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.
2026 Ohio Civics Centers Symposium
April 30, 2026 – The Ohio Civics Centers Symposium brings together centers at Ohio universities that are dedicated to civic education. The symposium serves as a platform for these centers to collaborate, share research, and develop innovative approaches to fostering informed and engaged citizens.
Dr. Matthew Frakes: "Rogue States" book launch
April 15, 2026 – This event marks the publication of Rogue States: The Making of America’s Global War on Terror, a new book by Chase Center historian and assistant professor Dr. Matthew Frakes.
Watch the Matthew Frakes book launch
Is the Declaration of Independence Our Law?
April 8, 2026 – Randy E. Barnett argues that the Declaration is part of our law in a foundational sense—an authoritative public act that announced the American theory of legitimate government, fixed the ends of political authority, and continues to supply legally relevant reasons for officials, even if it does not create a standalone cause of action.
To illustrate this tradition in action, the lecture highlights how Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase invoked the Declaration as a young lawyer defending fugitive slaves in Ohio and later as the U.S. Senator from Ohio—representative of the Declaration’s widespread use by antislavery constitutionalists.
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.
Watch the "Diversity of Thought" video
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 – 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. | Full details
Watch the Northwest Ordinance videos
Renovating the University
January 20, 2026 – Dr. Danielle Allen proposes a new social contract for the future of higher education in the United States.
Watch the Danielle Allen video
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.
Sponsors: Stanton Foundation, Ohio State Department of History, IDEA
Michael Clune Book Launch for "Pan"
October 2025 – Best-selling author and Chase Center Professor Michael Clune talks about his novel "Pan," which was named one of the top books of 2025 by "Newsweek" and "Slate"
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 Centers 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.