The Day of Dialogue, on Sept. 28, is bringing not one but two keynote speakers to the event as well as 20 breakout-sessions throughout the day.
The theme of this year’s Day of Dialogue, "Community and American Democracy," was chosen to encourage discussions of how people can contribute to a democratic society and how people can talk across political differences.
The keynote speaker, who will kick off the Day of Dialogue at 9 a.m., is Vernon A. Wall, a well-known speaker who specializes in social justice and leadership styles. Wall also helped found and facilitate the Social Justice Training Institute. Wall has written articles and co-edited two books on the subject of inclusion on college campuses.
Differing from the setup of last year, Keith E. Edwards will be the endnote speaker at 3 p.m.. Edwards earned his PhD at the University of Maryland from the College Student Personnel Administration program. His endnote address will discuss ally development in the current political climate.
“I’m really excited to have Keith coming back to campus because he has a diverse background and set of skills,” said, student body president, Claire Halffield, “Last year he had a chance to touch on sexualized violence in college, but this year he’ll really get a chance to touch on ally development and how we can support our peers across differences.”
With two speakers, the idea of collaboration and working together will be an even more prominent and fitting with the official theme, "Community and American Democracy."
“[Keith] told me that he and Vernon often visit the same campus at similar time periods, but this is the first time they will be on the same campus at the same time,” said Halffield, “It will be cool to see how they will share the role of collaborating on a message for the DePauw community at this year’s DePauw Dialogue.”
Some students are looking forward to having two speakers at this Day of Dialogue. “I think it'll be good having two distinguished people with such credentials so people will respond to that,” said sophomore Taylor Mueller, “I think that opening with a speaker would enlighten the students and give them an open mind going into the day and ending with a speaker will leave everyone with good thoughts.”