The logo of “Ivory Tower On the Road.” /Photo courtesy of WCNY

WCNY’s longest-running television series “Ivory Tower, ” hosted by Utica journalism professor David Chanatry, will be recorded live on Utica’s campus on Wednesday, April 10 at 7 p.m. in Strebel Auditorium. The live recording is part of the “Ivory Tower on the Road” program where the show is recorded at colleges where the panelists teach.

According to WCNY’s webpage, Ivory Tower will be going on the road to give fans the chance to watch the show live and meet the panelists, said Doug Moreau, Senior Director of Production.

The topical show will feature six panelists, professors from neighboring institutions including Colgate University, Hamilton College and Syracuse University, discussing news and events from the perspective of academics. Journalism professor Barbara Fought from Newhouse School of Public Communications will moderate questions from the live audience. 

The topics discussed usually depend on current events in the world but Chanatry said he will gear topics at the recording toward what resonates with a college audience. The tentative list, subject to change, includes transgender sanctuary laws, changes in admission standards being part of a culture war and an environmental story. The show encourages balanced discussion of news and events.

Chanatry said discussing news and current events with professors is great because they reach the depth of knowledge they have rather than approaching topics as talking points. 

“It’s an example of serious public debate without acrimony,” Chanatry said. “We like each other. We disagree with each other. We’re respectful. We allow each other to finish their thoughts, we interrogate their thoughts a little bit. I like to think it can model how TV punditry can be done.” 

Utica’s political science professor Luke Perry has been a panelist at ‘Ivory Tower’ since 2018. He said the role is a big part of his life and that he incorporates fellow panelists’ insights into his teaching and collaborates with them in research. 

“I think it’s particularly important for teacher-scholars to share their expertise and analysis in furthering understanding of public affairs,” Perry said. “This is pivotal in an era of hyper-partisanship, disinformation, and weakening democratic norms.”

The five panelists include two professors from Utica, Perry and professor of economics Rick Fenner. Other panelists are political science professor at Le Moyne Anirban Acharya, political science professor at Colgate and member of the state’s Commission on Judicial Court Nina Moore and political science professor at Syracuse Sarah Pralle.  

The recording will be an hour-long session and will be broadcast on Friday, April 12 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 13 at 5:30 p.m. on WCNY-TV. Utica’s on and off campus community are welcome to attend.