The day began with a coffee and networking session, giving attendees the chance to connect with Indiana Bar Foundation staff, exhibitors, students, and our keynote speaker, Jeffrey Rosen. To officially kick things off, our President and CEO, Chuck Dunlap, welcomed everyone, thanked the partners who made the summit possible, and gave an overview of the day’s agenda.
The Indiana Bar Foundation hosted its third annual Indiana Civics Summit, bringing together educators, lawmakers, and civic leaders from across the state to learn, share insights, and collaborate. Throughout the day, attendees heard from speakers representing a variety of organizations who shared their research and provided updates on civic education programs impacting Hoosier youth. This year, students involved in these key programs took center stage, showcasing their civic knowledge and engagement. The Keynote Speaker was Jeffrey Rosen, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center. Below is a summary of the discussions and highlights from this year’s Summit:
Morning Networking & Welcome
Youth Civic Education Sessions
Community leaders, students, and educators highlighted civic education programs and community-building initiatives that are led by and impact Hoosier youth. Lexi Gribble from the Indiana Historical Society shared details about the National History Day in Indiana, which lets students develop deep research skills about a historical topic or event and then offer a variety of ways to showcase it to community members. A video was shown of a History Day presentation of a middle school student from Brown County in his nationally award winning presentation from 2024. The We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution program was showcased as a way to engage students in learning about American government through the lens of the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. Students from Plainfield High School’s We the People program, which just recently won a division award at the 2025 We the People National Finals, gave an in-person display of the program. The High School Ethics Bowl program was showcased as a way to have students engage in civil dialogue around ethical issues commonly found in our communities. Representatives from the Prindle Institute for Ethics at DePauw University and Herron High School in Indianapolis gave an overview of the program and its impact on Indiana students. Ball State University faculty and students presented its Democracy Fellows program, which is designed for students committed to exploring and promoting democratic values, civic responsibility, and community engagement. Closing out this section was an engaging session from the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, spotlighting the Future Presidents of America, youth aged 13-16 years old that attend a summer camp to learn leadership skills through the lens of the American presidency.
Keynote Speaker – Jeffrey Rosen
This year’s Keynote Speaker, Jeffrey Rosen, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, spoke on the topic of his new book, The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America—a copy of which was given to every attendee. During his session, Mr. Rosen shared why his book is especially relevant in today’s climate and wrapped up with a Q&A segment that the audience really enjoyed. Throughout the day, he was available to chat with attendees, answer questions, and sign copies of his book.
America250
On July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This historic milestone offers a meaningful opportunity to reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and envision the future we hope to build for generations to come. Dr. Daniel Miller of Historical Solutions took the audience on a retrospective look at previous historical milestones in American history to help us get perspective as we look forward to the upcoming commemoration of the 250th signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.
Thank You To Our Supporters
The Indiana Bar Foundation would like to thank all of our Indiana Civics Summit supporters: Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, CivXNow, Sagamore Institute, Ball State University, Indiana University Northwest, Indiana University Center on Representative Government, and the Indiana Citizen. Additionally, we would like to thank the President’s Circle supporters, who have generously given support for our mission and vision: Timothy J Abeska, Faegre Drinker, Barnes & Thornburg, and the Allen Law Group and Kenneth J Allen. Thank you to all of our exhibitors as well.
The third annual Indiana Civics Summit showcased the power of civic education through inspiring student presentations, thoughtful discussions, and collaboration among leaders across the state. From engaging program highlights to insightful remarks from keynote speaker Jeffrey Rosen, the day reinforced the importance of preparing the next generation for active citizenship. As we look ahead, the Indiana Civics Summit served as a meaningful reminder of our shared history and the work we can still do together to involve everyone in the common good and civic engagement.
