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Global Leaders Series

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The Kerschner Family Series Global Leaders

The Series

The Kerschner Family Series Global Leaders at ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ, launched in 2007 and sponsored by ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ's Parents' and Grandparents' Fund, has brought to campus notable individuals whose work has had a global impact. Encounters with these world leaders help students themselves to prepare for lives of leadership — to contribute to the advance of local community and global society alike.

Support the Series

Support this remarkable initiative, and ensure that ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ students continue to engage with pivotal figures from the world stage. Make your gift today, and indicate Other – Global Leaders Series on your giving form.

Upcoming and Past Leaders

Since its inception in 2007, the series has brought world leaders to the ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ University campus for lectures, conversations, and performances.

Amanda Gorman

April 5, 2024
Gorman is the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history. She is a committed advocate for the environment, racial equality, and gender justice.

Seating is limited and will be first come, first served.

²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Amanda Gorman's Visit

 

Portrait of Amanda Gorman

Maria Ressa

Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist, free press advocate, CEO of Rappler.com, and author of How to Stand Up to a Dictator, ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ’s 2023 Summer Reading selection

October 28, 2023

 

Portrait of Maria Ressa

Misty Copeland

Principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre

April 15, 2023

 

Portrait of Misty Copeland

Amal Clooney

Award-winning lawyer specializing in international law and human rights, and Visiting Professor, Columbia Law School

Saturday, March 5, 2022

Portrait of Amal Clooney

Jesmyn Ward

Acclaimed author and National Book Award winner

Friday, March 4, 2022

 

Portrait of Jesmyn Ward

Leon Panetta

Former U.S. Secretary of Defense and co-founder of the Panetta Institute for Public Policy

April 5, 2019

²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Panetta's visit

Leon Panetta speaks in ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Memorial Chapel

Earth, Wind & Fire

Legendary funk band

September 22, 2018

Earth, Wind & Fire perform in ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ's Sanford Field House

Joe Biden

Former vice president of the United States

March 24, 2017

²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Biden's visit

Joe Biden speaks in ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ's Sanford Field House

Aretha Franklin

Legendary singer and "Queen of Soul"

March 5, 2016

²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Franklin's performance

Aretha Franklin performs in Sanford Field House

Shimon Peres

Former president and prime minister of Israel

October 25, 2014

²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Peres's visit

Shimon Peres speaks on stage with alumnus Bob Woodruff

Hillary Clinton

Former secretary of state

October 25, 2013

²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Clinton's visit

Hillary Clinton speaks in Sanford Field House

Felipe Calderón

Former Mexico president

April 13, 2013

²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Calderón's visit

Felipe Calderón in ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Memorial Chapel

Richard Branson

Entrepreneur and Virgin Group founder

April 13, 2012

²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Branson's visit

Richard Branson in conversation on stage in Stanford Field House

Bill Clinton

Former president of the United States

October 29, 2010

²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Clinton's visit

Bill Clinton speaks in Sanford Field House

Garry Kasparov

Chess champion and political activist

April 9, 2010

²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Kasparov's visit

Garry Kasparov has a discussion while seated with a class of students

Tony Blair

Former prime minister of the United Kingdom

October 31, 2009

²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Blair's visit

Tony Blair speaks in Sanford Field House

Colin Powell

Retired general and former secretary of state

April 3, 2009

²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Powell's visit

Colin Powell speaks in Sanford Field House

Dalai Lama

The 14th Dalai Lama of tibet

April 22, 2008

²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ the Dalai Lama's visit

The Dalai Lama wears a ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ hat while speaking in Sanford Field House

Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt

Authors of Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

April 13, 2007

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