Knox College’s new Etz Family Institute for Civic Leadership and Dialogue, established through the generosity of Tony ’83 and Nancy Etz this past spring, is set to launch its inaugural public event, "Learning to Disagree Across the Culture Wars," on Wednesday, October 16, at 7:30 p.m. at the Orpheum Theatre in Downtown Galesburg. 

This free event will feature a dialogue between John Corvino and John Inazu, two renowned experts in civil discourse, who will explore how to navigate cultural and political differences with empathy and respect. The event kicks off the Institute’s annual lecture series, aimed at promoting respectful, productive discussion, and developing the virtues of citizenship necessary for sustaining a diverse democracy. 

John Corvino, Ph.D., is the Dean of the Irvin D. Reid Honors College and a professor of philosophy at Wayne State University. Known for blending logical precision with humor to address cultural conflicts, he is the author of Debating Same-Sex Marriage, What’s Wrong with Homosexuality?, and Debating Religious Liberty and Discrimination. Corvino has contributed to major media outlets, including The New York Times and The Huffington Post, and has spoken at over 250 campuses on topics related to sexuality, ethics, and marriage. His work has earned numerous awards, including the Spirit of Detroit Award and the Distinguished Professor of the Year Award.

John Inazu is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis and the author of Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect (2024), Liberty's Refuge: The Forgotten Freedom of Assembly and Confident Pluralism: Surviving and Thriving Through Deep Difference, and co-edited Uncommon Ground: Living Faithfully in a World of Difference. Inazu founded The Carver Project and the Legal Vocation Fellowship and is a senior fellow with both the Trinity Forum and Interfaith America, where he co-directs the Newbigin Fellows program.

Knox College professors and co-directors of the Etz Family Institute Thomas Bell, political science, and Konrad Hamilton, history, are excited to launch the Institute’s first public event. 

“We hope this event will help develop the virtues of citizenship necessary to sustain a diverse democracy,” Bell said.

The event is free and open to all students, faculty, staff, and the public.