College of Charleston Welcomes Journalist Ross Douthat

In an era of division, is it still possible to find common ground? Have our rival perceptions of reality made such a search futile? When we are divided not just by policy but by fundamental tribal identities, what does it actually take to foster a healthy debate that doesn’t collapse into mutual contempt?

The College of Charleston Friends of the Library and the College of Charleston Civility Initiative will explore those very questions and more during a Sept. 10, 2026, public event featuring The New York Times columnist – and newly announced 60 Minutes correspondent – Ross Douthat.

“As we begin the fall semester and head toward into the U.S. midterms in November, we couldn’t be more excited to welcome someone with Ross’ experience and talent bridging what many fear to be the growing and perhaps irreversible estrangement between members of our body politic,” says John W. White ’99, dean of the College Libraries. “We hope the campus community and the Charleston public will join us in conversation to explore whether the tools of civil discourse remain able to heal our fractured society.”

The evening event will feature a moderated conversation between Douthat and Mike Lee, professor of communication and the director of the Civility Initiative. The audience will have an opportunity to ask questions of both speakers during a Q&A. A reception will follow.

The event will be held at 7 p.m. on Sept. 10 in the College of Charleston Simons Center for the Arts (54 St. Philip St.) Recital Hall. Tickets are available for purchase via the George Street Box Office as of Tuesday, Aug. 11.

About Ross Douthat

Ross Douthat has been an op-ed columnist at the The New York Times since 2009, joining the paper as its youngest-ever columnist and becoming a leading conservative voice writing for and in conversation with a predominantly liberal readership. In July 2026, it was announced that Douthat will join 60 Minutes as a correspondent, bringing his distinctive perspective to the iconic newsmagazine’s next chapter.

Douthat is the author of Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious, The Deep Places, The Decadent Society, Bad Religion and To Change the Church – widely discussed books that explore faith, culture, politics and the shared challenges facing American society. He co-authored Grand New Party, a book widely credited with anticipating the rise of conservative populism and sparking debate across the political spectrum about the future of the American working class.

Douthat is also the co-founder of The New York Times podcast, The Argument, where he is known for a careful, intellectually generous approach to debate and a commitment to serious dialogue across ideological lines. He is a non-resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and the writer-in-residence at the Elm Institute, contributing to national conversations that bring together diverse perspectives on culture, religion and public life.