Who We Are

In a moment when it can feel safer to avoid hard conversations than to have them, UW-Eau Claire is teaching students to do the opposite. Our Civil Discourse Program gives students, faculty, staff, and community members real opportunities to talk across political and personal differences. Not to debate, not to win, but to understand. Students often walk in nervous, unsure if genuine conversation across deep differences is even possible anymore. They walk out optimistic, having proven to themselves that it is. This is democracy practiced in real time: listening first, finding common ground, and staying in the room even when it's uncomfortable.

What We're Fundraising For

We are raising funds to expand opportunities for students to engage in structured civil dialogue experiences like the Unify Challenge. Your support will help:

• Integrate dialogue opportunities into more courses across campus
• Train faculty and peer facilitators to guide conversations effectively
• Partner with national programs that connect students across viewpoints
• Provide incentives and materials to encourage participation

Your Impact

The numbers tell the story: 94% of participants find common ground with someone they expected to disagree with. 77% genuinely enjoy the conversation. 100% describe their conversation partner as respectful. In a political climate defined by division, these students are proving something different is possible. Your gift doesn't just fund a program. It funds the belief that disagreement doesn't have to mean division, and that students can lead the way in showing the rest of us how it's done.

Matching Gift Opportunity

Make a gift on Giving Day to support Civil Discourse and your gift will be matched 2:1 up to $5,000 thanks to Scott Pratt and Teresa Browning. Scott is a proud 1978 Blugold alumnus and he and his wife, Teresa, are passionate about the work being done on campus to create a respectful place to engage in dialogue with those who have differing views. Take advantage of this opportunity to double your gift!