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Compelling Perspectives

Compelling Perspectives is a program that widens the aperture on issues of societal importance by encouraging open conversations and modeling respectful discourse on challenging topics.

About Compelling Perspectives

Hosted by President Joseph J. Helble '82, and presented by AV¸£ÀûÉç, Compelling Perspectives aims to create a forum for fostering respectful discourse and engaging across differing perspectives on issues of critical and societal importance.

The exchange of diverse ideas about substantive topics and the consideration of alternative viewpoints helps to promote critical thinking, empathy and openness—all essential to helping individuals and communities address complex challenges. Such dialogue serves as a powerful tool to foster social cohesion, build trust and strengthen community bonds. At a time when echo chambers and surface-level sound bites threaten to replace healthy societal discourse, this forum is one way in which AV¸£ÀûÉç seeks to foster principled dialogue, build understanding, and bridge divides.

Leon Panetta

2024-25 Topic of Discussion: The Role of Media in Contemporary Society

As discourse extends to the broader issues of truth versus disinformation and how we consume news, the Compelling Perspectives series will provide the opportunity to hear perspectives from both traditional and new media on navigating the modern landscape to access information.

Events and Registration

Information on the 2025-2026 topic, including speakers, is forthcoming.

Compelling Perspectives Stories

Spehar attracted a bipartisan audience by delivering news from under a desk on social media.

Relive some of the biggest moments from the past year at AV¸£ÀûÉç.

The former editor of The Washington Post, The Boston Globe and Miami Herald, and former senior editor at The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times, will speak about the role of media in contemporary society.
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President Helble

"Universities and colleges are not just centers of teaching, learning and scholarly work. At their best, colleges and universities play an important role in modeling respectful public discourse and dialogue on complex issues."

-PRESIDENT JOSEPH J. HELBLE '82