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.
October 6, 2025, 7:00 p.m. - John & Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center
Joshua Freedman, Co-founder and CEO of Six Seconds, the Emotional Intelligence Network, delivers the 2025 Michael Lester Wendt Character Lecture. An EQ Pop-up Festival on the UD campus will follow up the lecture on October 7.
Recent Speakers
Some recent Wendt Character Lecturers include:
- Jon Turbett - Special Agent with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
- 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