A nationally televised journalist, a top conservative commentator, and a former Washington Post editor will take the stage at Hobart and William Smith Colleges this month for a rare public conversation on the American judiciary.
Ruth Marcus and Hugh Hewitt — two prominent voices from opposite sides of the political spectrum — will headline the Stern Family Forum on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m. The event, moderated by 60 Minutes correspondent and HWS Trustee Bill Whitaker ’73, will focus on tensions within the U.S. judicial system and the balance of power between the nation’s three branches of government.
“This is a rare and valuable opportunity for our community to engage with candid perspectives from across the political spectrum,” said HWS President Mark D. Gearan. “I’m deeply grateful to Herb and Sam Stern for their continued support of this Forum.”
Speakers with courtroom credentials
Ruth Marcus spent four decades at The Washington Post, most recently as deputy editorial page editor. She left the paper in March after it declined to publish her criticism of its ownership, a decision she later wrote about in The New Yorker, where she is now a contributing writer. Her book Supreme Ambition chronicles the rise of Justice Brett Kavanaugh and the broader conservative push to reshape the U.S. Supreme Court.
Hugh Hewitt, a law professor and syndicated radio host, is a longtime conservative commentator and former Reagan administration lawyer. Known for direct, often provocative interviews, Hewitt also moderates political debates and writes for outlets including NBC News and The Washington Post.
Moderator Bill Whitaker, an Emmy-winning correspondent with 60 Minutes, is no stranger to high-stakes reporting. His investigations into the opioid crisis earned him multiple national awards. A 1973 graduate of HWS, Whitaker has served on the Board of Trustees for over two decades.
Forum built on legal legacy
The Stern Family Forum was created by former U.S. District Judge Herbert Stern ’58 and his son, litigator Samuel Stern ’03, to foster open, informed dialogue on complex issues. Both men have built legal careers rooted in public service and education, and continue to support events that encourage civic engagement.
The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and early arrival is encouraged.
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