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
Celebrated Journalist, CEO and Founder of Joy 101, Hoda Kotb, waving to the crowd at the Center for the Arts on Mar. 10, 2026.
Pentatonix Beatboxer and Classical Fusion Artist, Kevin Olusola, demonstrates cello-boxing at the Center for the Arts on Feb. 10, 2026.
Videographer, Pete McBride, and Adventure-Writer, Kevin Fedarko, present "Into the Canyon: Between River and Rim" at the Center for the Arts on Nov. 11, 2025.
Former Supreme Allied Commander, NATO, Admiral James Stavridis, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Oct. 21, 2025.
Buffalo Bills Safety and Commotio Cordis Survivor, Damar Hamlin, speaking at the Center for the Arts on Mar. 13, 2025.
Principal Dancer for American Ballet Theatre and New York Times Bestselling Author, Misty Copeland, reads from her book "Black Ballerinas" at the Center for the Arts on Feb. 12, 2025.
Nobel Laureate, First United Nations Goodwill Ambassador and Bestselling Author, Nadia Murad, signs copies of her book "The Last Girl" at the Center for the Arts on Nov. 14, 2024.
Presidential Historial and Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author, Jon Meacham at the Center for the Arts on Oct. 16, 2024.
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 Broadview 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 Broadview 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 Broadview 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 Broadview Arena on October 25, 2018.
47th Vice President of the United States from 2009-17, Joe Biden, at Broadview Arena on Oct. 25, 2018.
TV Icon and Science Communicator, Alan Alda, at Broadview Arena on May 2, 2018.
Global Expert on Climate Change and Founder of the Extreme Ice Survey, James Balog, at Broadview Arena on Apr. 12, 2018.
Former U.S. National Security Advisor from 2013-17, Susan Rice, at Broadview Arena on Feb. 28, 2018.
Actor and Activist, Jesse Williams, at Broadview Arena on Nov. 18, 2017.
Former White House CIO and Cyber Security CEO, Theresa Payton, at Broadview Arena on Oct. 18, 2017.
A sold out audience in Broadview Arena highly anticipates Malala Yousafzai taking the stage.
Girls Education Activist and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Malala Yousafzai, at Broadview Arena on Sep. 19, 2017.
Academy Award-Winning Songwriter, Singer, Musician, Producer, Philanthropist and Entrepreneur, John Legend, at Broadview Arena on Dec. 3, 2015.
Political Satirist and Star of HBO's "Last week Tonight with John Oliver," John Oliver, at Broadview Arena on Dec. 3, 2014.
Endurance Artist and World Renowned Magician, David Blaine at Broadview Arena on Apr. 26, 2014.
Emmy Award-Winning Chief Medical Correspondent for CNN, Sanjay Gupta, at Broadview 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 Broadview Stadium on Sep. 19, 2006.
A sold out Distinguished Speakers Series event in Broadview Arena.