June 5 Symposium to Spotlight Lincoln's Legacy

The Lincoln Memorial

The High School of American Studies at Lehman College, in collaboration with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and six other high schools, will host an academic symposium on June 5 titled "Debating Lincoln's Greatness." Geared toward high school students, the day-long event begins at 9 a.m. in Lehman's Lovinger Theatre.

Students will examine the life, politics, and legacy of Abraham Lincoln through a variety of scholarly activities, including panel discussions and a lecture by Professor Matthew Pinkser of Dickenson College in Pennsylvania. Students will also participate in two debates—one focusing on Lincoln and abolition and another on Lincoln and civil rights. A student panel discussion will compare how Lincoln and President Obama dealt with crises in their early presidential terms.

Other high schools participating in the symposium include The Academy of American Studies (Queens), Midwood High School (Brooklyn), All Hallows High School (Bronx), Notre Dame Academy (Manhattan), Patchoque-Medford High School (Medford, N.Y.), and Constitution High School (Philadelphia).

Founded in 1994, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History promotes the study and love of American history by working with teachers, students, scholars, and the general public. It also helps create history-centered schools like the High School of American Studies, as well as all of the high schools participating in this symposium.