Undergraduate criminal justice classes at HPU were surprised to have as guest speakers not just one, but two HPU deans on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. Dean Mark Martin (School of Law) and Dean Ken Elston (School of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences) were graciously invited to give an inter-disciplinary talk to the classes on “The Duties of Citizenship.”
At a time when only 25% of U.S. citizens can name our three branches of government, public discourse on civic responsibly is desperately needed. Aware of this need, the deans challenged the HPU students to become civically engaged and activate their learning through voting, volunteering, and vocalizing.
Dean Martin, the former Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, provided an overview of our governmental structure before stirring the passions of the students. He asked, “What irritates you most in the world?” He then shared that, for him, it’s injustice—which is why he has dedicated his entire professional career to promoting justice, whether through his service in law practice, on the North Carolina bench, or in his current role helping launch a new law school here at HPU. “Whatever it is that upsets you,” he implored the students, “you were put on this earth to fix that.”
“Whatever it is that upsets you,” Dean Martin implored the students, “you were put on this earth to fix that.”
Dean Elston offered the thought that the United States’ primacy on the global stage was founded on a liberal arts model of higher education. He described the attributes of a sound, liberal arts education that develops citizenry, and he exhorted the students to see their education as citizens as opening opportunities to amend damages from past generations. He also reminded the students of the value Plato placed on the concept of service to the greater good. Wondering out loud whether we might be “too comfortable,” he said we need to avoid echo chambers and bravely invite contrary positions into our thinking.
Dean Elston broke the responsibilities of citizens into three categories: Economic, Civic, and Cultural. By infusing their disciplines into a collaborative discussion, Deans Martin and Elston roused the class to increase its participation in all categories of life.