Rudman Center Events and Programming

Rudman Reception in the IP Center Lobby

The Rudman Center is pleased to present public events and programming that align with our mission. We are especially proud to lead public discourse on the policies and events shaping society today: civic engagement and education, fiscal responsibility, and putting aside partisanship to confront and address the problems facing our democracy and world. 

Upcoming Events

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Recurring Events

While each year brings new events and programming, the following is a list of our key recurring events.

Bruce E. Friedman Pro Bono Award and Reception

This award is present annually to a UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law graduate and New Hampshire Bar Association member who exemplifies Bruce Friedman’s commitment to public service by providing exemplary pro bono service to indigent clients in the state. Professor Friedman founded, and for many years directed, the law school’s Civil Practice Clinic before passing away unexpectedly.

Justice & Journalism

NHPR's Domenico Montanaro at Justice & Journalism Event

The Justice & Journalism series brings nationally renowned journalists to the Rudman Center for engaging conversations on public affairs and the public servants who create, implement, and influence public policy. The series is a joint initiative of NHPR (New Hampshire Public Radio) and the Rudman Center, made possible by the generous support of The Couch Family Foundation. Recent Justice & Journalism talks have been given by Peter Overby, David Folkenflik, Mary Louise Kelly, and Domenico Montanaro.

Annual Fiscal Responsibility Symposium

The Rudman Center and The Concord Coalition present at least one program annually related to federal fiscal policy, deficit spending, short- and long-term economic growth, and/or public budgeting. The Institute for Health Policy and Practice at UNH participates when topics are related to the fiscal implications of healthcare policies and programs. Top experts share insights on economic trends, forecasts, and possible solutions that could affect the nation and policymakers’ decisions. These programs are generously supported by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation. The Concord Coalition is a nonpartisan, nonprofit grassroots organization that educates on the importance of generationally-responsible federal fiscal policy.

Civic Engagement Series

The Rudman Center is pleased to partner with the New Hampshire Institute for Civics Education to offer a civic engagement series. These lectures, often supported by the William W. Treat Foundation, feature luminaries and distinguished panelists discussing various topics pertaining to civic engagement, the constitution, and democracy. Lectures are made possible through a generous grant from the William W. Treat Foundation. Judge Treat was a leader in the Republican Party and a champion of human rights, highly regarded for bridging political and other divides to improve discussions central to democratic society.

Civil Liberties & the Presidency / Corner Office

Deval Patrick at Civil Liberties & the Presidency

This bipartisan series of conversations with presidential and gubernatorial candidates is a collaboration between the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire and the Rudman Center. We are pleased to partner with the ACLU-NH to hold events that allow the public to meet and question candidates running for political office.

Constitution Day

Each year, the Rudman Center sponsors or co-sponsors an event to acknowledge Constitution Day, which occurs on September 17. Constitution Day commemorates the closing of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787. Featured speakers have included Attorney Debo Adegbile, who has held leadership positions with the NAACP and sits on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights; Louise Dube, executive director of iCivics; and the Hon. Jeffrey Sutton, Judge of the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.