Lessons in Civics: Democracy Speaker Series Brings Diverse Perspectives to Campus

In its storied history, one of the School’s many traditions has been inviting guest speakers to all-school Assemblies to share real-world experiences and impart time-tested wisdom. As the 2024–2025 school year began, Hopkins put a new twist on tradition by announcing an unprecedented speaker series with the consistent throughline of examining democracy. With the country in the midst of a presidential election season, the series was created to deepen students’ knowledge of civics—the mechanics of democracy—and encourage civil discourse. 

 

“The goal of this program is to educate our students on matters of citizenship and prepare them to be critical thinkers,” said Matt Glendinning, Head of School, in a community-wide message to launch the series. “To learn from guests who may hold diverse political perspectives, it is crucial that we all model intellectual curiosity and humility, maintaining an open mind and a willingness to listen,” he added. Throughout the ongoing series, the Hopkins community has heard many perspectives and engaged in constructive dialogue. 

 

The first speaker in the series, Jack Greenberg ’14, spoke to the School about civics. Greenberg is a doctoral candidate in political science at Yale University who is currently researching the topic of “presidential prioritization,” the process by which presidents and their teams determine the domestic policy issues on which they will focus at the start of their administrations. Greenberg offered the audience a primer on the national and Connecticut state offices that were being contested in the November 2024 election.

 

“Regardless of the election outcome, and because you are all bright Hopkins students, I hope you are engaged enough to understand the political possibilities before us, but are not so consumed by the trappings of the cycle that you can’t see and appreciate them,” said Greenberg during his speech. “If you achieve this balance—a balance that many smart people in this country fail to maintain—I think you are well positioned to be of service to the country in future times.”

 

Following the Assembly presentation, Greenberg spent the morning attending classes, where he continued discussions with students and faculty. 

 

Inside a jam-packed Athletic Center, the Hopkins community, along with students and faculty from ten New Haven public high schools, gathered for a special conversation with political leader, business owner, and bestselling author Stacey Abrams. Emily Bazelon P’18, a Senior Research Scholar in Law, Truman Capote Fellow at Yale Law School, and a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, moderated the discussion. 

 

With over 1,200 people in attendance, Abrams discussed voting rights, civil discourse, and staying committed
to making a positive impact on one’s community, despite setbacks. “We are entitled to the best version of this country we can imagine,” said Abrams. “And voting is one of the most fundamental ways we make it so. When we cast a ballot, we say this is the thing we want, this is what we see, and this is what we deserve. To be an American
is to say that my voice matters so much I refuse to allow myself to be silent. In a democracy that voice is made most manifest through voting.” 

 

The conversation was followed by questions from a small group of students representing four New Haven schools, including Asher J. ‘25 of Hopkins. 

 

For Assistant Head of School John Roberts, who was instrumental in planning the speaker series, Ms. Abrams’ visit held a particular significance. “It was a special thrill to welcome hundreds of students, educators, sorority sisters, and community leaders from New Haven for Stacey Abrams’ presentation,” explained Roberts. “It was a ‘force multiplier’ of energy and enthusiasm. Many of us currently at Hopkins knew a great many of our visitors that day, and reconnecting with them on our campus was truly a joy. It was a reminder that New Haven and Hopkins are inextricably linked, and have been essential to each other for nearly four centuries.”  

 

During an all-school Assembly, Akhil Reed Amar P’17, ’19, ’19 addressed the Hopkins community about the foundations of the U.S. Constitution and American democracy. Amar is the Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale University, where he teaches constitutional law at both Yale College and Yale Law School. He is a distinguished scholar in originalism, the U.S. Bill of Rights, and criminal procedure. 

 

The main takeaway from Amar’s presentation was that never before in the history of mankind had there been a government for the people, by the people, as large and effective as the one established by the United States. His discussion included a breakdown of the Constitution’s preamble, and the historical context surrounding its enactment, followed by a Q&A session with several students.

 

“In 1787, the Constitution was deeply imperfect, but compared to what had come before, it was remarkable.
It was an improvement. And over the course of time, the Constitution actually got better. We added amendments, we made amends for some of the sins and the lapses of the Founding Fathers, and we’re not done yet. I hope there’s more for your generation to do to improve this project and make further amends,” said Amar.

 

Sam Greco ’11 spoke to the Hopkins community about modern conservatism and its context in American politics. As a newly elected Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives, Greco outlined some of the concerns of his constituents in District 19, comprising Flagler and St. Johns counties, such as the cost of living and high insurance rates. Greco also reflected on the connections he made with people at Hopkins who he said have had positive and lasting effects on his life.

 

“No matter where we stand politically, we are all Americans. Our foundation rests on the principles of freedom, democracy, opportunity, and equality. These ideals have driven generations of Americans to innovate, persevere, and lead the world. The shifting tectonic plates of our political landscape are a part of that journey. And instead of retreating into our silos, we should seek to understand those who see the world differently than we do,” said Greco.

 

Following the Assembly, Greco spent the morning in further discussions with students in visits to Zoe Resch and John Roberts’ 21st Century Democracy classes. 

At Assembly, Nicaraguan economist, businessman, and politician, Dr. Juan Sebastián Chamorro spoke about his experience as a political refugee from Nicaragua. Chamorro was a pre-candidate for president in the 2021 Nicaraguan general election until he was detained in a wave of arrests of opposition candidates and other civic leaders. He was released from prison
and banished from Nicaragua in February 2023.

 

“Standing up for what’s right doesn’t depend on timing. It’s not about waiting for the perfect moment or for others to act first. It’s about doing it now, even when it feels difficult or uncomfortable,” said Chamorro.

 

Chamorro is currently a Hewlett Visiting Fellow for Public Policy at the Kellogg Institute for International Studies
of the University of Notre Dame. During his fellowship he is working on a project titled, “Violation of Every Right in Nicaragua, a Personal and Collective Perspective.”

This diverse collection of speakers offered the Hopkins community a variety of perspectives and encouraged students to ask their own questions, draw their own conclusions, and exercise their own rights in the future. 

 

Hopkins is grateful to the many donors who contribute to the Andrew J. Rossetti Memorial Fund, which allocates funds for special programs and projects in support of faculty, students, and facilities at Hopkins. This fund helped to bring Ms. Abrams to Hopkins this year.