College of Charleston Civility Initiative Announces 2025-26 Events
Join the College of Charleston’s Civility Initiative for a full slate of events promoting dialogue and understanding.
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This academic year, the College of Charleston’s Civility Initiative invites the community to join a series of thought-provoking conversations designed to bridge divides, spark curiosity and inspire connection.
The Civility Initiative was launched in 2023 to promote healthy conflict and dialogue across difference. Programming includes workshops for faculty to integrate pluralism into the classroom, a Free Expression Fellowship program for student leaders, campus speakers, movie screenings, debates, listening sessions, and the When We Disagree podcast.
This year, two fellowship programs have been launched to engage and educate students and faculty: the Civic Deliberation Faculty Fellows program and the Free Expression Fellows program. The Civic Deliberation Faculty Fellows program includes 11 faculty members from diverse areas of expertise, including mathematics, religious studies, and theater and dance. The Free Expression Fellows program includes 10 students from equally diverse backgrounds. These groups will be involved in workshops and trainings throughout the year.
“The Civility Initiative at the College of Charleston is committed to showing that disagreement doesn’t have to mean division,” says Michael Lee, author and professor of communication and director of the Civility Initiative. “Through panels, debates, workshops and our podcast When We Disagree, we model how healthy conflict can strengthen communities and sharpen ideas.”
Finding Common Ground in a Divided World
Oct. 2, 6–7:30 p.m., Sottile Theatre
For example, on Oct. 2, Lee will moderate a discussion between Trey Gowdy, a former Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and Bakari Sellers, a former Democratic S.C. state legislator at the Finding Common Ground in a Divided World event in the Sottile Theatre (44 George St.).
“This event featuring Bakari Sellers and Trey Gowdy perfectly illustrates this mission to find our common humanity, especially as we differ,” says Lee. “They come from opposite sides of the political spectrum, yet both are respected voices who understand the value of hard conversations done with respect. Bringing them together demonstrates to our students and the wider Charleston community that dialogue across difference is not only possible – it’s essential. It can even be fun!”
This event is free and open to the public; however, a ticket registration is required. Register for the event here.
About Trey Gowdy
Trey Gowdy is the New York Times bestselling author of Start, Stay, or Leave: The Art of Decision Making and Doesn’t Hurt to Ask. He is also the co-author of Unified with Senator Tim Scott. Gowdy hosts Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy on Fox News and The Trey Gowdy Podcast.
He served as a four-term U.S. representative for South Carolina’s 4th Congressional District. Before running for Congress, he served as a federal prosecutor in his home state of South Carolina and worked as a district attorney in Spartanburg and Cherokee counties. Gowdy is married to Terri Dillard Gowdy, a former first-grade school teacher in Spartanburg.
About Bakari Sellers
Bakari Sellers is the New York Times bestselling author of My Vanishing Country: A Memoir; a children’s book, Who Are Your People; and his most recent publication, The Moment. He is host of The Bakari Sellers Podcast and a frequent political commentator.
In 2006, Sellers made history at age 22 as the youngest African American elected official in the nation, serving South Carolina’s 90th District in the state legislature for four terms. He was named to TIME’s 40 Under 40 list, twice placed on The Root 100 list of the nation’s most influential African Americans and honored on the HBCU Buzz’s Top 30 Under 30 list.
Bakari practices law with the Strom Law Firm in Columbia, South Carolina, and is married to Ellen Rucker Sellers, chiropractor and co-owner of Rucker Roots haircare products. They have twins, Sadie and Stokely, as well as Kai, who is a freshman at Howard University.
Other Fall 2025 Events
Attention Wars: Winning Against Distraction
Oct. 8, 1-2 p.m., Beatty Center, Wells Fargo Auditorium
Gloria Mark, professor of informatics at the University of California, Irvine, will lead a discussion on her recent book, Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity.
Congress to Campus: Bipartisanship Ideals
Oct. 29, 4-5:30 p.m., Rita Liddy Hollings Science Center, Room 101
This Q&A will feature former Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives and former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford and former Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives Robin Tallon. Moderated by Michael Lee, director of the Civility Initiative.
Spring 2026 Events
Details to Come
Frances Lee, professor of politics and public affairs at Princeton University, will lead a discussion on her recent book, In Covid’s Wake: How Our Politics Failed Us.
Lara Schwartz, senior professorial lecturer in public affairs at American University, will lead a discussion on her recent book, Try to Love the Questions.
Randy Boyagoda, chair of the English department at the University of Toronto and a prominent novelist, will lead a discussion on his recent books, Dante’s Indiana and Original Prin.
Sam Tanenhaus, a prominent writer and former New York Times and Vanity Fair editor, will talk about public debate as it relates to his new biography on William F. Buckley, Buckley: The Life and Revolution that Changed America.
Mary Stuckey, professor of communication arts and sciences at the Pennsylvania State University and author of Used, Abused, and Sidelined: Debating the Declaration, will participate in a panel debate on the meaning of the Declaration of Independence.
