Two nationally known journalists—one liberal, one conservative—took the stage at Hobart and William Smith Colleges to tackle big questions about America’s courts and the future of democracy.
The Stern Family Forum welcomed Ruth Marcus and Hugh Hewitt for a wide-ranging conversation on Thursday, Oct. 16. The event was moderated by “60 Minutes” correspondent and HWS Trustee Bill Whitaker ’73, who guided the discussion on the role of the judiciary and the tension between the three branches of U.S. government.
HWS President Mark D. Gearan called the evening “a rare and valuable opportunity” to hear contrasting views on one of the country’s most urgent civic topics.
Marcus, a longtime Washington Post journalist and now contributor to The New Yorker, is known for sharp commentary on campaign finance, the Supreme Court, and the separation of powers. Hewitt, a law professor and host of The Hugh Hewitt Show, brings decades of conservative perspective, including experience in the Reagan administration and national media.
Whitaker, who earned his degree at HWS and serves on the Board of Trustees, is an award-winning reporter with CBS’s 60 Minutes. He has covered everything from the opioid crisis to international affairs.
Forum honors Stern family’s legal legacy
The Stern Family Forum was created to promote open, respectful conversations around complex issues. It was established by HWS Honorary Trustee Herbert Stern ’58 and his son, Trustee Samuel Stern ’03—both accomplished attorneys and authors committed to justice and public service.
Their legal careers span federal courts, international law, and legal education. The forum reflects their shared mission to strengthen civic understanding through dialogue.
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