LEXINGTON, Va. Sept. 16, 2024 — Virginia Military Institute’s Center for Leadership and Ethics (CLE) will host a Steamboat Institute Campus Liberty Tour Debate, Thursday, Oct. 3 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Gillis Theater, Marshall Hall.  

Since 2018, Steamboat Institute has brought compelling debates on controversial topics of the day to college campuses, engaging conservatives, liberals and centrists.

“Our focus is on teaching students—and all who attend—how to think, not what to think,” said Daniel Wagner, Campus Liberty Tour coordinator for The Steamboat Institute.  

The debate resolution is: Be it resolved, the U.S. should use its diplomatic and military power around the globe to ensure America’s national security. Arguing the affirmative will be John Bolton, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and former U.S. National Security Advisor. Arguing the negative will be Vivek Ramaswamy, former 2024 Republican U.S. Presidential candidate and New York Times best-selling author. Guests will have the opportunity to record their stance on the debate topic in the pre- and post-debate polls. The moderator will be Tom Rogan, a Foreign Policy/National Security writer for the Washington Examiner, and a Tony Blankley Senior Fellow at Steamboat Institute.

Col. David R. Gray, executive director of the CLE, stated, “The CLE is proud to host this debate as part of our 2024-25 programming where we are, in part, examining paradigm shifts in the global world order.”

Lt. Col. Kim Connolly, assistant director for conferences and programs, added, “Since 2017, we’ve incorporated a civil discourse/debate emphasis into CLE programming.”

The debate is free and open to the public with an informal reception following. Registration is required to attend. For more information or to register, visit the event website. Attendees should follow signs for parking on post for this event. No backpacks allowed.

About The Steamboat Institute 

The Steamboat Institute is dedicated to defending freedom and advocating for liberty. The Institute admires the bravery and rugged individualism that has made this country great, as well as the greatness and wisdom that reside in every individual. It understands that the greatness of this nation stems from its people, not from its government. In the spirit of Thomas Jefferson, The Steamboat Institute believes it is better to be “exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it.” As an educational organization recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, The Steamboat Institute is committed to education. The Institute provides tools, information, and inspiration to those who hold the Founding Principles of the nation dear. 

About VMI 

Founded in 1839, VMI is the oldest state-supported military college in the U.S. VMI believes that the measure of a college lies in the quality and performance of its graduates and their contributions to society. Therefore, it is the mission of VMI to produce educated, honorable men and women, prepared for the varied work of civil life, imbued with a love of learning, confident in the functions and attitudes of leadership, possessing a high sense of public service, advocates of the American Democracy and free enterprise system, and ready as citizen-soldiers to defend their country in time of national peril. 

Marianne Hause
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE