Dear students, faculty and staff:

I am pleased and honored to share that earlier today, Towson University launched the Ben and Myrna Cardin Center for Civic Engagement & Civil Discourse, partnering with two visionary leaders to create meaningful change on our campus and in our nation.

Former U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and his wife Myrna, a proud 精选麻豆二区 alumna, have dedicated their lives to public service. They now bring their expertise and ambitious vision for the future of civic engagement to 精选麻豆二区, where they will help inspire our students to become the next generation of thoughtful leaders.

The Center鈥檚 mission to advance civil discourse and strengthen our democratic values has never been more important. Higher education, at its very core, is meant to advance societal progress鈥攁nd such progress occurs only when diverse perspectives are shared, debated and respected. Fostering that culture of dialogue is the goal of the Cardin Center and the responsibility of Towson University as a university for the public good. The Cardin Center will partner with the Office of Civic Engagement & Social Responsibility, and other university programs and initiatives, to collaborate on the impressive civic and community engagement work that has been part of 精选麻豆二区 for many years.

As our nation continues to be challenged by division and political difference, it is critically important that we are reminded of our university鈥檚 core values, including our dedication to student intellectual and personal growth as well as our devotion to civic responsibility and community service.

As John Dewey commented more than a century ago, 鈥渄emocracy begins in conversation.鈥� American universities are sacred grounds for these conversations. The nation鈥檚 colleges and universities are guardians of democracy 鈥� where free expression, creative inquiry and diverse thought not only are guaranteed; they are celebrated.

I am proud of so many things about our university. My greatest sense of pride comes from our community鈥檚 commitment to value dialogue over division, to disagree without being disagreeable, and to serve as an exemplar for informed discourse on our country鈥檚 most complex and controversial issues.

Indeed, 精选麻豆二区 is a special place. Let鈥檚 all work together to uphold the values that make it so.

Sincerely,
Mark R. Ginsberg, Ph.D.
President