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Compelling Perspectives

Compelling Perspectives is a program that widens the aperture on issues of societal importance by encouraging open conversations and modeling respectful discourse on challenging topics.

About Compelling Perspectives

Hosted by President Joseph J. Helble '82, and presented by Lehigh University, Compelling Perspectives aims to create a forum for fostering respectful discourse and engaging across differing perspectives on issues of critical and societal importance.

The exchange of diverse ideas about substantive topics and the consideration of alternative viewpoints helps to promote critical thinking, empathy and openness—all essential to helping individuals and communities address complex challenges. Such dialogue serves as a powerful tool to foster social cohesion, build trust and strengthen community bonds. At a time when echo chambers and surface-level sound bites threaten to replace healthy societal discourse, this forum is one way in which Lehigh seeks to foster principled dialogue, build understanding, and bridge divides.

2024-25 Topic of Discussion: The Role of Media in Contemporary Society

As discourse extends to the broader issues of truth versus disinformation and how we consume news, the Compelling Perspectives series will provide the opportunity to hear perspectives from both traditional and new media on navigating the modern landscape to access information.

V Spehar
V Spehar

V Spehar (they/them) of Under the Desk News is a Rochester-based, award-winning podcaster, online personality and citizen journalist who has built a following of more than 3 million subscribers on the video-sharing platform TikTok since launching in 2020.

Specializing in short-form content, Spehar offers brief recaps of notable headlines. They began delivering one-minute news segments while under a desk. The videos quickly attracted a bipartisan audience.

In 2022, Spehar launched “V Interesting,” a long-form podcast with original reporting that tackles various current topics of importance, which has held a steady place in the top 25 news podcasts since.

Learn about V Spehar >
Read about past Compelling Perspectives speakers >

The goal of Compelling Perspectives is to provide a forum presenting a range of views on a selected topic.

Events and Registration

This is the third and final Compelling Perspectives events in of the 2024-2025 academic year.

Advance registration is required for attendance at Compelling Perspectives programs. Register here.

No recording devices will be permitted.

Compelling Perspectives Stories

V Spehar headshot

V Spehar of Under the Desk News to Share Views on Nontraditional Media at Feb. 6 Compelling Perspectives Event

Spehar attracted a bipartisan audience by delivering news from under a desk on social media.
Year-In-Review

2024: Lehigh Year-In-Review

Looking back at some of the biggest Lehigh stories of the year.
Marty Baron

Nationally Renowned Editor Marty Baron Discusses Challenges Facing Journalism and Democracy

The Pulitzer Prize-winning alumnus spoke about the free press as an integral part of democracy, the importance of investigative journalism and challenges facing journalists today.
See all Compelling Perspectives news >
President Helble

"Universities and colleges are not just centers of teaching, learning and scholarly work. At their best, colleges and universities play an important role in modeling respectful public discourse and dialogue on complex issues."

-PRESIDENT JOSEPH J. HELBLE '82