February 17, 2026, 7:00pm - 8:30pmJoin us for an evening with Professor Angela Davis—scholar, activist, writer, and one of the most influential voices in the global struggle for justice. Her work examines the intersections of race, gender, and class, with a particular focus on prisons, policing, and abolition. Author of numerous groundbreaking books, including Angela Davis: An Autobiography, Freedom Is a Constant Struggle, and co-author of Abolition.Feminism.Now., Professor Davis continues to challenge us to imagine new futures beyond the prison industrial complex. This special event will feature a moderated conversation with Dr. Derrick Harriell, offering powerful dialogue and reflection on building a more just world.
March 5, 2026, 7:00pm - 9:00pmMore event details and ticketing information coming soon!
Tom Kenny is an American actor and comedian best known as one of the most versatile and recognizable voices in animation. He has lent his voice to countless characters across television, film, and video games, with his most iconic role being SpongeBob SquarePants. Beyond that, his work spans shows like Adventure Time, The Powerpuff Girls, and Rocko’s Modern Life, as well as roles in major franchises like Spyro and Transformers. Celebrated for his energetic range and comedic timing, Kenny has become a central figure in modern voice acting, shaping the sound and personality of many beloved animated worlds.
DLS Complementary Events
When other campus groups host events related to a Distinguished Lecture Series event, we will post them below.
February 12, 2026, 6:00pm - 9:00pmJoin us in exploring the intricacies of the film Sinners alongside a dynamic panel discussion with professors Marquise Mays, Paulina Bugembe-Kuwahara, & Tiera Hammond-Trammell.
UWM Student Union (UN)2200 East Kenwood Blvd.Milwaukee WI, 53211
February 17, 2026, 5:30pm - 6:30pmUWM Student Union (UN)2200 East Kenwood Blvd.Milwaukee WI, 53211- March 5, 2026, 5:30pm - 6:30pmUWM Student Union (UN)2200 East Kenwood Blvd.Milwaukee WI, 53211
What is the Distinguished Lecture Series
The Distinguished Lecture Series (DLS) began in 1990, originating from our campus community’s expressed interest in national topics and current events.
The DLS invites two speakers annually for an evening lecture, question and answer session, and a book signing. Our guest list from the past includes Henry Cisneros, Gloria Steinem, Nikki Giovanni, Harry Wu, George Takei, the Guerilla Girls, Richard Leakey, Alice Walker, Art Spiegelman, Henry Louis Gates, Michael Pollan, Roxane Gay, Samin Nosrat, and many more.
The series strives to bring in a diverse range of speakers to achieve the following:
- To introduce the campus community to the excellence of world-class speakers who bring powerful new ideas to the campus community.
- To complement the educational process and enhance the educational experience of the UWM student.
- To feature speakers who benefit and are of interest to students.
Previous Speakers
- Jane Goodall
- Maya Angelou
- Toni Morrison
- Anna Deavere Smith
- Alice Walker
- Dr. Cornel West
- David Malouf
- Sherman Alexie
- Dr. Richard Leakey
- Nina Totenberg
- Eric Schlosser
- Walter Mosley
- Alma Guillermoprieto
- Edward James Olmos
- bell hooks
- John Waters
- Angela Davis
- Tony Kushner
- Naomi Wolf
- Art Spiegelman
- Barry Scheck
- David Wild
- Nikki Giovanni
- Robert Kennedy Jr.
- Dr.Henry Louis Gates
- Amy Goodman
- Julie Chavez Rodriguez
- John Bul Dau
- Ed Begley Jr.
- Adrienne Rich
- Frank Warren
- Danny Glover
- Saul Williams
- Jonathan Kozol
- Ira Glass
- Edwidge Danticat
- Juan Williams
- Michael Pollan
- Terry McMillan
- Morgan Spurlock
- Jerry Greenfield
- Firoozeh Dumas
- Aaron McGruder
- Jose Antonio Vargas
- Bill Nye
- Sherman Alexie
- Aisha Tyler
- David Simon
- LeVar Burton
- Alicia Garza and Patrisse Cullors
- Kareem Abdul Jabbar
- Raoul Peck
- Carly Fiorina
- Roxanne Gay
- Diane Guerrero
- Samin Nosrat
- Pete Souza
- Xiuhtezcal Martinez
- Ibram X Kendi
- Aly Raisman
- Paul Ryan
- George Takei
- Mae Jemison
- Jessamyn Stanley
- Hank Green
- Ada Limón
- Tommy G. Thompson
Suggest a Speaker
The Distinguished Lecture Series speaker selection process is a collaborative effort designed to ensure that our events reflect student interests and bring timely, relevant topics to campus. Our process involves four key steps: idea generation, speaker research, campus partnership identification, student surveys, and final selection.
We are continuously seeking suggestions that we can continue to research and survey. Please submit your ideas so we can consider them in our research and selection process.