President Carlisle’ s 9th Annual Breakfast
Spotlights the Need for Heightened
Immigration Reform
Caitlin Dickerson
On Leap Year Day, President David Carlisle introduced the 9th Annual President’ s Breakfast to a sold-out audience of esteemed guests, distinguished panelists, faculty, students and friends gathered at the Coburn School’ s Zipper Hall in DTLA. The assemblage of live onlookers assembled for the first time since 2020 was“ a testament to the University community’ s resilience, strength, and commitment to engagement on matters of paramount importance,” he said.
This year, his focus was centered on the moral imperative of immigration reform. Dr. Carlisle described it as a topic that has touched the lives of millions, both within our nation and across the globe.“ The choice of this theme reflects our institution’ s dedication to fostering conversations that are not only timely, but also timeless in their significance. Immigration reform with its complex web of social, economic, legal, and humanitarian considerations challenges us to reflect deeply on our values, our responsibilities, and our aspirations as a society,” he said.
The President invoked the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, who taught that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.“ The pursuit of a fair, humane and comprehensive approach to immigration is not merely a policy challenge, it is a moral imperative. It demands our courage to envision a more inclusive and equitable world, our compassion to understand the human stories behind the headlines, and our commitment to act with integrity, and empathy,” he noted.
“ They come for a range of reasons. Whether they are seeking economic opportunity to lift them out of crushing poverty, fleeing justice, or fleeing violence in their homeland that puts their very lives at risk, or are drawn to a life that’ s free from inhumane oppression. Each has a compelling human story that they believe only America can solve. And they may be right.”
So, what is CDU going to do to keep that American Dream alive for current and future Americans? The message was firmly delivered.“ Through events like the President’ s Breakfast, our institution remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing the pressing issues of our time, through healthcare and a public policy lens and beyond. We affirm our mission to educate, to enlighten and to empower. We recognize the power of informed dialogue and shaping the future and the role of academic institutions and fostering an environment where such dialogue can thrive,” he underscored to rousing applause.
Dr Carlisle introduced the morning’ s keynote speaker, Caitlin Dickerson, an award-winning investigative journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner who spent five years at the New York Times, and five years as a producer
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