Speakers and Events

What would you say about a speaker series that has included Barack Obama, Colin Powell, George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, Elie Wiesel, Robert Duvall, Coretta Scott King, Margaret Thatcher, and Apollo 13 astronauts, just to name a few?

And Principia College students didn’t just hear these people speak from a distance. With most speakers, there are opportunities to interact. Robert Duvall taught an acting class when he was here, Barack Obama met with a group of students the night he spoke on campus, and Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise discussed NASA's impact on design with art and astronomy students. You never know who’s going to stop by.

The George A. Andrews Distinguished Speaker Series features men and women of high ideals and strong character who have made a significant imprint on our times. The College also sponsors lecture series devoted to moral courage and diversity. And our two student-run conferences bring speakers to campus annually to share insights on public affairs and international affairs. In addition, we welcome leading scholars, writers, diplomats, and business and civic leaders—often for an extended time—through our Annenberg Visiting Scholar Program. View a list of past speakers.

A Sampling of Speakers and Events in 2018–19

(Unless otherwise noted, there is no charge to attend.)

September 11	Annenberg Scholar Dane Carlson, Fulbright Scholar 7:30 p.m. in Wanamaker Hall “Landscape Past, Landscape Future—Hybrid Landscapes of Nepal's Himalayan Frontier” Operating between Nepal and the United States, Dane Carlson uses a multidisciplinary lens to develop strategies for adaptation to rapid change across Nepal’s hinterland regions.
October 9	Annenberg Scholar Killian Stokes, Co-founder of Moyee Coffee Ireland 7:30 p.m. in Wanamaker Hall (In conjunction with the 2018 International Perspectives Conference) Engaging directly with farmers and local communities in Africa as full partners, Killian Stokes works as a global social entrepreneur, focusing on social justice and the reformation of economic models.
October 11	Organ Concert, Featuring Dr. Jan Kraybill 7:30 p.m. in Cox Auditorium Dr. Jan Kraybill is organ conservator at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, Missouri. The program, “Community: Unity in Diversity," which includes works by Mendelssohn, Holst, Dupré, and Brubeck, will be perfomed on Principia’s 58-rank Op. 3838 Casavant organ.
October 11–13	The Shape of Things Nightly 7:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday in the Black Box Theatre A play and film by Neil LaBute. The story explores issues of artistic freedom versus moral responsibility through the experiences of college students. Director Trish Schmit and the cast will participate in talk-back sessions following each performance. The show has strong adult content not suitable for young audiences. Purchase tickets online or at the door.
November 15–17	Urinetown: The Musical Nightly at 7:30 p.m. with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Saturday in Cox Auditorium The play, by Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann, is a satire of the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, and musical theatre itself. Purchase tickets online or at the door.
February 14	Annenberg Scholar Dr. Gordon Grant, Education Director, North Carolina Outward Bound School 7:30 p.m. in Wanamaker Hall Dr. Gordon Grant leads the design and implementation of the Educators’ Initiative and other wilderness and classroom programs for public, private, and charter schools from Florida to New York City.
February 28	Monitor Night Live 7:30 p.m. in Wanamaker Hall On February 28, Principia presents Monitor Night Live in Wanamaker Hall. Mark Sappenfield, editor of The Christian Science Monitor, will moderate a thought-provoking panel discussion with Monitor correspondents Samantha Laine Perfas, Jessica Mendoza, and Bailey Bischoff (C'17). The title of this year’s program is “Changing How We See the World: How the Monitor Lens Matters in Journalism and Beyond.” This will be the 18th Monitor Night Live since 1996. The program begins at 7:30 p.m., and admission is free. The event will also be broadcast live on Principia Internet Radio.
March 5	Annenberg Scholar Aurora Robson, Visual Artist 7:30 p.m. in Wanamaker Hall A Canadian-American artist who works in sculpture, installation, painting, and collage, Aurora Robson focuses on themes relating to the environment.

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College Admissions

Speakers and Events

A Sampling of Speakers and Events in 2018–19

Annenberg Scholar Dane Carlson, Fulbright Scholar

Annenberg Scholar Killian Stokes, Co-founder of Moyee Coffee Ireland

Organ Concert, Featuring Dr. Jan Kraybill

The Shape of Things

Urinetown: The Musical

Annenberg Scholar Dr. Gordon Grant, Education Director, North Carolina Outward Bound School

Monitor Night Live

Annenberg Scholar Aurora Robson, Visual Artist

Featured Links

Search form

College Admissions

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Speakers and Events

A Sampling of Speakers and Events in 2018–19

Annenberg Scholar Dane Carlson, Fulbright Scholar

Annenberg Scholar Killian Stokes, Co-founder of Moyee Coffee Ireland

Organ Concert, Featuring Dr. Jan Kraybill

The Shape of Things

Urinetown: The Musical

Annenberg Scholar Dr. Gordon Grant, Education Director, North Carolina Outward Bound School

Monitor Night Live

Annenberg Scholar Aurora Robson, Visual Artist

Featured Links