The 15th Annual Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture with U.S. Senator Tina Smith

Written by Dr. Matt Lindstrom

This year’ s McCarthy Lecture was unlike any other. Prior to the main event in SJU’ s Humphrey Theater, students were given a unique opportunity to talk with Senator Tina Smith in a small classroom environment. They engaged with her on public policy and political issues, and Senator Smith also offered invaluable advice on professional development. The curiosity was reciprocated, as the Senator learned about their experiences living and learning in the online COVID-19 world.

Following the student gathering, we held a reception where campus and community members could talk with Senator Smith, get pictures and a bite to eat. Continuing a tradition of celebrating Senator McCarthy ’ s love for poetry, Geonn Taylor ’22 read an original poem he authored and McCarthy ’ s niece, Mary Beth McCarthy Yarrow, read several of McCarthy ’ s poems.

Geonn Taylor '22, Director Matt Lindstrom, and Senator Tina Smith

As the reception wrapped up, the audience gathered in the Humphrey Theater for Senator Smith’ s talk and subsequent question and answer session with political science professor, Dr. Claire Haeg and Student Coordinator Sydney Richter '23. Outside the venue, students and off-campus activists peacefully protested the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline. After introductory remarks by Dr. Matt Lindstrom and Student Coordinator Fardusa Ahmed '23, Senator Smith opened her remarks by discussing Senator Eugene McCarthy ’ s life and legacy, the impact of the McCarthy Center, and the CSB/SJU graduates who work for her. Within the first five minutes, an attendee stood up and loudly interrupted Senator Smith’ s remarks with repeated comments and questions. Other individuals joined in disrupting the event and creating havoc. When the disruptions continued, the event was ended. Senator Smith graciously reached out to us and will reschedule a private event for students and McCarthy Center friends.

As our politics are seemingly becoming more fractious, it is vital that college campuses act as lightning rods for diverging political voices and activism. When voices are intentionally shouted down, excluded, or marginalized on college campuses, we lose the very essence of what a university is all about - critical thinking, learning, and civil debate.

We thank Senator Smith, her staff, as well as our CSB/SJU partners, for all the incredible preparation and dedication required for this year ’ s McCarthy Lecture. We look forward to next year!