2023 Faith, Reason, and World Affairs Symposium Day
2023 Confirmed Speakers
Whitney Johnson, Director of Visuals and Immersive Experiences for National Geographic
Lauren Walsh, Director of the Gallatin Photojournalism Lab at New York University and Director of Lost Rolls America, a national archive of photography and memory
Ami Vitale, National Geographic Photographer and Founder of Vital Impacts
Please check back in March for speaker information and a tentative schedule for 2023.
2022 Faith, Reason, and World Affairs Symposium
This symposium is designed to engage the campus and local community in conversation and action around democracy and democratic citizenship. We will practice engaged citizenship through interaction with people and ideas that are diverse and relevant to our evolving world as we commit to further understanding about what it means to be an engaged citizen.
SCHEDULE
PLEASE NOTE: All sessions are in-person only; they will not be livestreamed or available by Zoom.
Printable Schedule Concurrent Sessions Table Sponsors
Wednesday, Sept. 21
8:30-9:30 a.m. — Faculty Development Session on Engaged Citizenship — Centrum, Knutson Campus Center
Introduction: Dr. Susan Larson, Provost and Dean of the College
Speaker: Dr. Richard Guarasci, President Emeritus, Wagner College; Principal, Presidential Partners LLC; and Author of "Neighborhood Democracy: Becoming an Engaged Citizen"
9:30-10 a.m. — Break and Refreshments — Memorial Auditorium
10-11:30 a.m. — Panel Discussion: "Engaged Citizenship Through Political Participation" — Memorial Auditorium
Welcome: Dr. Stephanie Ahlfeldt, Associate Provost; Professor of Communication Studies
Introduction: Dr. Sonja Wentling, Dean, School of Arts and Sciences
Session Hosts: Pre-law students
Moderator: Dr. Ken Foster, Chair/Professor of Political Science; Director of Community Engagement
Panelists:
Will Kuball, Deputy Director of Candidate Services, MN DFL Senate Caucus
Levi Bachmeier, Republican Party of ND District 13 Chairperson and Former Policy Director for Gov. Doug Burgum
Rachel Stone, Moorhead School Board Member; Founder of P's & Q's Etiquette
Rep. Heather Keeler, MN State House District 4A; Former Member, Moorhead Human Rights Commission and Fargo Native American Commission
James Hand, Board Member, Moorhead Economic Development Authority and Moorhead Business Asociation
Response: Dr. Eric R. Schmidt, Teaching Fellow, Political Science
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. — Tables in the Atrium
Visit with campus, local, and regional organizations to learn more about opportunities for engaged citizenship. Representatives at tables will share information on a variety of topics: upcoming elections, City of Moorhead initiatives, direct service opportunities, and upcoming campus events.
1-2:15 p.m. — Plenary Session — Memorial Auditorium
"Engaged Citizenship in an Era of Democracy’s Vulnerability"
Introduction/Moderator: Dr. Lisa Twomey, Associate Professor of Spanish
Session Hosts: Students from the 2021 Inquiry Seminar "In Search of Home: Immigrants and Refugees in Our Community and Across the Globe"
Speaker: Dr. Richard Guarasci, President Emeritus, Wagner College; Author of "Neighborhood Democracy: Becoming an Engaged Citizen"
2:30-4:15 p.m. — Concurrent Sessions: "Taking Action" — various locations
*Two Rounds of Concurrent Sessions: 2:30-3:15 p.m. and 3:30-4:15 p.m.
*Note: Some sessions take place at 2:30 or 3:30 only.