Past Speakers

Since 1987, the Distinguished Speakers Series has expanded to include internationally renowned scientists, authors, media experts and other leaders from a multitude of fields—all of whom continue to bring a crowd of people to UB each year.

Speakers By Year

Photo Highlights

Zoom image: History-Making Inaugural Poet, Amanda Gorman, speaking with Dr. Cristanne Miller at the Center for the Arts on Mar. 26, 2024. Amanda Gorman and moderator, Dr. Cris Miller.

History-Making Inaugural Poet, Amanda Gorman, speaking with Dr. Cristanne Miller at the Center for the Arts on Mar. 26, 2024.

Zoom image: New York Times Bestselling Author of "The Sum of Us," Heather McGhee, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Feb. 28, 2024. Heather McGhee.

New York Times Bestselling Author of "The Sum of Us," Heather McGhee, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Feb. 28, 2024.

Zoom image: Technologist, Nicholas Thompson, and neuroscientist, Nita Farahany, discuss the future of Arificial Intelligence at the Center for the Arts on Nov. 16, 2023. Nicholas Thompson and Nita Farahany.

Technologist, Nicholas Thompson, and neuroscientist, Nita Farahany, discuss the future of Arificial Intelligence at the Center for the Arts on Nov. 16, 2023.

Zoom image: History-Making "Jeopary!" Champion, Amy Schneider, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Oct. 19, 2023. Amy Schneider.

History-Making "Jeopary!"
 Champion, Amy Schneider, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Oct. 19, 2023.

Zoom image: "Legally Blonde" actress, Selma Blair, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Mar. 15, 2023. Selma Blair.

"Legally Blonde" actress, Selma Blair, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Mar. 15, 2023.

Zoom image: Former President & Direct-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Sherrilyn Ifill, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Feb. 16, 2023. Sherrilyn Ifill.

Former President & Direct-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Sherrilyn Ifill, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Feb. 16, 2023.

Zoom image: Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Nov. 15, 2022. Marie Yovanovitch.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Nov. 15, 2022.

Zoom image: Actor and comedian, Ken Jeong, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Oct. 11, 2022. Ken Jeong.

Actor and comedian, Ken Jeong, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Oct. 11, 2022.

Zoom image: Host of "Wildlife Nation," Jeff Corwin, showing the audience a baby sloth at the Center for the Arts on Apr. 5, 2022. Jeff Corwin.

Host of "Wildlife Nation," Jeff Corwin, showing the audience a baby sloth at the Center for the Arts on Apr. 5, 2022.

Zoom image: Pulitzer Prize-Winning Creator of "The 1619 Project," Nikole Hannah-Jones, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Feb. 16, 2022. Nikole Hannah-Jones.

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Creator of "The 1619 Project," Nikole Hannah-Jones, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Feb. 16, 2022.

Zoom image: Gold Medal-Winning Gymnast, Aly Raisman, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Nov. 16, 2021. Aly Raisman.

Gold Medal-Winning Gymnast, Aly Raisman, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Nov. 16, 2021.

Zoom image: Virtual event with Tabitha Brown, Actress and Vegan Foodie, Apr. 14, 2021. Tabitha Brown.

Virtual event with Tabitha Brown, Actress and Vegan Foodie, Apr. 14, 2021.

Zoom image: Social Activist, Patrisse Cullors, speaks at a virtual event on Feb. 10, 2021. Patrisse Cullors.

Social Activist, Patrisse Cullors, speaks at a virtual event on Feb. 10, 2021.

Zoom image: Tony Award-Winning Actor & Musician, Leslie Odom Jr., performed at a virtual event on Oct. 14, 2020. Leslie Odom Jr.

Tony Award-Winning Actor & Musician, Leslie Odom Jr., performed at a virtual event on Oct. 14, 2020.

Zoom image: Daymond John in the Center for the Arts on Mar. 11, 2020. Daymond John.

Daymond John in the Center for the Arts on Mar. 11, 2020.

Zoom image: Yusef Salaam in Alumni Arena on Feb 24, 2020. Yusef Salaam.

Yusef Salaam in Alumni Arena on Feb 24, 2020.

Zoom image: Pulitzer Prize winner, Maggie Haberman, in the Center for the Arts on Nov. 14, 2019. Ann Bisantz, Dean of Undergraduate Education, interviews Maggie Haberman.

Pulitzer Prize winner, Maggie Haberman, in the Center for the Arts on Nov. 14, 2019.

Zoom image: Nyle DiMarco addresses the crowd using American Sign Language in the Center for the Arts on Oct. 23, 2019. Nyle DiMarco addresses the crowd using American Sign Language in the Center for the Arts on Oct. 23, 2019.

Nyle DiMarco addresses the crowd using American Sign Language in the Center for the Arts on Oct. 23, 2019.

Zoom image: U.S. Secretary of State from 2005-09, Condoleezza Rice, at Alumni Arena on Apr. 17, 2019. Condoleezza Rice (U.S. Secretary of State from 2005-09) at Alumni Arena on April 17, 2019.

 U.S. Secretary of State from 2005-09, Condoleezza Rice,
at Alumni Arena on Apr. 17, 2019.

Zoom image: Pulitzer Prize-Winning Investigative Reporter, Ronan Farrow, at the Center for the Arts on Mar. 28, 2019. Pulitzer Prize-Winning Investigative Reporter, Ronan Farrow, at the Center for the Arts on Mar. 28, 2019.

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Investigative Reporter, Ronan Farrow, at the Center for the Arts on Mar. 28, 2019.

Zoom image: Social Equality Activist and Author, Angela Davis, at Alumni Arena on Feb. 27, 2019. Social Equality Activist and Author, Angela Davis, at Alumni Arena on Feb. 27, 2019.

Social Equality Activist and Author, Angela Davis, at Alumni Arena on Feb. 27, 2019.

Zoom image: Neuroscientist and Bestselling Author of “Still Alice,” Lisa Genova, at the Center for the Arts on Dec. 6, 2018. Lisa Genova (Neuroscientist and Bestselling Author of “Still Alice”) at the Center for the Arts on December 6, 2018.

Neuroscientist and Bestselling Author of “Still Alice,” Lisa Genova, at the Center for the Arts on Dec. 6, 2018.

Zoom image: Executive Chairman of the XPRIZE Foundation, Peter Diamandis, with the Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, Tom Ulbrich, at the Center for the Arts on Nov. 14, 2018. Peter Diamandis (Executive Chairman of the XPRIZE Foundation) with the Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, Tom Ulbrich, at the Center for the Arts on November 14, 2018.

Executive Chairman of the XPRIZE Foundation,  Peter Diamandis, with the Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, Tom Ulbrich, at the Center for the Arts on Nov. 14, 2018.

Zoom image: A full house during Vice President Joe Biden's lecture in Alumni Arena on October 25, 2018. A full house during Vice President Joe Biden's lecture in Alumni Arena on Oct. 25, 2018.

A full house during Vice President Joe Biden's lecture in Alumni Arena on October 25, 2018.

Zoom image: 47th Vice President of the United States from 2009-17, Joe Biden, at Alumni Arena on Oct. 25, 2018. 47th Vice President of the United States from 2009-17, Joe Biden, at Alumni Arena on Oct. 25, 2018.

47th Vice President of the United States from 2009-17, Joe Biden, at Alumni Arena on Oct. 25, 2018.

Zoom image: TV Icon and Science Communicator, Alan Alda, at Alumni Arena on May 2, 2018. TV Icon and Science Communicator, Alan Alda, at Alumni Arena on May 2, 2018.

TV Icon and Science Communicator, Alan Alda, at Alumni Arena on May 2, 2018.

Zoom image: Global Expert on Climate Change and Founder of the Extreme Ice Survey, James Balog, at Alumni Arena on Apr. 12, 2018. James Balog (Global Expert on Climate Change and Founder of the Extreme Ice Survey) at Alumni Arena on April 12, 2018.

Global Expert on Climate Change and Founder of the Extreme Ice Survey, James Balog, at Alumni Arena on Apr. 12, 2018.

Zoom image: Former U.S. National Security Advisor from 2013-17, Susan Rice, at Alumni Arena on Feb. 28, 2018. Former U.S. National Security Advisor from 2013-17, Susan Rice, at Alumni Arena on Feb. 28, 2018.

Former U.S. National Security Advisor from 2013-17, Susan Rice, at Alumni Arena on Feb. 28, 2018.

Zoom image: Actor and Activist, Jesse Williams, at Alumni Arena on Nov. 18, 2017. Actor and Activist, Jesse Williams, at Alumni Arena on Nov. 18, 2017.

Actor and Activist, Jesse Williams, at Alumni Arena on Nov. 18, 2017.

Zoom image: Former White House CIO and Cyber Security CEO, Theresa Payton, at Alumni Arena on Oct. 18, 2017. Theresa Payton (Former White House CIO and Cyber Security CEO) at Alumni Arena on October 18, 2017.

Former White House CIO and Cyber Security CEO,  Theresa Payton, at Alumni Arena on Oct. 18, 2017.

Zoom image: A sold out audience in Alumni Arena highly anticipates Malala Yousafzai taking the stage. A sold out audience in Alumni Arena highly anticipates Malala Yousafzai taking the stage.

A sold out audience in Alumni Arena highly anticipates Malala Yousafzai taking the stage.

Zoom image: Girls Education Activist and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Malala Yousafzai, at Alumni Arena on Sep. 19, 2017. Girls Education Activist and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Malala Yousafzai, at Alumni Arena on Sep. 19, 2017.

Girls Education Activist and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Malala Yousafzai, at Alumni Arena on Sep. 19, 2017.

Zoom image: Academy Award-Winning Songwriter, Singer, Musician, Producer, Philanthropist and Entrepreneur, John Legend, at Alumni Arena on Dec. 3, 2015. Academy Award-Winning Songwriter, Singer, Musician, Producer, Philanthropist and Entrepreneur, John Legend, at Alumni Arena on Dec. 3, 2015.

Academy Award-Winning Songwriter, Singer, Musician, Producer, Philanthropist and Entrepreneur, John Legend, at Alumni Arena on Dec. 3, 2015.

Zoom image: Political Satirist and Star of HBO's "Last week Tonight with John Oliver," John Oliver, at Alumni Arena on Dec. 3, 2014. Political Satirist and Star of HBO's "Last week Tonight with John Oliver," John Oliver, at Alumni Arena on Dec. 3, 2014.

Political Satirist and Star of HBO's "Last week Tonight with John Oliver," John Oliver, at Alumni Arena on Dec. 3, 2014.

Zoom image: Endurance Artist and World Renowned Magician, David Blaine at Alumni Arena on Apr. 26, 2014. Endurance Artist and World Renowned Magician, David Blaine at Alumni Arena on Apr. 26, 2014.

Endurance Artist and World Renowned Magician, David Blaine  at Alumni Arena on Apr. 26, 2014.

Zoom image: Emmy Award-Winning Chief Medical Correspondent for CNN, Sanjay Gupta, at Alumni Arena on Mar. 26, 2014. Emmy Award-Winning Chief Medical Correspondent for CNN, Sanjay Gupta, at Alumni Arena on Mar. 26, 2014.

Emmy Award-Winning Chief Medical Correspondent for CNN,  Sanjay Gupta, at Alumni Arena on Mar. 26, 2014.

Zoom image: Author, Educator and Historian, Mary Frances Berry, and Civil Rights and Peace Activist, Diane Nash at the Center for the Arts on Feb. 26, 2014. Mary Frances Berry (Author, Educator and Historian) and Diane Nash (Civil Rights and Peace Activist) at the Center for the Arts on February 26, 2014.

Author, Educator and Historian, Mary Frances Berry, and Civil Rights and Peace Activist,  Diane Nash at the Center for the Arts on Feb. 26, 2014.

Zoom image: Novelist and Social Commentator, Walter Mosley, at the Center for the Arts on Feb. 28, 2013. Walter Mosley (Novelist and Social Commentator) at the Center for the Arts on February 28, 2013.

Novelist and Social Commentator, Walter Mosley, at the Center for the Arts on Feb. 28, 2013.

Zoom image: The Head of state in exile of Tibet and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, The Dalai Lama, at UB Stadium on Sep. 19, 2006. The Dalai Lama (The Head of state in exile of Tibet and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people) at UB Stadium on September 19, 2006.

The Head of state in exile of Tibet and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, The Dalai Lama, at UB Stadium on Sep. 19, 2006.

Zoom image: A sold out Distinguished Speakers Series event in Alumni Arena. A sold out Distinguished Speakers Series event in Alumni Arena.

A sold out Distinguished Speakers Series event in Alumni Arena.