UW-Stout to hold events addressing free speech, right to protest

National expert Kimbrough to talk Sept. 14; panel discussion set for Sept. 22
September 8, 2022

Two events highlighting Americans’ constitutional rights will be held in September at University of Wisconsin-Stout.

From 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14, free speech will be the topic in the Great Hall of the Memorial Student Center. Walter Kimbrough will present “I Respectfully Disagree: When Debate Dies Who Loses?” He will discuss how to enter into a debate, respect others’ free speech rights and talk across differences.

Walter Kimbrough
Walter Kimbrough will speak Sept. 14 on campus. / Contributed photo

Kimbrough has been president of two Historically Black Colleges and Universities — Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ark., and most recently Dillard University in New Orleans. He is executive in residence at the University of Southern California’s Race and Equity Center, where he will co-chair the center’s National HBCU Racial Equity Commission.

University sponsors are the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office; the Menard Center for the Study of Institutions and Innovation; the Center for Applied Ethics; and the Nakatani Teaching and Learning Center.

From 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, the panel discussion Protesting: Know Your Rights will be held in the ballrooms of the student center. Experts will present briefly then address questions related to protesting on campus.

The panel will be moderated by Rickie-Ann Legleitner, associate professor and interim director of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office. Panelists will include Wade Harrison, senior counsel for UW System Legal, Dean of Students Sandi Scott and representatives from University Police, University Housing, Freedom of Expression Committee and the Bias Incident Response Team.

Both events are free and open to the campus community and the public.

###


UW-Stout announces Ramakrishnan as provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs  Featured Image

UW-Stout announces Ramakrishnan as provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs

Dr. Latha Ramakrishnan will advance strategic priorities, foster academic initiatives at Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University
Year of Design celebration central to UW-Stout's spring 2026 event schedule Featured Image

Year of Design celebration central to UW-Stout's spring 2026 event schedule

Community invited to exhibitions, civic and literary conversations, film screenings and performances
Breaking ground for polytechnic partnerships: UW-Stout top story highlights of 2025  Featured Image

Breaking ground for polytechnic partnerships: UW-Stout top story highlights of 2025

Heritage Hall renovation, AI innovations, industry-sponsored focus among year’s notable headlines