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Kicking Off Fall 2026

IUP’s Center for Civic Dialogue began its first academic year by meeting new students and families during Move-In Weekend, followed by a walk-in “meet-and-greet" and a student leader training day during Welcome Week. The Center’s Director Stephan Schaffrath and graduate assistants played Civic Jeopardy and chatted about civic dialogue with dozens of people during Fall Fest.

On September 14, the Center led the university-wide celebration of Constitution Day with a community reading of the Constitution, led by IUP President Dr. Michael Driscoll, and then “met” James Madison (played by Dr. Joseph Mannard from the Department of History, Philosophy, Political Science, and Religious Studies ) in the evening for a special Six O’Clock Series event. Check it out!

We are excited to participate in two more Six O’Clock Series events this fall – “Let’s Talk” on September 22 in Jane E. Leonard Hall room B11, and “Conflict Doesn’t Have to Be Scary” on October 26 in the Elkin Hall Great Room.

We are also looking forward to welcoming nationally acclaimed Constitutional Law Expert Jeffrey Rosen back to campus on November 9 and 10. More information on his visit is coming soon.

Also, find us on Lounge! And coming soon: The Center for Civic Dialogue on Instagram!

Click on a photo to launch the gallery.

CCD Civics Jeopardy at Fall Fest 2026 GA Kai Ratleff speaking with a student at CCD Table at Fall Fest 2026 Kai Ratleff (CCD GA) talking with students at CCD Table at 2026 Fall Fest CCD Post-It Board at Fall Fest 2026 CCD's Stephan Schaffrath and Kai Ratleff at Fall Fest 2026 CCD Table at 2026 Fall Fest with Stephan Schaffrath and Kai Ratleff CCD Table at 2026 Fall Fest with Stephan Schaffrath and Kai Ratleff Norm visits the CCD Table at 2026 Fall Fest Norm visiting CCD Table at Fall Fest 2026 CCD Table at 2026 Fall Fest Fall Fest 2026 Center for Civic Dialogue Table Kai Ratleff speaks to students at CCD Table at 2026 Fall Fest Students visiting the CCD Table at Fall Fest 2026 Dr. Gwen Torges, academic backbone of the CCD and organizer of Constitution Day Kai Ratleff handing out U.S. Constitution reading parts People waiting in line to read parts of the U.S. Constitution Kai Ratleff assisting people waiting to read a part of the U.S. Constitution Kai Ratleff assisting Constitution readers Kai Ratleff assisting people waiting in line to read Kai Ratleff reading a part of the U.S. Constitution Kai Ratleff reading a part of the Constitution People waiting to read a part of the Constitution People waiting to read their small part of the Constitution Dean Emily Rutter reading while Dr. Torges photographs her Student reads the Constitution Reading of the U.S. Constitution IUP President Dr. Driscoll speaks about the U.S. Constitution Dr. Driscoll (IUP President) speaks about the U.S. Constitution People are waiting in line to read their part of the U.S. Constitution Dr. Mannard playing the role of founder James Madison Retired Dean Yaw Asamoah reading the U.S. Constitution Dr. Driscoll (President of IUP) speaking about the U.S. Constitution CCD's Stephan Schaffrath, Brooke Eisenhuth, and Kai Ratleff CCD's Brooke Eisenhuth, Kai Ratleff, and Stephan Schaffrath CCD Director Stephan Schaffrath reading the U.S. Constitution S. Schaffrath, B. Eisenhuth, C. Bashioum, and T. Oraskovich Cole Bashioum, Thomas Oraskovich, and Stephan Schaffrath Dr. Mannard as James Madison flanked by Dr. Gwendolyn Torges Dr. Joseph Mannard (as James Madison) talking to students Dr. Gwendolyn Torges reading a part of the U.S. Constitution