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Collaborating with Empathy and Respect Homer A. Jacobs ’83 McCain-Ravenel Days

The Homer A. Jacobs ’83 Fund was established by the classmates and friends of Homer Jacobs ’83 (1965-2014) to honor his memory in a way that will benefit Episcopal students for generations to come. In recognition of their generous contributions, beginning in 2024-25 one McCain-Ravenel Day each year will be designated in his name with programming focused on civil dialogue and journalism – both passions of his. According to his friends, one of the things that made Jacobs such an exceptional journalist was that he was a good listener, valued the opinions of others, and treated everyone with respect. 

With the express goal of helping students develop the communication skills to further meaningful and healthy civic discourse, the focus of McCain-Ravenel Center programming in 2024-25 is collaborating with empathy and respect. Throughout this year, students will be hearing from noted practitioners and reflecting on their personal goals, strengths, and opportunities for growth. As school-wide efforts aim to leverage the 2024 election season as an opportunity for learning and excitement, students will be reflecting on and practicing these skills through residential life programming and advisory meetings with their peers and trusted adults. 

In September, EHS welcomed Denise Grace Gitsham, author of “Politics for People who Hate Politics” and current affairs analyst, and Lara Schwartz, Director of American University’s Project on Civil Dialogue as part of the Homer A. Jacobs ’83 McCain-Ravenel Days. Schwartz led a workshop for faculty and students focused on helping all develop an understanding of the essential underpinnings of healthy dialogue. Among her key points, she encouraged all to move from binary thinking to expansive thinking, to embrace curiosity, and to lean on established goals and norms.

Breaking into advisory groups during her session, students and faculty identified specific norms they felt were important for healthy interactions at Episcopal. Shared as the full student body reconvened, these self-identified expectations included hearing people out (including criticism), working hard, lifting each other up, following the Honor Code, getting to know each other, being respectful, working hard, expressing truth, being patient and courageous, and promoting change. 

Civil Dialogue Conversations rounded out the day, with a wide range of speakers sharing varied perspectives on foreign policy, electoral politics, sustainability, and local government/finance. Visitors included deputy communications director for The LIBRE Initiative Israel Ortega, former Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications for U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (AZ) Hannah Hurley, international development professional Greg Michaels ’75, Partner at Gaille PLLC, Scottow King ’75, JP Morgan Managing Director John Richert P‘25, Charleston Mayor William Cogswell P‘25, Executive Director of the Institute for Science and International Security Henrik Rasmussen, and Rachel MacKnight P’20, Founder of Sycamore Strategies.  

Dr. Ryan Pemberton, The William Stamps Farish Fund Director of the McCain-Ravenel Center for Intellectual and Moral Courage, said, “Our speakers really helped learning come to life by showing students real world applications for the skills we are helping them develop. As we move through this election season, we will honor the norms and goals the students developed collaboratively, which are deeply rooted in the ethos of Episcopal.”

View gallery of images from the day here.
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