We live in an age of polarizing opinion and shrinking common ground.

The theme for this semester’s Honors Lunch Networks is Democracy and Discourse. This series of lunches will focus on developing students’ skills to respectfully express their passions and opinions in a way that opens dialogue instead of further pushing others away. Over this semester, students who attend Honors Lunch Networks will focus on learning to listen to challenging opinions, be good neighbors and citizens, and work with people they disagree with.

At lunch on September 11^th, a common theme was intellectual charity, which is, put simply, thinking the best of those around you and taking their words to the best possible conclusion. From this perspective, we can approach one another from a place of care instead of aggression or the perceived stupidity of our conversation partner. Faculty brought up how Whitworth’s mind and heart education has the unique opportunity to proactively engage in political conversations from a common place of understanding and love for fellow students, faculty, and the broader community.

All students are encouraged to participate in Whitworth’s Election Year Speaker Series, which will cover the intersection between faith and politics and how Christians can move forward through this election season in faith. More information about Whitworth’s Election Year Speaker Series can be found at www.whitworth.edu/election-year. 

Honors Lunch Networks are a great place to interact with fellow Honors students, faculty, and staff to discuss pressing topics. This year, more than ever, we must learn how to come together and find common ground, or it might crumble beneath our feet.

Honors Lunch Networks are held every other week at 11:45 AM in the Arend Hall 1^st Floor common area. The dates are as follows:

Wednesday, September 11^th

Tuesday, September 24^th

Wednesday, October 9^th

Wednesday, October 23^rd

Tuesday, November 5^th

Wednesday, November 20^th