Tate Lecture Series

Since its founding more than a century ago, SMU has invited the world's leading voices to enlighten and engage curious minds with thought-provoking and relevant topics of the day.

Widely regarded as one of the country's finest platforms for distinguished and engaging discussions, the Tate Lecture Series provides unique opportunities for student interaction, faculty discourse and community debate with both leading minds as well as leading voices in their fields.

The Tate Lecture Series returns over $700,000 to SMU each year. A primary beneficiary of these funds is the prestigious President's Scholars Program. A portion of the proceeds from the 2012-13 season will support the next generation of leaders by providing full-tuition scholarships and study abroad opportunities for approximately 20 percent of the current President's Scholars. The program's alumni have shaped the intellectual landscape of the SMU community and beyond. Click here to learn more about the Willis M. Tate Distinguished Lecture Series Endowed President’s Scholars Fund.

Special Thanks

SMU extends heartfelt thanks to our generous title sponsors for supporting the Tate Lecture Series and the President’s Scholars Program.

  • Anita and Truman Arnold
  • Linda and Mitch Hart
  • Jones Day
  • Omni Hotels
  • Oncor
  • Tolleson Family Foundation

Season Subscriptions

The 2012-13 season ticket renewal period ends Wednesday, June 6. Season subscription renewals cannot be made online. Please download a season renewal order form or call the Tate office at 214-768-8283 to renew your season subscription.

To renew, call 214-768-8283.

New Patrons

The Tate Lecture Series maintains an extensive waiting list for patrons interested in Tate season tickets. Requests for season tickets from new patrons will be placed on a waiting list and considered in the order in which they are received. To be added to the waiting list, complete your request online, download a form, or call the Tate office at 214-768-8283.

Single Event Tickets

Purchase tickets online to individual lectures, download a form and either mail it to us or fax it to our office at 214-768-3570, or call the Tate office at 214-768-8283.

SMU reserves the right to substitute speakers or to rearrange the order of the lectures without notice. Subscriptions are nonrefundable.

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Location and Time

  • McFarlin Auditorium on the SMU campus
  • Box office opens at 7 p.m.
  • Lectures begin at 8 p.m.

Lecture Schedule

All lectures begin at 8 p.m. in McFarlin Auditorium

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

William Bennett, Chris Matthews, David Gergen

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Regis Philbin

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Jane McGonigal

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Sanjay Gupta

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Michael Beschloss, Douglas Brinkley

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

M.K. Asante

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Niall Ferguson

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Álvaro  Uribe

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