LEXINGTON, Va. Sept. 9, 2024 — Virginia Military Institute invites the greater Lexington and Rockbridge community to participate in a debate on immigration Sept. 26 from 7 to 9 p.m. in VMI’s Marshall Hall. The question being debated is “Should undocumented immigrants to the U.S. be accommodated or deported?” Registration is requested. 

VMI has been holding debates on post since 2021. In 2022, VMI was named one of ten colleges nationally to be a part of the Braver Angels’ community of practice. This program teaches students to honor ideological diversity and foster civil discourse on college campuses.

Braver Angels debates are not competitive or performative events separating speakers and audiences. They are immersive and highly participatory, inviting everyone in the room to express themselves to foster understanding of opposing viewpoints. Conducted in a light parliamentary format and chaired by trained experts, they teach students to express their views, frame persuasive arguments, listen deeply, and engage respectfully around the most challenging political and social issues dividing the nation today. 

In 2023, VMI invited its neighboring colleges, Washington & Lee, Southern Virginia University (SVU), and Mountain Gateway Community College, to participate in a debate, which was followed by another intercollegiate debate last February hosted by SVU. For its Sept. 26 debate, VMI is inviting the community to participate.

“We chose the topic of immigration because it is one of the top issues of the presidential campaign,” said Lt. Col. Kim Connolly, assistant director for programs and conferences at VMI’s Center for Leadership and Ethics. “Our faculty and student debate fellows felt it was important to demonstrate to the greater community that it is possible to participate in thoughtful and respectful discussion with widely varying points of view on a controversial topic.” 

To register click here. For additional information, contact Connolly at connollykv@vmi.edu.

Marianne Hause
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE