News Releases

Seligman First Amendment Lecture Series to host Sen. Bob Graham

The University of West Florida College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities will host Sen. Bob Graham on Jan 16. from 1 to 2:30 p.m. for the inaugural event of the Seligman First Amendment Lecture Series. Dr. Jocelyn Evans, associate dean for the college, and Dr. Kelly Carr, assistant professor of communication, will join Graham for a panel discussion at the UWF Conference Center.

During the presentation, “The Art of Public Dialogue,” panelists will examine the role of partisan rancor, social movement, organized protest, civic space and technology in shaping the character of public discourse over the last several decades. They will discuss the importance of civic engagement, participatory politics, public debate, collective consensus building, space for dissent, and demonstration of mutual respect.

Graham devoted nearly four decades to public service. As a state legislator, governor and three-term U.S. Senator, Graham has had a role in nearly every major public policy issue in modern Florida’s history.

The Seligman First Amendment Lecture Series is made possible by a generous gift from the Jane G. and Fred K. Seligman Endowment. The Jan. 16 lecture is the first installment of the series. The event is free and open to the public.

Graham’s visit to Pensacola is part of the Studer Institute and Pensacola News Journal’s 2018 CivicCon speaker series. Sen. Graham will kick off CivicCon at 5:15 p.m. on Jan. 16. A group of UWF College of Business students will be in attendance at the Pensacola Little Theatre when Graham talks about the importance of having citizens engaged with public life. CivicCon is a series of public town halls and workshops marked by civic dialogue focusing on making Pensacola an even stronger city in which to live, invest, grow and prosper.

Learn more about the Seligman First Amendment Lecture Series or call 850.474.3227.