Sorensen in the News

Roanoke Times Editorial Showcases Work of Sorensen
Jan 31 2010 - 11:09pm

In its Sunday editorial today, the Roanoke Times presented a thoughtful look at the work and mission of the Sorensen Instiute.

If a new generation of politicians does not get caught up in today's zero-sum politics, the General Assembly might dare to set aside rigid ideology and deal pragmatically with the challenges ahead.

Click here to read the full story.

Free Speech or Disruption: Civility in Public Debate
Jan 6 2010 - 9:38am

 

The Sorensen Institute's Bob Gibson and Coy Barefoot participated in a panel discussion recently in Charlottesville exploring civility in public debate and discourse. The event was sponsored by the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression and titled "Free Speech or Disruption: Balancing the Rights to Speak and Hear."

Panelists included Bob Gibson, Executive Director of the Sorensen Institute; Elaine Jones, retired Director-Counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the first African-American woman to graduate from the UVa School of Law; Robert O'Neil, Director of the Thomas Jefferson Center and former President of the University of Virginia; Dahlia Lithwick, Senior Editor for Slate.com and a Contributing Editor to Newsweek; and John Whitehead, CEO and Founder of the Rutherford Institute. Coy Barefoot served as the moderator.

This was a fascinating conversation that explored from many angles the role of civility in public discourse today. Click here to watch a complete video of the event.

"Political Swine Flu Has Struck"
Nov 16 2009 - 11:28am

 

Sorensen's Bob Gibson is the author of an essay about civility in politics— published in Sunday's Daily Progress.

Now is the time for an injection of a little civility into the body politic. Many politicians have succumbed to a political swine flu of sorts. They behave a bit like pigs as they slop through campaigns and sessions of Congress trying to slime opponents with objectionable labels and ill motives.

Americans are free people, a Fluvanna County friend said recently, so that “Babbling idiots have the right to tarnish their public character just as poorly run businesses in a free market should have the right to fail. In this way, hopefully incivility takes care of itself.”

The friend, Stephen Scott, added, “I don’t think we should attempt to codify civility too much lest it become a form of control on free speech.” As a First Amendment guy, I concur. Let the crude, rude and socially ugly characters lose their own arguments as the public reacts to punish outrageous attacks.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

 

"Sorensen Institute Graduates Prevail"
Nov 10 2009 - 10:05am

The University of Virginia's Cavalier Daily has a story in today's issue about the successes of Sorensen graduates in the recent elections. The article includes interviews with Bob Gibon and James Brown (CTP Spring 09), who was elected Sheriff in Charlottesville last week.

Click here for the article.

News Leader Spotlights Sorensen
Nov 9 2009 - 11:49am

This morning's edition of the Staunton News Leader spotlights the success of Sorensen graduates in the recent elections.

The University of Virginia's Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership offers two political training programs to those interested in becoming more active in public service in Virginia – be they Republicans, Democrats or independents. In the wake of Tuesday's elections, it's clear that the programs are working.

Click here for the full article.

Gibson Recaps Elections on WAMU in Washington
Nov 5 2009 - 2:02pm

Sorensen's Bob Gibson was a guest on WAMU's Kojo Nnamdi Show yesterday discussing the results of Election 2009. Click here or photo above for video and audio.

PODCAST: Gibson on WMRA to Discuss Governor's Race
Oct 20 2009 - 9:19am

Sorensen's Bob Gibson was one of a handful of Virginia journalists who appeared on WMRA's Virginia Insight program yesterday to discuss the governor's race. Click here for the podcast.

PODCAST: WVTF Promotes Sorensen
Oct 19 2009 - 2:13pm

 

Public radio station WVTF, which broadcasts throughout southwest, southside and central Virginia, aired this story about the Sorensen Institute this morning. Interviews included Chris Fairchild (PLP 08), Mike Farruggio (PLP 06), and Regional Board member Kelli Palmer.

Harris Promotes Sorensen on Cox Communications
Sep 23 2009 - 9:54am



Paul Harris, the Vice Chairman of the Sorensen Institute's State Advisory Board, was a guest yesterday afternoon on Cox Communications Local Edition program, which will be broadcast throughout the northern Virginia region in coming weeks on its Headline News channel.

Paul was interviewed about the Sorensen Institute and the launch of our recruiting season for the 2010 Political Leaders Program and the Candidate Training Program. Applications are now being accepted through November 9.

We will post a copy of the interview with Paul as soon as it is available.

PODCAST: College Leaders 2009
Jun 24 2009 - 10:28pm

Two members of the College Leaders Program Class of 2009 were guests this afternoon on "Charlottesville—Right Now!" on NewsRadio 1070 WINA. Check it out!

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Featured Alumni

  • Chelsea Rock.jpg

    Chelsea Rock

    College Leaders Program

    Class of 2006

    Chelsea is one of the first graduates of a Sorensen Youth Program to serve on a regional board (Richmond). She also holds the distinction of being the first youth program graduate to be elected Vice Chairman of a Regional Board. Chelsea recently joined Advantus Strategies, LLC. She is also a leader in the Richmond chapter of the Sorensen Alumni Association.