August 2023 Newsmaker Breakfast: A Conversation with University of Utah Impact Scholar Dr. Eboo Patel

On August 31, the Gardner Institute hosted a special Newsmaker Breakfast on the role and importance of a diverse democracy and civil society in American life. We were joined by newly named University of Utah Impact Scholar Dr. Eboo Patel, who joins the U for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years Eboo is the Founder and President of Interfaith America, the leading interfaith organization in the United States. Beginning this fall, Eboo and his Interfaith America team will work closely with University of Utah Vice President Mary Ann Villarreal and the Division of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (EDI) to engage in a range of interfaith consulting activities across the U campus and state. Over the course of this partnership, Eboo and the EDI Division will identify and explore opportunities for advancing interfaith cooperation in ways that enrich the U and our entire community.

Eboo was joined for the conversation by Lt. Gov Deidre Henderson and Dr. Villarreal, which took a wide lens look and then focused on what it takes to create more unity in our country and state. The panelists discussed our nation’s standing as the most religiously diverse nation in human history and why that’s important. They also talked about our own state, how we can do even better in creating opportunities for all, and how to build bridges, tear down walls, and unify as a people. The discussion was moderated by Gardner Institute director Natalie Gochnour.

Panelists

Dr. Eboo Patel, Founder and President, Interfaith America

Utah Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson

Dr. Mary Ann Villarreal, Vice President for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, University of Utah