Residents gather to listen and ask questions about rural post-pandemic mental health March 12, 2024, at the Eastern Oregon Forum at Blue Mountain Community College, Pendleton. The forum's 2024-25 season begins Oct. 8, 5:30 p.m. in the library at Blue Mountain Community College, 2411 NW Carden Ave.

PENDLETON — The first Eastern Oregon Forum of the 2024-25 season will feature Nick Nash, who will lead a discussion on civil discourse.

The event is Tuesday, Oct. 8, 5:30 p.m. in the library at Blue Mountain Community College, 2411 NW Carden Ave., Pendleton. Admission is free for everyone.

Nash will encourage audience members to engage in the conversation while discussing the importance of constructive communication characterized by mutual respect, openness and attentive listening. He is a philosophy and writing instructor at BMCC. Nash also owns Eastern Oregon Business Source, a small consulting business that helps local organizations with fundraising and professional development.

Outside work, Nash is on the Umatilla County Special Library District board of directors and a Conversation Leader for the Oregon Humanities Conversation Project. He earned a BA from Portland State University (2011), an MA from The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2013), and a Ph.D. from the University of Western Ontario (2017) — all in philosophy.

The EO Forum is a collaborative effort between BMCC, the InterMountain Education Service District, the East Oregonian and the American Association of University Women. In addition, Harriet Isom, a former United States ambassador, serves on the committee.

For information, search Facebook via bit.ly/468ZUMm or email Jordan Monaco at jmonaco@bluecc.edu.