Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: En-light(e)ning Talks: Call for Proposals
En-light(e)ning Talks: Call for Proposals
docemus docere
we teach to enlighten
The CommonTies Collaborative and CAFE invite you to submit a proposal for an En-light(e)ning Talk on November 11, Veterans Day, from 12:00–1:30 p.m. at the CHI Fountain. This semester’s theme is Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, in connection with Virginia’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
On July 4, 2026, the United States marked the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. The Declaration proclaimed that a legitimate government must equally protect the rights of all people. Yet, as Frederick Douglass observed in his speech What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?, America’s celebrations of liberty and equality have often rung as “hollow mockery.” This set of enlightening talks offers an opportunity to reflect on this tension and how we might move closer to realizing the American ideals of equality, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
En-light(e)ning Talks invite us to explore these ideals, their tensions and contradictions, and what they might mean today. We welcome proposals from faculty and staff across all disciplines and areas of expertise. Talks might approach the theme through history, literature, the arts, science, philosophy, economics, education, culture, public life, or another lens. They might illuminate a person, event, discovery, text, idea, question, experience, or story that helps us think differently about life, liberty, equality, happiness, or the ongoing work of realizing these ideals.
We especially encourage talks that incorporate a storytelling element, bringing an idea, experience, or moment to life in a way that engages a general audience.
En-light(e)ning Talks are short, engaging presentations designed for a general audience. Presentations should:
- Be approximately 8–10 minutes in length.
- Connect meaningfully to the semester’s theme, Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
- Be substantive, informative, and engaging for a generalist audience.
- Incorporate storytelling
Please submit your proposal to Dr. Eric Hodges @ hodgeseb@longwood.edu by October 30.
The CommonTies Collaborative is a group of faculty and staff who are dedicated to fostering a campus culture where undergraduate students develop the skills, confidence, and curiosity to engage in meaningful, constructive dialogues. We recognize that navigating difficult conversations, especially those tied to social and political issues, requires both a willingness to find common ground and an understanding that differences will persist. Through intercultural communication, active listening, and critical reflection, we create opportunities and provide guidance for students to engage with complexity, resist dichotomous thinking, and build relationships rooted in acknowledgment. Our work is not about changing minds but about expanding perspectives, deepening understanding, and preparing students for active participation in an interconnected and diverse society.
Members:
Jonathan Page, co-coordinator, Assistant Dean of Multicultural Affairs and Title VI Coordinator
Eric Hodges, co-coordinator, Associate Professor; Political Philosophy, U.S. Government and Homeland Security Coordinator
Jen Fraley, Dean of Students and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs
Kris Paal, Associate Professor of Communication Studies and Citizen 110/Inquiry into Citizenship Coordinator
Pam Tracy, Senior Director for Faculty Development and Innovation/Professor of Communication Studies
Maureen Walls-McKay, Associate Vice President for Health & Well-Being and Director of CAPS