President's Lecture Series
The President’s Lecture Series aims to engage and inspire the Carnegie Mellon community on issues of emerging and preeminent relevance to society. The series, launched by President Farnam Jahanian in 2023, brings a curated list of thought leaders and world leaders to campus over the academic year.
Check back soon for the 2025-2026 Academic Year Line Up!
Featured Lecture
"The Value Of Narrative Storytelling In Polarized Times"
John Wells (CFA 1979)
Hollywood Producer, Writer and Director
Founder of John Wells Productions
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Media Coverage
- "The Pitt" producer John Wells returns to CMU, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
- "The Pitt" producer speaks at President's Lecture Series, The Tartan
- Season 2 of "The Pitt," per EP John Wells, will return to Pittsburgh for filming, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
- "The Pitt" producer explains why Pittsburgh was chosen and how the series reflects the city, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Past Lectures
"We Keep It MOVIN': Navigating Challenges and Triumphs and Inspiring Others Through Storytelling"
Tamara Tunie (CFA 1981)
Actor, Director and Producer
Monday, February 10, 2025
"America and the World: What's Ahead After the 2024 Election?"
David Ignatius
Associate Editor and Foreign Affairs Columnist for The Washington Post
Thursday, January 30, 2025
"Innovation Anywhere, Opportunity Everywhere: Accelerating the Frontiers of Science and Technology"
Dr. Sethuraman "Panch" Panchanathan
Director of the U.S. National Science Foundation
Friday, October 11, 2024
"The AI Platform Shift and the Opportunity Ahead"
Sundar Pichai
CEO of Google and Alphabet
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
"Human Rationality and Academic Freedom"
Steven Pinker
Harvard University Professor
Experimental Psychologist
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Watch Dr. Steven Pinker's Lecture
"Partnering in the Western Hemisphere — Challenges and Opportunities"
General Laura Richardson
Commander, U.S. Southern Command
First Army Female Combatant Commander
Thursday, September 28, 2023