Lectures & Presentations

Distinguished Research Lectureship: Michael McGehee to discuss climate solutions Nov. 18

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:04:07 +0000

Distinguished Research Lectureship: Michael McGehee to discuss climate solutions Nov. 18 Megan M Rogers Fri, 10/16/2026 - 11:04

The Patten Chair Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering and RASEI fellow will discuss harnessing sunlight and mentoring startup founders to address climate change. The Distinguished Research Lectureship is among the most esteemed honors bestowed upon ��ñ�� faculty.

Traditional

White

Rainn Wilson to visit ��ñ�� Nov. 3

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 19:26:42 +0000

Rainn Wilson to visit ��ñ�� Nov. 3 Megan M Rogers Thu, 10/15/2026 - 13:26

The actor, author and producer best known for his role as Dwight Schrute on "The Office" will speak at Macky Auditorium. Tickets are now available online.

Traditional

White

Olympic gold medalist Amber Glenn to visit ��ñ��—rescheduled for Nov. 30

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 19:29:05 +0000

Olympic gold medalist Amber Glenn to visit ��ñ��—rescheduled for Nov. 30 Megan M Rogers Tue, 10/13/2026 - 13:29

Editor's note: An Evening with Amber Glenn, originally scheduled for Oct. 28, has been rescheduled to Monday, Nov. 30.

All previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new date, and current ticket holders do not need to take any additional action. While the event is currently sold out, additional tickets will be released over the coming weeks through Eventbrite.

The rescheduled event will also implement a clear-bag policy in accordance with stadium guidelines. Attendees requiring medically necessary exceptions should contact ceb@colorado.edu prior to the event to make arrangements.

The Cultural Events Board apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the schedule change and appreciates the community's understanding. For any questions or concerns, please contact ceb@colorado.edu.

Olympic gold medalist and three-time U.S. figure skating champion Amber Glenn will visit ��ñ�� on Nov. 30 for an evening event presented by the student-run Cultural Events Board (CEB).

Glenn will take the stage at 7 p.m. in the UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom. The event is currently sold out, but additional tickets will be released.

“The Cultural Events Board selected Amber Glenn because she stands at the intersection of LGBTQ+ advocacy and mental health, which are highly relevant to the CU community,” said Naisha Naik, CEB’s speaker coordinator. “We believe Glenn’s story will challenge CU students to think critically about how they can remain advocates in their everyday lives, while also navigating disagreement, pressure and uncertainty in their own communities.”

One of the most accomplished American figure skaters of her generation, Glenn helped Team USA capture gold in the figure skating team event at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan Cortina. She also finished fifth in the women’s individual event.

Glenn is a three-peat reigning U.S. champion, winning national titles in 2024, 2025 and 2026, and the 2024 Grand Prix Final champion. Known for her athleticism and technical skill, she became the sixth U.S. woman to successfully land a triple axel in competition.

Off the ice, Glenn is a vocal advocate for mental health awareness, openly sharing her experiences to help normalize conversations around athlete well-being.

If you go

Who: Open to the public
What: An Evening with Amber Glenn, presented by the Cultural Events Board
When: Monday, Nov. 30, 7 p.m.
Where: University Memorial Center, Glenn Miller Ballroom
Tickets: $2 for students; $5 for faculty and staff; $15 for community members

While the event is currently sold out, additional tickets will be released. The rescheduled event will also implement a clear-bag policy.

Check for Tickets

From CEB

What about Glenn's work and career will connect with and intrigue CU students?

What makes Glenn particularly compelling is the way her personal experiences with identity, mental health and elite competition directly inform her advocacy. As an openly queer woman in a highly competitive and public environment, she provides an authentic perspective on what it means to navigate spaces where you may not always feel represented while remaining true to yourself. Her willingness to speak about LGBTQ+ rights despite facing backlash demonstrates the challenges and importance of using your voice as a minority in a professional or competitive space.

Her career also illustrates the importance of resilience and learning to manage pressure without allowing one difficult moment to define you. For CU students, Glenn’s experiences can provide a relatable perspective on anxiety, personal growth and navigating setbacks while encouraging students to prioritize their own well-being and continue advocating for others.

��ñ�� the Cultural Events Board

The Cultural Events Board is composed of student leaders and aims to broaden cultural knowledge by supporting the voices of underrepresented and misrepresented groups on campus, thereby promoting student engagement with their platforms. CEB encourages opportunities for interaction among students resulting in respect, appreciation and understanding for cultural differences.

Past CEB speakers have included award-winning singer, dancer and actress Rita Moreno; South African-born comedian and commentator Trevor Noah; founders of the Black Lives Matter movement; comedian and commentator Hasan Minhaj; former Ohio Governor John Kasich; Olympic gymnast and author Aly Raisman; and Academy Award-winner Viola Davis.

One of the most accomplished American figure skaters of her generation, Glenn is also a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and mental health awareness. The event was originally scheduled for Oct. 28 but has been rescheduled to Nov. 30.

Zebra Striped

White

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones to give keynote at ��ñ��'s MLK convocation

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 15:05:29 +0000

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones to give keynote at ��ñ��'s MLK convocation Megan M Rogers Tue, 10/13/2026 - 09:05

If you go

Who: Students, faculty, staff and community members
What: ��ñ�� Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation featuring Nikole Hannah-Jones
When: Thursday, Jan. 14, 6–7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 5:15 p.m.)
Where: Glenn Miller Ballroom, University Memorial Center, ��ñ��

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author and educator Nikole Hannah-Jones will give the keynote address at ��ñ��’s fourth annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation on Thursday, Jan. 14.

The free event, open to students, faculty, staff and local community members, will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Glenn Miller Ballroom at the University Memorial Center. Advance registration is strongly recommended, and those with accommodation requests can email lspevents@colorado.edu.

The convocation’s perennial purpose is to honor King’s rich legacy by centering intersectional solidarity, confronting systemic racism, dismantling systems of oppression and uplifting shared humanity through authentic community engagement.

“As we mark ��ñ��’s fourth annual MLK convocation, we reaffirm our commitment to honoring Dr. King’s legacy not as a static historical moment but as a living call to collective action,” said David Humphrey, associate vice chancellor for leadership support and programming. “Nikole Hannah-Jones’s work forces us to examine how systems of inequality shape our present. We are honored to welcome her to campus to inspire deep reflection, dialogue and community connection.”

Hannah-Jones is the creator of The 1619 Project and a staff writer at The New York Times Magazine. Her reporting on racial inequality and systemic injustice has earned her a MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellowship, a Peabody Award, two George Polk Awards and the National Magazine Award three times.

Both the book version of the project, “The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story,” and her children’s book “Born on the Water” were instant No. 1 New York Times bestsellers, and “The 1619 Project” was adapted into an acclaimed six-part docuseries on Hulu.

Beyond her journalism, Hannah-Jones serves as the Knight Chair of Race and Journalism at Howard University, where she founded the Center for Journalism & Democracy. She is also the co-founder of the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting, an organization dedicated to increasing the number of investigative reporters and editors of color and in 2022 opened the 1619 Freedom School, a free after-school literacy program in her hometown of Waterloo, Iowa.

The keynote address and moderated discussion are co-sponsored by the Office of Leadership Support and Programming and the Center for African and African American Studies.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author and educator Nikole Hannah-Jones will give the keynote address at ��ñ��'s fourth annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation on Jan. 14.

Traditional

White

Bill Nye at ��ñ�� Nov. 4: How do we solve big problems?

Megan M Rogers — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 19:04:58 +0000

Bill Nye at ��ñ�� Nov. 4: How do we solve big problems? Megan M Rogers Wed, 09/23/2026 - 13:04

Editor's note, Oct. 6: This event is sold out, and the waitlist is completely full. Those interested in attending are encouraged to check back regularly to see if spots open up.

What happens when one of the country’s best-known science educators sits down with a leadership scholar to ask how we solve problems too big for any one person—or discipline—to handle?

Bill Nye will take on that question at ��ñ�� on Wednesday, Nov. 4, in a conversation with Stefanie Johnson, director of ��ñ��’s Center for Leadership, professor in the Leeds School of Business and bestselling author of “Inclusify.”

The event, part of the Leo Hill Leadership Speaker Series presented by the Center for Leadership, begins at 7:30 p.m. in Macky Auditorium. It is open to students, faculty, staff and the public.

Nye and Johnson will explore the connections between leadership and scientific discovery, from advancing research and encouraging innovation to confronting climate change, sustainability and the future of science education. They will consider what it takes to make sound decisions when the problems are complicated, the stakes are high and the answers are not always obvious.

For generations of viewers, Nye is the familiar face behind “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” the Emmy Award-winning television series that made science feel less like a school subject and more like an invitation to look closer. As an engineer, television presenter, author, educator and advocate, he has spent decades making scientific ideas accessible—and making the case that science belongs in everyday conversations and public decisions.

Nye currently serves as chief ambassador and vice chair of The Planetary Society, the world’s largest nonprofit space advocacy organization. He has been a prominent voice on scientific literacy, evidence-based decision-making, environmental stewardship and the need to address climate change through research, policy, technology and public engagement.

His work has earned numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards. He is also a New York Times bestselling author.

The Leo Hill Leadership Speaker Series brings prominent thinkers and practitioners to ��ñ�� for conversations that challenge assumptions, connect ideas across disciplines and examine what leadership requires in a changing world.

If you go

Who: Open to the public
What: Leo Hill Leadership Speaker Series: Bill Nye
When: Wednesday, Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Macky Auditorium
Tickets: $5 for CU students, $10 for CU faculty and staff, $30 for the general public. Tickets are sold out, and the waitlist is completely full. Check back regularly to see if spots open up.

How do we solve problems too big for any one person—or discipline—to handle? Join science educator Bill Nye for a conversation with Stefanie Johnson, director of ��ñ��'s Center for Leadership. This event is sold out.

Zebra Striped

White

Colorado River hydrologist to discuss uncertain water future Aug. 21

Megan M Rogers — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 14:59:24 +0000

Colorado River hydrologist to discuss uncertain water future Aug. 21 Megan M Rogers Mon, 07/27/2026 - 08:59

Brad Udall, senior water and climate research scientist at Colorado State University, will discuss the challenges facing the Colorado River and the choices that will shape its future.

Traditional

White

Beyond vulnerable victims: Kids and disasters—a talk April 22

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 13:39:43 +0000

Beyond vulnerable victims: Kids and disasters—a talk April 22 Megan M Rogers Fri, 04/03/2026 - 07:39

Lori Peek, director of the Natural Hazards Center and internationally recognized expert, will discuss her research exploring kids' contributions across a range of disaster contexts.

Traditional

White

Scientist lives by the Serengeti Rules—a lecture April 7

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 20:51:57 +0000

Scientist lives by the Serengeti Rules—a lecture April 7 Megan M Rogers Tue, 03/24/2026 - 14:51

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

Author, filmmaker and scholar Sean Carroll, formerly a ��ñ�� postdoctoral researcher, will deliver the Rose M. Litman Memorial Lecture in Science.

Traditional

White

Deja Foxx coming to campus April 1

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:55:35 +0000

Deja Foxx coming to campus April 1 Megan M Rogers Tue, 03/24/2026 - 11:55

If you go

Who: Open to the public
What: An Evening With Deja Foxx
When: Wednesday, April 1, 7 p.m.
Where: UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom

Gen Z political activist and digital content creator Deja Foxx will speak at ��ñ�� on April 1, a guest of the student-run Cultural Events Board. Tickets are available now for purchase online.

Tickets for An Evening with Deja Foxx are free for ��ñ�� students, $2 for faculty and staff, and $5 for the general public.

A graduate of Columbia University, Foxx is best known for her work in reproductive rights and youth political engagement, including a stint as a staffer on Kamala Harris’s 2020 primary election campaign. She is the founder of GenZ Girl Gang, an organization dedicated to empowering young women. Most recently, she ran as a Democratic candidate in Arizona’s Seventh Congressional District, ultimately losing to Adelita Grijalva.

“At a time when activism can feel performative and disconnected from real change, Deja Foxx challenges us to rethink what meaningful engagement looks like,” said CEB Speaker Coordinator Naisha Naik. “Her work connects digital advocacy to real-world impact, reminding us that issues like health care access and economic inequality require sustained action. As students, we must engage thoughtfully and take responsibility for the change we want to see.”

More from the Cultural Events Board on Foxx:

Why did the board select Deja Foxx to speak at CU?

We selected Deja Foxx because she stands at the intersection of voter engagement, media literacy, health care access and housing insecurity, all of which are highly relevant to the CU community. Her work in reproductive rights directly addresses ongoing debates around bodily autonomy, health care access, and systemic inequality, while her rise through digital platforms highlights the evolving role of media in shaping political narratives and activism.

Foxx’s work emphasizes how these challenges are interconnected. Her background, including her experience with housing insecurity as a teenager, allows her to speak authentically about how policy impacts real lives. These are not abstract policy concerns but lived realities that affect students in tangible ways. Disparities in health care access across socioeconomic status, race and other structural factors continue to shape who is able to receive adequate care, while the rising cost of housing in Boulder places additional pressure on students navigating financial instability.

We believe her perspective will challenge CU students to think critically about how advocacy operates within both political institutions and media spaces, and how they can actively participate in shaping both.

��ñ�� the Cultural Events Board

The Cultural Events Board is composed of student leaders and aims to broaden cultural knowledge by supporting the voices of underrepresented and misrepresented groups on campus, thereby promoting student engagement with their platforms. The Cultural Events Board encourages opportunities for interaction among students resulting in respect, appreciation and understanding for cultural differences.

Past CEB speakers have included bestselling author and civil rights advocate Michelle Alexander; acclaimed actress, author and activist Diane Guerrero; award-winning singer, dancer and actress Rita Moreno; South African-born comedian and commentator Trevor Noah; founders of the Black Lives Matter movement; comedian and commentator Hasan Minhaj; former Ohio Governor John Kasich; Olympic gymnast and author Aly Raisman; and Academy Award-winner Viola Davis.

Traditional

White

Rebel Wilson to visit ��ñ�� April 15

Megan M Rogers — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 16:36:56 +0000

Rebel Wilson to visit ��ñ�� April 15 Megan M Rogers Mon, 03/23/2026 - 10:36

If you go

Who: Open to the public
What: An Evening With Rebel Wilson
When: Wednesday, April 15, 7 p.m.
Where: Macky Auditorium

Get Tickets

Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $2 for students, $8 for faculty/staff and $15 for the general public.

Actress, comedian and producer Rebel Wilson will visit ��ñ�� on April 15 as part of a campus speaker event presented by the student-run Distinguished Speakers Board. Tickets are available now for purchase online.

Tickets for An Evening with Rebel Wilson are $2 for students, $8 for CU faculty and staff, and $15 for the general public. Doors open at 6 p.m. Additional handling fees may apply.

Perhaps best known for her breakout roles in “Bridesmaids” and the “Pitch Perfect” movies, Wilson began her acting career in Australia, where she was born and raised. In addition to acting, she has been a producer and author, recently penning the memoir “Rebel Rising: A Memoir.”

“Rebel Wilson has built a career by turning individuality into a strength,” said Cooper Baldwin, chair of the Distinguished Speakers Board. “Her willingness to take risks, challenge expectations and bring humor into everything she does makes her a compelling voice for students thinking about how to carve out their own path.”

Wilson’s story resonates strongly with students navigating academic, personal and career decisions, Baldwin added.

“Students often feel pressure to follow a perfectly mapped-out plan, but Wilson’s story shows that success can come from unexpected directions,” Baldwin said. “Many students are still figuring out who they want to be and where they’re headed; her experience reminds us that confidence, creativity and a sense of humor can open doors you never anticipated.”

The event is open to students, faculty, staff and members of the community.

��ñ�� the Distinguished Speakers Board

The Distinguished Speakers Board’s mission is to cultivate a diversity of thought in the student body and the surrounding community by bringing speakers who engage and challenge society through their actions and ideas. Ultimately, DSB strives to create a more thoughtful and aware campus and community.

The board, composed entirely of ��ñ�� students, works to connect the campus with global voices across culture, politics, science, the arts and more. Past speakers have included Anderson Cooper, Trevor Noah, Garry Kasparov, Hank Green, Chloe Kim, Jennette McCurdy and Giancarlo Esposito. Each event provides students, faculty, staff and the Boulder community the chance to engage in conversations that expand perspectives and inspire action.

Traditional

White

Lectures & Presentations

Distinguished Research Lectureship: Michael McGehee to discuss climate solutions Nov. 18

Related Articles

Rainn Wilson to visit ��ñ�� Nov. 3

Related Articles

Olympic gold medalist Amber Glenn to visit ��ñ��—rescheduled for Nov. 30

What about Glenn's work and career will connect with and intrigue CU students?

��ñ�� the Cultural Events Board

Related Articles

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones to give keynote at ��ñ��'s MLK convocation

Related Articles

Bill Nye at ��ñ�� Nov. 4: How do we solve big problems?

Related Articles

Colorado River hydrologist to discuss uncertain water future Aug. 21

Related Articles

Beyond vulnerable victims: Kids and disasters—a talk April 22

Related Articles

Scientist lives by the Serengeti Rules—a lecture April 7

Related Articles

Deja Foxx coming to campus April 1

Why did the board select Deja Foxx to speak at CU?

��ñ�� the Cultural Events Board

Related Articles

Rebel Wilson to visit ��ñ�� April 15

��ñ�� the Distinguished Speakers Board

Related Articles

Lectures & Presentations

Distinguished Research Lectureship: Michael McGehee to discuss climate solutions Nov. 18

Related Articles

Rainn Wilson to visit ��ñ���� Nov. 3

Related Articles

Olympic gold medalist Amber Glenn to visit ��ñ����—rescheduled for Nov. 30

What about Glenn's work and career will connect with and intrigue CU students?

��ñ���� the Cultural Events Board

Related Articles

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones to give keynote at ��ñ����'s MLK convocation

Related Articles

Bill Nye at ��ñ���� Nov. 4: How do we solve big problems?

Related Articles

Colorado River hydrologist to discuss uncertain water future Aug. 21

Related Articles

Beyond vulnerable victims: Kids and disasters—a talk April 22

Related Articles

Scientist lives by the Serengeti Rules—a lecture April 7

Related Articles

Deja Foxx coming to campus April 1

Why did the board select Deja Foxx to speak at CU?

��ñ���� the Cultural Events Board

Related Articles

Rebel Wilson to visit ��ñ���� April 15

��ñ���� the Distinguished Speakers Board

Related Articles

Rainn Wilson to visit ��ñ�� Nov. 3

Olympic gold medalist Amber Glenn to visit ��ñ��—rescheduled for Nov. 30

��ñ�� the Cultural Events Board

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones to give keynote at ��ñ��'s MLK convocation

Bill Nye at ��ñ�� Nov. 4: How do we solve big problems?

��ñ�� the Cultural Events Board

Rebel Wilson to visit ��ñ�� April 15

��ñ�� the Distinguished Speakers Board