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2018 Civil Discourse Symposium

Over 200 Grand Valley faculty, staff, students, and community members participated in the 5th Annual Padnos/Sarosik Civil Discourse Symposium: Civil Conversations on Climate Change on October 25 at the L.V. Eberhard Center. Elizabeth Arnold, associate professor of anthropology and the current Padnos/Sarosik endowed professor of civil discourse, selected this year's topic of climate change and facilitated the event. Three panelists representing various views on climate change were Jordan Chrispell, West Michigan Clean Energy Organizer for the Sierra Club's Michigan Chapter, Steve Goreham, author and Executive Director of the Climate Science Coalition of America, and Kelly Parker, professor of philosophy and Director of the Environmental Studies program at GVSU. Attendees were then invited to practice civil discourse in roundtable discussions which were facilitated by hosts and focused on a unique climate change issue.

Housed within the Brook College of Interdisciplinary Studies, the Padnos/Sarosik Endowed Professorship of Civil Discourse was founded in 2013 through a generous gift from longtime university supporters, Shelley Padnos and Carol Sarosik with the mission to prepare GVSU students to be leaders in advancing respectful, informed dialogue around vital social issues in their communities.

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Dean Hiskes welcomes attendees to the event.

Padnos/Sarosik Endowed Professorship of Civil Discourse, Elizabeth Arnold, introduces the panelists.

Over 200 attendees are seated at round tables in the Eberhard Center.

Elizabeth Arnold explains the importance of civil discourse and how to listen to understand.

Jordan Chrispell, West Michigan Clean Energy Organizer for the Sierra Club's Michigan Chapter, speaks about climates change and social justice.

Jordan Chrispell speaks on vulnerable people groups affected by climate change.

The panelist listen in as Jordan Chrispell shares her 10-minute presentation.

Steve Goreham, author and Executive Director of the Climate Science Coalition of America, presents another view on climate change.

The panelists and audience listen in as Steve Goreham speaks on the factors of climate change.

Faculty, staff, students, and community members listen to the panelists presentations.

Kelly Parker, professor of philosophy and Director of the Environmental Studies program at GVSU, addresses the audience.

The panelists listen to Kelly Parker share his view on climate change.

Jordan Chrispell responds to another panelist's presentation.

Steve Goreham responds to another panelist's presentation.

Kelly Parker responds to another panelists presentation.

An attendee shares a story and asks a question to the panel.

A group of attendees discuss climate change at their round table.

Three women engage in civil discourse at a round table discussion.

A man references a printed graph while speaking to other attendees as his round table.

A women shares her views during the round table discussions.

A woman listens attentively during the round table conversations.

A women smiles during round table discussions.

Steve Goreham gestures with his hand while engaging in discussion with several attendees.

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