President Ryan to the Class of 2026: Be Curious, Not Judgmental – UVA Today

Speaking after Ryan was Leslie Kendrick, the director of the Center for the First Amendment at UVA Law. Kendrick, who chaired the committee that crafted UVAs free speech statement, invited the new UVA students to, among other things, take a broad view on the meaning of free inquiry.

Its debating people you disagree with, but its also finding communities and organizations of like-minded people thats freedom of association, Kendrick said. Its getting involved with your fellow students on issues that seem to have nothing to do with free speech. Sharing a common goal with different people such as volunteering for public service or playing on a team exposes you to new perspectives, helps you appreciate the good in others, and builds trust and respect.

Even something as simple as spending time with your roommates builds trust, which makes having real conversations easier. And the more real conversations we can have, the better off well be.

The search for the truth, Kendrick said, is not an easy process. She challenged students to keep an open mind.

If you went to the gym and didnt break a sweat, you would know you werent getting your moneys worth, she said. And if you go through college without sometimes being uncomfortable with ideas, the same thing is true. We learn, and we progress, by facing challenging ideas, not suppressing them.

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President Ryan to the Class of 2026: Be Curious, Not Judgmental - UVA Today