Tenth Richard M. Fairbanks Symposium on “Civic Spirit: Religion and Leadership in Indianapolis”

Civic Spirit: Religion and Leadership in Indianapolis

Wednesday, April 9, 2025
9:30 a.m. —2:30 p.m.
University of Indianapolis | Schwitzer Student Center, UIndy Hall
REGISTER HERE

The University of Indianapolis and Indiana Humanities invite you to attend the 2025 Richard M. Fairbanks Symposium on Civic Leadership. Serving as the tenth iteration of the event, “Civic Spirit: Religion and Leadership in Indianapolis” will feature conversations that consider the intersection of religion and civic engagement in the Circle City. 

The Fairbanks Symposium on Civic Leadership, which began in 2013, brings together local and national leaders to discuss and analyze vital issues facing our communities, linking the historical legacy of past leaders to current and future trends. Previous keynotes have included Senator Richard Lugar and then-South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg. The event is hosted by the University of Indianapolis’ Institute for Civic Leadership & Mayoral Archives, in partnership with Indiana Humanities. It is made possible through the generous support of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation.

The symposium includes a buffet lunch and two panel discussions in addition to the keynote. While this event is open to the public at no charge, please remember that your RSVP includes a seat at the complementary buffet lunch.


9:30 a.m.: Registration Opens (coffee provided)

10:00 a.m.: Opening Remarks

10:15 a.m.: Panel One— How has Religion Formed Indiana’s Civic Fabric?

• Moderated by Indiana University Indianapolis scholar Joseph L. Tucker Edmonds, this panel will feature a conversation with several Hoosier scholars. They will consider the role that various religious communities have played in the formation of our state’s civic fabric as well as the important connections between faith traditions.

11:30 a.m.: Buffet Lunch

Noon: Keynote— INconversation with David Campbell and Greg Shufeldt

• Although people often avoid religion and politics in daily conversations, these topics are intrinsically intertwined and have helped shape American civic life. Politics in the 21st century are increasingly ideologically polarized or divided along religious lines. National expert, author, and founding director of the Rooney Center for the Study of American Democracy David Campbell from the University of Notre Dame joins the University of Indianapolis’ Greg Shufeldt to talk about how the “God Gap” shapes the current landscape of American politics.

1:15 p.m.: Panel Two— What is the Relationship between Personal Faith and Civic Leadership?

• Moderated by Rev. Libby Manning, director of the Wabash Pastoral Leadership Program, this final conversation of the symposium will features Indianapolis faith and civic leaders discussing their work with local communities and congregations.

2:30 p.m.: Symposium Adjourns


Ticketing policySpots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If all tickets are claimed, you will automatically be added to the waitlist and notified should additional seats open. Stand-by tickets will be released approximately 10 minutes before the event begins.  

About the Fairbanks Symposium
The Richard M. Fairbanks Symposium on Civic Leadership is hosted by the University of Indianapolis’ Institute for Civic Leadership & Mayoral Archives, in partnership with Indiana Humanities. It is made possible through the generous support of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation.

Questions? Please contact Cindy Price at priceck@uindy.edu.