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Welcome, Democracy Scholars! We are delighted to invite you to American Independence and Identity at 250: Examining Democracy in the United States and Globally. This conference will be hosted at Gordon College on Thursday, June 11-Saturday, June 13, with events in Ken Olsen Science Center, Chase Hall, and Lane Student Center. Join for an optional tour of revolutionary sites in Boston, MA on Sunday, June 14.

Check out the schedule below and get excited for a phenomenal lineup of panel discussions, keynote addresses, and more!
Saturday June 13, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Karl-Dieter Crisman (Gordon College, Mathematics)
“Ranking Controversy: Summarizing Current Research on “Ranked Choice”/Instant Runoff Voting in America”

Instant Runoff (IRV, "Ranked Choice") voting is increasingly used in the USA - from many cities, to Maine and Alaska. Conversely, Ohio just became the 19th state to ban it.  Confusingly, IRV has been characterized both as an attack on, and a savior of, democracy!

This talk introduces IRV, reviewing effects via the Begich-Palin-Peltola Alaska election.  We will summarize recent US IRV election results, with a view toward the mathematics behind both appeal and paradoxes.
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Kelly Foster (Gordon College, Art)
“The ‘Trump-Kennedy Center’ and the Contested Spatial Images of Democracy”

This paper will use the recent controversial actions related to the Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts to explore how we conceptualize our political lives through spatial imagery. Working from secular and theological aesthetics, an analysis of the architectural forms will lead to an analysis of how spatial images inform both our self-understanding and our interactions, thereby demonstrating how attending to these dynamics can help us lead more faithful lives within a liberal democracy. 
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Ya Lin Huang (Gordon College, Music)
“Beauty in the Symphony of Democracy: Music and the Global Resonance of American Independence”

In the context of the 250th anniversary of American independence, music provides a lens for understanding democracy. In his works, Tyzen Hsiao weaves together musical language and political meaning to articulate a vision of democracy grounded in Taiwanese identity. Close analysis of musical motifs, theological themes, and cultural references demonstrates how Hsiao transforms music into a vehicle for democratic expression that resonates across cultural boundaries.
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DISCUSSANT
Ian DeWeese-Boyd (Gordon College, Philosophy)
Speakers
avatar for Karl-Dieter Crisman

Karl-Dieter Crisman

Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science, Gordon College
Karl-Dieter Crisman is Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at Gordon College, with degrees from Northwestern and Chicago. His primary research is in the math of voting systems, but also has spoken on mathematics history as the 2025-26 Brabenec Lecturer of the Association... Read More →
avatar for Kelly Foster

Kelly Foster

Associate Professor of Art, Gordon College
An architect and multi-disciplinary designer, Kelly teaches art and design courses in the Art Program at Gordon College. His research connects design thought and practice with Christian theology.
avatar for Ya Lin Huang

Ya Lin Huang

Assistant Teaching Professor of Music , Gordon College
Ya Lin Huang is a collaborative pianist, soprano, and choral conductor. Having joined Gordon College in 2019, Ya Lin is currently an Assistant Teaching Professor of Music, teaching vocal diction, Music in Worship, and chamber music.    
avatar for Ian DeWeese-Boyd

Ian DeWeese-Boyd

Professor of Philosophy, Gordon College
Ian is a philosopher whose work focuses on self-deception, philosophy of religion—the problems of evil, hiddenness and divine responsibility —and the way literature, poetry and film work to address these philosophical questions. He is currently working on a project that argues... Read More →
Saturday June 13, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Phillips Recital Hall Gordon College - 255 Grapevine Road, Wenham, MA 01984

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