Tenth Annual Richard M. Fairbanks Symposium on Civic Leadership

The University of Indianapolis and Indiana Humanities invite you to attend the 2025 Richard M.Fairbanks Symposium on Civic Leadership. Serving as the tenth iteration of the event, “Civic Spirit:Religion and Leadership in Indianapolis” will feature conversations that consider the intersection of religion and civic engagement in the Circle City.

The Fairbanks Symposium on Civic Leadership, which began in 2013, brings together local and national leaders to discuss and analyze vital issues facing our communities, linking the historical legacy of past leaders to current and future trends. Previous keynotes have included Senator Richard Lugar and then-South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg. The event is hosted by the University of Indianapolis Institute for Civic Leadership & Mayoral Archives, in partnership with Indiana Humanities. It is made possible through the generous support of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation.

The symposium includes a buffet lunch and two panel discussions in addition to the keynote. While this event is open to the public at no charge, please remember that your RSVP includes a seat at the complementary buffet lunch.

Spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If all tickets are claimed, you will automatically be added to the waitlist and notified should additional seats open. Stand-by tickets will be released approximately 10 minutes before the event begins.

The Richard M. Fairbanks Symposium on Civic Leadership is hosted by the University of Indianapolis Institute for Civic Leadership & Mayoral Archives, in partnership with Indiana Humanities. It is made possible through the generous support of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation.

Info: Coffee and Light Refreshments Provided

Info: Although people often avoid religion and politics in daily conversations, these topics are intrinsically intertwined and have helped shape American civic life. Politics in the 21st century are increasingly ideologically polarized or divided along religious lines. National expert, author, and founding director of the Rooney Center for the Study of American Democracy David
Campbell from the University of Notre Dame joins the University of Indianapolis’s Greg Shufeldt to talk about how the "God Gap" shapes the current landscape of American politics.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Schwitzer Student Center, 1400 Campus Drive, Indianapolis, United States