The 2025 Conference on Civic Studies & Democracy (Sept 25–27, Ball State University) brings local, national, and international voices together to explore the intersections of character, aesthetics, community, and civic identity. With engaging sessions, interactive workshops, and major national speakers, this is a rare opportunity to connect campus learning with civic life.
Registration is still open—please invite your classes, share widely, and join us.
Location: LA Pittenger Student Center, Ballroom
National Speakers with Classroom Relevance
- Thursday Fred Meyer Lecture: Michael Greer, President & CEO of ArtsFund — “Arts and Culture as Community Cohesion: The Power of the Sector Beyond the Stage and Studio”
- Friday Keynote (Lunch): Trygve Throntveit, PhD — “What Does ‘Civics’ Mean? William James and the Civic Renewal of Contemporary American Education”
See the Full Program Here
National Partners: Sessions link with the Jack Miller Center (higher ed & K–12 civics programs, national convening) and Sphere Education Initiatives (nonpartisan, viewpoint-diverse PD and classroom resources for grades 5–12).
Program Highlights
- Thu, Sept 25 (5–8pm, Pittenger Student Center Ballroom): Opening reception, remarks from President Geoffrey Mearns, Michael Greer keynote, and awards ceremony recognizing civic-arts and community leaders.
- Fri, Sept 26 (9am–4pm): Concurrent sessions on civic murals, media & identity, school choice & civic virtue, Middletown politics, public media, civic virtues in the classroom, rural storytelling, lateral reading + AI, opera & civic voice, and more. Keynote by Trygve Throntveit.
- Sat, Sept 27 (9am–1pm): Creative Cartography with Melissa Gentry; Whitely-Opoly civic game lab; and Linda Hanson (League of Women Voters) on elections and democratic life.
Don’t miss it—registration is still open.