VMI - a College Debates and Discourse Alliance Community of Practice

VMI is one of 10 colleges in the country to be named a Braver Angels' College Debates and Discourse Alliance’s Communities of Practice. As such, we are taking part in a national research grant from the John Templeton Foundation on the effect of participating in these moderated debates for college students. The overall goal is to promote civil discourse and give participants the tools they need to have useful and respectful conversations on contentious topics.

This VMI Leader Journey episode features VMI faculty and cadet fellows involved in this program. You will learn how we became involved and insights from VMI cadets about the impact they've already experienced and why they thought it was important to get involved. Panel guests are Col. Valentina Dimitrova-Grajzl, Lt. Col. Kim Connolly, Lt. Col. Sara Whipple, Devin Thomas '24, and Katie Lloyd '23. 

Our first debate for this academic year is on Sept. 25 at 7:00 p.m. in Marshall Hall. The topic is “Does a commitment to civility take care of diversity and inclusion issues?” It is open to the VMI community – cadets, staff, faculty, and alumni, but not to the general public.

Learn more about this program from this VMI news story at https://www.vmi.edu/news/headlines/2022-2023/vmi-promotes-civil-discourse-through-debate-program.php.