Each semester brings a new Michael Lester Wendt Character Lecture. During this event, guest lecturers speak to the community about integrity, justice, compassion, and other topics of character.
February 3, 2025, 7:00 p.m. - John & Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center
Jon Turbett, Special Agent with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, will deliver the Spring 2025 Michael Lester Wendt Character Lecture. The event is open to the public and free of charge. Email Wendt@dbq.edu with questions.
Recent Speakers
Some recent Wendt Character Lecturers include:
- Tammie Jo Shults - Retired naval aviator and airline captain who saved Southwest Airlines Flight 1380
- Freshta Tori Jan - Political Asylee from Afghanistan, Persecuted Minority under the Taliban
- Rev. Gregory Drumwright - Public Theologian, Minister to George Floyd's family during the Derek Chauvin Trial
- Max Stossel - Founder and CEO of Social Awakening, Advisor for the Center for Humane Technology
- Marcus Eriksen - Environmental Scientist and Educator on the Global Crisis of Plastic Pollution
- Kaitlin Curtice - Enrolled Citizen of the Potawatomi Nation and a Christian, Author of Native and Glory Happening
- David M. Bailey - Public Theologian, Culture-maker, and Strategist on Topics of Cultural Intelligence and Reconciliation
- Justin Skeesuck and Patrick Gray - Best-selling Authors of I'll Push You: A Journey of 500 Miles, Two Best Friends, and One Wheelchair and Founders of Push, Inc.
- Alex Kotlowitz - Award-winning Journalist and Best-selling Author of An American Summer and There are No Children Here
- Sarah Thebarge - Author of The Invisible Girls and Well, P.A., Volunteer, Cancer Survivor
- Dr. Brian J. Walsh - Co-author of Beyond Homelessness: Christian Faith in a Culture of Displacement and The Transforming Vision: Shaping a Christian World View
- Bill O'Rourke - Former President of Alcoa-Russia, Alcoa Executive and Attorney; Veteran; Business Ethics Advisor to Boards and Universities
- Father Greg Boyle, S.J. - Founder and Executive Director of Homeboy Industries and Author of Tattoos on the Heart
- Sister Helen Prejean, C.S.J. - Death Penalty Abolitionist and Author of Dead Man Walking
- Nontombi Naomi Tutu - Race and Gender Justice Advocate and Daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu