The Sanford School brings a variety of high-profile speakers to Duke each year with the goal of connecting students and faculty to thought leaders. These lectures and events are free and open to the public. Several of our recurring series are supported by endowment funds.
THE TERRY SANFORD DISTINGUISHED LECTURE
Endowed by the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, this prestigious lecture – Sanford’s longest-running series – facilitates addresses from “men and women of the highest personal and professional stature, such as presidents, prime ministers and cabinet members, chief executive officers of corporations, visionary artists, and esteemed scholars.” The lectures are meant to promote engaged and enlightened leadership and are held in honor of the late Terry Sanford, a bold leader who served as North Carolina governor, U.S. senator, president of Duke University, and founder of our school.
Previous lecturers have include Pulitzer Prize Winner Isabel Wilkerson, social entrepreneur and founder of Goodr Jasmine Crowe-Houston, founder and director of the Equal Justice Initiative Bryan Stevenson, and the Founding Mothers of NPR Susan Stamberg and Linda Wertheimer.
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson shared his perspectives on how states can keep pace with the need for new tech policies, particularly protecting seniors and children online.
THE RUBENSTEIN LECTURE
Named for benefactor David M. Rubenstein, a Duke alumnus and former chair of Duke’s Board of Trustees, this endowed lecture series brings high-profile thought leaders and policy makers to campus each year. Previous speakers include New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, Nobel Peace Laureate Maria Ressa, and former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
Former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg urged students to hold on to hope, resist the pull of polarization, and practice the kind of politics rooted in humanity and dialogue.
THE CROWN LECTURE IN ETHICS
Named for benefactor Lester Crown, the lecture was established to bring speakers to Duke to discuss ethical concerns in the arts, sciences, medicine, business and other fields. It was conceived of as a centerpiece in the Sanford School’s efforts to focus student, faculty and public opinion on the critical importance of ethical decision-making in the professions and public life.
Crown is an enterprising businessman, active civic leader and chairman emeritus of Henry Crown and Company. Previous Crown lecturers include computer scientist and author Cal Newport, visual artist and social activist Frederica Donato, and VP for U.S. Social Impact on Sesame Street Dr. Jeanette Betancourt.
Maggie Kane, the award-winning founder of Raleigh's pay-what-you-can restaurant displayed a contagious passion for community through food.
The Wilson Lecture
The Robert R. Wilson Distinguished Lecture was endowed by a gift to Duke to highlight important conversations in public law. Speakers have included legal scholar, professor, and author Adam Benforado, environmental justice advocates Raya Slater and Rev Dr. Ben Chavis, and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Commissioner Christine S. Wilson.
Prominent legal scholar Adam Benforado shared how prioritizing the best interests of children in policy, law, and even economics, could radically change the way we develop the next generation.
Listen and Suggest
Student Reflections
Distinguished Lectures are often the highlight of the semester. Students reflect on recent lectures.