Nominations are being accepted for 2026 distinguished speakers for the Last Lecture series at Tarleton State University. University employees and Stephenville and Erath County community members are invited to submit suggestions, which may be made through Oct. 31 for the spring event.
Criteria for speakers includes having at least 10 years of experience with the university as faculty or staff (current or retired), student (current or alum) or any combination. Last Lecture speakers share wisdom from their life experiences to inspire colleagues and students. The idea for the series came in 1955 from six distinguished UCLA professors who offered their life philosophy through the lens of discipline, interests and personal experiences. The series has become a tradition at many universities, gaining popularity in 2007 at Carnegie Mellon.
Dr. Christopher Guthrie, a history professor and Texas A&M System Regents Professor, gave Tarleton State’s inaugural lecture in 2014. Other individuals who have presented the Tarleton State Last Lecture are Dr. Jim Kirby, Dr. Jim Gentry, Dr. Rudy Tarpley, Dr. Casey Thompson, Dr. David Frazier, Dr. Reggie Hall, Dr. Wendell Sadler and Dr. Amber Harris Bozer.
Visit https://www.tarleton. edu/cee/the-last-lectureseries/ to submit a nomination.