Jonathan was the best advocate for freedom of expression that one could imagine. Witty, compassionate, and inspiring only begin to describe Jonathan. He was an excellent, thought provoking speaker that I was really happy to have brought on campus. I'm grateful that he agreed to be part of this event, because several people after the event reached out to tell me how brilliant and inspiring what he said was. I'd recommend inviting Jonathan to anyone concerned about free speech! He was professional, prepared, and would be a great keynote speaker.
Isadore Johnson Critical Thinking Unit Ayaan Hirsi Ali Foundation
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One cannot improve upon Jonathan’s performance. Sober, wise, and savvy, Jonathan brought dignity to the panel and was absolutely vital to the conversation. It would not have been as excellent without him. Jonathan: I hope we can stay in touch on these issues. You’re right that we have to patiently explain, over and over again, the reasons for freedom of speech to every wave of students. I’d be thrilled to do a panel like this again in the future.
David D. Corey Director, Baylor in Washington, DC Professor of Political Science in the Honors Program Affiliated Professor, Departments of Political Science and Philosophy Baylor University
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It was awesome. Jonathan was great. The formal talk was great; both the informal talk with students preceding it, and the dinner with students afterwards, were terrific. I heard strong positives from talk attendees, and enthusiastic responses from the students in the conversation and at dinner.
Michael P. Harvey Professor of Business Management Washington College
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We had wonderful reviews from those in attendance. I told Jonathan I thought he was the best speaker we’ve had in the eight years I’ve been with the Club – and I meant it. Thanks so much for everything.
Laura Edwards Assistant Director The Economic Club of Memphis at the University of Memphis
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It is easy to cling to speech restrictions by choosing comfort and conformity over offense and diversity. It allows a society to fortify itself from outside perspectives and subjugate those that are different from the norm. However, this strategy ultimately leaves only space for those in the majority while pushing those in the minority to the fringe.
Jonathan Rauch challenged Princeton students to defy that easy path of 'safe' spaces and instead promote free speech of all types on campus. Citing the importance of free speech in the gay rights movement and for those continually fighting for minority rights today, Rauch urged students to have a “thick skin,” start a dialogue with those they are offended by, and use offensive speech as a way to start a dialog and convince others that the speech was wrong or demeaning. He did not shrink away from the most persuasive arguments against free speech – including the serious harm they can cause to people (examples include the insistence on conversion therapy and increased hate crimes after the election due to campaign rhetoric). Instead, Rauch challenged students to argue against damaging speech, and not fall into the temptation of asking for speech codes, since those can – and have – been used to silence the same minorities that many want to protect today through safe spaces and speech codes. Overall, the event was very engaging, intellectually challenging, and even emotional for those who attended, as everyone discussed important issues of rights, the consequences of speech, and past discrimination.
Sofia Gallo and the Open Campus Coalition Princeton University
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What a terrific presentation Jonathan made today! I thank him on behalf of the NRC Team and the full Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Network. I hope you saw the many comments of thanks on the website chat, along with messages of agreement and support for his talk.
The way he personalized the content to OLLIs was also much appreciated. It was a wonderful way to begin our Monday and the final three days of this Conference. Gratitude and happiness for this great outcome.
Steve Thaxton Executive Director National Resource Center for Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes
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On behalf of the Menard Center for Constitutional Studies, I want to take a moment to express how grateful I am for Jonathan’s visit. His presentation provided the information that our university needed to hear. The Q&A felt like a genuine conversation, and he thoughtfully considered all questions. If the goal of the event was to move the needle regarding the importance of viewpoint diversity on campus, we had the people in the audience and at dinner that are most capable of affecting that change firmly on board.
The dinner after the event was an absolute highlight. It is remarkable how quickly and warmly he can get people talking. I don’t think I’ve ever met a journalist of his caliber who can so effectively ask questions that get people to let their guard down and cut through normal small talk to conversations that really matter. I think what I learned from him is to not be afraid to ask questions because—if done with an honest desire to know the answer—people will open up to you.
I want to personally thank Jonathan for his willingness to make a true connection with us. It was a very special evening.
Phil Rechek Program Coordinator Menard Center for Constitutional Studies University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
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Thanks for helping to set this event up. We were very pleased with the discussion, and Jonathan R was predictably brilliant as well as gracious and very open to debate. We’d be delighted to have him back on campus some time soon.
Michael C. Kimmage Professor of History and Department Chair The Catholic University of America
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Jonathan was wonderful. We were absolutely delighted to have him. I haven’t heard a single negative comment. But it was all extremely positive from my perspective and from the feedback I have received from other members of the Janus Forum. Thank you very much!
Rick Vanden Bergh Professor & Faculty Director of the Janus Forum University of Vermont
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Jonathan Rauch’s lecture on free speech is exactly the message that our colleges and universities need to hear today. Contrary to those who would say that free speech is a code word for racism and bigotry, Rauch makes a compelling argument that respect and equality for gays and lesbians goes hand in hand with a strong commitment to letting all sides of our controversies be heard. Highly recommended.
Thomas W. Merrill Associate Professor of Government American University
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The event went incredibly well, and Jonathan was outstanding on the panel. His arguments are precise and impacting, yet he presents them in a conversational manner. I will highly recommend him to others who organize campus lectures.
Todd Nesbit Senior Lecturer for Department of Economics The Ohio State University
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The entire event was a success. Thank you for working with us and helping bring Jonathan Rauch to the UW Madison campus. We received feedback from attendees that the public lecture was valuable.
Kari C. Zarecki Center Administrator Center for the Study of Liberal Democracy University of Wisconsin - Madison
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Jonathan Rauch is one of the leading thinkers of our time and brought it all to fully and deeply engage with our program and our audience. His stature helped us easily fill the room to capacity. Early audience reviews included descriptions like "brilliant," "one of the more courageous commentators out there," and "I don't think I've ever seen such an attentive crowd." If you want to offer up an immersion in cutting-edge thinking before the rest of the world catches on and follows behind - in a presentation that both entertains and challenges - Jon's your guy. That's only if we can't convince him to move to town and join us for everything we ever do.
Liz Joyner Executive Director The Village Square
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I have hosted 15 world class scholars and public intellectuals as speakers at CSU Chico over my 16 year career as a professor here. Jonathan Rauch’s visit and presentation were among the very best. He was extremely substantive and engaging, using his own life story to explore the controversial topic of the chilling of free speech on American campuses today. No less importantly, no speaker that I have hosted treated our students more generously or respectfully. Jonathan went out of his way to listen to their voice and engage their concerns.
Alan Gibson Professor of Political Science CSU Chico
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It was terrific! Jonathan was incredible — I told someone it was my favorite kind of event, where it didn’t even feel like an event, more like you were listening in on two smart people have an organic, fascinating conversation. We’ve also gotten wonderful feedback for folks who attended.
Thanks for all your help and let me know if you need anything else from us! Really grateful we were able to make this happen.
Nicole W.C. Yeatman Director of Strategic Communications & Partnerships Institute for Humane Studies George Mason University
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Everything went well on our end! Jonathan was fantastic! Hopefully it was well worth for him! Thanks again for everything!
Leah Davenport Assistant Director of Events and Operations The C. Boyden Gray Center George Mason University
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Thank you so much for the event today. We were so happy with the turn out, and Jonathan’s talk was fabulous. I think folks left hopeful, which is what we were wanting!
Jennifer Dewey Adult Programming Librarian Denver Library
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The evening was lovely on so many counts. The chemistry between Jonathan and the interlocutor was powerful. I have already received wonderful feedback. Thank you so much.
Lewis Dobrin Chair, Arts & Aesthetics Congregation Shaar Hashomayim
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Our long awaited week with Jonathan was wonderful. He engaged with our school and students at every level and in every way. We are very grateful for his visit and his support of our program.
Carol McNamara Associate Director for Public Programs Arizona State Universit
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