Agreeing to disagree: Brandeis fellowship nurtures bold discussions at Abington

About a dozen students meet twice a week at Penn State Abington to discuss some of the most controversial and polarizing topics of our times, from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to issues in the Middle East to the 2024 presidential election. 

As members of Abington’s Brandeis Global Engagement and Leadership Fellowship Program, these students can count on lively discussion, thought-provoking debates and a few disagreements. But there’s one more outcome that might be the most surprising, according to one student. 

“No matter how passionate our discussions became, there were no contentious feelings,” said Kate Amato, a fourth-year student who was a member of the inaugural class of Brandeis Fellows. “In fact, every week, we always left class together.

“I found it so helpful to have a place on campus, in an academic setting, where you could express your opinions and ideas without feeling judged,” she said. “That’s rare.” 

The program, established through a gift from 1968 Penn State alumni Barry and Renee Brandeis, was created for this very reason. The initiative is dedicated to fostering civil discourse among undergraduates. The discussion-based curriculum is rooted in the First Amendment’s guiding principles with opportunities for students to explore law, policy, leadership and democratic values through hands-on learning, case studies and dialogue spanning diverse viewpoints. 

“We serve a diverse student body with all kinds of perspectives,” said Salar Ghahramani, associate professor of business law and international law and policy and the academic director for the program. 

“Our goal is to create an environment where students feel at home, in a setting where they know their thoughts will be valued in a judgment-free zone,” he added. 

Despite Ghahramani’s professional expertise in First Amendment issues, the discussion is entirely student-led. He modeled the class after Benjamin Franklin’s "Junto," a meeting which encouraged discussion and questions of morals, politics and natural philosophy, and to exchange knowledge of business affairs. 

“I believe in the power of conversation and the value of listening and critical-thinking skills,” Ghahramani said. “With students from all backgrounds and majors, they can see how someone with a data science background might interpret a particular issue versus someone with a history background, for example.”

“And it’s okay to disagree — as long as we do it civilly,” he said. 

“Like many others, we saw a divisiveness in this country, one that meant many students were afraid to express their opinions,” recalled Barry Brandeis. “We wanted to create a safe space where people could offer their opinions and discuss controversial experiences — because that’s how you learn.” 

In addition to classroom discussions, the program includes opportunities for students to travel and participate in networking opportunities and panel discussions, a vital and necessary component of the program, said Renee Brandeis. 

“A program like this isn’t just the discussion — it’s the experience,” she said. “It’s not just debating; it’s getting out in the world and learning from other people and other cultures.” 

Last year, students visited the World Affairs Council, the Brookings Institution and Columbia Law School.

As the program, which the couple supports through endowed and current use funds, continues to grow, they hope others will consider following their lead in sustaining and expanding the program’s impact. 

“A program like this has a direct impact on students, but it also has greater implications across campus, and beyond,” said Barry Brandeis. “These students — this next generation — they’re the future of our country.” 

Gifts to support students and programs advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu. 

About Penn State Abington 

Penn State Abington provides an affordable, accessible and high-impact education resulting in the success of a diverse student body. It is committed to student success through innovative approaches to 21st-century public higher education within a world-class research university. With more than 3,100 students, Penn State Abington is a residential campus that offers baccalaureate degrees in 26 majors, accelerated master's degrees, undergraduate research, the Schreyer Honors College, NCAA Division III athletics and more.