LMU’s Inaugural Longest Table hosted over 130 students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni to dine over dialogue in the middle of Sunken Garden. Hosted by Student Affairs on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, the idea was to create a place where people of all backgrounds and perspectives could share a meal and conversation. On Thursday, Oct. 23, LMU is setting the table again, literally, for its second event called The Long-ish Table, where parents and families are invited to join their students and other LMU families for a shared meal and dialogue during LMU Family Weekend.
The Longest Table movement has been adopted by several campuses and communities across the country. Inspired by events in Tallahassee and Village Square, Florida State University adopted its Longest Table initiative in 2016 as a student-driven initiative for students to share food and knowledge. And in New York after the pandemic isolation, a grassroots initiative was co-founded by Maryam Banikarim and Andy Lerner in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. Inspired by a photo of a communal meal, the event provides tables and chairs, creating a simple yet powerful space for community building. Since then, neighborhoods and campuses across the country have had the chance to experience this powerful community conversation.
The idea of bringing this event to LMU came from SVP Kawanna, Leggett, Ed.D., who had experienced the event at a previous institution and other events around the country to bring people together. “The inspiration behind The Longest Table was simple: to remind us that conversation and connection are at the heart of who we are at LMU,” said Leggett. “We brought this experience to campus to create space for genuine connection, an opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and alumni to sit together, share a meal, and engage across difference. Seeing our community come together in that spirit reaffirmed how deeply LMU values belonging, dialogue, and shared humanity.”
- Introductions;
- Community (things you care about and what makes you, YOU);
- Hope and advocacy;
- Where do we go from here? (A reflection and next steps).
Some of those table captains are also student leaders who are trained in facilitation, known as LMU’s Intercultural Facilitators. Morgan Scott ’27, a screenwriting major and public relations minor from Chicago, serves as an Intercultural Facilitator and table captain, helping to lead conversations at one of the tables. When asked to describe the Longest Table in one word, she chose hope. “While everyone had different perspectives, we all wanted the best for each other, LMU, and society in general,” said Scott. “I left feeling such hope in a dark time in the world.”
For Clarke Hamilton ’26, a studio arts major from Milwaukee, WI, who is also an Intercultural Facilitator, it was not a particular moment that stood out, but rather the experience of sitting with others she does not often cross paths with. “Our conversation blossomed as we recognized connections, were vulnerable with one another, and all had eagerness to hear each other’s responses,” said Hamilton. “This event is like a seed. It has the potential to sprout connections and relationships with others, as well as engage in conversations intentionally to understand and learn from those with whom you are in community with.”
As the program coordinator for the Intercultural Facilitator program, Rodriguez shared how these students were eager to serve in this role, “As individuals who are passionate about building a community where we can have difficult conversations, these students were eager to serve as table captains and participants,” said Rodriguez. “I am confident that regardless of the role they played, they contributed significantly to the power of the experience.”
This week marks the second Longest Table style event with Longish Table taking place during LMU Family Weekend on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in Sunken Garden. Similar to the event in September, this event looks to invite parents and families to the table to break bread and share in conversation together.