On October 23rd, a surprise awaited students when they discovered that chapel was scheduled for 1 pm in the afternoon. My roommate murmured, “Is something special happening?” Indeed, something special was underway. In a talk moderated by Senior Prefects Dymond and Robby Ober, Governor Ted Lamont of Connecticut and Ambassador Tom Foley ’70 visited Kent to discuss civil discourse and the state of politics both nationally and internationally.
The visit proved to be a successful one. Governor Lamont, a Democrat, and Ambassador Foley, a Republican, delved into several political topics during their address in St. Joseph’s Chapel. The meaning of civil discourse was a focal point of the discussion, as the definition of the phrase has blurred in recent years as the United States’ political sphere gradually descends into a chaotic and uncivilized period of division.
Governor Lamont stressed the importance of education and engagement, explaining how these elements prompt individuals to “do things better.” Ambassador Foley offered a personal example, stating that civil discourse involves “respecting and acknowledging different things, just like my friendship with the governor, even though we have different views.”
Governor Lamont also commended Kent’s values—Simplicity of Life, Directness of Purpose, and Self-Reliance—and explained how they contribute to molding students into active citizens in service. “Voice out your ideas and express yourselves,” he urged. “The education at Kent invites you all to see things from different perspectives, so get involved and gain experience with your educational opportunities.”
Governor Lamont and Ambassador Foley’s visit was a special one. When Scott Buzby, the 1947 graduate of Kent School, reached out to Mr. Hirschfeld and asked if he would want his nephew, the governor, to speak at Kent, Mr. Hirschfeld was initially hesitant. “It felt a bit forced to only present one political voice at school,” he said, “but then I noticed that we can also have Ambassador Foley present another political voice, so I thought, why not? It will be a great way to showcase free speech, and I hope students can take away from that.”
Senior Prefect Robby Ober found the talk extremely helpful, especially for younger students. “I think it is very important for [Lamont and Foley] to come and talk to students, especially those aspiring to work in public service. We need more people working in public service, and it was really cool to have an ambassador coming over to do that.”
Mr. Hirschfeld hopes that the talk can offer an opportunity to develop a positive political vibe at Kent. “Politics felt like it became a taboo for students to talk about, but I want the school to create a space for political conversation. Kent is safe for such discussions, and I think we uphold free speech a lot.”
