(October 17, 2017) — Dr. Ken Paulson, president of the First Amendment Center and former editor in chief of USA Today, will deliver two free, public keynote talks for the “Diversity, Resistance and the First Amendment” forum presented by the President’s Commission on Human Relations and Equity Oct. 18 and 19 at Fresno State.

In his first talk at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, Paulson will discuss “Saving America in a Single Bound: The Super Powers of Democracy and Diversity” in the Table Mountain Rancheria Reading Room of the Henry Madden Library.

The forum continues at 9:15 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, also in the Table Mountain Rancheria Reading Room with a panel on “Campus Voices on Diversity, Resistance and the First Amendment.” Panelists include Fresno State faculty, staff and students.

At 11:30 a.m., the forum will move to the Satellite Student Union for a lunch that includes the second keynote by Paulson at noon, “News for a New Generation: A Free Press in a Free Society.”

University President Joseph I. Castro will join Paulson on stage at 1 p.m. for an open dialogue followed by audience questions.

The two-day forum is designed to “stimulate conversations of inclusion, respect and equity, and to create a safe space for students faculty, staff and community members to express their perspectives on diversity, resistance and the First Amendment,” said Dr. Francine Oputa, chair of the President’s Commission.

Paulson, who is also dean of the College of Media and Entertainment at Middle Tennessee State University, remains a columnist for USA Today. He is also the founder of “1 for All,” a national campaign on behalf of the First Amendment.

He was named fellow of the Society of Professional Journalists in 2007 and received the Robert S. Abbott Memorial Award. He was also elected to the Illini Publishing Hall of Fame.

For more information, contact Vicki Taylor at 559.278.0145 or vtaylor@csufresno.edu.