Braver Angels College Debates and Discourse Program - VMI Community of Practice

Braver Angels College Debates and Discourse Program - VMI Community of Practice

Overview: A research grant supporting civil discourse education through structured debate programming at VMI, part of a national initiative to promote respectful dialogue on divisive topics.

Funder: John Templeton Foundation (funding Braver Angels' program)

Geographic Scope: VMI is one of only 10 colleges nationally designated as a "Community of Practice"

Grant Type: Two-year research grant

What Funding Supports:

One faculty fellow position

Two student fellow positions

Debate programming across campus

Research on impact of debates on participants

Program Details:

Partner Organization: Braver Angels, nonprofit dedicated to promoting civil discourse

Relationship History: Partnership began in 2017 when founder David Blankenhorn spoke at VMI's Annual Leadership and Ethics Conference

Official Designation: VMI named a "Community of Practice" for the College Debates and Discourse Program

Partner Institutions: One of 10 colleges nationally with this designation

Program Focus:

Teaching students to express views, frame persuasive arguments, listen deeply, and engage respectfully

Addressing issues typically difficult and divisive

Collective exercise in thoughtfulness, respect, and truth-seeking (not competitive)

Light parliamentary style debates guided by trained chairperson

Pre-selected resolutions with 4-minute speaker presentations

Q&A from audience members addressed through chair

Short debriefing sessions following debates

Research Component:

Examines impact of debates on participants' ability to:

- Exhibit calm and confidence when conflict arises
- Develop leadership skills

Data gathering from 10 partner institutions

Analysis conducted by University of Delaware

Three-semester classroom debate implementation plus data analysis in fourth semester

Program Requirements (2-year grant):

One post-wide debate

One debate in a class each semester for three semesters (6 classroom debates)

Fourth semester dedicated to data analysis

Faculty training sessions for professors wanting to integrate debates into courses

Campus Partners:

VMI Building BRIDGES club (cadet-led activity)

Center for Leadership and Ethics (CLE)

Faculty co-advisors and student fellows

Student Fellows (2022 cohort):

Cadet Katie Lloyd '23 (International Studies major)

Cadet Devin Thomas '24 (International Studies major)

Selection Requirements:

- Writing sample submission
- Multiple interviews
- Responsibilities: Determine debate topics, publicize debates, recruit participants, lead debates (following Braver Angels training)

Faculty Involvement:

Col. Valentina Dimitrova-Grajzl, Ph.D., Economics and Business professor

Lt. Col. Sara Whipple, Ph.D., Psychology department associate professor

Lt. Col. Kim Connolly, CLE assistant director for programs and conferences

Faculty training sessions offered spring 2022 and beyond

Future Plans:

Within one year, host intercollegiate debate or community debate

Expand program to other courses across campus

Establish debates as campus staple

Braver Angels' Philosophy:

Deep listening

Critical thinking

Thoughtful communication

Contact Information:

Lt. Col. Kim Connolly, VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics, 540-464-7328

VMI Alumni Agencies: 800-444-1839 or 540-464-7328

Email: give@vmiaa.org