Former NPR host Sanford Ungar to keynote 8th USI Law Day with lecture on free speech

Legally speaking, the United States enjoys perhaps the freest speech in the history of the world, and yet Americans seem to have a perpetual crisis over how to define and practice free speech. How did this happen, and what can be done about it? Sanford Ungar will tackle those questions in the keynote address for USI's 8th Law Day at 7 p.m. Monday, April 8, 2019, in Carter Hall at the University of Southern Indiana.

Ungar, president emeritus of Goucher College, is director of the Free Speech Project at Georgetown University. The project tracks the status of free speech in education, government and civil society in America. Ungar has been director of the Voice of America and dean of the School of Communication at American University.

During his journalism career, he was a staff writer for the Washington Post, Washington editor of The Atlantic, managing editor of Foreign Policy magazine and co-host of "All Things Considered" on NPR. He is the author or editor of six nonfiction books, including The Papers & The Papers: An Account of the Legal and Political Battle Over the Pentagon Papers, which won the George Polk Award. 

"We are so honored to host a national treasure like Sanford Ungar, who has dedicated his life to making this world a better place. Throughout his entire career he has worked tirelessly to shine light on the truth-as a journalist, an academician and an author," said Heidi Gregori-Gahan, associate provost for International Programs. "His talk is particularly timely as it becomes more and more challenging every day to understand the nuances of free speech in a polarized society."

Prior to Ungar's keynote address, the University will begin Law Day by welcoming current and prospective students (particularly those interested in a career in law), faculty, staff, alumni and the Evansville community to observe the Indiana Court of Appeals as it hears an oral argument at 11 a.m. in Carter Hall.

The civil appeal from the Warrick Superior Court involves the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (APRA) and law enforcement's discretion to withhold records from the public under the "investigatory records" exception.  

"Watching the legal system in action is a wonderful education in how the system works," said Dr. Nicholas LaRowe, associate professor of political science and pre law coordinator. "Law Day continues to provide resources to showcase American government and politics."

"I have been attending Law Day since its inception," said Jill Hahn, coordinator of the Randall T. Shepard  Leadership and Law Academy in Evansville. "It is a great opportunity for students to see the state judicial branch in action. Students also get to view a case being tried and then have the opportunity to later ask the judges questions. It takes the students out of the classroom and into a learning environment that we just can't replicate."

Law Day is co-sponsored by the University of Southern Indiana Center for International Programs and the Dean of Students Office, with support from Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and the USI Philosophy Club.