Etz Family Institute for Civic Leadership & Dialogue Engages New Students, Plans for the Future

With a polarized social and political environment and a historic presidential election a few short months away, professors Thomas Bell, political science, and Konrad Hamilton, history, have been hard at work over the summer months to launch Knox College’s newly created Etz Family Institute for Civic Leadership and Dialogue, established through the generosity of Tony ’83 and Nancy Etz this past spring. Belll and Hamilton, the institute's co-directors, are focused on preparing students for leadership in a diverse democracy. 

“Higher education in general, and Knox College in particular, has always had a central role in promoting a just and free society. The Institute seeks to foster an institutional space for future leaders to engage in free speech, honest inquiry, critical thinking, and the civil exchange of differing ideas and points of view,” said Co-Directors Bell and Hamilton.

According to the co-directors, the Etz Family Institute will build upon Knox’s foundation of meaningful relationships between students and faculty to support engagement in civic leadership and dialogue. To provide this support, the Etz Family Institute is planning several key initiatives during the 2024-25 academic year:

• A public affairs lecture/dialogue series with visiting speakers of national and international reputation, modeling productive discussion and dialogue of opposing viewpoints. 
• The development of student academic and immersive learning opportunities and course credit through field trips, internships, and student research.
• Opportunities—some informal, others more structured—for faculty members to meet, discuss, and coordinate their activities in the promotion of liberal learning.

Bell and Hamilton, along with President C. Andrew McGadney, kicked off the Institute’s efforts with a discussion with incoming students as part of the College’s New Student Orientation activities. 

President McGadney led the panel centered on civic engagement and the liberal arts, emphasizing thoughtful dialogue around campus. He encouraged students to engage deeply in discussions, listen to diverse perspectives, and be open to change.

“We believe at Knox that modeling how to effectively engage with difficult dialogue and discourse is part of our mission as an institution and is a crucial skill our students will need to be truly engaged citizens of our nation and world,” President McGadney said.

Hamilton and Bell echoed these sentiments, highlighting the role of the liberal arts in promoting freedom of thought and the value of understanding opposing viewpoints. The pair shared insights on their goals for the institute and the paths forward to make sure its core objectives are felt throughout the community. 

Hamilton stressed that the institute is not a corrective program, but a means to push forward the strong interest in liberal arts values already present at Knox. Bell emphasized the need for real conversations that can bridge political polarization, and both professors invited students to participate in future events. They encouraged the Knox community to embrace complex issues and foster dialogue that leads to personal and intellectual growth.

“This is a space to think. No one person’s opinion is decisive on what we all think,” Hamilton said. 

The Etz Family Institute’s inaugural public event is set to take place this fall on Wednesday, October 16, at 7:30 p.m. at the Orpheum Theatre in Downtown Galesburg. "Learning to Disagree Across the Culture Wars" will feature a dialogue between two speakers, John Inazu and John Corvino, both renowned for their expertise in fostering civil discourse across political and cultural divides. This event is free and open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend.

The event marks the beginning of the Institute’s annual lecture series and looks to set the tone for future Institute events, modeling the values of respectful and productive discussion while aiming to develop the virtues of citizenship necessary to sustain a diverse democracy.

“The Etz Family Institute for Civic Leadership and Dialogue supports, strengthens, and promotes the core values of Knox College, in the face of the challenges of today's social and political environment,” Bell added. 

“We are truly excited about the vision Professors Bell and Hamilton have for the Institute. We particularly appreciate the opportunity for the Knox community to engage with renowned experts in fostering civic discourse this fall, and also with each other in and out of the classroom,” said Tony ’83 and Nancy Etz. “We look forward to seeing the Etz Family Institute evolve and fulfill its mission to become a meaningful resource for Knox students, faculty, and staff.”