Investing in Better Communication: New Gift to Deepen Impactful College Initiatives

Funding expands vital work in polarized age

In an era when productive communication about divisive issues is paramount—and increasingly rare—Dickinson is preparing students to bridge that divide. And on Nov. 10, the college celebrated a new fund that helps further that vital work.

The Andriadis-Adamsons Fund for Engaged Discourse provides $1.4 million to create more opportunities for students to learn how to listen deeply, express themselves clearly and lead with empathy. That can include funding for cross-disciplinary course development, experiential learning opportunities, peer mentoring programs, faculty training and other initiatives that empower students to learn and practice communicating effectively across differences—on campus and far beyond.

The fund was established by Cathy Andriadis ’80 and Karlis Adamsons, the newest members of Dickinson’s Old West Society. They are also the latest philanthropic leaders to be commemorated through an inscribed paver on Dickinson’s Old West Society Walk, highlighting those who give to Dickinson through their estate.

The paver was dedicated during a celebration at the John M Paz ’78 Alumni & Family Center. President John E. Jones ’77, P’11, and Provost and Dean of the College Renée Cramer P'28 delivered brief remarks. 

Jones stressed that all Dickinson students must be equipped to engage in productive dialogue not only in the classroom, but in every facet of their lives, and he thanked Andriadis and Adamsons directly for their generosity and vision. Cramer underscored the power of the liberal arts to foster and sustain meaningful dialogues about complex issues. “It’s how we learn best. It’s how we govern best. It’s how we serve our communities best,” she said.

Reflecting on the inspiration behind the couple’s gift, Andriadis noted that both she and her husband are the children of European immigrants who came to the United States after World War II. Andriadis’s father, a multilingual war correspondent and noted expert in global communications, instilled in his child a lifelong dedication to cross-cultural understanding and communication. So, too, did Adamsons’ parents, who came to the U.S. from Latvia. His father, like Andriadis's mother, was part of the resistance during the war.  

Andriadis also recalled her time as a Dickinson English major, a charter member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, captain of the women’s tennis team and a member of the Wheel and Chain women’s honor society. “What I learned here at Dickinson was how to listen and communicate with confidence,” said Andriadis, who parlayed that lesson into a four-decade career in communications leadership. “We wanted to help build something that gives students the opportunity to explore issues in a way that is respectful, productive and confidence-building.”

During their campus visit, Andriadis and Adamsons witnessed examples of the kind of work their new fund will support. Sitting in on a Philosophy of Religion class taught by Assistant Professor of Philosophy Emily Kelahan, they heard from students who put Dickinson’s Dialogues Across Differences methodologies into action as they learn about and discuss different faith traditions. The couple also broke bread with students and staff involved with the program and with Dickinson’s Center for Civic Learning & Action and Office of Teaching & Learning. That included Ming Robinson ’25, a former student-leader for the Dialogues Across Differences program who now serves as the college’s dialogist-in-residence.

“Dialogue is not a debate, but a conversation that allows people to learn more about each other to enhance community,” Robinson said, “and we greatly appreciate Cathy Andriadis and Karlis Adamsons for this fund, which will contribute to this important work.”

Andriadis said the couple is thrilled to answer that call. “Cross-cultural communication has always been important to us,” she said. “If we can help foster greater understanding, even in a small way, we want to do it.”

Published November 30, 2025