[ politics ]
Teaching Civil Discourse
Bonnie and Bill Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications
AMANDA LARCH SARAH BURKE
Donna Brazile , Dr . Mary Hendrix and Mercedes Schlapp at The State of Political Discourse in Today ’ s America event at Shepherd University .
Political discourse dominates much of our daily lives , making it more important than ever to learn to connect with one another in a healthy way — even if that means discussing differing political views and opinions .
The goal of the Bonnie and Bill Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications at Shepherd University is to engage and educate students and the public while simultaneously creating an environment where it is safe — and encouraged — to discuss politics and current events , have constructive debates and accept and appreciate differing viewpoints all while promoting positive civic engagement .
The idea for the institute came about in 2019 when David Avella , chairman and CEO of GOPAC , began envisioning a political institute at his alma mater , Shepherd University , that would better prepare undergraduate students to enter the profession of political communications .
Avella contacted David Welch , and the two got to work . Welch shared the proposal with Bill and Bonnie Stubblefield , who supported the institute financially .
“ Thankfully , the commitment and generosity of Bill and Bonnie Stubblefield moved us from theoretical to an institute teaching students , the community and professional communicators on how to get to know each other better by listening to one another and talking with one another ,” says Avella .
Dr . Mary Hendrix , president of Shepherd University , says the institute is grateful for the efforts of the Stubblefields and what they mean to the university .
“ The Stubblefields made this institute a reality with a generous $ 1 million gift ,” she says . “ How we as citizens persuade , advocate
and converse with one another across competing opinions is of utmost importance to the future health of our democracy . As citizens and voters , we need to address our divisions and learn how to talk to each other again in a civil manner — the true essence of communications .”
Avella , along with fellow Martinsburg , WV , native Scott Widmeyer , serves on the institute ’ s bipartisan board of advisers , a key component to its success . Avella represents a conservative approach , and Widmeyer , founding managing partner of Finn Partners and former deputy press secretary for President Jimmy Carter , offers a more liberal point of view .
“ We have a very diverse group that is part of our board , and we challenge each other ,” says Widmeyer . “ We don ’ t always agree , but one thing we agree on is that we want to do the best job possible in getting any points of view out there and do it in a civilized way .”
Rather than teaching and encouraging the setting aside of political differences in favor of coming together , the institute ’ s goal is acceptance and tolerance of various viewpoints .
“ The Stubblefield Institute ’ s mission is so important because it centers on teaching us how to get to know each other better by listening to one another and talking with one another ,” says Avella .
According to Welch , who now serves as the institute ’ s first director , regardless of a person ’ s political leanings , he wants participants to be passionate about their beliefs and principles .
“ We also encourage participants to actively listen , learn and engage the beliefs of others and to refrain from demonizing someone else because they disagree . We teach it by doing it — by
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE