Dignity Index presentation Sept. 6 on NEO campus

Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College will host Dr. Timothy Shriver on Friday, September 6 at 11 a.m. in the Calcagno Family Ballroom for a lecture on The Dignity Index. The event is free and open to the public.

Shriver is Chairman of the Special Olympics International, founded by his mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the sister of President John F. Kennedy.

Shriver also serves as the founder of UNITE, and is the co-creator of The Dignity Index.

The Dignity Index was created as a tool designed to ease divisions, prevent violence, and solve problems. The Dignity Index scores distinct phrases along an eight-point scale from contempt to dignity. Lower scores (1-4) reflect divisive language while higher scores (5-8) reflect language grounded in dignity.

In its pilot season, a trained group of students supported by the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute and the Hinckley Institute of Politics scored selections from candidate speeches, debates, fundraising outreach, social media posts, and campaign ads in Utah’s federal congressional races. By focusing on the speech and not the speaker, The Dignity Index is designed to draw our attention away from the biases of partisan politics and toward the power we each have to heal our country and each other.

“We are honored to welcome Dr. Tim Shriver to our campus to discuss The Dignity Index, a vital tool in fostering respect and understanding in a diverse world,” said NEO President Dr. Kyle J. Stafford. “His insights resonate deeply with our mission at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, where we are committed to excellence in learning, service, and leadership. Together, we can empower our students to lead with dignity and integrity in a global society.”

Shriver earned an undergraduate degree from Yale University, a master’s degree from Catholic University, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Connecticut.

For more information, contact NEO Executive Assistant to the President Kendra Cummins at kendra.cummins@neo.edu or 918-540-6201.

Link to article: https://neo.edu/neo-hosts-the-dignity-index-with-dr-timothy-shriver/