11th Richard M Fairbanks Symposium

11th Richard M. Fairbanks Symposium: Civility & Civic Leadership in the Circle City

February 18, 2026 | Registration & Networking: 9:30 a.m. | Symposium 10 a.m.- 2:45 p.m.

University of Indianapolis' Schwitzer Student Center, UIndy Hall

The Richard M. Fairbanks Symposium on Civic Leadership is hosted by the University of Indianapolis’ Institute for Civic Leadership & Mayoral Archives, in partnership with Indiana Humanities. It is made possible through the generous support of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation.

Registration is required.

Event Details:

9:30 AM | Registration and Networking

10 AM | Opening Remarks

• Dr. Tanuja Singh, President, University of Indianapolis
• Dr. Edward Frantz, Chair of the Department of History and Political Science, University of Indianapolis

10:15 AM | Civility in Theory & History

• Dr. Alex Richardson, Associate of Content Strategy and Engagement, Prindle Institute for Ethics, DePauw University
• Dr. Deborah Mower, Director of the Center for Practical Ethics, University of Mississippi

11:30 AM Lunch

Noon | Keynote: A Civic Renaissance in Indianapolis

Moderator:

• Dr. Laura Merrifield Wilson, Professor of Political Science, University of Indianapolis

Panelists: 

• Jeff Worrell, Carmel City Councilman, and Founder & CEO of the Carmel Civility Foundation, Inc.
• Alexandra Hudson, Author of The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves, and Founder of Civic Renaissance

1:30 PM | Panel 2: Indiana’s New Civic Health Index and Implications for the Future 

• Dr. Ellen Szarleta, J.D. Director, Center for Urban and Regional Excellence, Indiana University Northwest

2:30 PM | Closing Remarks

• Dr. Edward Frantz, Chair of the Department of History and Political Science, University of Indianapolis

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