Woodley Institute Launches Lecture Series, Announces First Director

Gonzaga University’s Woodley Institute for Civil Engagement and Humanistic Dialogue will launch its inaugural lecture series with “Free Speech and Civic Responsibility in the Jesuit Tradition” on Thursday, April 16, at 7 p.m. at Wolff Auditorium in the university’s Jepson Center.

The program will feature opening remarks from Gonzaga alumnus and institute benefactor Tom Woodley, followed by a panel discussion examining the rights and responsibilities of free speech and how they shape campus life today. Grounded in Gonzaga’s Ignatian tradition, the event will explore how open expression, ethical responsibility and civic engagement intersect in an increasingly polarized public sphere.

Panelists include Erica Goldberg of Gonzaga University School of Law and Karen Petruska of Gonzaga’s Communication Studies department, as well as political science student Steven Sanders. They will discuss how students, educators and institutions can disagree productively, seek truth together, and build communities in which people feel heard and respected.

“Unfortunately, our country has a lot of deep divisions and hostile rhetoric that’s not constructive,” Woodley said when formation of the Woodley Institute was announced.

A Gonzaga political science graduate, Woodley earned his law degree from Georgetown University and went on to federal service and a 45‑year career representing firefighters and public‑safety professionals. His experience navigating complex political and civic environments inspired the institute’s creation.

The launch of the lecture series marks a significant step in the Woodley Institute’s mission to expand Gonzaga’s longstanding commitment to civil dialogue and public engagement. Building on existing academic and community initiatives, the institute brings together scholars, students and community partners to address complex civic challenges through informed discourse, ethical reflection and collaborative problem‑solving.

Another major step for the institute comes with the selection of Katey Roden as its inaugural director. Roden is an associate professor in Gonzaga’s English department, affiliate faculty in Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies, and was a co-founder of Gonzaga’s Digital Humanities Initiative. She has substantial experience developing interdisciplinary and community-engaged humanities projects and is a strong advocate for social justice and community-building.

As director of the Woodley Institute, Roden will guide its work in undertaking projects in civic dialogue, public humanities, oral history, and human-centered technology to advance dialogue, inspire creativity and foster a greater understanding of our shared humanity.

The Woodley Institute Lecture Series presentation of “Free Speech and Civic Responsibility in the Jesuit Tradition” is free for Gonzaga students, faculty and staff, and $10 for the general public. Tickets for the public are available at Gonzaga.edu/Woodley-Institute-Lecture, and the Gonzaga community can register to attend here.