Events

Fall 2026 Eminent Scholar Lecture

We are delighted to announce our Fall 2026 Eminent Scholar Lecture, which will take place on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in the Forum, Rudder Auditorium Complex. This year’s distinguished speaker is 2025–26 Hagler Fellow Dr. Robert (Bob) Pianta, Batten Bicentennial Professor Emeritus and Dean Emeritus of the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia.

A nationally acclaimed leader in education and child development, Dr. Pianta has shaped the field through decades of influential research, innovative practice, and visionary leadership. In this special lecture, he will share insights drawn from his groundbreaking work on teaching quality, early childhood education, and the systems that support student success.

This event offers a unique opportunity for our community to engage with one of the foremost voices in advancing educational practice and policy. Attendees can expect an inspiring and thought-provoking experience that will spark meaningful dialogue and new perspectives on the future of education.

RSVP HERE

Spring 2027 Eminent Scholar Lecture

The Eminent Scholar Lecture Series is pleased to welcome Beth Simmons, one of the world’s foremost scholars of international relations, as the featured speaker for the Spring 2027 Eminent Scholar Lecture. Simmons is the Andrea Mitchell University Professor of Law, Political Science, and Business Ethics at the University of Pennsylvania, where her groundbreaking research explores international law, human rights, political economy, and global governance. Her award-winning scholarship has shaped academic and policy discussions worldwide, and she is widely recognized for demonstrating how international legal institutions influence state behavior and human rights outcomes.

Join us on Wednesday, March 24, 2027, at 5:30 p.m. in Hagler Auditorium, Annenberg Presidential Conference Center, for an engaging lecture by one of the leading voices in international affairs. The Eminent Scholar Lecture Series brings distinguished scholars to campus to share transformative ideas and inspire dialogue across disciplines. This event is free and open to the public, and all members of the university and broader community are encouraged to attend.

RSVP HERE.