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.
The lectures 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.
Distinguished Lecturers in the Series
| 2024 | Gloria Estefan Singer and Songwriter |
|
| 2023 | Spike Lee Writer, Director, Producer, Actor, and Author |
|
| 2019 | Michael Phelps Olympic Champion Swimmer |
|
| 2018 | Joe Biden Former Vice President |
|
| 2017 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar NBA Legend, Social Justice Advocate, Cancer Survivor |
|
| 2016 | Robin Roberts Co-Anchor, ABC News' Good Morning America |
|
| 2015 | Mariano Rivera Joe Torre New York Yankees Legends |
|
| 2014 | Jay Leno Former Host of The Tonight Show |
|
| 2013 | Alan Alda Actor, Science Advocate |
|
| 2012 | Mark Kelly Astronaut |
|
| 2011 | Michael J. Fox Actor and Author |
|
| 2010 | Apolo Ohno Olympic Speed-Skating Champion |
|
| 2009 | Peter Gammons ESPN Commentator Brian Cashman New York Yankees General Manager |
|
| 2008 | Tim Russert Political Journalist and Analyst |
|
| 2007 | Whoopi Goldberg Actor, Comic, Humanitarian |
|
| 2006 | Bill Belichick Head Coach, New England Patriots |
|
| 2005 | Madeleine Albright Former U.S. Secretary of State |
|
| 2004 | Mario Cuomo Former Governor, New York |
|
| 2003 | Rudolph Giuliani Former Mayor, New York City |
|
| 2002 | Ehud Barak Former Prime Minister of Israel |
|
| 2001 | Dana and Christopher Reeve Actors, Disability Rights Activists |
|
| 2000 | Walter Cronkite Former Broadcast Journalist |
|
| 1999 | Colin Powell Former U.S. Secretary of State |
|