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

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Other Past Lecturers