Past Events

Fall 2015, Spring 2016

Courage Through Reflection and Story Creation

This year our theme focuses on the construct of courage, and importantly, why our stories matter.

Fall 2014, Spring 2015

Building Bridges in Complex Times
This series focused on the idea of building bridges across race, gender, age, and class to develop trust, respect, and strength through leadership.

Fall, 2013, Spring 2014

The Power of Resilience
This series explored change and transformation from the perspective of courage, creativity, and the pursuit of dreams in spite of overwhelming odds.

Leading Woman in Technology
Resham Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code, discussed closing the gender gap in the computer industry.

Fall 2012, Spring 2013

Women at the Helm: What is Our Obligation?
This year-long series looked at the roles of women in leadership and power, and our responsibilities to speak out, push back, or forge ahead.

Fall 2011, Spring 2012

Religion and the Public Square
This year long series looked at the complex connections between religion and society, and the proper role of religion in the public arena.

The Age of Insecurity: American Leadership in an Era of Change
Mona Sutphen '89, former Chief of Staff for Policy for the Obama Administration, presented a lecture on the role of the United States at a time of unprecedented challenges in world affairs.

Uncommon Playwrights
Three renowned dramatists reflected on the life of Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Wendy Wasserstein '71and her legacy on the role of women in theatre.

Lead by Choice
Sheena Iyengar, award-winning author and Professor at Columbia's School of Business, discussed what effective leaders need to know about the powerful role of choice.

Fall 2010, Spring 2011

All-campus FOOD Series
This year-long, campus-wide, and multi-disciplinary series probed the art, economics, philosophy, politics, and science of food.

FOOD, Weissman Center Public Lecture Series
The Weissman Center's FOOD series focused on the philosophical questions and practical approaches to world hunger, global climate change, animals as a food source, and food culture in culture in African American communities.

Civil Rights, Black Power, and Social Justice: The Courage to Act
A panel with civil rights activist Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr., and historian Dr. Peniel Joseph, examined the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement on contemporary society.

The New Discontent: The Tea Party Movement from the Ground Up
Tea Party organizer Keli Carender focused on the growing role of the movement in the political landscape.

Spring 2010

Limits of the Law
This series explored the limits of legal authority, and what can and cannot be done in the name of the law.

Fall 2009

Rethinking Health Care
This series looks at the moral, economic, and political consequences of health care policy as congress debates changes to medical insurance.

Fall 2008, Spring 2009

Body Politic(s)
A year-long series that explores contemporary political issues and the challenges that arise when bodies are politicized by domestic and international policies, wars, and conflict.

Weissman Center Tenth Anniversary
This weekend honored the visionary commitment of Harriet Levine Weissman '58 and Paul M. Weissman.

Fall 2007, Spring 2008

Bearing Witness
A year-long series that will explore the issues of testimony, the politics of advocacy, and the multiple ways in which acts of witnessing enable, educate, and inspire us.

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