Each year, the Walters Lecture Series brings a distinguished scholar to Furman to give a public lecture in the area of political thought. The aim of the series is to provide students with an opportunity to reflect in an explicit way on the moral foundations of politics. Lecturers also teach a class and are available to meet with students during their campus visit.
Conceived in 2001, the memorial lectureship was established in honor of Ernest J. Walters, Jr. Walters joined the Political Science Department in 1962, and served as the department’s chair from 1979 to 1984. He retired in 1989 as professor of political science emeritus. He continued to teach in Furman’s Learning in Retirement program until his death in 1997.
2023 – Jerry Z. Muller
2021 – Reverend Eugene Rivers III
2021 – Yuval Levin (rescheduled from 2020)
2020 – event canceled
2019 – Dr. Mary Nichols
2018 – Dr. William Deresiewicz
2017 – Dr. Aurelian Craiutu
2016 – Dr. Clifford Orwin
2015 – Dr. Daniel Mahoney
2014 – Dr. John Koritansky
2013 – Dr. Diana Schaub
2012 – Dr. Harvey Mansfield
2011 – Dr. Thomas Pangle
2010 – Dr. Peter Lawler
2009 – Dr. Leon Kass