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Critical Issues Symposium

Civil Discourse: Strengthening Communities Through Meaningful Conversations
Wednesday, September 23, 2026

This year鈥檚 symposium will dive into topics surrounding civil discourse. Civil discourse is the practice of engaging others across differences with respect, curiosity, intellectual humility and a willingness to listen, even when agreement is unlikely. At a time of intense political polarization, misinformation and declining trust in institutions and one another, civil discourse is essential to sustaining democratic communities and meaningful relationships. Yet civil discourse does not simply mean being polite or avoiding disagreement. It requires participants to recognize complexity, examine their own assumptions, understand the historical and rhetorical forces shaping public debate and create space for people with differing experiences and perspectives to be heard.

We are excited to invite Dr. Walter Kimbrough to Hope鈥檚 campus to deliver the keynote speech. Dr. Walter Kimbrough is a respected higher education leader, researcher and advocate with a career focused on student affairs, HBCUs and African American men in college. He served as president of Philander Smith College and Dillard University before becoming executive vice president of research and member engagement for UNCF. Known as the 鈥淗ip Hop Prez,鈥� he has used social media and public advocacy to address issues such as racial justice, free speech, student rights and economic development. He is also a nationally recognized expert on Black Greek organizations and the author of Black Greek 101, and his leadership has earned him numerous awards and honors.

Throughout the day we will also have breakout rooms that will dive into deeper topics surrounding civil discourse to help student learn more.

Daytime classes are canceled to allow students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to attend the keynote address and take part in afternoon breakout sessions. Chapel will remain at it鈥檚 normal time.

9鈥�10 a.m. 鈥� Keynote Lecture

• Dr. Walter Kimbrough
  Jack H. Miller Auditorium

10:30鈥�10:52 a.m. 鈥� Chapel

• Dimnent Chapel

11鈥�1 p.m. 鈥� Break for Lunch

1鈥�1:45 p.m. 鈥� Breakout Sessions
(Choose One)

• 鈥淭hinking for Yourself鈥� and Arguing for Your Neighbors鈥�
  Dr. Sarah Kornfield
  DePree Cook Auditorium
  
  
• 鈥淓mbodied Discourse: Exploring Gendered Expectations through Dance鈥�
  Kara Brems and Jasmine Mejia
  Graves Auditorium
  
  
• 鈥淐limate Change or Climate Crisis?鈥�
  Dr. Steve Bouma-Prediger
  DePree Auditorium

2鈥�2:45 p.m. 鈥� Breakout Sessions
(Choose One)

• 鈥淭he 鈥業s鈥� and the 鈥極ught鈥�: Economic Tools for More Productive Discourse鈥�
  Dr. Neil Silveus
  Graves Auditorium
  
  
• 鈥淎re You a Bystander or an Upstander?鈥�
  Dr. Brooke Odle
  Schaap Auditorium (Bultman Student Center)

3鈥�3:45 p.m. 鈥� Endnote Lecture

• Ray Beckering
  Jack H. Miller Auditorium