Vice President for Inclusive Excellence David Everett will be hosting the 2026 Community Roundtables at Hamline University. In a climate where difficult conversations can be challenging, the roundtables give students, faculty and staff a chance to engage intentionally, critically and respectfully.
Three discussions are scheduled this semester:
- Thursday, Feb. 19: Political differences
- Thursday, March 19: Religious differences
- Thursday, April 16: Racial and gender differences
Explore how faiths can unite despite differences at the Community Roundtable, "Engaging and Learning Across Religious Differences." Leah Patton, Executive Director of the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC), will lead the discussion Thursday at 11:30 a.m. in Anderson Center, Rooms 304 and 305, sharing her experience bridging divides and advancing social justice in Minnesota.
Patton began her career at the Minnesota House of Representatives before pursuing a master’s degree in Irish Writing at Trinity College Dublin. After completing her degree, she returned to Minnesota and served as director of the Minnesota County IT Leadership Association and as a data practices and information technology policy analyst for the Association of Minnesota Counties.
In her current role at JRLC, Patton has instilled in people the firm belief that people can come together., despite fervent disagreement, and find common ground to serve their neighbors.