News and Media

Published: May 3, 2010

Leach to speak at SCAD as part of his American Civility Tour

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Savannah College of Art and Design's School of Liberal Arts hosts Jim Leach, chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, as he continues his American Civility Tour at SCAD. Leach will speak at the Arnold Hall Auditorium, 1810 Bull St., on Monday, May 10, at noon. The event is free and open to the public.

In November 2009, Leach launched a 50-state tour to call attention to the need for civility in public discourse. "In a political setting that is bordering on a civility crisis at home and a civilization crisis abroad, it is my intention to launch on behalf of the NEH a 'civility tour,' visiting every state in the union and helping initiate discussions about the state of American civility," says Leach. "Civilization requires civility. Words matter. Polarizing attitudes can jeopardize social cohesion."

Leach began his four-year term as NEH chairman in August 2009 after serving 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. As a congressman representing southeastern Iowa, he chaired the Banking and Financial Services Committee, the Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs, and the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. He founded and co-chaired the Congressional Humanities Caucus.

For more information, contact Kelly Evans at 912.525.5801. Media may call 912.525.5210 for interview and image requests.