WTAMU’s Distinguished Lecture Series (DLS) was created in 2007 to enhance education in the classroom. A portion of the student activity fee funds the series, and committee members strive to select speakers who appeal to a broad spectrum of the student body. The mission of the Distinguished Lecture Series is to invite persons of national prominence to the WTAMU campus in order to expose our students to some of the most important issues of our times.
In addition to offering funding support for visits by subject-matter experts to expand the work of our colleges and departments, the Distinguished Lecture Series at WT has brought world reknown guests to campus through the years to inspire and enlighten students, faculty and the community. Topics are varied, and guest speakers have included Dr. Temple Grandin, Astronaut Mark Kelly, Humans of New York founder Brandon Stanton, President Bill Clinton, Maya Angelou, Astronaut Sally Ride, Steve Burns of "Blue's Clues," actress and author Anna Deavere Smith, and author George Saunders.
Spring 2024 Events
Kathryn Sydell Pilkington co-founder of Company E
“Creating Connections: Dance, Film, and the Art of Cultural Diplomacy”
Date: Thursday, Jan. 25
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex Recital Hall
Hosted by: Crystal Bertrand, the WT Dance Program within the Department of Art, Theatre, and Dance
Janel Pineda & Sara Uribe, poets
“Dreaming America through Latinx Poetry”
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 6
Discussion on Writing and Poetry
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Blackburn Room of the Cornette Library
Poetry Reading
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex Recital Hall
Hosted by: Dr. Andrew Reynolds, the WT Spanish Program within the Department of English, Philosophy, and Modern Languages
Audrey Wright, violinist
"Voices of the Violin” Lecture and Recital
Date: Tuesday, March 26
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex Recital Hall
Hosted by: Evgeny Zvonnikov, WT School of Music
George Saunders, author
Date: Thursday, April 4
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Legacy Hall
Hosted in partnership with Amarillo College's Creative Mind Lecture Series and the Center for the Study of the American West’s Garry L. Nall Lecture in Western Studies
Fall 2023 Lectures
Aaron A. Abeyta
"An Evening of Poetry Featuring Award-Winning Poet and Author Aaron A. Abeyta"
September 11
6:00 p.m.
Legacy Hall
Sponsored by:
WT Distinguished Lecture Series
Office for Engaged Citizenship
Department of English, Philosophy and Modern Languages
Center for the Study of the American West (CSAW)
Sandra Lopez
"Career Empowerment and Leadership Through Diversity, Respect and Inclusion"
October 4
Noon
Alumni Banquet Hall (lunch included)
Main Sponsors:
WT Distinguished Lecture Series
Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business
Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA)
Co-Sponsors:
Women in Business (WIB)
Buff Analytics
College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP)
Hispanic Student Association (HSA)
Chad Abushanab
"The Dorothy Patterson Poetry Series Presents Chad Abushanab"
POSTPONED
November
6 p.m. (time updated)
Legacy Hall
Dan Flores
Center for the Study of the American West's Garry L. Nall Lecture in Western Studies
"Wild New World"
November 2
7 p.m.
Legacy Hall