Center for Civic Friendship: Dialogues in Friendship and Citizenship

Mary Jane Rein

Director, Center for Civic
Friendship

Now in its second year, Assumption University’s Civic Symposium series invites students to explore ideas about civic friendship—the capacity to engage thoughtfully and respectfully with others, even when opinions differ. The series offers students the chance to encounter new perspectives and to practice the habits of conversation that sustain both personal relationships and public life. The trust established among friends who prioritize shared goals make these discussions meaningful and productive.

The Civic Symposium series takes place in a relaxed setting at Pierre’s Pub, where students gather with invited faculty guests to share snacks and ideas. The informal atmosphere encourages open discussion and helps students feel comfortable sharing their views. The discussions are designed to promote respectful dialogue and to use disagreements as opportunities for understanding, showing students how different perspectives can enrich conversation rather than create division.

Each month, a faculty guest leads a conversation that connects their area of expertise to the theme of civic friendship. The fall 2025 series opened in September with Professor of special education Samantha Goldman who presented “Leveraging Similarities to Navigate Differences.” Drawing on her work with diverse learners, Professor Goldman emphasized that effective communication begins with recognizing shared experiences and common goals. By identifying what unites people before addressing what separates them, she suggested, students can develop the empathy and flexibility needed to build understanding across differences. Participants explored what unites them, which established a foundation of commonality as students strived to get to know their conversation partners.

In October, the discussion turned toward the role of language in civic life. Professor Jeremy Geddert of the Department of Political Science presented “Measured Speech in an Age of Exaggeration.” He began by talking about inflation in tipping, using it as a concrete example of how social norms and expectations—rather than the quality of service—shape behavior and perception. He then introduced the concept of “verbicide,” a term coined by C. S. Lewis to describe the killing of meaning through careless or manipulative language. Professor Geddert encouraged participants to reflect on what it means to speak truthfully and responsibly in a culture that prizes speed and reaction. He challenged students to use language as a bridge rather than a weapon, reminding them that careful speech is an act of respect toward others.

The final gathering of the fall series took place in November with Professor Molly McGrath of the Department of Philosophy, who offered “How to Argue Less Badly: Lessons from Love for Politics.” Drawing on research from the Gottman Institute, Professor McGrath highlighted the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse—patterns of interaction that can be destructive in relationships: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling. She drew parallels between these destructive patterns and the dynamics of political and civic disagreement, showing how habits of interaction in everyday relationships can inform how we argue publicly. Professor McGrath encouraged students to replace these patterns with patience, humility, and respect, framing disagreement as a form of engagement that acknowledges the dignity of others.

Across the three sessions, students encountered diverse perspectives on how to communicate, listen, and live well with difference. The Civic Symposium series does not aim to solve political or social divisions, but to model a better way of approaching them—one grounded in attention, empathy, and respect. As it continues, the series offers Assumption students an ongoing invitation to practice the art of civic friendship in their everyday lives.