The Gephardt Institute has a robust calendar of events and programming this fall to get students engaged.
These events help students learn how they can develop their civic skills, engage with the St. Louis community, and find ways to bring their civic passions and ideas to life. The institute’s programming brings people together and provides them a chance to effect change through a wide range of community and civic engagement opportunities.
“From large events to more intimate events, our goal with programming is to make civic learning and engagement so prevalent on campus that every student can find an outlet for engagement that is meaningful and helps them pursue their vision for our collective future,” said Stephanie Kurtzman, Executive Director of the Gephardt Institute.
Engage Democracy 2024 exemplifies Gephardt’s commitment to meaningful voter engagement. It’s an event series focused on election-related programming. In connecting students, faculty, and staff with the compelling, election-related events, Engage Democracy 2024 increases voter engagement by building a culture of civic and community engagement throughout WashU.
Examples of Engage Democracy 2024 programming include The Longest Table, Ready, Set, Vote, and Party at the Polls.
The first of these is a civic dialogue event set for Thursday, Sept. 5 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Brookings Quad. It will feature a long table, dinner, and guided discussions governed by this year’s theme: “Finding Connection Through Divided Times.
“The Longest Table helps to set a tone of civic dialogue on campus—prioritizing sharing and listening in an intentional way in the midst of a broader political environment that is highly polarized and divisive,” said Alannah Glickman, Associate Director for Civic Engagement at the Gephardt Institute.
By cultivating an intentional and supportive space, and by bringing together people with diverse perspectives and experiences, The Longest Table will encourage participants to both envision ideas for social change and build relationships that support working towards a shared vision.
“The Longest Table provides a space for WashU community members to connect, share stories, learn together, and understand each other’s points of view to build community and build the muscle of civic dialogue that they can apply in other settings on campus and beyond,” said Glickman.
“We hope students will walk away from this event with more confidence in sharing their stories and views with others, a willingness to approach civic issues with care and nuance, and a commitment to stay connected and get involved in election seasons.”
The latter of these Engage Democracy 2024 events, WashU’s on-campus polling place and Party at the Polls, is a celebration of democracy that will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Athletic Complex. It will include on-campus voting for St. Louis County voters (open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Athletic Complex), live music, and free food. Those not eligible to vote in St. Louis County are still invited to enjoy the fun.
“One of the Gephardt Institute’s key pillars is Engage Democracy. We literally want students to engage with the idea of democracy,” said Kurtzman. “What does it mean to you? What does it mean for us as a collective? What are the ideals of democracy, and how can we move closer to those ideals? What are our rights— and responsibilities—as citizens in a democracy?”
Another major event to look forward to in September is the Chancellor’s Fireside Chat with Valerie Jarrett & Michael Isikoff AB ‘74 on Monday, Sept. 9 at 4 p.m. in Graham Chapel.
“Valerie Jarrett and Michael Isikoff are each models for how we can pursue professional paths in the pursuit of our vision for democracy,” said Kurtzman. “We can learn a lot from them as individuals, and we can learn even more by listening to them in dialogue with each each other.”
“This event invites the whole WashU community to engage with these ideas, particularly as we approach the November election and we are all thinking deeply about the future of our country and how we want to use our voice.”
Jarrett is known for her past work as the Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama from 2009-2017. She oversaw the Administration’s advocacy for workplace policies that empower working families, and led the campaigns to reform our criminal justice system, end sexual assault, and reduce gun violence. Jarrett has also received numerous awards and honorary degrees, including TIME’s “100 Most Influential People” Award. Her career has culminated in her current position as the Chief Executive Officer of the Barack Obama Foundation.
Isikoff is a WashU alumnus, award-winning journalist and bestselling author who has worked as an investigative reporter for The Washington Post, Newsweek, NBC News and Yahoo News. He was the lead reporter on a Newsweek team that won the National Magazine Award for coverage of the events that lead to Bill Clinton’s impeachment, and was named on a list of the 50 “Best and Most Influential Journalists” in the nation’s capital by Washingtonian magazine in 2009.
“I hope this event prompts each of us to think beyond the November election. It’s certainly important. But so is the day after the election, and even the day after the inauguration,” said Kurtzman. “We won’t all follow the paths that Valerie Jarrett and Michael Isikoff have taken, but what is our path? How will each of us engage more, engage differently, engage intentionally, to pursue our visions for what our country can be?”
“We’re all accustomed to accessing interesting speakers through our phones—videos, podcasts, livestreams. And yet, there’s something different about attending events in person, sitting in community and learning with one another. That’s one of the powerful things about a university community, and I encourage all members of our community to join us in Graham Chapel for this conversation.”
The Civic Engagement Fair is another example of programming to look forward to this fall. Set for Sept. 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. on the South 40, dozens of student-led social impact organizations and local nonprofits will feature opportunities for student involvement, including plentiful ways to connect with the St. Louis community. Groups present at the event focus on social and environmental impact, community service, political issues, social justice, and affinity/identity as core values.
Civic Café is also starting back up in September. These weekly events will kick off with a very special presidential debate watch party on Sept. 10, with Congressman Dick Gephardt and Isikoff providing expert commentary and conversation before and during the debate.
Civic Café offers a weekly space for students to practice civic dialogue and build other civic skills. They facilitate connections between students to build solidarity and a culture of civic engagement on campus. Past Civic Cafés have taught attendees how to track bills for issues they care about; have led conversations on Black internet culture and political power; and have brought changemakers like Mayor Tishaura Jones to campus to share the story of their civic journeys.
Future guest speakers will delve in topics such as civic mindfulness and elections, the history and meaning of presidential debates, and analyzing ballot initiatives.
As for other programming opportunities, the 2024 St. Louis Fellows Showcase and Reception will take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Delmar DivINe on Monday, Sept. 16. It is an interactive event during which each of the Gephardt Institute’s 40 St. Louis Fellows from the 2024 cohort will share out their learning and accomplishments from their 10-week summer internships with 31 local nonprofit and civic initiatives.
Provost Beverly Wendland will share opening remarks to mentors, community partners, peers, and family members in attendance, followed by a poster session and networking reception.
“Because the Showcase brings together the many different stakeholders of the St. Louis Fellows Program, there are many purposes,” said Sarah Nash, Community Engagement Manager with the Gephardt Institute.
The Showcase is an opportunity for the St. Louis Fellows to reflect on and discuss their summer experiences working with local nonprofit and civic organizations, for those host organizations to highlight and celebrate their work across the region, and for prospective students and community partners to learn more about the program. “For everyone in attendance, the Showcase is a time to enjoy delicious local eats and build community and connection with the many different stakeholders of the St. Louis Fellows Program.”
Meanwhile, the Civic Scholars Share Out will be Oct. 21, from 5:30-8 p.m. in Holmes Lounge.
Each Civic Scholar will deliver a 5-minute, quick paced visual presentation highlighting their Civic Summer experience. Dinner will be served, and a reception hosted for guests to offer congratulations, share ideas, and make connections.
“This event provides Civic Scholars the opportunity to share their main takeaways from their Civic Summer experiences to an audience of their peers, mentors, supporters, family members to the Civic Scholars Program,” said Glickman.
“Storytelling, public speaking, and communicating one’s civic journey in a compelling way are all important skills for civic leaders, and the Share Out allows Civic Scholars to practice.”
The Share Out will celebrate the contributions Civic Scholars made to their partner organizations and communities around the country throughout the summer and spreads awareness of the program on campus.
“Attendees will learn about the multitude of civic issues and projects Civic Scholars worked on, and hopefully leave inspired to commit to take action on things that they care about too,” said Glickman.
“When students engage with our campus programming, they become part of a civic community at the Gephardt Institute that can both support and challenge them as they move forward,” said Kurtzman.
“Our goal is to create clear pathways for students to be informed, involved, and engaged in civic issues. Whether students are just getting started or seeking to deepen their civic engagement, these events foster important civic learning and skill building, and can be a springboard to further involvement—including opportunities to engage with and contribute to our St. Louis community.”