Institute for Citizens & Scholars to Honor Judy Woodruff with 2025 Frank E. Taplin, Jr. Public Intellectual Award

Washington, D.C. (June 1, 2025) – As part of its longstanding commitment to strengthening democracy through public discourse, the Institute for Citizens & Scholars is proud to present the 2025 Frank E. Taplin, Jr. Public Intellectual Award to Judy Woodruff, the esteemed broadcast journalist and senior correspondent and former anchor and managing editor for PBS News Hour. Recognized for her decades-long impact on American media and her unwavering commitment to civic understanding, Woodruffwill be honored during a public celebration on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 from 6:00 -10:00 p.m., at the Rubell Museum in Washington, D.C.

The annual award honors influential voices who embody the spirit of public discourse and civic leadership. In 2025, the event was reenvisioned as EMERGE—a powerful celebration of legacy, civic innovation, and cross-generational collaboration.

“At a time when our nation feels increasingly fractured, I believe it’s more important than ever to invest in the people and programs working to build common ground,” said Judy Woodruff, senior correspondent for PBS News Hour. “The Institute for Citizens & Scholars is doing just that—preparing young people to lead with integrity, ask tough questions, and stay engaged in our democratic process. I’m honored to be recognized by an organization so deeply committed to the civic health of our country.”

Held in the historic Rubell Museum—a former public school turned contemporary art space—EMERGE transforms the award ceremony into an interactive civic experience. The event will feature a fireside chat with Woodruffand immersive activations designed to spark dialogue and engagement, including:

● Voices of Democracy: A collaborative reflection wall where guests respond to the prompt, “What does democracy look like?”

● Citizens & Scholars Studio: A pop-up video series capturing guests’ personal stories on the issues that matter most in their communities.

● Civic Spark Game: An interactive networking challenge blending trivia, civic reflections, and fun for meaningful connections.

“At the Institute for Citizens & Scholars, we’re on a mission to equip young people with the civic skills needed to lead and heal a deeply divided nation,” said Rajiv Vinnakota, president of the Institute. “In honoring Judy Woodruffwith the Taplin Award, we recognize a trailblazer whose lifelong dedication to truth, integrity, and public dialogue embodies the very qualities we aim to cultivate in the next generation. Judy has not only informed the public—she has elevated it. Her example is a powerful inspiration for the civic changemakers we are helping to prepare for the challenges of tomorrow.”

The evening will bring together university leaders, Fellows, business and policy changemakers and young civic innovators from across the country. Together, they’ll explore what it means to EMERGE—across divides, united by civic spirit, and ready to shape a stronger, more inclusive democracy.

The event is free to attend, with advance registration required. Complimentary tickets and details are available at: https://event.gives

About the Institute for Citizens & Scholars The Institute for Citizens & Scholars (citizensandscholars.org) cultivates talent, ideas, and networks that develop young people as effective, lifelong citizens. We unite the left, right, and center to develop breakthrough solutions that create stronger citizens in our country, and we bring these solutions to life by forming strategic partnerships with an intentionally diverse group of young people, scholars and education leaders, and civic and business leaders—including the 27,000 world-leading Fellows in our network. Together, we’re on a mission to ensure that Americans everywhere are civically well-informed, productively engaged, and committed to democracy.

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