March 31 Symposium at WT to Address Civil Discourse and Civics

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, [email protected]

CANYON, Texas - Students and the public are invited to engage in thoughtful discussions of civics education at the inaugural event for West Texas A&M University's Civil Discourse Series.

The Civil Discourse and Civics Education Symposium will run from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 31 in various locations in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center.

The full schedule, subject to change, can be viewed at wtamu.edu/CivilDiscourse. Admission is free, but reservations are requested by March 24. Lunch and dinner will be provided to attendees.

The symposium is the first event planned under the umbrella of a nearly $2 million American History and Civics National Activities grant won by WT and partner Texas Southern University in Houston.

It also is in line with an initiative promoted by Glenn Hegar, chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, for TAMUS schools to hold civil discourse events over the next year.

"Linking civics education and civil discourse seems ideal," WT President Walter V. Wendler said. "Agreeing to disagree without disdain or hatred is an essential component of a republican form of government. In recent years, the need for connecting civil discourse and engaged citizenship has become obvious. Through the Hill Institute, WT intends to reconnect the values necessary for civility to engaged citizenship."

Keynote speakers will address civics education, core curriculum, civics in a contemporary society, and other topics.

Sessions are designed to appeal to students of all majors, particularly those in education fields, as well as any community members interested in America's founding principles, education, civility and constitutional processes.

"WT is hosting an impressive array of speakers from across the state who will appeal not just to the academic community here on campus, but also to anyone from the larger community who is concerned about civic education, engagement, and civil discourse in the United States today," said Dr. Timothy Bowman, professor of history and head of WT's Department of History in the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities, who is administering the grant. "I'm delighted that WT is leading the way in engaging people in these important conversations."

Speakers are scheduled to include Dr. Tom K. Lindsay, higher education policy director for Texas Public Policy Foundation's Next Generation Texas; Dr. Howard Batson, pastor of First Baptist Church-Amarillo; Brandon Simmons, director of institutional policy and oversight for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; Aaron Kinsey, chairman of the Texas State Board of Education; and Richard A. Johnson III, president of Texas Southern University.

WT's American Civic Tradition at 250 project is expected to increase teachers' knowledge of American founding principles and documents and improve their civics education instructional practices, as well as increase student knowledge and broaden the dissemination of civics resources.

For the project, WT is partnering with Region 16 Education Service Center through the University's Hill Institute, established following a historic $20 million gift from Cheryl and Alex Fairly.

Named for Joseph A. Hill, the second president of WT and its longest-serving leader, the Hill Institute centers on 10 values: trust, family life, hard work, regard for others, personal responsibility, compatriotism and patriotism, virtue, faith, personal and civic loyalty, and rugged individualism.

The Hill Institute officially was approved by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents in February 2022. Since that time, WT officials have worked to secure funding and continue refining the Institute's mission. The Institute is funded through philanthropic dollars rather than government funding.

Providing access to excellent foundational educational programs is a key principle of the University's long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign, which is now winding down, has raised more than $175 million.

About West Texas A&M University

A Regional Research University, West Texas A&M University is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor's and master's degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men's and women's athletics programs.

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