Charles T. Canady, the next director of UF’s Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education, will earn a $500,000 salary in his new post.
As director, Canady will earn nearly double what he was making as a justice on the Florida Supreme Court — his last reported salary was about $264,000.
William Inboden, the Hamilton School’s first director, was paid $370,000 in Fall 2024.
Canady announced his resignation from the state’s highest court Monday, where he has served since 2008. Known for his conservative judicial philosophy and influence on constitutional interpretation, he held the position of Chief Justice three times, from 2010 to 2012, in 2018 and again in 2020.
UF’s Hamilton School, created in 2022 by the Florida Legislature and Board of Trustees, aims to teach students “how to think, not what to think,” according to its website. The school currently offers two majors: Philosophy, politics, economics and law, and great books & ideas.
Canady served three terms in the Florida House and four in Congress before joining the court, where he chaired the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution.
The former justice attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the Hamilton School’s soon-to-be home today with his wife, Rep. Jennifer Canady, a Republican of Lakeland, who is set to be House speaker in 2028.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, who spoke at the ceremony, said the Hamilton School can expect great support from the Florida legislature. DeSantis thanked Rep. Canady for being supportive of the school, and he added with a chuckle, that was “probably not even a factor” in Canady’s selection to the director position.
He said Canady is a “home-run choice” for his newly-appointed position.
Robert Ingram, the former associate director of Hamilton School since 2022, was announced as interim director of the Hamilton School July 10. Ingram was supposed to serve a one-year appointment as director starting Aug. 1. Canady is set to take over the role on Jan. 1.
Contact Maria Avlonitis at mavlonitis@alligator.org. Follow her on X @MariaAvlonitis.
Maria is the Fall 2025 university editor of the Alligator. She previously worked as the university administration reporter Summer 2025. Maria enjoys walking her dog, and on the rare occassion she has free time, she loves attempting to garden and salsa dancing.
