Our nation and world face daunting, vexing problems too often exacerbated by an insufficiently educated populace, cultural tribalism, the dramatic erosion of civil discourse, and a reluctance to engage in constructive dialogue. Working together, American higher education can help to build fundamentally stronger communities by developing more educated, engaged, grace-filled, and solutions-oriented citizens.
- Matthew vandenBerg
Activation Plan
Below is an overview of some campus activities:
- Ohio Wesleyan University’s Sagan National Colloquium annually explores an issue of national and international significance from multiple educational angles. The Colloquium forges links between liberal arts learning and the lifelong civic art of informed, involved citizenship.
- The Arneson Institute for Practical Politics and Public Affairs features prominent national and international guest speakers on campus; supports interdisciplinary student and faculty research projects involving local, state, national, and international public policy as well as supporting Ohio Wesleyan University’s Model United Nations and Moot Court teams. It also supports the Civic Arts Review, a journal focusing on the relationships between education and public life.
- OWU hosts the oldest mock presidential convention in American higher education, held by the Arneson Institute and dating back to 1884. It gives students hands-on experience in holding platform hearings, drafting and debating a party platform, and nominating and electing candidates to run for the office of president and vice president.
- OWU is partnering with the League of Women’s Voters on a focused voter registration, education, and turnout effort for the 2024 election.
Matthew vandenBerg
President, Ohio Wesleyan University
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Join the growing consoritum of campus leaders urgently committed to collectively restoring higher education’s role in democracy.
Matthew vandenBerg
President, Ohio Wesleyan University
Below is an overview of some campus activities:
- Ohio Wesleyan University’s Sagan National Colloquium annually explores an issue of national and international significance from multiple educational angles. The Colloquium forges links between liberal arts learning and the lifelong civic art of informed, involved citizenship.
- The Arneson Institute for Practical Politics and Public Affairs features prominent national and international guest speakers on campus; supports interdisciplinary student and faculty research projects involving local, state, national, and international public policy as well as supporting Ohio Wesleyan University’s Model United Nations and Moot Court teams. It also supports the Civic Arts Review, a journal focusing on the relationships between education and public life.
- OWU hosts the oldest mock presidential convention in American higher education, held by the Arneson Institute and dating back to 1884. It gives students hands-on experience in holding platform hearings, drafting and debating a party platform, and nominating and electing candidates to run for the office of president and vice president.
- OWU is partnering with the League of Women’s Voters on a focused voter registration, education, and turnout effort for the 2024 election.
Our nation and world face daunting, vexing problems too often exacerbated by an insufficiently educated populace, cultural tribalism, the dramatic erosion of civil discourse, and a reluctance to engage in constructive dialogue. Working together, American higher education can help to build fundamentally stronger communities by developing more educated, engaged, grace-filled, and solutions-oriented citizens.
- Matthew vandenBerg