Emily Brestle ‘27, a spirited first-year student from Maple Valley, Washington, already embodies the essence of open dialogue. As someone who’s eager to engage in a conversation, and willing to consider all sides of an argument, it’s no surprise that Emily has found a home in the free speech movement in her first semester at Davidson. While considering a potential major in Political Science and Communications, Emily's involvement on campus spans a myriad of activities, from the Free Speech Alliance (FSA) to the pickleball and spikeball clubs, theater, YoungLife, and more.
Student Spotlight: Emily Brestle '27
Student Spotlight
Growing up in a suburb of Seattle, Emily has been accustomed to listening to a number of differing political opinions, which has laid the foundation for her robust support of free speech and civil discourse. As Emily puts it, “I am passionate about free speech because I grew up in an area where most people’s political beliefs differed from mine. It is important to me that everyone respects each other’s opinions even if they go against the accepted norm.”
Given her passionate support of discussion and debate, it is no surprise that she has found a deep appreciation for the Davidsonians for Freedom of Thought and Discourse. “I am thankful that DFTD helps fund a variety of different speakers on campus. It is important to listen to people who do not share the same beliefs as you to help broaden your perspectives. They are very supportive of the Free Speech Alliance and just want to help students feel like they have a place where they can share their opinions without fear of judgment,” she said. Emily dreams of a society where all viewpoints are equally respected, regardless of political affiliation.
Beyond her advocacy, Emily’s zest for life shines through her hobbies—paddleboarding, skiing, tennis, pickleball, and rock climbing. Her adventurous spirit has resulted in a few bumps, bruises and broken bones along the way, but you’d never know it given her optimistic and positive demeanor. As she makes her way through Davidson, Emily is considering becoming a sign language interpreter, and this summer, she hopes to enter a sign language study abroad program in Italy to further her aspirations.
Emily's infectious enthusiasm for open dialogue and civil discourse makes her a driving force for positive change on campus, at home, and everywhere she goes.
DFTD Newsletter 9/11/2025 The latest Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) survey results are here. While this year’s results show some consistency with previous years, they also highlight that significant work remains to build a campus culture where open dialogue and a wide range of viewpoints are welcomed at Davidson College. A concerning 60% of students remain uncomfortable disagreeing with a professor on controversial political topics in class, and nearly as many (58%) hesitate in written assignments. One in four students openly self-censor while interacting with professors at least a couple times a week, while 48% report feeling uncomfortable in classroom discussions. Outside the classroom, the problem worsens , where 70% of students are too afraid to express unpopular opinions on social media. Equally troubling are students’ attitudes toward disrupting speech. More than a third, or 37%, of Davidson students think it’s acceptable to shout down a speaker, 19% would block others from attending an event, and 15% condone violence to stop a campus speech. These numbers suggest that, despite Davidson’s reputation for civility, many students believe intimidation is an acceptable tool for undermining the very notion of open discourse. While trust in the administration has improved and fewer students now doubt the College will defend them from censorship, significant skepticism remains. 34% of students believe peers could be reported for expressing controversial ideas, and a similar number, 37%, believe the same for professors. Davidson has made important strides, but the culture of open expression between students and professors is still fragile. The FIRE survey underscores the importance of freedom of expression in more than policies on paper. It requires a campus climate where students feel safe to speak their minds. DFTD calls on the College to take the following concrete steps to strengthen free speech and viewpoint diversity at Davidson; Adopt a policy of Institutional Neutrality whereby the College and Departments do not take ideological or political positions Expand ideological diversity among faculty, staff, and trustees Make the College’s Commitment to Freedom of Expression Statement a key part of New Student Orientation Conduct a thorough review of all policies and procedures related to speech With these actions, Davidson College has the opportunity to lead by example, showing how a liberal arts education can prepare students to engage thoughtfully and confidently in the world beyond campus.
You get an A! And you get an A! On campuses this fall, some students might feel like they’ve wandered into their own Oprah episode, except the prize is a transcript filled with top marks.
DFTD Newsletter 8/19/2025 Davidsonians for Freedom of Thought and Discourse is honored to announce a multi-year, major gift from Dr. William Winkenwerder. This generous commitment will ensure that the Davidson community can engage directly with leading voices who shape global affairs and national security policy. A 1976 graduate of Davidson College and former member of the Davidson College Board of Trustees (2015-2022), Dr. Winkenwerder is a nationally recognized physician and health care executive who served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs under President George W. Bush and as a senior leader at the Department of Health and Human Services under President Ronald Regan. His long-standing dedication to public service and his commitment to robust, open discussion on critical issues of foreign policy have been a hallmark of his career. Dr. Winkenwerder’s support will bolster DFTD’s programs by creating the Winkenwerder Policy Series on the Middle East , allowing students to welcome distinguished guests exploring some of today’s most challenging global issues. In collaboration with students and faculty, this series of speakers will offer the Davidson campus and community the chance to hear firsthand perspectives from experts in US Defense Policy, Middle East relations, and international policy at large. This transformative gift from Dr. Winkenwerder will enable vital conversations that foster open discourse and inspire Davidson students and the campus community to explore global issues with curiosity and purpose.