Event Details
Date and Time
OCTOBER 19th, 2023 – 8:30 am – 4:30 pm in the Student Union Building at Boise State University
The Frank Church Conference is an annual fall event hosted by the Frank Church Institute, its Board of Directors, and the School of Public Service at Boise State University. The 2023 conference, “Securing America’s Future: Rebuilding Trust in Turbulent Times,” marks the 39th iteration of this event, which began in 1983.
Free for students and public
As it has been for 39 years, the conference is FREE to attend for students and the public.
Luncheon
There is an optional catered luncheon with keynote speaker, Gina Bennett. To attend, please register at the provided link.
Conference is FREE but the luncheon is SOLD OUT
Securing America’s Future Conference Schedule
| Time | Description | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 am | Welcome | Monica C. Church, Executive Director of the Frank Church Institute |
| 8:35 – 8:45 am | 39th Annual Frank Church Conference Introduction | Dr. Angie Bos, Dean of the School of Public Service |
| 8:45 – 9:00 am | Opening Remarks | Dr. Marlene Tromp, President, Boise State University; Dr. Sam Martin, Frank and Bethine Church Endowed Chair of Public Affairs |
| 9:00 – 10:15 am | Panel One: Safeguarding Democracy: Trust in the Judiciary | Moderator: US Attorney for Idaho Honorable Josh Hurwit Panelists: US Federal Judge for the District of Rhode Island Honorable William Smith, former US Federal Judge Honorable Ronald Bush, and former US Attorney Honorable Betty Richardson |
| 10:15 – 11:00 am | Keynote Speaker – Never Cross Over the Abyss: Maintaining Trust in American Institutions Takes Vigilance | James Risen – Two-time Pulitzer Prize winning investigative reporter and Author of “The Last Honest Man” |
| 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Panel Two: Objective Fact, Truth, and the Media | Moderator: Founder and Strategist at Peyron Strategic Communications Scott Peyron Panelists: Idaho Capitol Sun reporter Mia Maldonado, Supervisory Correspondent for the Associated Press Rebecca Boone, Frank and Bethine Church Endowed Chair Dr. Sam Martin, and former KTVB news anchor Mark Johnson |
| 12:00 – 1:20 pm | Simplot Ballroom Luncheon Keynote Speaker – Parenting Democracy: Oversight’s Role in Building Trust | Gina Bennett – Former CIA Senior Analyst & counterterrorism expert, and Author of “National Security Mom” |
| 1:20 – 1:30 pm | Simplot Ballroom – Address by ASBSU and dismissal into Breakout sessions | Boise State University Student Body President Cheyon Sheen |
| BREAK OUT SESSIONS | FOUR SESSIONS – 30 mins each | Participants can choose where to start |
| 1:30 – 2:10 pm (can choose any of the four) | Inside Out: The Justice System – legal careers in public service | Hon. Ronald Bush, Hon. William Smith – Room TBD |
| 2:15 – 2:55 pm (can choose any of the four) | Two Truths and a Lie: Learning to trust your media | Mia Maldonado, Rebecca Boone – Room TBD |
| 3:00 – 3:40 pm (can choose any of the four) | Why the future depends on an understanding of the past | James Risen – Room TBD |
| 3:40 – 4:20 pm (can choose any of the four) | It’s a matter of National Security – understanding the CIA | Gina Bennett – Room TBD |
Contact Information
If you have questions or are interested in sponsoring this year’s conference, please email frankchurchinstitute@boisestate.edu.