LEXINGTON, Va., Sept. 2025—Virginia Military Institute’s Center for Leadership and Ethics (CLE) will host a Steamboat Institute Campus Liberty Tour Debate, Thursday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. in Gillis Theater, Marshall Hall.  

Since 2018, Steamboat Institute has brought compelling debates on controversial topics of the day to college campuses, engaging conservatives, liberals and centrists. “Our focus is on teaching students—and all who attend—how to think, not what to think,” said Daniel Wagner, Campus Liberty Tour coordinator for The Steamboat Institute.  

The debate resolution is: Be it resolved; the U.S. is experiencing a constitutional crisis. Arguing the affirmative will be Daniel Farbman, associate professor and McHale Faculty Research Scholar of Boston College Law School. Arguing the negative will be Jonathan Turley, the J.B. Maurice C. Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University Law School and Fox News contributor. Guests will have the opportunity to record their stance on the debate topic in the pre- and post-debate polls. The moderator will be Kaylee McGhee White, editor-in-chief for Independent Women Features, and a Tony Blankley Senior Fellow at Steamboat Institute.

Col. David R. Gray, executive director of the CLE, stated, “The CLE is proud to host this debate as part of our 2025-26 programming. Our theme this year is ‘American Values’ in celebration of the United States’ 250^th anniversary of independence. This debate is an excellent example of freedom of speech within the framework of civil discourse. The topic of a constitutional crisis is an important one to have as we observe the semiquincentennial of our country’s founding.” Since 2017, the CLE has incorporated a civil discourse/debate emphasis into its programming.

The Steamboat Institute is dedicated to defending freedom and advocating for liberty. The Institute admires the bravery and rugged individualism that has made this country great, as well as the greatness and wisdom that reside in every individual. It understands that the greatness of this nation stems from its people, not from its government. In the spirit of Thomas Jefferson, The Steamboat Institute believes it is better to be “exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it.” As an educational organization recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, The Steamboat Institute is committed to education. The Institute provides tools, information, and inspiration to those who hold the Founding Principles of the nation dear. 

The debate is free and open to the public with an informal reception following. Registration is required to attend via the event website. For those unable to attend, the event will be livestreamed. For more information contact Lt. Col. Kim Connolly at connollykv@vmi.edu.

Marianne Hause
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE