The American Conversation Series
Through public forums, each with multiple high-profile speakers representing all sides of the partisan and/or ideological aisle, the Stubblefield Institute hosts discussion relevant to everyone in our nation. The events—open to students and the public—include elected leaders, well-recognized political media personalities, and influential experts in the field of media.
Read about past events below.
Politics Today: Reawakening the Spirit of Philadelphia
In Fall 2025, the American Conversation Series partnered with Sirius XM Satellite Radio for a Town Hall event, “Politics Today: Reawakening the Spirit of Philadelphia.” Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD, 2007-2017) and Rep. Chris Gibson (R-NY, 2011-2017) met with host Steve Scully and Shepherd University students from Political Science, Communications, and the Community Leadership & Civil Advocacy classes. This conversation was aired on “The Briefing with Steve Scully” on September 8, 2025, at 1 p.m., and is available on the SXM App.Prior to the in-studio recording, the Shepherd University students toured the U.S. Capitol and U.S. Supreme Court, and had lunch with media professionals as guests of Sirius XM Radio.
“Beyond Pepperoni Rolls: Who are we as West Virginians?” – September 5th, 2024 – the Frank Arts Center Theater
Long time friends and colleagues, Senator Shelley Moore Capito and Senator Joe Manchin met on the stage of the Frank Arts Center Theater along with experienced MetroNews Talkline host Hoppy Kercheval to discuss West Virginia’s identity.
Overcoming Division: Strategies to Stand United
In Spring 2024 the American Conversation Series continued with a conversation about “Overcoming Division: Strategies to Stand United”
Panelists –
EJ Dionne, Jr., journalist and syndicated columnist, The Washington Post, has written articles such as “Make America empathetic again” and “Smart policy on homelessness requires empathy, not contempt.”
Ed Goaes author of A Question of Respect: Bringing us together in a deeply divided nation, Republican pollster and political strategist. Previously president and CEO of the Tarrance Group.
Louis L. Reed, Chief narrative officer, Decoded: Story Lab. Previously, Reed served as Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships for Jay Z’s REFORM Alliance, and as Director of Membership and Organizing for Dream Corps Justice (formerly #cut50), co-founded by Van Jones and Jessica Jackson.
Moderator –
Sam Goldman, executive director of the John L. Loeb Jr. Institute for Religious Freedom and director of the Politics & Values Program at George Washington University.
United We Stand: Connecting Through Culture
The 2023-24 American Conversation Series and this year’s Community Engagement Conversations, are presented by the Stubblefield Institute in partnership with the WV Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities initiative, United We Stand: Connecting Through Culture.
Thank you to our local sponsors
- Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers
- Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation
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