Augustana University’s fourth annual Critical Inquiry & Citizenship Colloquium will culminate this year with two speakers — Drs. Robert P. George and Cornel West, distinguished scholars and leading voices in American public life. The two are known for their friendship and collaboration, as well as their commitment to principled dialogue across differences. Their keynote presentation to the Augustana community, alumni and friends will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, in the Elmen Center, with a book signing to follow.
Generously supported by Rosemarie and the late Dean Buntrock and in partnership with Augustana’s Center for Western Studies (CWS), the Critical Inquiry & Citizenship Colloquium was established in 2023. The colloquium is designed to promote civil discourse and deep reflection with the goal of enhancing students' skills to think critically and communicate persuasively as citizens of a pluralistic society.
“Welcoming esteemed voices like Drs. George and West reflects Augustana’s commitment to fostering a learning environment that respects diverse perspectives, values meaningful dialogue and inspires sincere curiosity. Opportunities like this challenge us to keep open minds, listen well, think deeply for ourselves and grow in our understanding of one another,” said Augustana President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin.
George is the McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton University and director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions, as well as a nationally-recognized scholar of constitutional law, political philosophy and the role of faith in public life.
He is the author of Making Men Moral: Civil Liberties and Public Morality; In Defense of Natural Law; The Clash of Orthodoxies; Conscience and its Enemies; and Seeking Truth and Speaking Truth: Law and Morality in Our Cultural Moment. His articles and review essays have appeared in publications, such as Harvard Law Review, Yale Law Journal, Columbia Law Review and University of Chicago Law Review. He has also written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.
A graduate of Swarthmore College, George earned J.D. and M.T.S. degrees from Harvard University and D.Phil., B.C.L., D.C.L. and D.Litt. degrees from Oxford University, in addition to 23 honorary doctorates. He is a recipient of many honors, including the U.S. Presidential Citizens Medal and Honorific Medal for the Defense of Human Rights of the Republic of Poland.
In addition to his academic service, George has chaired the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and served on the President’s Council on Bioethics, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and as the U.S. member of UNESCO’s World Commission on the Ethics of Science and Technology. He is a former judicial fellow at the U.S. Supreme Court, where he received the Justice Tom C. Clark Award.
“Augustana is honored to host these renowned public intellectuals — one of whom is very influential in the conservative movement and the other in the progressive movement. Amid their political disagreements, they demonstrate not only constructive dialogue, but genuine care and respect. We have much to learn from their wisdom, good will and friendship,” said Dr. Stephen Minister, Stanley L. Olsen Chair of Moral Values and professor of philosophy at Augustana.
West serves as the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Chair at Union Theological Seminary and is widely known for his work on democracy and justice, as well as his lifelong commitment to engaging diverse audiences and advancing the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
West previously served as professor of the practice of public philosophy at Harvard University and holds the title of professor emeritus at Princeton University. He earned an undergraduate degree from Harvard and both an M.A. and Ph.D. in philosophy from Princeton.
He has written 20 books and edited 13 additional volumes. His most celebrated publications include Race Matters, Democracy Matters, as well as his memoir Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud. Through a partnership with MasterClass, West teaches several courses, including classes on empathy, philosophy, Black history, freedom and love. In 2024, West ran as an Independent candidate for president.
Published in January 2025, George and West co-authored Truth Matters: A Dialogue on Fruitful Disagreement in an Age of Division — fostering thoughtful discourse on contemporary social issues in the U.S. — and often engage in dynamic exchanges as highlighted on PBS’ “Firing Line With Margaret Hoover.”
“Drs. West and George show us what it means to listen with charitable love for those with whom we disagree. They're not just representatives of different points of view on a range of issues; they're a picture of friendship that transcends differences in politics, religion and race. I'm thrilled to have them coming to our campus!” said Dr. David O’Hara, Augustana professor and department chair of religion philosophy & classics and director of environmental studies & sustainability.
Tickets for the 2026 Critical Inquiry & Citizenship Colloquium are free and available to the public at augie.edu/CICCTickets.
About the Critical Inquiry & Citizenship Colloquium
In partnership with the Center for Western Studies (CWS) and supported by Rosemarie and the late Dean Buntrock, this annual 1- or 2-day colloquium is intended to feature faculty scholars and students, as well as industry, research and policy experts who inspire and facilitate critical thinking, persuasive reasoning and thoughtful discussion around timely and engaging topics in areas ranging from religion, science and politics to history, technology and business. The colloquium kicks off or culminates in a keynote given by thought leaders of national or global prominence.