Established in 2007, the Center for the Student of American Democracy (CSAD) is deeply rooted in Kenyon’s political culture. As political tensions increase in the United States, Professor of Political Science and International Studies and Director for CSAD Joseph Klesner believes that it is imperative to enrich students’ engagement with the future of their democracy. As CSAD begins its 2025-26 season, Klesner outlined the organization’s goals for the academic year in a message to the Collegian.

In the first month of the semester, CSAD has been off to a great start, as associates have been tabling in Peirce Hall and at campus events to help get the Kenyon community registered to vote. “We hope to make students and other members of the community aware of what they need to do in order to engage effectively in politics, if that is what they want to do,” Klesner noted. In addition to tabling, CSAD associates are producing a voter registration guide for the Kenyon community.

Lauren Karg ’28 joined CSAD as an associate this fall. Last week, she led her first voter registration table in Peirce. “I had a wonderful time doing it,” she said. “It was great to see my peers and friends be excited about engaging in democracy and using their voice.”

With growing political unrest in the U.S., CSAD intends to focus on the future of American democracy by centering conversations around “fundamental values underlying democracy, especially classical liberal values such as the first amendment freedoms, rule of law, due process and the rights to property and privacy,” Klesner explained. In doing so, CSAD hopes to foster “a space in which we can debate the big issues that divide us in an atmosphere of civility and respect.” This academic year, CSAD will do just that by hosting several guest lecturers to discuss issues pertaining to the current political climate.

Throughout the remainder of the fall semester, CSAD will host four more lectures on campus. On Oct. 17, Barry Gisser ’88 will present “Reimagining Public Media” in the Community Foundation Theater. Additionally, on Oct. 20, William Kristol will discuss “The Fate of American Democracy” in the Archon Auditorium. 

Senior Associate Emilie Hankla ’26 believes this semester’s lineup of speakers is “unparalleled.” “Kenyon students should take advantage of these lectures,” she said. “Opportunities to hear from thinkers of such prestige are rare!”

On Wednesday, in the Archon Auditorium, George Packer kicked off CSAD’s busy lecture series with his talk “What is a Patriot in America Today?” Packer has been a staff writer for The Atlantic since 2018, where he explores American politics, culture and foreign policy. Additionally, Packer is the author of 10 books and has won several awards for his writing, including the 2013 National Book Award for The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America. 

In his talk, Packer explored national identity under the current administration and how people with different understandings of this concept define patriotism. To begin his talk, Packer asserted that “democracies aren’t overthrown, nor do they collapse all at once. Instead, they erode.” Thus, since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term, the U.S. has slowly been descending into a hodgepodge of modern authoritarianism and lifeless democracy, according to Packer.

He outlined the many ways this descent has been accomplished, some being through distraction, confusion and division aggravated by social media, political violence and the growth of artificial intelligence: “Twenty-first century authoritarianism keeps the public content with a decent level of prosperity, a certain standard of living and a wide variety of entertainments. The characteristic emotions are not euphoria and rage, but indifference and cynicism.”

As college students, this reality causes many to feel hopeless and unsure of their political futures. When the Collegian asked Packer to comment on how Kenyon students can remain resilient despite their uncertainty, Packer stated that “he asks himself the same question.” “These are no futures I wish for any of you, so the alternative is to hang onto hope and to find things that give it to you,” he encouraged.

Klesner welcomes the Kenyon community to get involved with CSAD: “One of the opportunities that all Kenyon students get by virtue of just being students here is all manner of programming intended to enrich your learning experiences,” he said. “Leave Instagram and video games aside for a couple of hours every week to take advantage of these great programs, including the ones CSAD offers.”