The Kerschner Family Series Global Leaders has brought to campus notable individuals whose work has had a global impact.
President Barack Obama
44th President of the United States
September 18, at 6:30 p.m.
Tracee Ellis Ross
Award-winning actress, producer, founder, and CEO
April 10, 2026
Michael Lewis
Best-selling author of The Big Short and Boomerang
November 1, 2025
Amanda Gorman
Gorman is the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history. She is a committed advocate for the environment, racial equality, and gender justice.
April 5, 2024
Maria Ressa
Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist, free press advocate, CEO of Rappler.com, and author of How to Stand Up to a Dictator, ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ’s 2023 Summer Reading selection
October 28, 2023
Misty Copeland
Principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre
April 15, 2023
Amal Clooney
Award-winning lawyer specializing in international law and human rights, and Visiting Professor, Columbia Law School
March 5, 2022
Jesmyn Ward
Acclaimed author and National Book Award winner
March 4, 2022
Leon Panetta
Former U.S. Secretary of Defense and co-founder of the Panetta Institute for Public Policy
April 5, 2019
Earth, Wind & Fire
Legendary funk band
September 22, 2018
Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt
Authors of Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
April 13, 2007
