Iona University marks 250 years since publication of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense

Iona University’s Institute for Thomas Paine Studies (ITPS) is marking the 250th anniversary of “Common Sense,” the influential pamphlet by Thomas Paine, with a series of events and discussions. As part of this initiative, Dr. Nora Slonimsky, program director at ITPS, participated in an interview with NPR correspondent Sarah McCammon to discuss the continued relevance and impact of Paine’s work.

During the interview, Slonimsky explained the importance of “Common Sense” in American history. She highlighted how its accessible style helped advance the movement toward independence and brought together people from different backgrounds.

Slonimsky drew parallels between how information spread during Paine’s time and today’s social media landscape. “The best way I think you can explain how ‘Common Sense’ gets out there into the world is Paine is not all that dissimilar from a social media influencer today. Pamphlets are short, relatively speaking, and his was particularly concise and readable…people would have having physically read the book, they’re also talking about it in taverns or coffeehouses or, you know, around the 18th century version of the water cooler,” she said.

Founded in 1940, Iona University is a private Catholic institution located in New Rochelle and Bronxville, New York. The university has about 4,000 students and more than 55,000 alumni worldwide. Iona offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs across several schools including arts and sciences, business administration, nursing & health sciences, and entrepreneurship & innovation. In recent years, Iona has received recognition from national publications such as The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report for academic quality and social mobility. The LaPenta School of Business holds accreditation from AACSB International.

Iona recently expanded its global presence by opening a campus in County Mayo, Ireland on the Westport House Estate. In July 2022, Iona transitioned from college to university status to reflect growth in its academic offerings.