Lecture Series
Bringing lectures to the Harding campus, this program serves as an integral part of the American Studies Institute. A unique approach to citizenship education in contemporary national and international affairs, the Lecture Series offers insight into current trends in political and economical development affecting the American way of life. Speakers in the Lecture Series have included President George Bush, President Gerald Ford, Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail Gorbachev, John Major, Lech Walesa, Dan Quayle, Lamar Alexander, Dick Cheney, Linda Chavez, Henry Kissinger, Tom Peters, Jeane Kirkpatrick, Bobby Bowden, Gene Stallings, Zig Ziglar, William Bennett, Kenneth Cooper, Fran Tarkenton, William F. Buckley Jr., Robert Bork and Benazir Bhutto, Ben Stein, Laura Ingraham, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, and President George W. Bush.
If you need accommodations due to a disability, please contact the American Studies Office by calling 501-279-4497. Please make your request at least one week prior to the scheduled presentation.
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Star Parker Thursday, September 20 7:30 pm Benson Auditorium “How We Can Win the Culture War” Star Parker is the founder and president of CURE, the Center for Urban Renewal and Education, a non-profit think tank which promotes market based public policy to fight poverty and addresses issues of race and poverty through principles of faith, freedom and personal responsibility. Before involvement in social activism, Star Parker had seven years of first-hand experience in the grip of welfare dependency. |
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Karl Rove Tuesday, October 16 7:00 pm Benson Auditorium “Understanding America’s Challenges” Karl Rove, an iconic political strategist and one of the most sought-after political pundits of our time, is best known for his provocative and robust knowledge of the major political issues of the day. Rove served as Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush from 2000–2007 and Deputy Chief of Staff from 2004–2007. |
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Stephen Moore Thursday, February 7 7:30 pm Benson Auditorium “How America Can Get Its Mojo Back” Stephen Moore is a member of the The Wall Street Journal editorial board and senior economics writer. He splits his time between Washington and New York, focusing on economic issues, including budget, tax and monetary policy. |
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Governor Mike Beebe Tuesday, March 5 7:30 pm Benson Auditorium “Economic Development for Arkansas and our Nation” A champion of education and economic development, Governor Beebe has overseen Arkansas’s rise in national education rankings and the announcement of more than 26,000 new jobs. |
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Bill Simon Thursday, April 25 7:30 pm Benson Auditorium Bill Simon is president and Chief Executive Officer of Walmart U.S. He is responsible for the strategic direction and performance of Walmart’s U.S. business, leading 1.3 million associates and about 3,900 stores. |
The Distinguished Lecture Series Roots
The American Studies Institute traces its roots to a program that started at Harding in 1953 called the School of American Studies. Expanded and renamed in 1988, the Institute is designed to supplement the academic training of students by promoting a complete understanding of the institutions, values and ideas of liberty and democracy. It does so by providing up-to-date reflections from national and international leaders in business, government and education.
The benefits of the American Studies Institute have been visibly significant. Unequaled educational opportunities have been provided to students in many disciplines. The program has a long-standing tradition of recognition from the Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge, Pa., receiving numerous awards in the area of community service. In fact, either the program itself or Harding faculty and administrators have won a Freedoms Foundation award every year for the past 45 years.
Also see ASI Historical Synopsis.
Past Speakers
Jose Maria Aznar
David Barton
Fred Barnes
Bob Beckel
William J. Bennett
Angela "Bay" Buchanan
Deena Burnett
Jim Burnett
Gracia Burnham
George H.W. Bush
George W. Bush
Jim Cathcart
S. Truett Cathy
Dick Cheney
General Wesley K. Clark
Dinesh D'Souza
Gerald W. Ebker
Tommy R. Franks
Vicente Fox
Sean Hannity
James Humes
Asa Hutchinson
Khalil E. Jahshan
Leland R. Kaiser
Frank Keating
Vladimir P. Lukin
Heather Whitestone McCallum
Michael Medved
Zell Miller
Sidney Moncrief
Randall Mott
Robert D. Novak
Houston Nutt
Colin Powell
Dan Quayle
Paul Craig Roberts
Jim Ryun
Don Soderquist
Kenneth W. Starr
Ben Stein
Cal Thomas
Scott Waddle
Lech Walesa
George R. Walther
J.C. Watts
Walter E. Williams
Cheri Pierson Yecke
Benazir Bhuto