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More than 60 students, faculty, and staff gathered last week in the Hall of Presidents for a meal and some serious conversations that likely would have never transpired without the event designed to bring together people from across campus who may rarely cross paths on a normal day.

“This year’s DOC Connects event was a powerful reminder of the value and necessity of creating spaces for meaningful dialogue in higher education,” said Dean of Students Dorsey Spencer. “We engaged in thoughtful, sometimes challenging, conversations across differences.”

A recent national survey of college students conducted by , in partnership with Generation Lab, found that nearly all students (94%) said their institution should adopt at least one program to promote civil dialogue.  

“The feedback I’ve received so far has been incredibly positive,” Spencer said. “People appreciated the space to connect honestly and respectfully. I’m proud of how our community showed up for each other, and I look forward to not only continuing this tradition but also expanding opportunities for connection and dialogue throughout the year.”

Attendees enjoyed a meal together before diving into the event’s program, which was designed to encourage conversations beyond simple platitudes and small talk. Spencer said the discussion prompts were created to spur personal reflection and societal exploration.

For Ashton Roth ’26, the event was an opportunity to make new connections and to engage in some deep conversations. “I spoke with people from places like Oklahoma, Missouri, and Ghana, each of whom brought unique experiences and perspectives to the discussion. We unpacked heavy topics such as what kinds of protests are allowed on college campuses and if artificial intelligence can ever be ethical. The DOC event created a welcoming environment where every voice was valued while keeping the space a judgment-free zone.”

Allan Crounse ’27 said his biggest gripe with the event was not having enough time to continue his discussions. “I thought that the assigned tables and multiple tiers of conversation prompts were extremely effective at prompting open and reflective sharing, and my table enjoyed the conversation so much that we could have used several more hours to get through all the topics we wanted to discuss,” Crounse said. “I also quite enjoyed ending up at a table with two of the university's deans, because they were able to share experiences and perspectives on 51���� that I rarely get access to.”

For Amy Meng ’26, DOC Connects was a valuable experience, and one that she hopes continues into the future.

“I am glad 51���� supports these kinds of events; it would be great to see them happen more regularly, even monthly,” Meng said.