Colorado State University’s College of Liberal Arts is set to spark a vibrant dialogue on democracy with its upcoming Democracy Summit from March 5-7. This three-day event located in the Lory Student Center will invite CSU students and faculty and the Fort Collins community to explore the many facets of democracy under this year’s theme of democratic innovation.
The summit will open March 5 with an energizing keynote by renowned economist Darrick Hamilton. Titled, “Democracy, Race and Economic Inclusion: A Vision for a Human Rights Economy,” Hamilton’s address in Ballroom D will set the tone for a week of transformative ideas. With the reception at 4:30 p.m. and a follow-up talk at 5:20 p.m., the conversation will aim to welcome participants into the unfolding story of the democratic process.
On March 6, the dialogue will deepen through parallel sessions and interdisciplinary discussions. The morning begins with two thought-provoking tracks: in room 376, Professors Dan Beachy-Quick, Greg Dickinson, David McIvor, Johnny Plastini and Colin Rice will present “Democracy, Ecology, Science and Myth: An Interdisciplinary Conversation,” from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Meanwhile in room 386, Professor Ann Little and graduate students Sean Nelson, Devon Rebelez, Melanie Grande and Evan Stackpole will tackle, “Brotherhood and Democracy in Colorado: Fraternal Organizations, Unions and Mob Violence.”
Straayer Center for Public Service Leadership Program Manager Sam Houghteling is hopeful for the 2025 Democracy Summit, with the second annual set of events centered on innovation in the democratic process.
“The second annual CSU Democracy Summit has a theme of democratic innovation this year,” Houghteling said. “Students, faculty, staff and community members will have the opportunity to hear from top scholars, practitioners and creative leaders on issues pertaining to governance, human rights, community engagement, democratic systems and leading dynamic organizations through an era of disruptive change.”
The dialogue continues past midmorning with back-to-back sessions. From 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Little and graduate students Samantha Hanek, George Moncaster and Logan French will present, “Wildfires, Grass Roots and Local Harvests: Democratic Civil Society in Northern Colorado,” in room 376. Concurrently in room 386, Professor Elizabeth Sink and Instructor Leah Holz will introduce, “The Living Library Project,” a unique initiative that champions bridge building through innovative storytelling and radical listening.
The afternoon of March 6 is designed to widen the lens of democracy. From 2-3:15 p.m., Professors JB Bae, Gamze Çavdar and Ernesto Sagas will present, “Democracy under Stress: Global Perspectives,” in room 376, while a team comprising Patti Schmidt, Sabrina Slagowski-Tipton, Katie Knobloch, Jonathan Cable and Kinsey Zeigner will discuss, “Building Belonging through Community-Led Dialogue and Action: Key Findings from CSU’s Rural Action Project,” in room 386.
A standout keynote by Professor Lee Drutman, “Building Back a Better Democracy-Breaking the Two Party Doom Loop,” will run from 12:30-1:45 p.m. in the Never No Summer Ballroom. Later on, the Bernie Rollin Memorial Lecture, “Animal Dignity,” presented by Professor Lori Gruen at 4 p.m. in Longs Peak room 302 will further enrich the day. The evening will wrap up with a panel on local governance and innovation from 4-5 p.m. in the Never No Summer Ballroom, followed by a special screening of, “CSU: The Democracy Project,” at 6:30 p.m. in the LSC Theatre.
March 7 brings the summit to a dynamic close. The morning features research presentation sessions and creative engagements. In room 376, Professor Grace Gallagher and student collaborators will lead, “Dancing for Climate Action,” while in room 386, Louise Jennings, Knobloch, Tamanda Chabvuta and Silvia Terol will present, “Creating the Civics Classroom: How to Build a Pedagogy for Critical Youth Engagement.”
A session with NCAA President Charlie Baker, hosted by CSU President Amy Parsons, is scheduled to happen from 10-11:30 a.m. in Ballroom D and promises additional insights. Closing out the summit are three student-focused events: “Ramplify: Community Engagement in Action” in the Never No Summer Ballroom; “Code vs. Consequence: The Tech & Policy Debate on Misinformation and Social Media” in room 390; and “Student Impact and Local Action Simulation” in room 386.
All events are free, and Houghteling encourages anyone eager to participate in a rich exchange of ideas to attend.
“If you’re someone who is concerned about the world and interested in what you can do to help or you just want to learn more about some interesting and relevant stuff, then make sure to join us next Wednesday to Friday in the Lory Student Center,” Houghteling said.
Reach Riley Paling at news@collegian.com or on Twitter @rileypaling.
