The Bonnie & Bill Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications
September 16, 2025 – Intermediate Court of Appeals of West Virginia
The Intermediate Court of Appeals of West Virginia brings their courtroom to Shepherd University this fall to showcase the judicial system for students. The court will hear real cases before interacting with students and the public.
When:
Tuesday, September 16, 2025 | Doors open at 9:15 a.m. | Session begins at 10 a.m.
Where:
Shepherd University Frank Center for the Arts, 260 University Dr., Shepherdstown
Registration
Learn more about the Shepherd University Year of Civility!
The Stubblefield Institute is proud to collaborate with Shepherd University on this initiative celebrating Civility on campus!
About the Stubblefield Institute
The Bonnie and Bill Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications officially opened its doors on July 1, 2019, with offices in the beautiful Frank Center on the campus of Shepherd University.
Made possible by a generous gift by Drs. Bonnie and Bill Stubblefield, the mission of the Stubblefield Institute is to serve as an active center for the study and promotion of civil political discourse.
Upon the opening of the Institute, Shepherd University President Mary J.C. Hendrix
noted, “How we, as citizens persuade, advocate, and converse with one another across competing opinions, is of utmost importance to the future health of our democracy. As citizens and voters, we need to address our divisions and learn how to talk to each other again in a civil manner.”
At all times, the Stubblefield Institute seeks to promote greater public awareness of how authentic and factual civil discourse across partisan divides leads to more productive debate and understanding.
In the classroom, the Institute also seeks to train the next generation of political, media, and public policy communications professionals who will one day be on the front lines of message development and delivery. Shepherd now offers undergraduates a degree in political science with a communications concentration. This effort is led by Shepherd University’s world-class faculty from both the political science and communications departments.
A few Current initiatives of the Stubblefield Institute
- Shepherd University Civility Club – 2023 events included Bowling Through Barriers, Not Your Parents’ Debate Debate, and Shepherd University Civility Awards. The Civility Club is open to all Shepherd University students.
- Community Leadership and Civil Advocacy Certificate The 2024-25 cohort from Shepherd University and two partner schools met monthly as students learned from community leaders and developed their advocacy projects. New for Fall 2025, Foundations of Community Leadership and Civil Advocacy will be offered as a 3-credit class, BADM 299.
- Listen. Learn. Engage. – LLE student programming works with students to develop motivation, skills, and confidence to participate in civic engagement and civil discourse in ways that move through division into connection and understanding. Learn more about student programs here.
- Community Engagement Conversations – Public forums focus on local and West Virginia issues, bringing together community and state leaders to examine the multi-faceted challenges experienced in the Mountain State and surrounding region.
Learn more about the Stubblefield Institute
Signup for our mailing list or contact the Stubblefield Institute
Located in the Frank Center, Suite 117 and 118.
Direct Line: 304-876-5005
Civility and Civic Engagement Survey Report
Read the results of the “Civility and Civic Engagement Survey” conducted by Stubblefield Institute Senior Fellow for Research Dr. Stephanie A. Slocum-Schaffer here:
Civility and Civic Engagement Research and Data Report
Support the Stubblefield Institute
To make a gift to the Stubblefield Institute, please visit our donation page.
