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

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.

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.

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.