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BRISTOL, R.I. — �鶹ɫ��Ƭ hosted the Rhode Island Gubernatorial Forum on Wednesday, Sept. 30, bringing gubernatorial candidates together for a public conversation about the state's future.

Moderated by Ocean State Media’s Ian Donnis, Women’s Fund Rhode Island and the League of Women Voters put together the forum every four years. This year’s forum featured candidates Helena Foulkes (D) and Ken Block (I), who discussed their visions for the Ocean State, with a focus on health, economic security, and civic engagement of Rhode Islanders. Republican candidate Aaron Guckian was unable to attend due to a last minute scheduling conflict. 

“At �鶹ɫ��Ƭ Law, we believe civic engagement is a vital part of being a lawyer and a member of our community,” said Gregory W. Bowman, J.D., Dean of �鶹ɫ��Ƭ School of Law. “It’s especially meaningful to me to see our law school serve as a place where students, faculty and Rhode Islanders can come together, listen to one another and engage in a thoughtful conversation about the future of our state. Hosting this forum is a natural extension of the role �鶹ɫ��Ƭ Law plays in our community every day.”

“�鶹ɫ��Ƭ has always valued the role higher education can play in strengthening our democracy and supporting civic engagement,” said Brian G. Williams, D.M., Interim President of �鶹ɫ��Ƭ. “As a university named for a champion of the independent expression of ideas, it is especially fitting that �鶹ɫ��Ƭ Law serve as the convening place for this important event. Hosting the Rhode Island Gubernatorial Forum gives us an opportunity to bring our campus community and Rhode Islanders together to listen, learn, and engage with the issues and people that will shape the future of our state.”

The forum continues �鶹ɫ��Ƭ Law’s role as a venue for civic dialogue and public discourse. In August, the law school hosted a debate for candidates for Rhode Island attorney general, moderated by WPRI political reporters Tim White and Ted Nesi.