ANNUAL REPORT FOR GIFTS MADE FROM JULY 1 , 2022 – JUNE 30 , 2023
FitzSimons Civics Symposium Coordinators Eleanor Friedman P ’ 26 and Gillian Bennis .
PREP COLLEAGUES SUPPORT THE FITZSIMONS CIVICS EDUCATION INITIATIVE
The Prep ’ s Librarian and
Media Specialist Eleanor Friedman P ’ 26 along with social studies teacher Gillian Bennis take on the task of coordinating one of the most anticipated events in the Prep ’ s yearly curricula , the FitzSimons Civics Symposium .
The event is part of the greater Civics Education Initiative , funded by Dennis FitzSimons ’ 67 and his wife , Ann . The initiative aims to cultivate an understanding and appreciation for the US system of government , a recognition of the importance of free speech and respect for multiple points of view , and to learn the skills necessary to successfully navigate today ’ s digital news and information ecosystem .
Each spring , the symposium brings two panelists and one moderator to the Prep ’ s Leonard Theatre to discuss relevant topics in social studies in front of an audience of juniors and seniors . For the inaugural event in 2022 , Georgetown law professor Anupam Chander and Yale law professor Amy Kapczynski sat on the panel with moderator Nikolas
Guggenberger ( research scholar and lecturer at Yale ) to discuss the merits of social media .
Friedman was the sole coordinator in that inaugural year . She led six Prep students on the Symposium Committee as they spent countless hours helping her plan the symposium through meetings , planning the preevent film screening of The Social Dilemma , and more .
Friedman was impressed with the students ’ hard work and leadership skills . “ The day of the Symposium was like any big event ,” she said , recalling the inaugural symposium . “ Ensuring that all the pieces we planned seamlessly came together requires intense teamwork . Our student committee demonstrated incredible leadership growth from start to finish ,” she added .
When Bennis joined the faculty in September 2022 , she was thrilled at the prospect of helping Friedman with this year ’ s symposium . The event focused on the Supreme Court and its handling of both the Second Amendment and affirmative action cases . Nick Ohnell Fellow and head of research for the Policing and Public Safety
Learn more about the FitzSimons Civics Education Initiative : www . fordhamprep . org / fitzsimonscivics
Initiative Rafael Mangual and president emeritus of New York University John Sexton sat on the panel , moderated by David Hiller , former president of the McCormick Foundation .
Student proactivity and involvement in the symposium planning process stood out to Bennis immediately . “ When [ the students ] would see that we had an assembly on the calendar or as the symposium was getting closer , they were always looking forward to meetings and were always so willing to participate and be involved in the planning . It ’ s such a hands-on experience ,” Bennis noted .
All members of the faculty and staff , along with Friedman and Bennis , are delighted to create civics programming that is impactful and engaging for the Prep ’ s junior and senior classes . Their tireless efforts are integral to the Jesuit mission of educating students to become informed and engaged citizens committed to the common good .
Both Friedman and Bennis are excited to take on a new topic for the 3rd Annual FitzSimons Civics Symposium , scheduled for Tuesday , March 26th , 2024 . n
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