DISTINGUISHED LECTURES

The Mary and Louis Fusco Distinguished Lecture Series is a major intellectual event in the greater New Haven area, each year bringing a political, social, or creative leader to campus.

In the week preceding the lecture, the university sponsors a public forum focusing on an issue related to the lecture. Previous forums have highlighted such issues as the power of the news media in shaping history and social change, the importance of empowering America's youth, and the role of the arts in the lives of those who are physically challenged. The lectures and their companion forums present the Southern community and the community at large with rare opportunities to hear a variety of viewpoints on topics that influence their lives and profoundly affect their futures.

The series also involves the community by offering businesses and individuals an opportunity to become sponsors at various levels of financial support. Proceeds from the event provide scholarship support for Southern students through the Endowed Awards of Excellence, a new merit-based scholarship program that will attract and recognize academically talented students.

Past Distinguished Lecturers in the Series:

		Michael J. Fox Actor and Author 2011
Tim Russert Political Journalist and Analyst 2008	Peter Gammons, ESPN Commentator, &  Brian Cashman, Yankees GM 2009	Apolo Ohno Olympic Speed Skating Champion   2010
Whoopi Goldberg Actor, Comic, Humanitarian 2007	Bill Belichick Head Coach, New England Patriots 2006	Madeleine Albright Former Secretary of State 2005
Mario Cuomo Former Governor, New York 2004	Rudolph Giuliani Former Mayor, New York City 2003	Ehud Barak Former Prime Minister of Israel 2002
Dana and Christopher Reeve Actors, Disability Rights Activists 2001	Walter Cronkite Former Broadcast Journalist 2000	Colin Powell Former Secretary of State 1999