32nd Annual Great American Think-Off
Debate on the Nature of Truth Comes to New York Mills, MN this June 14, 2025
New York Mills, MN—May 1, 2025—We’re thrilled to announce the four finalists for the 2025 Great American Think-Off, the annual “philosophy contest for the masses” hosted by the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center.
The 2025 Great American Think-Off Finalists Are:
Arguing that there is only one truth:
• Pavithra Krishnan – A college student from Troy, MI, studying at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
• David Eckel – A retired small business problem-solver from Clayton, NC, and past Think-Off finalist (2010, 2013, 2015) and winner (2010).
Arguing that there are many truths:
• David Lose – A pastor from Eden Prairie, MN, currently serving as senior pastor of Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.
• Jay Sieling – A retired liberal arts instructor and lifelong creative from Miltona, MN.
These four thinkers—selected from thoughtful essays submitted from across the country and beyond—will travel to New York Mills, Minnesota, this June to debate the timely and challenging question:
“Is there only one truth, or are there many truths?”
In an era of misinformation, polarization, and shifting narratives, this year’s question couldn’t be more relevant—or more complex.
These finalists will present and defend their ideas in front of a live audience at the Great American Think-Off Debate, held on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the New York Mills School Auditorium. The audience will vote in three rounds to determine who will be crowned America’s Greatest Thinker for 2025.
Finalists each receive a $500 cash prize, travel reimbursement, and lodging at a local bed and breakfast. They’ll also take home a bronze, silver, or gold medal emblazoned with the Think-Off’s iconic logo: Rodin’s Thinker perched atop a tractor.
The 2025 Think-Off finalists (in alphabetical order):
David Eckel, a now-retired small business problem-solver, has called Clayton, NC (near Raleigh) home for over three decades. He and his wife Sandy, married 43 years and counting, share a passion for hiking, playing golf, fostering rescue dogs, teaching junior golf, and helping their neighbors.
Since hearing about it in 2004, the Great American Think-Off has become for Dave a seasonal tradition. He anticipates the release of each year’s question with an excitement typically associated with Christmas morning. Once revealed, each question is mulled over, shared, and discussed obsessively with relatives and friends. Include the Think-Off high on Dave’s list of passions.
David Eckel of Clayton, North Carolina argues that there is only one truth.
Pavithra Manu Krishnan is currently a junior at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, studying Economic Consulting and Business Management. Always fascinated by questions of perception, the ideology of time, and the search for truth, she finds a lot of inspiration in the writings of Henry David Thoreau.
Outside of academics, her loves include working on cinematography projects, writing poetry, and finding new ways to tell stories through art and film.
Pavithra Manu Krishnan of Troy, Michigan says that there is only one truth.
David Lose is the senior pastor of Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Prior to this call, Lose served as president of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and on the faculty of Luther Seminary in St. Paul. He currently serves on the governing boards of Gustavus Adolphus College and Corus International. Lose is the author of Preaching at the Crossroads (2013), Confessing Jesus Christ (2003), and the four-volume Making Sense series of books and resources to help ordinary Christians better understand and live their faith.
Married and the father of two adult children (and two adolescent golden retrievers), his favorite things to do include playing cards with his friends and family, walking or biking around the urban lakes of the Twin Cities, and rooting like mad for the Vikings.
David Lose of Eden Prairie, Minnesota says that there are many truths.
Jay Sieling is a retired liberal arts instructor from Alexandria Technical and Community College. He taught courses on Philosophy, Technology Ethics, and Communication. Jay graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College, majoring in Speech Communication and Classics, with minors in Theatre and Religion. He did master’s work at Penn State in Speech Communication and holds a Master of Arts in Humanities from California State University Dominguez Hills.
He has been an at-home parent, small business owner, children’s television producer, radio announcer, magician, and musician. His current occupation is simply Grandfather. Jay lives on the west end of Lake Miltona with his wife, Dr. Deborah Dittberner. He is now in the fifth year of photographing and posting sunrise images and thoughts each morning.
Jay Sieling of Miltona, Minnesota argues that there are many truths.
The Public is Invited to Join Us for the Great American Think-Off Weekend Festivities:
🎉 Philosophers & Artists Reception
Friday, June 13, 6–8 p.m. at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center
Meet the finalists and local artists, and enjoy an evening of conversation, refreshments, and art. Free and open to all. Prior to the reception, join us for a Historical Walking Tour of New York Mills beginning at 5:00 p.m. and hosted by the Otter Tail County Historical Society.
🎤 Live Debate
Saturday, June 14 at 7:00 p.m. | NYM School Auditorium
Tickets: $15 in advance / $20 at the door / Students just $5. A reception honoring the finalists will be held at the Cultural Center immediately following the debate—everyone is welcome. Refreshments are provided and a cash bar will be available.
Click here to buy tickets to the 2025 Think-Off Debate >
Click here for all the Think-Off Weekend Details >About the Great American Think-Off:
Now in its 32nd year, The Great American Think-Off is an exhibition of civil disagreement between powerful ideas being explored by everyday people. Designed to bring philosophy down from the ivory towers of academia and make it accessible for all, the contest has received national acclaim including coverage by C-SPAN, the New York Times, and The Today Show.
The Cultural Center, located in the rural farm and manufacturing town of New York Mills, Minnesota, sponsors this annual philosophy contest and encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to participate. The Cultural Center is a rural hub for creativity, community vitality, and lifelong learning in the arts. Since our incorporation in 1990, we have been passionate about connecting people to artists and rich cultural experiences in rural Minnesota, celebrating the local and being a window to the world.
To get a better sense of the Think-Off, find details, historical information, and a list of the past 30+ years of questions and winners on the event website:
Questions? Call the Cultural Center at (218) 385-3339.
