Kelly and Curtis Join UVU Civility Forum - News

On November 12, 2025, Utah Valley University hosted the Senators Modeling Civility forum, convened by the Gary R. Herbert Institute for Public Policy. The event took place at the Noorda Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall at 3:00 p.m. MST and brought together students, faculty, and community members for a rare bipartisan exchange. Senators Mark Kelly (D–AZ) and John Curtis (R–UT) shared the stage in a 60‑minute dialogue moderated by CNN anchor Dana Bash, addressing themes of political violence, collaboration, and leadership. Following the forum, both senators engaged directly with the press in a designated media zone, reinforcing the event’s emphasis on transparency, accountability, and civic dialogue. Their press engagement included brief statements, informal exchanges, and moments of composure—gestures such as Kelly pausing to drink water and Curtis closing his eyes momentarily—which underscored the human dimension of institutional restraint. Executive Director Justin Jones of the Herbert Institute also joined press interactions, situating the forum within the university’s broader mission of fostering civil discourse. The program included an audience Q&A, strict security protocols with bag restrictions and metal detectors, and was exclusively streamed by CNN, underscoring its national significance. The discussion emphasized respectful civic engagement and institutional restraint in the wake of the September 10 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, situating the forum as both a local academic initiative and a national reflection on the urgency of civil discourse.