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
History-Making Inaugural Poet, Amanda Gorman, speaking with Dr. Cristanne Miller at the Center for the Arts on Mar. 26, 2024.
New York Times Bestselling Author of "The Sum of Us," Heather McGhee, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Feb. 28, 2024.
Technologist, Nicholas Thompson, and neuroscientist, Nita Farahany, discuss the future of Arificial Intelligence at the Center for the Arts on Nov. 16, 2023.
History-Making "Jeopary!"
Champion, Amy Schneider, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Oct. 19, 2023.
"Legally Blonde" actress, Selma Blair, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Mar. 15, 2023.
Former President & Direct-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Sherrilyn Ifill, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Feb. 16, 2023.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Nov. 15, 2022.
Actor and comedian, Ken Jeong, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Oct. 11, 2022.
Host of "Wildlife Nation," Jeff Corwin, showing the audience a baby sloth at the Center for the Arts on Apr. 5, 2022.
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Creator of "The 1619 Project," Nikole Hannah-Jones, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Feb. 16, 2022.
Gold Medal-Winning Gymnast, Aly Raisman, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Nov. 16, 2021.
Virtual event with Tabitha Brown, Actress and Vegan Foodie, Apr. 14, 2021.
Social Activist, Patrisse Cullors, speaks at a virtual event on Feb. 10, 2021.
Tony Award-Winning Actor & Musician, Leslie Odom Jr., performed at a virtual event on Oct. 14, 2020.
Daymond John in the Center for the Arts on Mar. 11, 2020.
Yusef Salaam in Alumni Arena on Feb 24, 2020.
Pulitzer Prize winner, Maggie Haberman, in the Center for the Arts on Nov. 14, 2019.
Nyle DiMarco addresses the crowd using American Sign Language in the Center for the Arts on Oct. 23, 2019.
U.S. Secretary of State from 2005-09, Condoleezza Rice,
at Alumni Arena on Apr. 17, 2019.
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Investigative Reporter, Ronan Farrow, at the Center for the Arts on Mar. 28, 2019.
Social Equality Activist and Author, Angela Davis, at Alumni Arena on Feb. 27, 2019.
Neuroscientist and Bestselling Author of “Still Alice,” Lisa Genova, at the Center for the Arts on Dec. 6, 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.
A full house during Vice President Joe Biden's lecture in Alumni Arena on October 25, 2018.
47th Vice President of the United States from 2009-17, Joe Biden, at Alumni Arena on Oct. 25, 2018.
TV Icon and Science Communicator, Alan Alda, at Alumni Arena on May 2, 2018.
Global Expert on Climate Change and Founder of the Extreme Ice Survey, James Balog, at Alumni Arena on Apr. 12, 2018.
Former U.S. National Security Advisor from 2013-17, Susan Rice, at Alumni Arena on Feb. 28, 2018.
Actor and Activist, Jesse Williams, at Alumni Arena on Nov. 18, 2017.
Former White House CIO and Cyber Security CEO, Theresa Payton, at Alumni Arena on Oct. 18, 2017.
A sold out audience in Alumni Arena highly anticipates Malala Yousafzai taking the stage.
Girls Education Activist and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Malala Yousafzai, at Alumni Arena on Sep. 19, 2017.
Academy Award-Winning Songwriter, Singer, Musician, Producer, Philanthropist and Entrepreneur, John Legend, at Alumni Arena on Dec. 3, 2015.
Political Satirist and Star of HBO's "Last week Tonight with John Oliver," John Oliver, at Alumni Arena on Dec. 3, 2014.
Endurance Artist and World Renowned Magician, David Blaine at Alumni Arena on Apr. 26, 2014.
Emmy Award-Winning Chief Medical Correspondent for CNN, Sanjay Gupta, at Alumni Arena on Mar. 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.
Novelist and Social Commentator, Walter Mosley, at the Center for the Arts on Feb. 28, 2013.
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.
A sold out Distinguished Speakers Series event in Alumni Arena.