As part of ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø’s community of inquiry, all are invited to participate in Declarations of Independence, a series of events and community dialogues to mark 250 years since the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
Speaker Series
Additional events and opportunities for dialogue are being added as they are confirmed. Please refer to the for a list of all events and community dialogues.
Discussions and Discovery
Democracy and AI Summit
Monday, October 5 and Tuesday, October 6 (Time to be announced.)
In conjunction with reading Rewiring Democracy: How AI Will Transform our Politics, Government, and Citizenship by Bruce Schneier and Nathen E. Sanders, join alums and guest speakers to explore how AI impacts civic life and what we can do about it.
George Washington's Mount Vernon
Coming in November
Join Sarah Purcell '92 and Allison Wickens '94, Vice President for Education at Mount Vernon.
The American Revolution at 250 Poster Session
Thursday, December 10, 2:30 p.m.
Professor of History Sarah Purcell's '92 history seminar examines the founding of the United States upon its 250th anniversary to assess the question: What do battles over the meaning of the American Revolution accomplish? Students will present their work at this interactive poster session.
Gatherings
Declaration Dinners
Join President Harris for dinner to delve into the following phrases from the Declaration of Independence and their lasting or changing meanings.
September 22
How is a truth held to be "self-evident"?
October 5
Why/Are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness "unalienable Rights"?
November 11
Where do you perceive or experience the "consent of the governed"?
December 9
What is a "candid world"?
ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø Faculty Panel
Join faculty to explore teaching and research relationships to foundational texts of democracy in the United States. Watch the Campus Memo for dates and times.
Rosenfield Lunchtime Sessions
Join the Rosenfield Program for lunchtime discussions focused on experiences of democracy and the text of the Declaration of Independence. Watch the Campus Memo for topics, dates, and times.
Cover to Cover
The Cover to Cover community reading series returns for its fifth year in fall 2026, as President Anne F. Harris, along with members of the College’s senior leadership team, invites students, staff, and faculty to delve into a selection of contemporary books from “Cover to Cover.â€
Eight works have been selected for the 2026-27 academic year. In the spirit of fostering discussions, in-person participation is limited per session. Selections for the fall semester focus on experiences of democracy and the texts of the Declaration of Independence.
Registrations will be honored on a first-come, first-served basis. Check the Campus Memo for registration information a few weeks prior to each session date.
Participants who do not own the book under discussion will be provided with access to an online or print copy.
All discussions for registered participants will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Lunch will be provided.
