University Theme

 Past Speakers

        2016-2017  Economy:  Moral Challenges and Opportunities
  •  No speakers due to budget restrictions.
        2015-2016  Environment:  A Foundation for Social Responsibility
  • No speakers due to budget restrictions.
        2014-2015  Ethics: A Foundation for Personal Growth and Social Responsibility
        2013-2014 Food and Drink: Mind, Body and Soul

  • Chef Jeff Henderson - Award-winning Chef, Motivational Speaker, New York Times best-selling Author, and Food Network television personality

        2012-2013 War and Peace: From Personal Conflict to Global Resolution
  • Haider Hamza -Iraqi journalist, scholar and activist. He lived through the 2003 US-led invasioni of his country with his family near Babylon, South of Baghdad
  • Arun Gandhi - "Lessons Learned from My Grandfather: Non-Violence in a Violent World"
  • Peter Bergen - "MANHUNT: The Ten-Year Search for Bin Laden -- from 9/11 to Abbottabad"
  • Joseph Sebarenzi - Former Head of the Rwanda Parliament & Genocide Survivor. "A message of Peace & Reconciliation"
        2011-2012 Science & Technology: Discover, Innovate, Create
  • Leroy Chiao - Astronaut and former Commander of the International Space Station, Director of the Challenger Center
  • Dr. Gary Telgenhoff - Forensic Pathologist: "Speak for You - The Real Vegas CSI
  • Dr. Sherry Turkle: "Alone Together: Why We Expect More From Technology and Less From Each Other"
        2010-2011 Teaching and Learning for a New Era
  •  Anya Kamenetz: "DIY U: Edupunks, Edupreneurs, and the Coming Transformation of Higher Education
  • Michael Wesch: "From Knowledgeable to Knowledge-Able"
  • President Al Goldfarb: "Last Lecture"
  • Jean Twenge: "Why Today's Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled-and More Miserable Than Ever Before"
         2009-2010 Dollars and Sense: Personal Finance to World Poverty
  • Barbara Ehrenreich: Author of Nickel and Dimed
  • James Scurlock: Director, Producer, Writer and Financial Adviser, presented his award-winning documentary "Maxed Out"
  • Vandana Shiva: "Sustainability and the Global Food Crisis
  • Peter Bielagus: America's Financial Educator
         2008-2009 Health and Wellness: Challenges and Responsibilities
  • Koren Zailckas, Author of Smashed
  • Kevin Roberts, The Food Dude
  • Dr. Joan Borysenko: A Pioneer in Integrative Medicine and a world-renowned expert in the mind/body connection
  • Dr. Jean Kilbourne: Internationally recognized speaker for her pioneering work on alcohol and tobacco advertising and the image of women in advertising
  • Dr. Drew Pinsky: Loveline with Dr. Drew
  • Zen Gray: Featured on Season 1 & 2 of "Work Out", Bravo TV's docu-drama on the lives of personal trainers
         2007-2008 Global Challenges & Personal Responsibilities: Environmental Sustainability
  • Robert Kennedy Jr.: Our Enviromental Destiny
  • Ed Begley Jr.: Living Green with Ed
  • Richard Louv: Author of "Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficity Disorder
  • James Thebaut: Writer, Producer presented his documentary, "Running Dry"
         2006-2007 Global Challenges & Personal Responsibilities: Cultural Diversity
  • Danny Glover: The Role of Arts in Community Activism
  • Linda Chavez, Chair of the Center for Equal Opportunity: "The Truth and Consequences of Cultural Differences"
  • Byron Hurt, Creator and Producer of Beyond Beats and Rhymes
  • Helen Thomas, former White House Bureau Chief: Member of Panel Discussion, "The News Media's Impact on Shaping Our Perceptions of Culture and Diversity
  • Mark Ridolfi, Editorial Page Editor at the Quad City Times: Member of Panel Discussion: "The News Media's Impact on Shaping Our Perceptions of Culture and Diversity
  • Clarence Page, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist: Member of Panel Discussion: "The News Media's Impact on Shaping Our Perceptions of Culture and Diversity
  • Pam Huey, WIU Alumna: Member of Panel Discussion: "The News Media's Impact on Shaping Our Perceptions of Culture and Diversity
  • Reza Aslan: "No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam"
         2002-2003 Civility
  • P.M. Forni, Author of Choosing Civility