The Chase Center is committed to offering thoughtful and diverse lectures, presentations, and events that inspire thought, promote dialogue, and promote our mission of conducting teaching and research in the historical ideas, traditions, and texts that have shaped the American constitutional order and society. Check out and register for our upcoming events.
Diversity of Thought: Religion’s Impact on Civic Society
Feb. 19, 2026
In today’s pluralistic and polarized era, what role should religion play in public life? Does faith strengthen civic society, or can it divide and constrain it? Sponsored by the Office of Academic Affairs, John Glenn College of Public Affairs, Moritz College of Law, and the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society.
What Free Speech Is For
Monday, Feb. 16, 2026
This talk argues that free speech serves the same function in civic life; it keeps power contestable by keeping criticism and dissent live options for ordinary people, even when the speech is unpopular or wrong. Thrasher argues that the threat today is not only censorship, but also the rising costs of dissent, which make silence the rational choice.
Buckeye Day of Dialogue
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Civil discourse requires learning and practice, and it is something we need to exercise every day.
That’s why the Chase Center partnered with “Listen. Learn. Discuss.” for the first annual Buckeye Day of Dialogue. The goal of the day was to provide all Buckeyes an opportunity to engage one another in respectful and thought-provoking conversations that follow the Center for Ethics and Human Values’ 4Cs of Civil Discourse.
New Perspectives On The Northwest Ordinance
Friday and Saturday, January 30-31, 2026 | Full details
The Chase Center, Mershon Center, and History Department collaborated with the America 250-Ohio Commission to host a two-day conference focused on New Perspectives on the Northwest Ordinance.
Renovating the University
Watch video of Dr. Danielle Allen
January 20, 2026
Dr. Danielle Allen proposes a new social contract for the future of higher education in the United States.
A Front Seat At The Conservative Movement
November 13, 2025
George Will speaks on conservatism and the American political tradition.
Lincoln and Chase: Parallel Visions, Conflicting Strategies
November 4, 2025
Learn about the “Parallel Visions and Conflicting Strategies” of President Abraham Lincoln and Salmon P. Chase at the Distinguished Lecture Series.
Sponsors: Stanton Foundation, Ohio State Department of History, IDEA
Truth Seeking and Citizenship in American Universities
October 23, 2025
Robert P. George and Cornell West share the stage for the Chase Center Signature Debate. (Video to come.)
Sponsors: Stanton Foundation, Ohio State Department of History, IDEA
Conference on Civic Thought, Education, and Leadership
Sept. 26-27, 2025
The Conference on Civic Thought and Leadership is a national annual scholarly conference on civic thought in higher education. This conference brings together scholars from multiple disciplines and across the nation to present their research on citizenship. The event features keynote addresses, plenary sessions, and concurrent panels, offering a dynamic platform for dialogue and collaboration across disciplines.
Frederick Douglass, Free Speech, and ‘the Right of the Hearer’
September 15, 2025
Lucas Morel presents "Frederick Douglass, Free Speech, and ‘the Right of the Hearer’ "
2025 Classical Schools Conference
August 1, 2025
Convening Ohio classical education leaders and thought-leaders for a day of collaboration, dialogue, and inspiration.
Sponsor: Stanton Foundation
2025 Ohio Civics Center Symposium
April 25, 2025
The Ohio Civics Centers Symposium brings together centers at universities across Ohio that are dedicated to civic education.
Conversation With The Presidents
March 25, 2025
A conversation between Ohio State President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. and Johns Hopkins University President Ronald J. Daniels on citizenship education at America’s leading research universities.
Salmon P. Chase: Lincoln's Vital Rival
March 2025
Walter Stahr, a Salmon Chase biographer, recounts Chase’s integral role fighting for the civil rights of all Americans.