Former NBC News justice journalist Pete Williams returns to his hometown of Casper to keynote “Freedom at the Core: The First Amendment in a Digital Democracy,” Casper College’s free, public Constitution Day seminar Wednesday, Sept. 16.
The college will host Casper native Williams as the keynote speaker of the seminar. Williams covered the US Supreme Court and the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security for NBC News for 29 years as a correspondent based in Washington, DC. Williams is the recipient of four national news Emmy awards, two Edward R. Murrow awards, and the John F. Hogan award from the Radio Television Digital News Association. He is now a member of the board of directors of WyoFile, a nonprofit news organization in Wyoming.
Williams’ keynote will take place at 11 a.m. in Casper College’s Wheeler Concert Hall.
Williams said, “While our world continues to evolve, the protections of the First Amendment remain essential freedoms. I’m delighted and honored to be back in Casper to attend the seminar and speak about why freedom of the press is even more important in an era of so much misinformation.”
The Casper College Forensics Team will perform at 9 a.m. on the right to petition, followed by Casper College Political Science Instructor Daniel Gallegos on the right to assemble. Bridget Veauthier, a philosophy and psychology instructor at Casper College, will present at 10 a.m. on the freedom of religion, followed by Casper College Communication Instructor Peter Van Houten on the freedom of speech. These 20-minute sessions will delve into key aspects of the First Amendment before Williams speaks on the freedom of the press at 11 a.m.
Gallegos said, “In this day and age of TikTok and memes, we assume we know everything from that one short post. When we are asked what is the First Amendment? We say, ‘Freedom of Speech.’ This seminar is about the First Amendment, and I am so excited that everyone who attends will leave knowing it is so much more.”
Following the 11 a.m. keynote, the seminar will break for lunch at noon and return at 1:30 p.m. for a “Living Room Conversation” focused on the topic of freedom. Living Room Conversations are guided discussions on specific topics that facilitate connection between people despite differences in age, politics, gender, and/or nationality.
Heather Lloyd, a criminal justice instructor and seminar co-chair, spoke about the afternoon event and topic.
Lloyd said, “This year’s seminar explores the fundamental freedoms that define our democracy. But understanding those freedoms also requires us to grapple with the difficult questions that arise when freedoms compete, and values come into tension. Living Room Conversations provides a safe, structured space to engage across differences, listen with curiosity, and build connection and understanding.”
Casper College and its School of Social and Behavioral Science sponsor the 2026 Social and Behavioral Sciences Seminar and Constitution Day. For more information, contact Weigel at brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu.
Story by Bri Weigel, Casper College communication instructor.
At a Glance:
- Event Focus: Exploration of the First Amendment in a digital democracy featuring a keynote on freedom of the press.
- Key Participants: Pete Williams, former NBC News journalist; Casper College Forensics Team; Daniel Gallegos; Bridget Veauthier; Peter Van Houten; and Heather Lloyd.
- Logistics: Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, starting at 9 a.m. in the Wheeler Concert Hall on the Casper College campus.
- Admission: Free and open to the public.
- Statistics: Features five distinct First Amendment sessions and a 90-minute afternoon “Living Room Conversation.”
