Democracy Conference Schedule: Full Schedule

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!

8:30am EDT

Welcome & Devotion

Friday June 12, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am EDT

Chairs' Room (Ken Olsen Science Center)

Join Agnes Howard for a brief welcome and devotion to begin the day.

Speakers

Agnes Howard

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Humanities, Valparaiso University

Dr. Agnes R. Howard is Adjunct Assistant Professor of Humanities at Christ College, the Honors College at Valparaiso University. She is author of Showing: What Pregnancy Tells Us about Being Human (2020) and Disoriented: Embodied Life in Strange Times (2026).

Friday June 12, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am EDT
Chairs' Room (Ken Olsen Science Center)

All-Conference Events

8:30am EDT

Welcome & Devotion

Saturday June 13, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am EDT

Chairs' Room (Ken Olsen Science Center)

Join us for a brief welcome and devotion to begin the day!

Speakers

Dan Challapalli

Pastor, First Congregational Church of Essex

Pastor of the First Congregational Church of Essex, on the North Shore of Boston. Husband to Kristen, and father to three girls, Dan loves all things culture, food, and the outdoors. He’s also a graduate of Gordon-Conwell Seminary.

Saturday June 13, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am EDT
Chairs' Room (Ken Olsen Science Center)

All-Conference Events

11:00am EDT

Worship Service

Sunday June 14, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

Park Street Church, Boston

Sunday June 14, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Park Street Church, Boston 1 Park Street, Boston, MA 02108

All-Conference Events

12:30pm EDT

Democracy at 250: Historical Tour of Revolutionary Sites

Sunday June 14, 2026 12:30pm - 5:00pm EDT

Boston, MA

Join tour guide Professor David Goss on an (optional) all-day exploration of revolutionary sites in the historic district of Boston! Transportation will be provided. Please plan to buy your own lunch while we are out and about in the city.

Speakers

David Goss

Assistant Professor in the Practice of History, Gordon College

David Goss teaches in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Gordon College. His teaching fields include Museum Studies, Public History, and Early American Maritime. His research revolves around Museum Studies, New England Puritanism, the American Revolution, and New England... Read More →

Sunday June 14, 2026 12:30pm - 5:00pm EDT
Boston, MA 1 Park Street, Boston, MA 02108

All-Conference Events

Democracy Conference Schedule

8:30am EDT

Agnes Howard

8:30am EDT

Dan Challapalli

11:00am EDT

12:30pm EDT

David Goss

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