04/22/2026
As we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary, the Wesleyan community came together this April to explore the past, present, and future of the American experiment. From analyzing institutional identity to practical workshops on voting rights, here’s how we spent the month: Academia & U.S. Identity: President Michael Roth and faculty panelists kicked things off with a deep dive into how universities shape our national narrative and resist authoritarianism. The Future of US: We welcomed CT Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas and Ryan Engels (CYPAC) to discuss Gen Z’s role in voting access, criminal justice, and renewing democracy in everyday life. “The Librarians” Documentary: A powerful screening and discussion on how librarians serve as first responders for First Amendment rights amid rising book bans. Youth Voting Rights: Jonathan Becker and Erin Cannan from Bard College led a hands-on workshop turning lessons on voting rights into student-led action. Shoutout to our lead student organizers—Donovan Lave, Gray West, Kiran Bleakney-Eastman, Harry Malcoun, and the civic engagement interns —for making these vital conversations happen. Special thanks to Ayan Elmi and Sonya Hadley for making this series possible. Missed the live events? You can still catch recaps in The Wesleyan Argus and Wesleyan University News. PublicLife
