the intersection of national security with catastrophic health events. He publishes and lectures on bio-terrorism, pandemic preparedness and emerging infectious diseases. He has been a guest on national radio and television programs.John AllisonMBA, Management, 1974, Duke UniversityMr. Allison is president and CEO of the Cato Institute. He was previously chairman and CEO of BB&T Corporation, the 10th-largest financial services holding company headquartered in the United States. During Allison’s tenure as CEO from 1989 to 2008, BB&T grew from $4.5 billion to $152 billion in assets.Carl BarneyCarl Barney is a businessman who, among other business activities, owns and manages several private business colleges.Rituparna BasuBS, Biology, 2010, Pennsylvania State UniversityMs. Basu is a health care policy analyst at ARI. Her work has appeared in publications such as Forbes and The Daily Caller, and she has been interviewed on radio and TV programs, internationally. Ms. Basu has briefed congressional staffers and speaks regularly at university campuses, including Georgetown, Emory and Temple.Ben BayerPhD, Philosophy, 2007, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignDr. Bayer teaches philosophy at Loyola University New Orleans. His research focuses primarily on questions about the foundations of knowledge and the freedom of the will.Robert BegleyRobert Begley is a writer for The Objective Standard. He is the founder and president of the NY Heroes Society, an organization dedicated to promoting heroism in the culture. Robert is also a judge in Anthem, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged essay contests. He was the host and producer for the Manhattan Cable TV program, The Voice of Reason. Robert is currently writing a book about the history of New York heroes.Michael S. BerlinerPhD, Philosophy, 1970, Boston UniversityDr. Berliner is the founding executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute and served as co-chairman of ARI’s board of directors. He is editor of "Letters of Ayn Rand", "Understanding Objectivism" and a recent biography of operetta composer Emmerich Kálmán. Dr. Berliner taught philosophy and philosophy of education for many years at California State University, Northridge.ANDREW BERNSTEINPhD, Philosophy, 1986, City University of New YorkAndrew Bernstein holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the Graduate School of the City University of New York. He has taught at Hunter College, the New School for Social Research, Pace University and Marymount College, where he was chosen Outstanding Faculty Member for 1995. He currently teaches at the State University of New York at Purchase, where he was selected Outstanding Faculty Member for 2004.Dr. Bernstein has lectured at universities across the United States, including at Harvard, Yale, Stanford, the United States Military Academy at West Point and many others; and at philosophical conferences both in America and abroad. He is the author of The Capitalist Manifesto: The Historic, Economic and Philosophic Case for Laissez-Faire, to be published in the spring of 2005 by University Press of America. His first novel, Heart of a Pagan, was released in 2002. He is currently writing Objectivism in One Lesson, an introduction to the philosophy of Ayn Rand. His website is Andrew Bernstein | Philosopher and TeacherDr. Bernstein is the author of "The Capitalist Manifesto" (2005), "Objectivism in One Lesson" (2008), "Capitalism Unbound" (2010), "Capitalist Solutions" (2011), and of numerous essays. He is currently writing “Heroes and Hero Worship” for the Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism. Dr. Bernstein lectures widely on Ayn Rand’s novels and Objectivism.DAVID BERRYD.M.A., Composition, 2002, University of South CarolinaDavid Berry is an associate professor of music. He teaches courses across a wide range of historical and theoretical musical subjects including film music. He is a recorded and published (BMI) composer with performances of his music in America and Europe in both fine art and popular music genres.CRAIG BIDDLEB.A., Fine Arts, 1988, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityCraig Biddle is the author of Loving Life: The Morality of Self-Interest and the Facts That Support It and is currently writing another book, Good Thinking for Good Living: The Science of Being Selfish. In addition to writing, he lectures on the Objectivist ethics and teaches workshops on thinking in principles. Editor and Publisher of “The Objective Standard”Specialties: Ethics, ObjectivismHARRY BINSWANGERPh.D., Philosophy, 1973, Columbia UniversityDr. Binswanger is the author of The Biological Basis of Teleological Concepts, the editor of The Ayn Rand Lexicon and co-editor of the second edition of Ayn Rand’s Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology. Dr. Binswanger is a professor of philosophy at the Ayn Rand Institute’s Objectivist Academic Center and is a member of ARI’s board of directors. He is currently working on a book on the nature of consciousness.Dr. Binswanger is the author of "How We Know" and "The Biological Basis of Teleological Concepts", the editor of "The Ayn Rand Lexicon" and co-editor of the second edition of Ayn Rand’s "Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology". He is an instructor of philosophy at the Ayn Rand Institute’s Objectivist Academic Center and a member of ARI’s board of directors.TORE BOECKMANNWriterMr. Boeckmann has written and lectured extensively on Ayn Rand’s fiction and philosophy of esthetics. He edited for publication Rand’s The Art of Fiction. His own fiction has been published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. He is currently writing a book on Romantic literature.Thomas A. BowdenSpecialties: Legal issues, physician-assisted suicide, abortion rights, mandatory community service.Mr. Bowden, an attorney in private practice in Baltimore, Maryland, taught at the University Of Baltimore School Of Law from 1988 to 1994. Author of a booklet against multiculturalism, “The Enemies of Christopher Columbus,” he has also published op-eds in the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, Philadelphia Inquirer, Portland Oregonian, Los Angeles Daily News, Minneapolis Star Tribune, and Charlotte Observer. He is a former member of the board of directors of The Association for Objective Law, a non-profit group whose purpose is to advance Objectivism, the philosophy of Ayn Rand, as the basis of a proper legal system. In that connection, Mr. Bowden has filed amicus curiae briefs in the U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal for the Second and Third Circuits, challenging mandatory community service for high school students on legal and moral grounds.YARON BROOKPh.D., Finance, 1994, University of Texas at AustinDr. Brook is president and executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute. A former finance professor, he has published in academic as well as popular publications, and is frequently interviewed in the media. He has appeared on CNN, Fox News Channel and PBS among others. On college campuses across America and in the boardrooms of large corporations, he has lectured on Objectivism, business ethics and foreign policy.Dr. Brook is executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute. He is the coauthor of the national best-seller “Free Market Revolution: How Ayn Rand’s Ideas Can End Big Government” and a contributing author to both “Neoconservatism: An Obituary for an Idea” and “Winning the Unwinnable War: America’s Self-Crippled Response to Islamic Totalitarianism.”ANDY CLARKSONMBA University of MarylandMr. Clarkson is a decades-long Objectivist He has focused on researching the history of ideas and published The Impact of Aristotle Upon Christian, Islamic, and Jewish Cultures : A Compilation of Notes and Quotes From A Variety of Sources Plus Commentary, published in December 2016.PAT CORVINIPh.D., Electrical Engineering, 1995, University of California at Santa BarbaraDr. Corvini recently left a twenty-year career in semiconductor optoelectronics to work full time in the history of science and mathematics. She lectured on Archimedes at the 2003 Objectivist Summer Conference.SUSAN CRAWFORDB.S.N, Nursing, 1982, Marymount College, VirginiaSusan Crawford is a registered nurse. She has given two parenting courses and wrote the pamphlet “The Reading Habit/Money Management.” Susan is married to Jack Crawford and the mother of two sons, Jason and DavidERIC DANIELSPh.D., American History, 2001, University of WisconsinDr. Daniels is a visiting assistant professor of history at Duke University’s Program on Values and Ethics in the Marketplace. He has lectured at summer conferences and to numerous Objectivist community groups. He is an alumnus of ARI’s Objectivist Graduate Center (precursor to the Objectivist Academic Center). A contributor to the Oxford Companion to United States History, he is currently working on a book about American politics andDr. Daniels works at LePort Schools, teaching science and history, and as a curriculum developer. Previously, he was a professor at Clemson, Duke and Georgetown Universities. Dr. Daniels has published book chapters and articles on antitrust, individualism and economic freedom.John DennisPhD, Psychology, 2010, University of Texas at AustinDr. Dennis teaches at Catholic University in Milan, University of Perugia and University of Alberta. His research on motivation is funded by the EU and Templeton Foundation. He is a licensed psychologist trained in CBT. In 2013 Dr. Dennis started Melioravit, a scientific communication company that helps researchers get funded, published and cited.Robert van DortmondMSc in Applied Physics, Delft University of Technology; Executive Program, Stanford Graduate SchoolMr. van Dortmond teaches entrepreneurship at the University of Amsterdam/The Amsterdam Centre for Entrepreneurship. He is an active mentor, shareholder and board member of various startups. He speaks on Ayn Rand’s ideas and is an advisory board member of ARI Europe of which he was one of the initiators.Dianne DuranteSpecialties: Esthetics, painting, sculpture, homeschooling.Dr. Durante is a freelance writer on art and current events. She has lectured on painting and sculpture at Objectivist conferences; several of these lectures are available on tape from the Ayn Rand Bookstore. She has also just finished a book on New York sculpture, Forgotten Delights: The Producers. Dr. Durante and her husband homeschool their daughter in Brooklyn, NY.Alex EpsteinSpecialties: Current Affairs, racism, and moral defense of businessmen.Alex Epstein is an Objectivist speaker and writer living in Richmond, VA. His Op-Eds have been published in dozens of newspapers around the country, including The Houston Chronicle, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Miami Herald, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and The Washington Times. He is also a regular contributor to The Intellectual Activist, a monthly magazine analyzing political and cultural issues from an Objectivist perspective. Mr. Epstein holds a BA in philosophy from Duke University, where he was editor and publisher of The Duke Review for two years.STUART MARK FELDMANM.A., Art, 1975, Rowan University, New JerseyStuart Feldman works in bronze, stone and wood, creating sculptures of the human figure expressing man’s most noble and inspiring qualities. A former instructor at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, he is cofounder of the Schuylkill Academy of Fine Art, in Philadelphia. His sculptures are held in private collections, and he has created a number of commissioned pieces.ROBERT GARMONGPh.D., Philosophy, 2002; University of Texas at AustinDr. Garmong is a graduate of the Objectivist Graduate Center, and has lectured on philosophy at many Objectivist conferences. He is the author of “J.S. Mill’s Re-Conceptualization of Liberty,” currently under submission to publishers. Dr. Garmong teaches philosophy at Texas A&M University and at Texas State University.MARILYN (GEORGE) GRAYB.S., Child Development, 1961, Iowa State UniversityMarilyn George is a retired Montessori teacher, school owner and administrator. She holds teaching certificates from both the American Montessori Society and the International Association of Progressive Montessorians and was a Montessori teacher for twenty-five years. She owned, administered and taught for ten years in her own school, which had an international reputation for excellence. She taught Montessori courses at Seattle University for more than ten years and has consulted for schools nationwide. Marilyn has been ballroom dancing since she met Ted Gray at a conference in 1989, at her first lesson, and today they compete at the Silver level.Debi GhateLLB, Law, University of Calgary, 1995Ms. Ghate is vice president of Education and Research at the Ayn Rand Institute, where she heads up a variety of educational and policy-related programs. She is also director of the Anthem Foundation for Objectivist Scholarship, an organization that supports academic scholarship based on Ayn Rand’s work.Onkar GhatePhD, Philosophy, 1996, University of CalgaryDr. Ghate is senior fellow and chief content officer at the Ayn Rand Institute. He specializes in Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism, and is ARI’s senior instructor and editor. He publishes and lectures on Rand’s philosophy and fiction, including application of Objectivism in the culture, and has been a guest on national radio and television programs.GENA GORLINPhD, Clinical Psychology, 2012, University of VirginiaMs. Gorlin has two years of experience conducting individual psychotherapy with anxious and depressed young adults. Her research has been published in highly regarded academic journals. She is also a graduate of the Objectivist Academic Center and a former board member of The Undercurrent, a national campus publication.Allan Gotthelf (deceased)Specialties: Love, self-esteem, happiness, Objectivism, AristotleAllan Gotthelf is emeritus professor of philosophy at The College of New Jersey. He is an internationally recognized authority on the philosophy of Aristotle, with many scholarly publications. He has lectured on Objectivism and Aristotle — including their views on love and sex, self-esteem, and individual happiness — throughout North America and in Europe and Japan. He has been a visiting professor at Swarthmore College, Georgetown University, Oxford University, Tokyo Metropolitan University, and most recently, the University of Texas at Austin. In 1987, Dr. Gotthelf was one of the founders of the Ayn Rand Society; a professional organization affiliated with the American Philosophical Association, Eastern Division, and has headed it since 1990. He enters his second year as Visiting Professor of Historyand Philosophy of Science (HPS) at the University of Pittsburgh. Prof. Gotthelf holds the Pitt Fellowship for the Study of Objectivism, funded by the Anthem Foundation and he will be working throughout the year on various projects in connection with his Fellowship. He is the author of On Ayn Rand (Wadsworth Publishing, 2000), the best-selling book in the Wadsworth Philosophers Series.4-19-2007 from his website:Visiting Professor, under the university's new Fellowship for the Study of Objectivism (Member: Classics, Philosophy and Ancient Science Program). A specialist on Aristotle's biology and philosophy, and on the philosophy of Ayn Rand, Gotthelf is emeritus professor of philosophy at The College of New Jersey, and has taught on a visiting basis at Swarthmore, Oxford, Georgetown, Tokyo Metropolitan, and the University of Texas at Austin. He is a life member of Clare Hall Cambridge, and was a visiting member of the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton. Gotthelf is author of On Ayn Rand (Wadsworth Philosophers Series, 2000); co-editor of Philosophical Issues in Aristotle's Biology (Cambridge 1987); editor of Aristotle on Nature and Living Things (Pittsburgh 1985); and has prepared for publication D.M. Balme's posthumous editions of Aristotle's Historia Animalium (Cambridge 2002, Cambridge MA 1991). His collected Aristotle papers will by published next year by Oxford University Press, under the title: Teleology, Scientific Method, and Substance: Essays on Aristotle's Biological Enterprise. He is currently working on several Aristotle projects and an extended study of Rand's theory of concepts, essences, and objectivity.TED GRAYB.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1965, Northeastern University;M.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1971, Brooklyn Polytechnic InstituteTed Gray, an engineer, has been dancing since his teens. They both consider dancing primarily a social and romantic activity. Occasionally, they enter amateur dance competitions. As a couple they have given many formal and informal group lessons—at home, at conferences and on a cruise ship. Ted is a mechanical engineer with forty years experience in design and analysis of structures, and prevention of vibration. He is an amateur student of history, enjoying especially the biographies of great Americans and the history of technology. He has been a student of Objectivism for thirty-eight years.Hannes HackerSpecialties: history and politics of the space program, science and technology.Mr. Hacker graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BS degree in aerospace engineering in May 1988. He earned a MS degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Texas at Austin December 1990. He has eleven years of space-flight operations experience including work on the space shuttle, international space station and commercial communications satellites.DAVID HARRIMANB.S., Physics, 1979, University of California at Berkeley;M.S., Physics, 1982, University of Maryland;M.A., Philosophy, 1995, Claremont Graduate University, CaliforniaDavid Harriman is the editor of Journals of Ayn Rand and a senior writer for the Ayn Rand Institute. He has lectured extensively on the history and philosophy of physics. He is currently developing the physical science curriculum at VanDamme Academy and working on two books: one demonstrating the influence of philosophy on modern physics (The Anti-Copernican Revolution) and the other presenting Leonard Peikoff’s theory of induction (Induction in Physics and Philosophy).David HolcbergSpecialties: Environmentalism, science, capitalism. David Holcberg holds a degree in civil engineering and is a senior writer for the Ayn Rand Institute.JONATHAN HOENIGCommunications and Philosophy, 1999, Northwestern UniversityMr. Hoenig manages Capitalistpig Hedge Fund, LLC. A former floor trader, his first book, Greed Is Good, was published by HarperCollins. Mr. Hoenig has written for publications including The Wall Street Journal, Wired andMarketWatch: Stock Market News - Financial News. He was named one of Crain’s Forty Under Forty and appears regularly on Fox News Channel.Gary HullSpecialties: Philosophy, multiculturalism, business ethics, education.Dr. Hull is director of the Program on Values and Ethics in the Marketplace at Duke University. His op-eds have been published in numerous newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Orange County Register, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Chicago Tribune. He has made numerous television and radio appearances to discuss Ayn Rand’s philosophy, multiculturalism, affirmative action, the Elian Gonzalez affair, sex, ethics, politics. He has lectured on Ayn Rand’s philosophy at conferences around the world and, as a member of the Ayn Rand Institute’s Speakers Bureau, has spoken at universities across the country, including Harvard, Michigan at Ann Arbor, Wisconsin at Madison, Texas at Austin. Dr. Hull is the author of A Study Guide to Leonard Peikoff’s book Objectivism: the Philosophy of Ayn Rand, and is co-editor of The Ayn Rand Reader (Penguin/Plume, 1999), a collection of fiction and non-fiction writings by Ayn Rand.MARTIN F JOHANSENMS, Computer Science, 2009, University of OsloMr. Johansen is a PhD research fellow at SINTEF, the largest independent research institute in Scandinavia. He is currently completing his PhD studies at the University of Oslo as part of an international research project on software testing.Elan JournoBA, Philosophy, 1997, King's College, LondonMr. Journo, director of policy research at ARI, is completing a book on American policy toward the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. His 2009 book, “Winning the Unwinnable War,” analyzes post-9/11 U.S. foreign policy. His writing has appeared in “Foreign Policy,” “Journal of International Security Affairs” and “Middle East Quarterly.”ELLEN KENNERPh.D., Clinical Psychology, 1992, University of Rhode IslandDr. Kenner, a clinical psychologist, has taught university courses in introductory psychology, abnormal psychology and theories of personality. She gives talks on romance, self-improvement, psychological self-defense, parenting and communication skills. She is in her eighth year as host of the nationally syndicated radio talk show The Rational Basis of Happiness®.Ryan KrausePhD, Strategic Management and Organization Theory, 2013, Indiana UniversityDr. Krause is an assistant professor at Texas Christian University’s Neeley School of Business. He researches corporate governance and has published in “Academy of Management Journal,” “Strategic Management Journal” and “Journal of Management.” His research has been covered by the “Wall Street Journal,” “USA Today,” “Businessweek” and Fox Business Network.Andrew LaymanAndrew Layman is a Senior Program Manager at Microsoft where he works on Internet and database technologies. Prior to joining Microsoft in 1992, he was a Vice President of Symantec Corporation and original author of the Time Line project management program.Peter LePort, M.D.Specialties: Medicine, free market reform of healthcare, medical savings accountsDr. LePort, a full-time surgeon, lectures nationwide on free market reform in healthcare, particularly on the benefits of medical savings accounts. He is a member of the board of directors of Americans for Free Choice in Medicine. He co-wrote a healthcare reform proposal that discusses voluntary, tax-free medical savings accounts and high-deductible personal health insurance and which includes a method to privatize Medicare. He earned his medical degree from Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, and is a former assistant professor of surgery at that institution. He is a member of the Faculty of the American College of Surgeons and of the Orange County Surgical Society.Andrew LewisPostgraduate Diploma of Philosophy, 1994, University of Melbourne, AustraliaMr. Lewis has studied philosophy at the Objectivist Academic Center, the University of Melbourne and the University of Southern California. He worked with Leonard Peikoff on his radio show, has lectured at Objectivist conferences, and is principal at VanDamme Academy, where he teaches a three-year history curriculum covering ancient, European and American history.JOHN LEWIS (deceased)Ph.D., Classics, 2001, University of CambridgeDr. Lewis is assistant professor of history at Ashland University, where he holds an Anthem Fellowship for Objectivist Scholarship. He is Assistant Professor of History in the Department of History and Political Science. He has published in several professional journals, and has been a visiting scholar at Rice University and Bowling Green State UniversityEDWIN A. LOCKEPh.D., Industrial Organizational Psychology, 1964, Cornell University.Dr. Locke is Dean’s Professor of Leadership and Motivation (Emeritus) at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, College Park. He is internationally known for his research and writings on work motivation, leadership and related topics, including the application of Objectivism to psychology and management. He is a senior writer for the Ayn Rand Institute and has published numerous op-eds.Keith LockitchPhD, Physics, 1999, University of Wisconsin at MilwaukeeDr. Lockitch is an ARI fellow and director of advanced training. In addition to speaking and writing for ARI on issues related to energy, climate and environmentalism, he teaches writing for the OAC and has developed courses on Ayn Rand’s ideas and novels for a variety of audiences.ROBERT MAYHEWPh.D., Philosophy, 1991, Georgetown UniversityDr. Mayhew is associate professor of philosophy at Seton Hall University. He is the author of Aristotle’s Criticism of Plato’s Republic and The Female in Aristotle’s Biology and the editor of Ayn Rand’s Marginalia, Ayn Rand’s The Art of Nonfiction, Essays on Ayn Rand’s “We the Living” and (forthcoming) Ayn Rand’s Q & A. He has completed a book on Ayn Rand’s HUAC testimony and is preparing for publication a collection of essays on Ayn Rand’s Anthem.Arline MannArline Mann is an attorney. She is vice president and associate general counsel of Goldman, Sachs & Co.John P. McCaskey, Ph.D. in history, is the founder and chairman of the Anthem Foundation for Objectivist Scholarship. He spent twenty years in the computer business, most recently as founder of Epiphany, Inc., before returning to academia in 2001. He studies and teaches history and philosophy of science at Stanford University.Scott McConnellSpecialties: Volunteerism, Communism in America, Ayn Rand's life. Mr. McConnell is a former literature teacher and high school English teacher. He has a BA in behavioral sciences and worked in Hollywood as a script reader. He has given several lectures on Ayn Rand's life.Shoshana MilgramPhD, Comparative Literature, 1978, Stanford UniversityDr. Milgram, associate professor of English at Virginia Tech, specializes in narrative fiction and film. She has lectured on Ayn Rand at Objectivist and academic conferences and has published on Ayn Rand, Hugo and Dostoevsky. Dr. Milgram is editing the draft of her book-length study of Ayn Rand’s life (to 1957).Ken Moelis. Mr. Moelis is founder and chief executive officer of Moelis & Company, a global investment bank that provides financial advisory, capital raising and asset management services to a broad client base including corporations, institutions and governments. Mr. Moelis has over thirty years of investment banking experience. Prior to founding Moelis & Company, he worked at UBS from 2001 to 2007, where he was most recently president of UBS Investment Bank and, previously, Joint Global Head of Investment Banking. Mr. Moelis serves on the University of Pennsylvania Board of Trustees, the Wharton Board of Overseers, the Board of the Tourette Syndrome Association, and the Board of Governors of Cedars Sinai Hospital.Jean MoroneyCertificate, 1996, Objectivist Graduate Center, Ayn Rand Institute;MS, Psychology, 1994, Carnegie Mellon University;MS, Electrical Engineering, 1986, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMs. Moroney is president of Thinking Directions, a business that develops and teaches methods in applied psycho-epistemology. She has given her flagship course, Thinking Tactics, to corporate and public audiences across North America. She is writing a book titled “Smarter: How to Achieve Your Goals When Nothing Goes as Planned.”Adam Mossoff is Professor of Law at George Mason University School of Law. He is also Co-Director of Academic Programs and a Senior Scholar at the Center for the Protection of Intellectual Property at George Mason, which he co-founded in 2012. He teaches and writes in the areas of patent law, trade secrets, trademark law, property law, and internet law. He has published extensively on the theory and history of how patents and other intellectual property rights are fundamental property rights. His article on the very first patent war, the Sewing Machine War of the 1850s, has been widely cited in today's public policy debates concerning patent litigation, patent licensing, and patent pools. He has testified before the Senate, and he has spoken at numerous congressional staff briefings, professional association conferences, and academic conferences, as well as at the PTO, the FTC, the DOJ, and the Smithsonian Institution. He is Co-Chairman of the Intellectual Property Committee of the IEEE-USA, and he is a member of the Amicus Committee of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the Public Policy Committee of the Licensing Executives Society, and the Academic Advisory Board of the Copyright Alliance. ADAM MOSSOFF is an expert in patent law and property theory. He has published numerous law review articles and book reviews on topics in legal philosophy, patent law, and property law, including in law reviews at the University of Arizona and UC-Hastings, and in the interdisciplinary law journal, the University of Chicago Law School Roundtable. He was a visiting lecturer and John M. Olin Fellow in Law at Northwestern University School of Law, where he taught a seminar on property theory. Immediately prior to coming to MSU College of Law, he clerked for the Hon. Jacques L. Wiener, Jr., of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Professor Mossoff graduated from the University of Chicago Law School with honors in 2001. He has a M.A. in philosophy from Columbia University, where he specialized in legal and political philosophy, and a B.A. in philosophy from the University of Michigan, where he graduated magna cum laude and with high honors in philosophy. Hi is now an Associate Professor of Law at George Mason University School of LawSpecialties: Philosophy of Law, Constitutional Law, Intellectual Property Rights, Patent RightsJ. PATRICK MULLINS is a doctoral candidate in the history department of the University of Kentucky. He is in the last stages of writing his doctoral dissertation with the help of a generous grant from the Ayn Rand Institute.Travis NorsenSpecialties: Physics, science, history and philosophy of science, science education.Mr. Norsen is a physics and philosophy double-major at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, CA. He is currently attending his final year of a PhD program in physics at the University of Washington in Seattle. Mr. Norsen is also a former adjunct instructor of physics at DigiPen Institute of Technology in Redmond, WA.JOHN E. OPFER, who still tops the list of Amazon Reviewers on the CyberNet Scoreboard, is Assistant Professor of Psychology at Ohio State University where he specializes in cognitive and developmental psychology. Nowadays he's too busy reviewing his research findings to review books. His work at OSU's Concepts and Learning Lab explores how young children form and change their concepts, such as concepts of living things and number. His website is at <Department of Psychology - John Opfer> where you will find links to several of his fascinating papers.Michael PaxtonMFA, 1984, New York UniversityMr. Paxton directed the world premiere of Ayn Rand’s Ideal (1989) and adapted and directed a dramatic presentation of Anthem (1991). His documentary, Ayn Rand: A Sense of Life, won an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Satellite Award for Best Feature Documentary. He teaches production design and film history at the Art Institute in Hollywood.Lee PiersonPhD, 1982, Psychology, Cornell UniversityDr. Pierson, director of the Thinking Skills Institute at Fairleigh Dickinson University, teaches students and business professionals how to keep any thought process moving toward its goal by activating the right knowledge as needed. He has a long-standing interest in and recently participated in life-extension research.AMY PEIKOFFJ.D., 1998, University of California, Los Angeles School of Law;Ph.D., Philosophy, 2003, University of Southern CaliforniaDr. Amy Peikoff is an Anthem fellow at the University of Texas at Austin, where she is teaching undergraduate courses in ethics and epistemology. Her writings on legal and philosophical issues have appeared in academic journals and leading newspapers. She has taught for the Objectivist Academic Center and lectured for Objectivist organizations and at conferences. Visiting Fellow at Chapman University’s Law School.Leonard PeikoffPh .D., Philosophy, 1964 New York UniversityFrom 1957 until 1973, Peikoff taught philosophy at Hunter College, Long Island University, New York University, the University of Denver and the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn.After that, he worked full-time on The Ominous Parallels (published 1982) and gave lectures across the country. He gave courses on Ayn Rand's philosophy regularly in New York City, which were taped and played to groups in some 100 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. In addition, he spoke frequently before investment and financial conferences on the philosophic basis of capitalism.Dr. Peikoff, who is a naturalized American citizen, was born in Winnipeg, Canada, in 1933. His father was a surgeon and his mother, before marriage, was a band leader in Western Canada. He has been a contributor to Barron's and an associate editor, with Ayn Rand, of The Objectivist (1968-71) and The Ayn Rand Letter (1971-76).He is author of Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand (Dutton, 1991), the definitive statement of Objectivism.Steve PlafkerJ.D., 1973 USCPh.D., Math, 1966 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOISBS, MATH, MIT, 1961Dr. Plafker is a retired Los Angeles County deputy district attorney. His teaching experience includes teaching law to law students and to undergraduates. Before becoming a lawyer, he taught mathematics at Tulane University. He is a founder and member of the Board of Directors of The Association For Objective Law (TAFOL).Richard RalstonSpecialties: Ayn Rand’s life, Objectivism (General), Projects of the Ayn Rand Institute, Volunteerism, Foreign Policy, Journalism and MediaAfter serving seven years in the U.S. Army, Mr. Ralston completed an M.A. in International Relations at the University of Southern California in 1977. He then began a career in newspaper publishing and direct marketing. He has been the circulation director and publisher of The Christian Science Monitor, a radio producer, a national television news business manager, and a book publisher. As an independent direct marketing consultant, his clients included IBM, British Airways, CNN, and the Los Angeles Times. His book Communism: Its Rise and Fall in the 20th Century was published in 1991. Mr. Ralston is now Managing Director for the Ayn Rand Institute.JOHN RIDPATHPh.D., Economics, 1974, University of VirginiaDr. Ridpath (York University, retired) writes and speaks in defense of capitalism, and on the impact throughout Western history—including the American Founding era—of the ideas of the major philosophers. A recipient of numerous teaching awards, and nominee for Canadian Professor of the Year, he continues to lecture throughout Europe and North America.Jonathan Paul Rosman, MDSpecialties: Medicine, psychiatry.Dr. Rosman is a board certified psychiatrist, with additional qualifications in the subspecialties of addiction psychiatry and forensic psychiatry. Prior to entering full-time private practice in California in 1989 he was an assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. For several years, Dr. Rosman has been a psychiatric consultant to the City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California, and is the psychiatric consultant to the Sleep Disorders Center at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, California. He is also medical director for the Eating Disorder Center of California, a private, intensive outpatient clinic in Brentwood, California, devoted to the treatment of patients with anorexia and bulimia.Dr. Rosman is a published writer and lecturer on various aspects of psychiatry. Dr. Rosman's theoretical orientation is broad-based, drawing on and integrating aspects of cognitive-behavioral, short-term psychodynamic and biologic theories with Objectivist epistemological principles. He practices as both a psychotherapist and a psychopharmacologist.GREG SALMIERIB.A., Philosophy, 2001, The College of New JerseyPhD, Philosophy, 2008, University of PittsburghDr. Salmieri is a philosophy fellow at the Anthem Foundation and co-secretary of the Ayn Rand Society (a professional group affiliated with the American Philosophical Association). He teaches at Rutgers University. He has published and lectured on Aristotle and Ayn Rand and is co-editor of forthcoming books on both thinkers.Richard M. SalsmanSpecialties: Banking, free market economics, economic forecasting, capitalism, investmentsRichard M. Salsman is president and chief market strategist of InterMarket Forecasting, which provides quantitative research and forecasts of stocks, bonds, and currencies to guide the asset allocation decisions of institutional investment managers, mutual funds, and pension plans. He is the author of numerous books and articles on economics, banking, and forecasting from a free-market perspective, including Breaking the Banks: Central Banking Problems and Free Banking Solutions (American Institute for Economic Research, 1990) and Gold and Liberty (American Institute for Economic Research, 1995). Mr. Salsman’s work has appeared in The Intellectual Activist, the New York Times, Investor’s Business Daily, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Barron’s. From 1993 to 1999, he was a senior vice president and senior economist at H. C. Wainwright & Co. Economics. Prior to that he was a banker at Citibank and the Bank of New York. Mr. Salsman is an adjunct fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research and the founder of The Association of Objectivist Businessmen.Lee Sandstead received his B.A. Philosophy/B.S. Mass Communication from Middle Tennessee State University in December 1996, when he was awarded the prestigious award for “Outstanding Magazine Journalism Graduate.” He has studied art history at the University of Memphis’ graduate program, and most recently, the art history doctoral program at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York City. He is a popular writer/photographer/lecturer of art-historical subjects. He has delivered almost 50 keynote lecture-addresses to such prestigious institutions as: Yale, Duke, University of Michigan, Penn State, NYU and the Academy of Realist Art in Toronto. Articles of his have been published in numerous journals, and his photography has been seen in publications such as: The New York Times, Fortune, and Ms. Magazine. He currently teaches art history at Montclair State University and is author of the forthcoming book on American master-sculptor Evelyn Beatrice Longman (1874-1954DINA SCHEIN FEDERMAN (deceased) is completing her article on "Integrity in The Fountainhead_" for ROBERT MAYHEW's upcoming collection of essays. She will also be delivering two lectures at the European Objectivist conference in London this month. Her writing projects include severalarticles on Virtue Ethics, a movement in academic ethics.DANIEL SCHWARTZBA, Liberal Arts, 2006, St. John’s CollegeMr. Schwartz is a doctoral candidate in philosophy at UC San Diego, where he is working on a dissertation titled “Baconian Foundationalism and the Problem of Certainty.” He specializes in early modern philosophy and the history of the philosophy of science.PETER SCHWARTZM.A., Journalism, 1972, Syracuse UniversityPeter Schwartz is the founding editor and publisher of The Intellectual Activist. He is the editor and contributing author of Ayn Rand’s Return of the Primitive: The Anti-Industrial Revolution, and is chairman of the board of directors of the Ayn Rand Institute.Thomas ShoebothamMM, Orchestral Conducting, 1996, University of New MexicoMM, Cello Performance, 1992, Eastman School of MusicMr. Shoebotham is music director of the Palo Alto Philharmonic. Previous conducting engagements have included Berkeley Opera, Opera San José, Peninsula Symphony Orchestra and many other groups. He has lectured on music, taught in school music programs and performed numerous recitals as a cellist and pianist over the last twenty years.Stephen SiekPhD, Musicology, 1991, University of CincinnatiDr. Siek, professor emeritus at Wittenberg University, has recently publishedEngland’s Piano Sage: The Life and Teachings of Tobias Matthay. For many years he has lectured and written about the early work of Frank Lloyd Wright, including a scholarly study of Wright’s 1909 home for Burton Westcott in Springfield, Ohio.BRIAN P. SIMPSONPhD, Economics, 2000, George Mason UniversityDr. Simpson is a professor at National University in San Diego. He is author of the book Markets Don’t Fail! and he has a number of papers published in academic journals. He is currently working on another book titled “Money, Banking, and the Business Cycle,” which he hopes to publish soon.Steve SimpsonJD, 1994, New York Law SchoolMr. Simpson is director of legal studies at the Ayn Rand Institute. A former constitutional lawyer for the Institute for Justice, he writes and speaks on a wide variety of legal and constitutional issues, including free speech and campaign finance law, cronyism and government corruption, and the rule of law.Aaron SmithPhD, Philosophy, 2010, Johns Hopkins UniversityDr. Smith is an instructor at the Ayn Rand Institute where he teaches in the Objectivist Academic Center and the Summer Internship program. He lectures for ARI and develops educational content for the Institute’s e-learning programs.Tara SmithPhD, Philosophy, 1989, Johns Hopkins UniversityDr. Smith, professor of philosophy at the University of Texas, holds the BB&T Chair for the Study of Objectivism and the Anthem Foundation Fellowship. She has published books on values, virtues, and individual rights. Her latest, “Judicial Review in an Objective Legal System,” is forthcoming in fall 2015 (Cambridge University Press).MARY ANN SURESM.A., Art History, 1966, Hunter College, New YorkMary Ann Sures taught art history at Washington Square College of N.Y.U. and at Hunter College. She applied Objectivist esthetics to painting and sculpture in a ten-lecture course, “Esthetics of the Visual Arts,” which was written in consultation with Ayn Rand. Her philosophical approach to art history is presented in “Metaphysics in Marble” (The Objectivist, February/March, 1969). She is co-author with her (late) husband Charles of Facets of Ayn Rand (published by the Ayn Rand Institute), memoirs of their longtime friendship with Ayn Rand and her husband Frank O’Connor.C. BRADLEY THOMPSONPh.D., History, 1993, Brown UniversityC. Bradley Thompson is the BB&T Research Professor at Clemson University and the Executive Director of the Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism. He has also been a visiting fellow at Princeton and Harvard universities and at the University of London.Professor Thompson is the author of Neoconservatism: An Obituary for an Idea and the prize-winning book John Adams and the Spirit of Liberty. He has also edited The Revolutionary Writings of John Adams, Antislavery Political Writings, 1833-1860: A Reader, co-edited Freedom and School Choice in American Education, and was an associate editor of the four-volume Encyclopedia of the Enlightenment. His current book project is on the ideological origins of American constitutionalism.Dr. Thompson is also an occasional writer for The Times Literary Supplement of London. He has lectured around the country on education reform and the American Revolution, and his op-ed essays have appeared in scores of newspapers around the country and abroad. Dr. Thompson's lectures on the political thought of John Adams have twice appeared on C-SPAN television.LISA VANDAMMEB.A., Philosophy, 1994, University of Texas at AustinLisa VanDamme is the owner and director of VanDamme Academy, a private elementary and junior high school in Laguna Hills, California. She specializes in the application of Objectivism to educational theory. Her previous lectures on homeschooling, hierarchy and the teaching of values will be included in a forthcoming education anthology featuring Leonard Peikoff’s “Philosophy of Education.”Don WatkinsBA, Business Administration, 2005, Strayer UniversityMr. Watkins is a fellow at the Ayn Rand Institute. He is the author of “RooseveltCare: How Social Security Is Sabotaging the Land of Self-Reliance” and coauthor, along with Yaron Brook, of the national best-seller “Free Market Revolution: How Ayn Rand’s Ideas Can End Big Government.”KEITH WEINERPh.D., Economics, 2012, New Austrian School of Economics (non-accredited)Dr. Weiner is the founder and CEO of Monetary Metals, a company on a mission to pay interest on gold, and the president of the Gold Standard Institute USA.He makes the economic arguments, as well as the moral, for a free market in money and credit. There has never been an unadulterated gold standard in history, as all governments (including the U.S.) have regulated and interfered with banking, even when other enterprises were unshackled. Today our monetary system is failing, and Keith describes the mechanics in detail, why making the passionate case for gold as the money of free markets.He is also the founder of DiamondWare, a software company sold to Nortel in 2008.Glenn WoiceshynSpecialties: Education, ethics, environmentalism, science, politics.Mr. Woiceshyn is currently developing curriculum and teaching materials for grades 4 to 6 based on his understanding of Objectivism and his experience in "homeschooling" his son and other children. As a freelance writer, Mr. Woiceshyn's op-eds have appeared in numerous newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, Houston Chronicle, Philadelphia Inquirer, Baltimore Sun and Miami Herald.JAANA WOICESHYNM.B.A., 1983, Helsinki School of Economics and Business Administration; Ph.D., Organization and Strategy, 1988, University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School)Dr. Woiceshyn is an associate professor at the Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary. She has taught business ethics and strategic management to undergraduate, MBA and executive MBA students and to various business audiences since 1987.BARRY WOODPh.D., History of Art and Architecture, 2002, Harvard UniversityDr. Wood is curator of the Islamic Gallery Project at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. He has lectured and published on subjects ranging from Persian poetry to Web design.Darryl WrightSpecialties: Ethics, political philosophy, ObjectivismDarryl Wright is associate professor of philosophy at Harvey Mudd College, a member of the Claremont Colleges consortium. He received his Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Michigan in 1991, and his A.B. in philosophy from Princeton University in 1985. Dr. Wright has published scholarly articles and/or lectured on the history of ethics, early twentieth-century philosophy, value theory, coercion, and other topics in philosophy.

Q. What is the best college in Texas?A. Rice University for undergraduate education.The top 10 colleges in TexasBy Megan Cahill, College Factual 1:30 pm EDT October 31, 2015Texas is large state with numerous higher education institutions. You have your choice of public or private schools, along with schools that focus on research or are grounded in the liberal arts. Each of these schools offers students something unique.Below are the top 10 colleges in Texas, based on College Factual’s ranking system. These schools rise to the top of over 60 four-year institutions in the state. You can check out the full rankings here.College Factual’s ranking methodology is highly focused on data related to outcomes, such as loan default rates, graduation rates and average starting salaries of graduates.Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect the latest data for the 2015-16 academic year.1. RICE UNIVERSITYRice University is a private research university founded in 1912. It ranks as the top school in Texas, while coming in 30th in the country. Along with eight academic schools with multiple departments that promote interdisciplinary education, the school also offers numerous research centers and organizations.Rice is considered an excellent value for your money because it is affordable, yet provides a strong education. The school has a great student to faculty ratio, meaning classes are small and students have the opportunity to work closely with faculty members in class and on research projects. The success of the academics can be seen in the university’s admirable graduation rate.2. TRINITY UNIVERSITYTrinity University comes in as the second top school in the state. This private liberal arts school is located in the large city of San Antonio, Texas, but has been able to maintain its small size since its founding in 1869. It creates a collaborative learning environment that is supplemented by thoughtful discussion and teaching from excellent faculty. The 25 academic departments offer a variety of disciplines that promote a well-rounded education. Impressive academic standards and a manageable price tag make this school a great value for your money.3. THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTINThe University of Texas-Austin is a public school that provides students with an excellent undergraduate and graduate education. Founded in 1883, the university serves as the flagship school within University of Texas system. The research university focuses on offering interdisciplinary and interrelated areas of study to give students a well-rounded understanding of their given field.While UT provides numerous degree programs, the social work program is ranked as one of the top programs in the country. UT also offers some of the strongest programs in communications, journalism and family, consumer and human sciences. The university takes pride in the education it provides and offers interdisciplinary coursework to supplement programs. The affordable annual net price for in-state students combined with the school’s top-ranked offerings make it a great value for your money.4. SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITYFounded in 1911, Southern Methodist University is a private research university. The school offers small classes, which promote research and discussion and provide students with an innovative curriculum that leads to success after graduation. The university offers a high income boost once graduates enter the work force.The seven degree-granting schools work closely to offer a dynamic education. SMU’s Cox School of Business and Meadows School of the Arts are among some of the top schools for their respective disciplines. The university also has one of the top programs for liberal arts, sciences and humanities. SMU provides students with an excellent education and focuses on expanding inquiry.5. TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITYTexas Christian University is a top research university in Texas. The private school is known for its rigorous academics and highly-ranked programs. Some of the most popular majors at TCU include nursing, public relations, finance and communication.The university has a strong freshmen retention rate and graduates report higher than average salaries. Students at TCU are offered the opportunity to receive an education that prepares them for positions of leadership, where they can apply their knowledge in their chosen field.6. TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITYTexas A&M University is a public research university that opened in 1876. The university is very large, but maintains a low student to faculty ratio, ensuring students have the opportunity to work with faculty members.Texas A&M offers more than 120 undergraduate programs in its 16 academic schools. The courses of study are designed to enrich students and ensure they are equipped with the knowledge to be productive and successful following graduation. A degree from Texas A&M is an outstanding value for your money because the school offers strong academic programs at a very affordable cost.7. BAYLOR UNIVERSITYBaylor University is a private Christian university that boasts an excellent graduation rate and one of the best educations in the state of Texas. The research university focuses on blending disciplines to help broaden curriculums and allow students to approach problems from different directions.Some of the most popular majors at Baylor are biology, nursing, psychology, finance and marketing. Some of their notable alumni include Angela Kinsey, an actress in The Office and Jeff Dunham, a comedian.8. SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITYFounded in 1840, Southwestern University is a private liberal arts school that has created a unique approach to academics. The school works to teach students the necessary skills to become activists and leaders. The Brown College of Arts and Sciences and the Sarofim School of Fine Arts focus on cultivating students and instilling a desire for learning.The university is unique in that it takes interdisciplinary learning one step further with Paideia, an experience that allows students to apply their new-found knowledge beyond the classroom. Seminars help students find connections between classes and learn how to apply their knowledge after graduation.9. AUSTIN COLLEGEThe private liberal arts school of Austin College is another one of the best schools within the state. The school focuses on providing a sound education while also supporting a diverse student population and contributing to the local community. Austin College is an exceptional value for your money because it offers a collaborative and interactive education at an affordable price.10. ST. EDWARD’S UNIVERSITYSt. Edward’s is a newcomer to the top ten this year, displacing the University of Dallas. Saint Edward’s is a small, private college offering degrees up to the Master’s level. Some of the most popular majors are psychology, communication, business and teacher education.St. Edward emphasizes a balance of classroom instruction with experiential learning. They seek to create well-rounded students with their brand of educating the “whole person.”Looking for schools in a different state? Check out this page to find the top colleges in your state.#11 University of Dallas#12 St Marys University San Antonio13. TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY LubbockTexas Tech University is a public institution that was founded in 1923. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 29,237, its setting is city, and the campus size is 1,839 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Texas Tech University's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 176. Its in-state tuition and fees are $10,622 (2016-17); out-of-state tuition and fees are $22,861 (2016-17).Texas Tech University is a large research institution in the college town of Lubbock. Students are required to live on campus until they have completed 30 hours of course work. The Texas Tech Red Raiders sports teams compete in the NCAA Big 12 Conference and are particularly competitive in football and basketball. Students can join more than 450 student organizations, including Texas Tech's large Greek community, made up of about 50 fraternities and sororities. The university also runs research centers and institutes, including the National Wind Institute.The school offers a wide variety of graduate programs, including degrees through the Jerry S. Rawls College of Business Administration, the Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering and the School of Law. Notable alumni of Texas Tech University include Ed Whitacre, former chairman and CEO of both AT&T and General Motors and the namesake of the engineering school; Grammy-nominated country singer Pat Green; and actor Brad Leland, who appeared in both the feature film and television series "Friday Night Lights."#14 The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson#15 Abilene Christian University Abilene16. UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTONFounded in 1927, the University of Houston is the leading public research university in the vibrant international city of Houston. The student body comprises of 40,750 plus students in more than 300 undergraduate and graduate academic programs, on campus and online. UH awards more than 8,000 degrees annually.UH is located in Houston, Texas, the nation’s fourth-largest city and the energy capital of the world. Students regularly test their skills through internships with national and international companies based in houston, and UH faculty routinely partner with businesses and government agencies through research.Undergraduates choose from 120 majors and minors. At the graduate level, UH offers 139 master’s, 54 doctoral, and three professional degree programs. Students may study online through the Distance Education program, or take noncredit courses through Continuing Education.UH faculty and students conduct research through 25 research centers and in every academic department. UH research regularly breaks new ground and opens doors to new ways of understanding the world.University of Houston faculty are renowned scholars with real-world experience who work closely with each student. From the Tony Award to the Nobel Peace Prize and back to the classroom, UH faculty makes things happen on campus and around the world.The University of Houston is the second most ethnically diverse major research university in the United States. Students come to UH from more than 137 nations and from across the world.With more than 500 student organizations and 16 intercollegiate sports teams, life at UH is active and lively. About 6,000 students live on campus in residence halls, apartments and townhouses. UH alumni total 224,000. Of that number, 63 percent live in the Houston area and 75 percent live in the state of Texas.17. UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS HoustonUniversity of St. Thomas is a private institution that was founded in 1947. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,805, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 23 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of St. Thomas's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities West, 29. Its tuition and fees are $31,520 (2016-17).School’s mission: “We are the University of St. Thomas, the Catholic university in the heart of Houston. We are committed to the Catholic intellectual tradition; the dialogue between faith and reason; and educating leaders of faith and character. By pursuing excellence in teaching, scholarship and service, we embody and instill in our students the core values of our founders, the Basilian Fathers: goodness, discipline and knowledge. We foster engagement in a diverse, collaborative community. As a comprehensive university grounded in the liberal arts, we educate students to think critically, communicate effectively, succeed professionally, and lead ethically. University of St. Thomas offers 31 undergraduate and 14 graduate degrees. The University of St. Thomas will continue to grow, to promote academic excellence, and to enhance our service to the community as we take our place among the best universities in the world. “The student-faculty ratio at University of St. Thomas is 9:1, and the school has 64.6 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of St. Thomas include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Social Sciences, Health Professions and Related Programs and Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 82 percent.#18 LeTourneau University Longview#19 University of North Texas Denton#20 Dallas Baptist University#21 Texas Lutheran University Seguin#22 Texas State University - San Marcos#23 Sam Houston State University Huntsville#24 The University of Texas at Arlington#25 University of Mary Hardin - Baylor Belton#26 Hardin - Simmons University Abilene#27 Texas Wesleyan University Fort Worth#28 Houston Baptist University#29 Concordia University Austin#30 Midwestern State University Wichita Falls#31 Howard Payne University Brownwood#32 Stephen F Austin State University NacogdochesStephen F. Austin State University is a public institution that was founded in 1923. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 10,899, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 430 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Stephen F. Austin State University's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities West, 76. Its in-state tuition and fees are $9,342 (2015-16); out-of-state tuition and fees are $21,042 (2015-16).SFA describes itself as a comprehensive institution dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, creative work, and service. Through the personal attention of its faculty and staff, students are engaged in a learner-centered environment and offer opportunities to prepare for the challenges of living in the global community. The student-faculty ratio at Stephen F. Austin State University is 19:1, and the school has 28.6 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Stephen F. Austin State University include: Business Administration and Management, General, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other, Kinesiology and Exercise Science and Human Development and Family Studies, General. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 68 percent.Stephen F. Austin State University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 10,899, with a gender distribution of 37 percent male students and 63 percent female students. At this school, 44 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated or -affiliated housing and 56 percent of students live off campus. Stephen F. Austin State University is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.#33 Lamar University Beaumont#34 University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio#35 Lubbock Christian University#36 Prairie View A & M University Prairie View#37 Schreiner University Kerrville#38 King's University Southlake#39 Texas Woman's University Denton#40 Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi#41 The University of Texas - Pan American Edinburg#42 The University of Texas at Tyler#43 Southwestern Adventist University Keene#44 The University of Texas at El Paso#45 McMurry University Abilene#46 Tarleton State University Stephenville#47 Our Lady of the Lake University - San Antonio#48 Texas A&M University - Commerce49. WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY PlainviewWayland Baptist University is a private institution that was founded in 1908. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,821, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 80 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Wayland Baptist University's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities West, Tier 2. Its tuition and fees are $19,110 (2016-17).Wayland has both an academic and a service mission. Its academic mission is to prepare in a Christian environment broadly educated individuals who can move productively into a variety of professions or into further academic pursuits. Academic programs are designed to include a combination of educational breadth and specific career or discipline preparation. The Wayland experience is guided by a dedicated, well-qualified, accessible faculty who value teaching and learning, who exhibit both reverence and enthusiasm for that truth which has its ultimate source in God, and who endeavor to relate the higher education experience to the human condition.The student-faculty ratio at Wayland Baptist University is 10:1, and the school has 85.4 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Wayland Baptist University include: Business Administration and Management, General, Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other, Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 48 percent.Wayland Baptist University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,821, with a gender distribution of 52 percent male students and 48 percent female students. At this school, 18 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated or -affiliated housing and 82 percent of students live off campus. Wayland Baptist University is part of the NAIA athletic conference.#50 The University of Texas at San Antonio#51 The University of Texas of the Permian Basin Odessa#52 Southwestern Assemblies of God University Waxahachie#53 East Texas Baptist University Marshall#54 Angelo State University San Angelo#55 Dallas Christian College#56 West Texas A&M University Canyon#57 Paul Quinn College Dallas#58 Texas A&M University - Kingsville#59 Texas Southern University Houston60. UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON DOWNTOWNUniversity of Houston--Downtown is a public institution that was founded in 1974. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 13,245, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 24 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Houston--Downtown's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities West, Tier 2. Its in-state tuition and fees are $6,938 (2016-17); out-of-state tuition and fees are $18,638 (2016-17).The University of Houston-Downtown provides life-changing educational access and opportunities to individuals living in one of the most diverse metropolitan areas in Texas. UHD is a federally designated Minority- and Hispanic- Serving Institution. Students, including many first-generation college students, enjoy working directly with dedicated faculty in a close-knit environment that provides superb academic- and student-support services. Access is broadened through a philosophy that keeps UHD's tuition and fee structure as affordable as possible; the University's charges for tuition and fees are often among the lowest of public universities in the state. UHD students also find that the University provides flexibility that fits their lifestyles because many students pursue degrees while working full or part time. Students take advantage of flexible scheduling and online options as they pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees. They also find that UHD tailors study abroad programs and other international enrichment opportunities in ways that make them realistic options for students who also work. UHD offers a wide variety of undergraduate degrees and a growing number of graduate degrees. Students benefit from the diverse array of internship possibilities that exist in the nation's fourth largest city. UHD's colleges and departments cultivate relationships with corporate and public entities to develop hands-on opportunities for students across many disciplines. Just minutes from campus, students have access to the largest medical center in the world, distinguished museums and arts centers, professional sports arenas and beautiful Gulf Coast beaches. Students are involved in community outreach projects, working at area schools and non-profit organizations. Intramural sports, led by the University's 'Ed-U-Gator' mascot, provide recreational opportunities and students also are active in student organizations and student-led activities. While UHD is well known for embracing diversity, alumni often speak about the high-quality curriculum they mastered and how UHD's rigorous standards and expectations helped prepare them for success in the workplace. UHD is one of four separate universities in the University of Houston System. It is located on the northern edge of downtown Houston where three major freeways converge, and the city's light rail service stops at the front door. This makes reaching campus convenient from work or home. UHD is a non-residential campus.The student-faculty ratio at University of Houston--Downtown is 20:1, and the school has 26.7 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of Houston--Downtown include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services and Psychology. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 66 percent.U.S. News & World Report released its 2017 Best Colleges Rankings, and again Rice University is the highest-ranked school in the state.Nationally, the university claimed the No. 15 spot, where it tied with the University of Notre Dame and Vanderbilt University. Rice achieved an overall score of 85 and a 4.1 (out of 5) peer assessment score. It managed to attain a 97 percent retention rate among first-year students.Rice also makes an appearance on some of the U.S. News & World Report's niche lists. It ranked at No. 19 on the most innovative school list, No. 6 among best colleges for veterans, No. 7 in biomedical engineering (where the highest degree is a doctorate), No. 14 on best value school and No. 5 on best undergraduate teaching.The University of Texas at Austin fell four spots this year, from No. 52 to No. 56. It tied with Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Both schools also tied at No. 32 on the list of best colleges for veterans. Each also ranked among schools with the best undergraduate business program, with UT's McCombs School of Business at No. 6 and SMU's Cox School of Business at No. 48.UT also claimed the No. 18 spot on the Top 30 Public National Universities list.Other Texas schools that made the ranking are Baylor University at No. 71, Texas A&M - College Station at No. 74, Texas Christian University at No. 82 and Texas Tech University at No. 176.The University of Houston landed the No. 194 spot, with C. T. Bauer College of Business claiming the No. 94 spot on the best business programs list.Among unranked tier 2 schools are University of Texas-San Antonio, Lamar University, Sam Houston State University, Prairie View A&M University, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Texas Southern University, Texas State University, Texas Woman's University, University of North Texas, University of Texas-Arlington and the University of Texas-El Paso.Some key figures from the study: the "average six-year graduation rate is 95 percent for the top 10 National Universities and 93.9 percent for the top 10 National Liberal Arts Colleges." The report also state that the average freshmen retention rate is 98.1 percent for the top 10 national universities."Research has shown that smaller classes foster a productive and positive learning environment," Robert Morse, chief data strategist at U.S. News, said in a statement. "With this new index measure, U.S. News takes fuller advantage of the data schools provide, while still rewarding schools that make an effort to better serve their students with smaller classes."

51 Most Beautiful Women in the WorldSince time immemorial, the definition of beauty has kept evolving. We have compiled a list of the top 50 most beautiful women in the world who have created magic either through their work or their auras. Although, we must not forget that there is definitely more to beauty than just the physical attributes of a person. It’s something that comes from within your soul. It’s the light that shines through you, and it’s in your personality. So ladies, please don’t mistake beauty for something as shallow as your physical appearance. You’re beautiful just the way you are.Let us only get inspired by one another and lift each other up.So here’s the list of these most beautiful women who have worked hard to get to where they stand today.List Of 51 Most Beautiful Women In The World1. Bella HadidDate Of Birth: 9 October 1996Place Of Birth: Washington DCHeight: 1.75mProfession: ModelAwards & Achievements: Model of the year, Social Media Star of the YearThough Bella Hadid is only in her early 20s, she has earned quite a name for herself. According to the Golden Ratio of Beauty Phi (a scientific measure of physical perfection), she is the most beautiful girl in the world. This young model has both beauty and brains, and she sure knows how to walk the ramp and steal all eyes. Her chiseled chin and long legs give some of the best models in the industry a run for their money. Though Bella has achieved immense fame and success, her friends and family claim that she is extremely humble and adores the simple things in life.2. Deepika PadukoneDate of Birth: January 5, 1986Place of Birth: Copenhagen, DenmarkHeight: 1.74 mProfession: ActressAwards and Achievements: She has received several awards including three Filmfare AwardsDeepika Padukone has evolved and she’s HUGE! She is one of the highest-paid actresses in the world. She has done some wonderful work in movies like Bajirao Mastani, Piku and others. Her first Hollywood project was in the action film xXx: Return of Xander Cage in 2017. She also has her own clothing line and has started a foundation called Live Laugh Love to create awareness about mental health in India.3. Scarlett JohanssonDate of Birth: November 22, 1984Place of Birth: Manhattan, New York, U.SHeight: 1.6 mProfession: ActressAwards and achievements: She won the BAFTA and was also nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance in Lost in TranslationScarlett Johansson is the prettiest girl in the world. She is an American actress, model, and singer. She began her acting career during her childhood. The film ‘Lost in Translation’ alongside Bill Murray was her break-out role. ScarJo convincingly played a 25-year-old’s character at the age of 18. Some of her other popular films include – Vicki Cristina Barcelona, Lucy, Don Jon, and others.4. Blake LivelyDate of Birth: August 25, 1987Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.SHeight: 1.78 mProfession: ActressAwards and Achievements: She won the Teen Choice Award for Best Breakthrough Performance among othersLively is best known for her role as Serena Van Der Woodsen in the hit TV series Gossip Girl. She has also worked in movies like Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Green Lantern, The Age of Adeline and The Shallows. She is married to the actor Ryan Reynolds.5. Angelina JoliegettyimagesDate of Birth: June 4, 1975Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United StatesHeight: 1.69 mProfession: Actress, filmmaker, humanitarian, UN AmbassadorAwards and Achievements: She has received an Oscar, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and three Golden Globe AwardsAngelina Jolie hottest woman of all time. She is cited as Hollywood’s highest-paid actress. She became popular after playing the lead role in the Lara Croft blockbuster movies. She also actively works on child rights, human and women’s rights issues. She founded the Jolie-Pitt Foundation that contributes towards humanitarian causes all around the world.6. Halle BerryDate of Birth: August 14, 1966Place of Birth: Cleveland, Ohio, USAHeight: 1.65 mProfession: ActressThe multi-talented and most attractive women Halle Berry began her career as a model and went on to become one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actresses. As of 2019, Halle remains the only African-American actress to have been awarded an Oscar for a leading role, which she won for her role in the 2002 film Monster’s Ball.7. Aishwarya Rai BachchanDate of Birth: November 1, 1973Place of Birth: Mangalore, IndiaHeight: 1.7 mProfession: ActressAwards and Achievements: She has been awarded the Padma Shri by the Government Of India and she has also won numerous other awards and accoladesAishwarya Rai is on almost every “world’s most beautiful women” list that exists on the planet. She was crowned Miss World in 1994. She made her acting debut in Mani Ratnam’s 1997 Tamil film – Iruvar and Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya, her Hindi film also released in the same year. She has acted in over forty films in Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali.8. Beyonce KnowlesDate of Birth: September 4, 1981Place of Birth: Houstan, Texas, U.SHeight: 1.69 mProfession: Singer-songwriter, ActressAwards and Achievements: With a total of 22 awards and 62 nominations from the Grammys for her music (as a solo artist and with Destiny’s Child), she is the most nominated woman and the second most-awarded woman in Grammy historyBeyonce also referred to as ‘Queen B’ by her fans, is one of the biggest and most successful musicians in the world. Her thrilling vocals and her dancing skills are something nobody has matched up to. She in herself is a global brand. She’s married to the successful hip-hop artist Jay-Z.9. Priyanka ChopragettyimagesDate of Birth: July 18, 1982Place of birth: Jamshedpur, IndiaHeight: 1.69 mProfession: ActressAwards and Achievements: She has received several awards including the National Film Award and five Filmfare AwardsPriyanka Chopra won the title of Miss World in 2000. She is one of the most famous Indian actresses. Initially, she wanted to study aeronautical engineering but she moved to the film industry after some great opportunities came knocking at her door. Some of her noteworthy works include Barfi, Bajirao Mastani, Fashion and Mary Kom. In 2015, she began starring in the ABC TV series Quantico. She is one of the highest paid actresses in India and is also known for her philantropic work. Time Magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world.10. Gal GadotgettyimagesDate of Birth: April 30, 1985Place of Birth: IsraelHeight: 1.78 mProfession: ActressShe is primarily known for her role as Wonder Woman in the new Wonder Woman movie. She was five months pregnant during reshoots and yet she slayed the part to make the film a HUGE hit across the world. She says she wants both boys and girls to look upto Wonder Woman.11. Emma WatsongettyimagesDate of Birth: April 15, 1990Place of Birth: Paris, FranceHeight: 1.65 mProfession: ActressAwards and Achievements: She has won over a dozen awards for her performance in The Harry Potter movies and her other worksThe sexy beautiful women Emma Watson, the star of the Harry Potter franchise, blossomed into a much-talented and respectable actress. She is one of the most influential celebrities in the world. She went to Brown University. She has also acted in movies like Perks of Being a Wallflower, Noah and The Beauty and the Beast.12. Kat DenningsgettyimagesDate of Birth: June 13, 1986Place of Birth: Pennsylvania, United StatesHeight: 1.61 mProfession: ActressAwards and Achievements: She has been nominated for various awards like The MTV Movie Awards for Best Breakthrough Performance and she won the Crystal Reel Award for Best Actress for her role in To Write Love on Her ArmsKat Dennings made her acting debut on HBO’s Sex and the City after which she worked in several movies like the 40-year Old Virgin, Big Momma’s House 2, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist and Thor among her other works. She also plays the lead role of Max in the CBS sitcom 2 Broke Girls. She is the one among beautiful celebrities13. Sofia VergaragettyimagesDate of Birth: July 10, 1972Place of Birth: ColombiaHeight: 1.7 mProfession: ActressAwards and Achievements: She has been nominated for 4 Golden Globe Awards for her performance in the hit comedy show Modern Family besides winning other awardsHer beauty stands out besides her cool Colombian accent. She stars on the ABC comedy series Modern Family as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett. She was discovered by a photographer while she was walking along a Colombian beach and was soon offered with tons of modeling offers. She is considered to be one of the most influential Latinas in Hollywood. She is the most beautiful women in history.14. Emily RatajkowskigettyimagesDate of Birth: June 7, 1991Place of Birth: Westminster, London, EnglandHeight: 1.70 mProfession: Actress, modelEmily Ratajkowski began her career at the age of 14 when she did teen print catalog modeling for Nordstrom and Kohl’s. She made her professional runway modeling debut with Marc Jacobs at New York Fashion Week in 2015 and has since walked on the Paris Fashion Week runway and for some of the biggest designer houses in the world.15. Jourdan DunngettyimagesDate of Birth: August 3, 1990Place of Birth: Greenford, United KingdomHeight: 1.8 mProfession: ModelAwards and Achievements: Glamour Award for Inspiration, Glamour Award for EntrepreneurJourdan Dunn was discovered by the legendary agency Storm Model who also discovered Kate Moss in the past. Ever since, Dunn has taken the fashion world by a storm and has been unstoppable. She has walked the ramp for nearly every top designer in the world. She is considered to be one of this generation’s supermodels.16. Emilia ClarkegettyimagesDate of Birth: October 23, 1986Place of Birth: London, United KingdomHeight: 1.57 mProfession: ActressAwards and Achievements: She won the Scream Award for Female Breakthrough Performance, SFX Award for Best Actress among her other achievements.This beautiful woman rose to prominence through her role on the hit HBO Fantasy series Game of Thrones. Her character ‘Danaerys Targaryen’ aka ‘Khaleesi’ gained immense popularity all over the world. In November 2016 she was cast as the female lead in the upcoming Star Wars Han Solo Anthology Film.17. Mahira KhangettyimagesDate of Birth: December 21, 1984Place of Birth: Karachi, PakistanHeight: 1.7 mProfession: ActressAwards and Achievements: She won several Awards for her performances in various TV shows of PakistanMahira Khan is one of Pakistan’s most popular and highest-paid actresses. She made her debut alongside Atif Aslam in a hit romance Bol. She started her career as a VJ in 2006 and rose to prominence with her role in the hit TV show Humsafar. She also played the lead role in her first Bollywood film ‘Raees’ alongside Shah Rukh Khan.18. Rachel McAdamsgettyimagesDate of Birth: November 17, 1978Place of Birth: London, CanadaHeight: 1.63 mProfession: ActressAwards and Achievements: She won the Screen Actors Guild Award, Teen Choice Award, MTV Movie Awards for Best Breakthrough performance among othersThe prettiest women in the world Rachel McAdams portrayed the character of Allie in The Notebook and stole our hearts. She went to college and studied Theatre and initially worked in Canadian television and film productions. Some of her famous movies include Mean Girls, Spotlight The Time Traveler’s Wife, Wedding Crashers and The Family Stone among various others.19. Anne HathawaygettyimagesDate of Birth: November 12, 1982Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York, United StatesHeight: 1.73 mProfession: ActressAwards and Achievements: She won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for her performance in Les Miserables, BAFTA Award, Teen Choice Awards among othersAnne Hathaway’s first major breakthrough role was of Mia Thermapolis in The Princess Diaries. She has also received praise and recognition for her performance in movies like The Devil Wears Prada, Love and Other Drugs, Rachel Getting Married and many others. She also played Catwoman in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises.20. Lana Del ReygettyimagesDate of Birth: June 21, 1985Place of Birth: New York, United StatesHeight: 1.7 mProfession: Singer-songwriterAwards and Achievements: She has won several awards for her music including the Brit Award in 2012 for International Breakthrough Act. She was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original SongElizabeth Woolridge Grant goes by the shiny stage name ‘Lana Del Rey’. She will remind you of another decade that passed by, perhaps the 80s? She has made the world a better place with her retro vibe, unique voice and music that stands out so beautifully. Two of her biggest musical influences are poles apart – Kurt Cobain and Britney Spears. She is one of the most beautiful girls in the world.21. RihannagettyimagesDate of Birth: February 20, 1988Place of Birth: Saint Michael Parish, BarbadosHeight: 1.73 mProfession: SingerAwards and Achievements: She won several Grammy’s, MTV Video Music Awards and othersRiri is undoubtedly one of the most famous celebrities in the world. She first entered the music industry by recording demo tapes. At 16, she auditioned for Jay-Z, the president of Def Jam records, and he signed her on. Today, her total net worth is over a $90 million. She is the most subscribed to artist on Vevo, has the most views with just over 4.6 billion views22. Lupita Nyong’ogettyimagesDate of Birth: March 1, 1983Place of Birth: MexicoHeight: 1.65 mProfession: ActressAwards and Achievements: She is the first Kenyan and Mexican actress to receive an Academy AwardLupita Nyong’o is a Kenyan-Mexican actress who made her acting debut in the short film East River. She wrote, produced and directed the documentary In My Genes. She had her first feature film role in the movie 12 Years a Slave that got her wide recognition.23. Cobie SmuldersgettyimagesDate of Birth: April 3, 1982Place of Birth: Vancouver, British Columbia, CanadaHeight: 1.73 mProfession: ActressSmulders is best known for role as Robin Scherbatsky on the hit televsion show How I Met Your Mother and as Maria Hill in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Cobie is also fluent in French. She has won hearts all over with her lovely smile and how perfectly she played “Robin”.24. Mila KunisgettyimagesDate of Birth: August 14, 1983Place of Birth: Chernivsti, UkraineHeight: 1.63 mProfession: ActressAwards and Achievements: She was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for the film ‘Black Swan’At the age of seven, Mila Kunis and her family moved from Ukraine to Los Angeles. She was enrolled in acting classes as an after-school activity, it was then that she was discovered by an agent. At fifteen, as her first major role, she played Jackie Burkhart in the TV series – That ‘70s Show. She has also voiced Meg Griffin since 1999 in the animated series – Family Guy. She’s an adventure junkie and loves sky diving.25. Raniah Al AbdullahgettyimagesDate of Birth: August 30, 1970Place of Birth: KuwaitHeight: 1.79 mProfession: QueenRaniah Al Abdullah is the world most beautiful woman and also queen consort of Jordan. Since she married the now king of Jordan, she is recognized for her advocacy work related to education, health cross-cultural dialouge, youth and the overall empowerment of the community. This powerful woman is known for her allure and impeccable sense of style.26. Anastasia LuppovaDate of Birth: June 26, 1985Place of Birth: Kazan, RussiaProfession: Billiards playerAwards and Achievements: She won the 2009 Miss Billiards competitionThis gorgeous beauty is a billiards player who is the two-time European champion is Russian Pyramid. She has now mastered the game and is a successful coach.27. Nina DobrevgettyimagesDate of Birth: January 9, 1989Place of Birth: Sofia, BulgariaHeight: 1.7 mProfession: ActressAwards and Achievements: She has won consistent People’s Choice and Teen Choice Awards for her lead role in the hit show The Vampire DiariesA lot of struggling actors wish to be discovered by somebody big and Nina actually was! An agent discovered her while she was studying at the Armstrong Acting Studio in Toronto. The Bulgarian-Canadian actress played ‘Elena Gilbert’ on the supernatural drama The Vampire Diaries and instantly went sensational all over the world. She has also worked in other feature films like The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Final Girls and xXx: Return of Xander Cage.28. Irina ShaykgettyimagesDate of Birth: January 6, 1986Place of Birth: Yemanzhelinsk, RussiaHeight: 1.78 mProfession: ModelIrina Shayk gained immense popularity when she became the exclusive face of Intimissimi lingerie. She has walked the runway for brands like Marc Jacobs, Versace, Givenchy and Bottega among many others. In October 2015, she became the new Loreal Paris International Spokesperson. She also made her acting debut alongside Dwayne Johnson in the 2014 film – Hercules.29. Sobhita DhulipalagettyimagesDate of Birth: May 31, 1992Place of Birth: Tenali, IndiaHeight: 1.75 mProfession: Actress, modelSobhita Dhulipala was placed second at the Femina Miss India 2013 pageant and represented India at Miss Earth 2013. She started off her career with modeling and later moved on to acting. She gained a ton of fame and recognition for her lead role in Amazon’s drama series Made In Heaven.30. Jameela JamilgettyimagesDate of Birth: February 25, 1986Place of Birth: London, EnglandHeight: 1.79 mProfession: Presenter, actressJameela Jamil began her career as an English teacher before becoming a presenter on T4. She was also the first solo female presenter on the BBC Radio 1 Chart Show. At present, Jamil plays the role of Tahani on the American television series The Good Place, which has received critical acclaim and was nominated for a Golden Globe. She is also a vocal body positivity activist.31. Keira KnightleygettyimagesDate of Birth: March 26, 1985Place of Birth: Teddington, United KingdomHeight: 1.7 mProfession: ActressAwards and Achievements: She has won the Empire Hero Award, The Teen Choice Award and various People’s Choice AwardsKnightley has been nominated for an Academy and a Golden Globe Award. She began acting at a young age and made her film debut in 1995. She gained international recognition through her 2002 film ‘Bend it like Beckham’. Her performance was beautiful in the period drama Pride and Prejudice. Some of her best known roles include Pirates of the Caribbean. Her other talents include ballet, drawing and playing instruments like the guitar and the flute.32. Allison WilliamsgettyimagesDate of Birth: April 13, 1988Place of Birth: Connecticut, United StatesHeight: 1.67 mProfession: ActressAwards and Achievements: She has been nominated for several awards such as the MTV Movie and TV AwardsHave you watched the HBO series Girls, yet? Allison Williams plays the character of ‘Marnie Michaels’ and she does a brilliant job at it. She graduated from Yale in 2010, with an English degree. She says she wanted to be an actress even before she understood anything else about her life. She has a deep sense of intellectual curiosity and she never wants to stop learning. She is also known to be a comedian and singer, alongside her acting career.33. Miranda KerrgettyimagesDate of Birth: April 20, 1983Place of Birth: Sydney, AustraliaHeight: 1.75 mProfession: ModelMiranda Kerr rose to prominence in 2007 as one of Victoria’s Secret Angels. She was the first Australian Victoria’s Secret model. She began modelling at the age of thirteen and also won the 1997 Dolly Magazine model search competition. According to Forbes, she is the second highest paid model in the world in the year 2013. In 2010, she also wrote a book called ‘Treasure Yourself – Power Thoughts for my Generation.’34. Alexandra DaddariogettyimagesDate of Birth: March 16, 1986Place of Birth: Manhattan, New York, U.S.Height: 1.73 mProfession: ActressAchievements and Awards: She has been nominated for several awards including the MTV Movie Awards and Teen Choice AwardsWe can’t stop gushing over her beautiful eyes, can we? Alexandra Daddario is best known for her role in the Percy Jackson film series. She has English, Italian, Irish and Czech ancestry. She has also guest-starred in series such as It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, True Detective, American Horror Story: Hotel among several others. She is also known for her role in the recent Baywatch movie.35. Cate BlanchettgettyimagesDate of Birth: May 14, 1969Place of Birth: Ivanhoe, Victoria, AustraliaHeight: 1.74 mProfession: Actress, theatre directorCate Blanchett has received many accolades, including two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and three BAFTA Awards. Time Magazine also named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2007, and in 2018, she was ranked among the highest-paid actresses in the world.36. Jennifer LawrencegettyimagesDate of Birth: August 15, 1990Place of Birth: Indian Hills, Kentucky, United StatesHeight: 1.75 mProfession: ActressAchievements & Awards: She has won an Academy Award for her performance in Silver Linings PlaybookJennifer Shrader Lawrence is not only an Oscar-winning actress but she’s also really funny and down-to-earth. According to Forbes, she is the youngest on the list of World’s Highest Paid Actresses. In 2013, she also appeared on Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. The Hunger Games series, Silver Linings Playbook, X-men series, Passengers are some of her most popular films. She was told that she “was too pretty” to play the lead role in Winter’s Bone, so she hopped a red-eye to New York, walked in snow for 13 blocks and finally auditioned in hair that she hadn’t washed in a week. She landed the part and also received her first Oscar nomination for it. Talk about determination!37. Zoe KravitzgettyimagesDate of Birth: December 1, 1988Place of Birth: Venice, Los Angeles, California, U.SHeight: 1.57 mProfession: Actress, model, singerAchievements & Awards: She has been nominated for several awards that include Teen Choice and Black Reel AwardsZoe Kravitz comes from a mixed heritage. She is the daughter of musician Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet. She has also worked in movies like The Divergent series, No Reservations and Mad Max. She is also the lead vocalist for the band Elevator Fight.38. Marion CotillardgettyimagesDate of Birth: September 30, 1975Place of Birth: Paris, FranceHeight: 1.69 mProfession: ActressAchievements & Awards: She has won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in La Vie En Rose (2008)The French actress made her acting debut as a child in a role for one of her father’s plays. She studied drama at the Conservatoire d’Art Dramatique in Orléans. After small appearances and performances in theater, Cotillard had occasional and minor roles in TV shows, but her career as a film actress began in the mid-1990s. She always believed that she would be a singer and that she became an actress by fluke.39. Amanda SeyfriedgettyimagesDate of Birth: December 3, 1985Place of Birth: Pennsylvania, United StatesHeight: 1.59 mProfession: Actress, Singer, Song-writerAchievements & Awards: She has received numerous accolades from People’s magazine and won several awards for her acting in films like Les MiserablesSeyfried made her movie debut in the 2004 teen comedy Mean Girls. She started her modeling career at the young age of eleven and her acting career at fifteen. She has worked in movies such as Dear John, Les Miserables and Mamma Mia! This gorgeous lady is a hard core animal lover at heart and has a beautiful dog named Finn.40. Adriana LimagettyimagesDate of Birth: June 12, 1981Place of Birth: Salvador, Bahia, BrazilHeight: 1.78 mProfession: ModelAdriana Lima is a Brazilian actress and model. She is known for being one of the most popular Victoria’s Secret angels since 2000. She has walked on endless high-fashion runways and is near the top of Forbes’ list. She is one among the highest-earning beautiful women models. She has an estimated net worth of over $65 million41. Nathalie EmmanuelgettyimagesDate of Birth: March 2, 1989Place of Birth: Southend-on-sea, United KingdomHeight: 1.7 mProfession: ActressAchievements & Awards: Screen Nation award for Best Female Performance in FilmShe is known for her role as Missandei in the HBO fantasy series ‘Game of Thrones’. She has also appeared in The Maze runner and Fast and Furious 7.42. Taylor HillgettyimagesDate of Birth: March 5, 1996Place of Birth: Palatine, Illinois, United StatesHeight: 1.77 mProfession: ModelTaylor Hill is an American supermodel and a Victoria’s Secret Angel since 2015. This 23-year-old has modeled for designers like Michael Kors and Versace. She is among the top paid models in the world with a net worth of $6 million.43. Kristen StewartgettyimagesDate of Birth: April 9, 1990Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.SHeight: 1.65 mProfession: ActressAchievements & Awards: She has received several awards including a Cesar award, a Milano Film Festival award, BAFTA Rising Star Award among othersKristen Stewart begun her acting career in 1999. The uber-cool actress has done some incredible work in movies like Clouds of Sils Maria, Still Alice and Personal Shopper, after she finished the Twilight Saga movies. She was listed as one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood in 2010. She is also the face of fashion brands like Chanel. She plays the acoustic and electric guitar as well as the trumpet. Although she loves acting, she has said that she is not so interested in being a “Hollywood Star”. To her, it’s more of a job.44. Zooey DeschanelgettyimagesDate of Birth: January 17, 1980Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.SHeight: 1.68 mProfession: Actress, Singer, SongwriterAwards and Achievements: She has been nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Actress in Comedy on TVKnown for her distinct blue eyes and her role as the heart-breaker in the 2009 rom-com 500 Days of Summer, Deschanel is multi-talented. She plays the role of Jessica Day on the hit comedy series ‘New Girl’ quite brilliantly. She is also the producer of the same. Although she’s an incredible actress, Zooey says that her favorite thing to do is writing music.45. Shay MitchellgettyimagesDate of Birth: April 10, 1987Place of Birth: Mississauga, CanadaHeight: 1.71 mProfession: Actress, model, entrepreneurShannon Ashley Mitchell is a Canadian actress, model, author, and entrepreneur. Shay is half Filipino and half Irish. She is best known for her role as Emily Fields in the popular TV series Pretty Little Liars. She got the nickname Shay as she’s a fan of Jennifer Lopez a.k.a J.Lo. She wanted to pursue acting from a very young age.46. Natalie PortmangettyimagesDate of Birth: June 9, 1981Place of Birth: Jerusalem, IsraelHeight: 1.6 mProfession: ActressAchievements & Awards: She won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for Outstanding Performance for her Lead Role in Black Swan (2011)She broke the spell and became the first person born in the 80s to have won an Academy Award for Best Actress. She starred in Star Wars Episode I – The Phantom Menace while still in high school. Portman enrolled at Harvard University to study Psychology, alongside her work as an actress. She is known for her extraordinary acting skills in films like V for Vendetta, Black Swan, and others. Her advice to young grads goes like this – “Your inexperience is an asset in that it will make you think in original, unconventional ways. Accept your lack of knowledge and use it as your asset.”47. Nazanin BoniadigettyimagesDate of Birth: May 22, 1980Place of Birth: Tehran, IranHeight: 1.62 mProfession: ActressAchievements & Awards: She was nominated for a 2008 NAACP Image Award for her role on the popular American soap opera, General Hospital.She is an Iranian born British-American Actress. She was born during the height of the Iranian revolution and so her parents relocated to London, shortly after. She changed her career path from Science to pursuing acting in 2006. She has appeared in TV shows like General Hospital, How I met your Mother, Scandal and Homeland and in movies like Iron Man and The Next Three Days. She also portrayed the character of Esther in the 2016 remake of Ben-Hur.48. Penelope CruzgettyimagesDate of Birth: April 28, 1974Place of Birth: Alcobendas, SpainHeight: 1.68 mProfession: Model, ActressAchievements & Awards: She won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for Vicky Cristina BarcelonaCruz studied classical ballet for nine years and was signed by an agent at just 15. She has modeled for Loreal, Ralph Lauren, and Mango among other big brands. Some of her works include movies like Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Vanilla Sky, All the Pretty Horses, Gothika and others. She also volunteered in India and Uganda, working with Mother Teresa.49. Emma StonegettyimagesDate of Birth: November 6, 1988Place of Birth: Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.AHeight: 1.68 mProfession: ActressAchievements & Awards: Won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for her performance as a lead actress in La La Land (2016); She has also won a BAFTA and three Screen Actor Guild AwardsEmily Jean Stone a.k.a. Emma Stone is one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood. She gradually climbed the ladder of success and is known for her incredible performances in movies like La La Land, Birdman, The Amazing Spiderman, Easy A, and many others. According to her, the best piece of advice that she has ever received was to “stay irrepressibly true to yourself and be tenacious about finding ways to manifest the truest form of you.”Now, isn’t that some truly profound advice?50. Margot RobbiegettyimagesDate of Birth: July 2, 1990Place of Birth: Dalby, AustraliaHeight: 1.68 mProfession: ActressAchievements & Awards: Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Actress in an Action Movie 2016The Australian Actress initially appeared in Australian indie films in the late 2000s. She got her first, big break in Hollywood in Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street. In 2016, she portrayed the maniacal character of Harley Quinn in the superhero film Suicide Squad and she also appeared as Jane in The Legend of Tarzan, in the same year. She dislikes that some people have labeled her as a “bombshell”. She does not want to be reduced to the cliche that comes with it.51. Jessica JunggettyimagesDate of Birth: April 18, 1989Place of Birth: San Francisco, CaliforniaHeight: 1.63 mProfession: Singer, Actress, Fashion Designer, BusinesswomanAchievements and Awards: She has received several Asian awards and accolades such as the Yahoo Asia Buzz Award for Asian Popularity and several others.The multi-talented Jessica Jung currently based in South Korea was born and raised in California. When she was discovered by a South Korean Entertainment Agency, at the age of eleven, she subsequently moved to South Korea. She debuted in 2007 as a member of a South Korean Girl Group called ‘Girl Generation’, and they went on to become one of the best-selling artists of the country. She also portrayed Elle Woods in the Korean-language version of Legally Blonde.All these wonderful women have one thing in common – they have been so passionate, determined and hardworking in order to excel in their fields. They have all left their mark through their talent and beauty and each one of them is special in their own way. We hope you find inspiration from these strong women who have brought their fame to a world-level through their work.Oh and don’t forget – you all have a Wonder Woman inside u!Thanks for reading.