FIRE or the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education is a champion of free speech on America’s college campuses. It recently released its 2012 best of list for American colleges and free speech.  (h/t Instapundit)

There are seven winners and here they are…

PHILADELPHIA, September 5, 2012—With students heading back to campus and high school seniors beginning their college applications, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) is pleased to announce its 2012 list of the nation’s best colleges and universities for freedom of speech today on The Huffington Post.

FIRE commends James Madison University, The College of William & Mary, the University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, the University of Virginia, and the University of Pennsylvania for protecting free speech on campus and maintaining policies that honor freedom of expression.

“It’s easy for students to get caught up in the frenzy of trying to get into the best-ranked schools,” said FIRE President Greg Lukianoff. “But if the college you attend doesn’t respect free speech, your education will suffer regardless of how high the college is ranked.”

Here’s a nifty fact that should surprise no one. Professor Glenn Reynolds of Instapundit teaches at one of these schools, the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.