Elizabethtown College
Lecture Series
Join Us
for 'evenings of enlightenment'
hosted by Elizabethtown College
2026-2027 Speakers
Elizabethtown College is proud to present its 2026-27 Lecture Series, one of the region’s most notable programs. Our free Lecture Series continues a rich tradition of hosting speakers who provide audiences the opportunity to be enlightened, engaged, and entertained. We are also pleased to recognize the College’s 2026-27 Educate for Service Award recipients during this series. All attendees must pre-register for each event.
Join our community as we host Evenings of Enlightenment with three internationally known and remarkable individuals including:
Aly Raisman
Ware Lecture
Sept. 24, 2026 | 7 p.m.
LEFFLER CHAPEL AND PERFORMANCE CENTER
ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE
Aly Raisman is one of the most decorated American gymnasts in history and served as team captain of the U.S. Women’s Olympic Gymnastics teams that won gold medals in both 2012 and 2016. A six-time Olympic medalist, she became the first American woman to win Olympic gold on floor exercise and earned a silver medal in the all-around competition in 2016. Beyond gymnastics, Raisman is a two-time New York Times bestselling author, ESPN gymnastics analyst, and influential advocate for mental health, positive body image, self-care, and athlete safety. She has been a leading voice for survivors and a champion for systemic change to help eradicate abuse in sport.
Drawing from her Olympic journey and personal experiences, Raisman will discuss resilience, leadership, mental health, self-care, body positivity, and the importance of creating safer, more supportive environments in sports and beyond.
The Ware Lecture is made possible by a generous endowed gift from Judy S. ’68, H’25 and Paul W. Ware.
Register Now
Liz Murray
Leffler Lecture
Nov. 4, 2026 | 7 p.m.
LEFFLER CHAPEL AND PERFORMANCE CENTER
ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE
Formerly homeless, Liz Murray transformed a childhood marked by poverty, instability, and adversity into an inspiring story of resilience, determination, and achievement. The daughter of drug-addicted parents, Murray was homeless by age 15 but refused to let her circumstances define her future. She completed high school in just two years, earned a scholarship to Harvard University, and later received a master’s degree in the Psychology of Education from Columbia University. Today, she is a bestselling author, motivational speaker, and advocate for underserved youth.
Murray’s lecture shares her remarkable journey from homelessness to Harvard, offering a powerful message about perseverance, personal responsibility, and the ability to overcome even the most difficult obstacles to create a life of purpose and possibility.
The Leffler Lecture is made possible by a generous endowed gift from Linda ’67, H’03 and Patrick Castagna.
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Jackson Katz
Lefever Lecture
Feb. 4, 2027 | 7 p.m.
LEFFLER CHAPEL AND PERFORMANCE CENTER
ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE
Dr. Jackson Katz is an internationally renowned educator, author, filmmaker, and scholar-activist known for his groundbreaking work on gender equity, violence prevention, media literacy, and leadership. A dynamic speaker who has delivered thousands of presentations around the world, Katz challenges audiences to think critically about identity, belonging, purpose, and social responsibility. His acclaimed TEDx talk, Violence Against Women Is a Men’s Issue, has reached millions worldwide, and his books, films, and training programs have influenced organizations across education, business, sports, and the military.
Katz’s lecture explores how identity, culture, media, and leadership shape our understanding of belonging and responsibility, encouraging audiences to foster greater inclusion, accountability, and positive social change.
The Lefever Lecture is made possible by a generous endowed gift from Ernest W. Lefever ’42, H’92.
Register NowBag Policy:
All lectures held on the Elizabethtown College campus spaces operate under a Clear Bag Policy which prohibits guests (including Etown students, employees, and campus visitors) from bringing large bags inside venues for events in accordance with event guidelines and security best practices.
Guests should be prepared to have all hand-carried items open and ready for inspection. Hand-carried items include, but are not limited to, bags and purses that meet the following criteria:
- Each person may have one clear bag no larger than 12”x6”x12” that is constructed of plastic, vinyl, or PVC.
- In addition to or in place of the clear bag, one hand clutch/wristlet/small purse, with or without a handle or strap, and not exceeding 6.5"x4.5" is permitted.
- Elizabethtown College is inclusive and family-friendly, so exceptions for bag sizes are as follows: A medical needs bag and/or a parenting needs bag. These bags are subject to a physical search.
- Visitors will be asked to return non-approved bags or other prohibited items to their vehicle prior to entry. There is no check-in location for prohibited bags.
Approved Bags
Prohibited Bags
