GCJD recently spent 3 days in Austin with two dozen Bearkats at the sixth annual Texas Tribune Festival. This festival is an engaging three-day program for students, educators, journalists and anyone who may be interested in the issues facing our country and the great state of Texas.
This year’s festival featured more than 60 sessions and more than 250 speakers who participated in passionate conversations about such things as race and law enforcement, energy and the environment, and of course the upcoming 2016 presidential election.
We heard from former 2016 presidential candidates John Kasich and Ted Cruz on their impressions of the election so far and where they thought the nation was headed, Lance Armstrong on his continuing support and search of a cure for cancer, and former Mayor of Houston Annise Parker on Texas and the LGBTQ Agenda.
Overwhelmingly, the students who attended the festival with GCJD said they had a fantastic experience which broadened educational boundaries.
“My weekend was filled with some of the most intense political discussion I have ever encountered, and I left with a heightened sense of how to not only think about but address the real problems within our systems of government,” SHSU Student Angela Theis said. “I was excited to see so many young people interested in finding solutions to problems we will all be inheriting very soon. “
Students and faculty say the sessions both challenged and validated opinions and perceptions. GCJD hopes participants will bring that new knowledge to their classrooms, aiding the learning process for both fellow students and professors.
This event was mostly free for those who attended. Most travel and lodging costs were covered by GCJD.
GCJD is counting down the days until next year’s festival. For more information on how you can come with GCJD next year please email gcjd@shsu.edu.
Global Center for Journalism and Democracy
Dan Rather Communications Building, Room 201, Huntsville, TX 77340