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25th Reunion Seminar: "A Smiley Face Is Not a Thank-You Note"

1,027 views · Published 1 July 2010 · 53:04 · Indexed 17 October 2026

Channel: Williams College · 2010 · Education

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25th Reunion Seminar, June 2010
"A Smiley Face Is Not a Thank-You Note: The State of Civility in the 21st Century" featuring Jenny Bicks '85, TV and Film Writer/Producer; The Rev. John Denaro '85, Sponsorship and Media Development Officer, Episcopal Migration Ministries; David Shipley '85, Deputy Editorial Page Editor and Op-Ed Page Editor, The New York Times; Ben Williams '85, Headmaster, Cate School: Moderated by Religion Professor Denise Buell, Chair, Department of Religion — 
A tennis star threatens a line judge when a call doesn't go her way. A singer's award is torn out of her hands as she delivers her acceptance speech. An elected official shouts at the President of the United States as he addresses Congress. Each televised event is viewed by millions as it happens, and by millions more after the fact through the viral power of the Internet. Is the practice of civility on the decline? Is the media glorifying bad behavior? What are the implications for our educational institutions, political and judicial systems, and even our economy — the very foundations of our democratic society? Whether the examples cited above are extreme aberrations or indicative of an emerging norm, this panel will bring a variety of professional and personal viewpoints to its discussion of the importance of civility to our individual and collective well being and how to restore it, from our schools to our boardrooms. Jenny Bicks is a film and television writer/producer whose past credits include "Sex and the City" and "Men in Trees." She is currently writing and producing "The Big C," a half-hour dark comedy starring Laura Linney that will premiere on Showtime in
August. John Denaro is an Episcopal priest who has served congregations in New York City and Middletown, New York. He has been a producer in the Television and New Media department at Trinity Church, Wall Street, and since 2003 has worked at the headquarters of the Episcopal Church as the communications director for the refugee resettlement program. In addition to his editorial oversight at The New York Times, David Shipley is the co-author of Send: Why People E-mail So Badly and How to Do It Better. He was a senior speechwriter in the Clinton White House before joining the Times. Prior to his 1998 appointment at Cate, Ben Williams held teaching, coaching and administrative positions at schools in New England and Texas. He currently serves on several independent school boards and is a trustee of The Association of Boarding Schools.

Produced by Bill Matthiesen '70, Berkshire Film & Video, www.bfv.com

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