Five speakers will address various topics including politics, science, human rights, technology, media, and the arts in the 2024-2025 Kean University President’s Distinguished Lecture Series. The series is open to the public.
The lectures begin with former U.S. Senator Al Franken on October 29. Following him are Ndaba Mandela on November 14; Temple Grandin on December 5; Giancarlo Esposito on February 4, 2025; and Kara Swisher on April 28, 2025.
Kean President Lamont O. Repollet stated: “The President’s Distinguished Lecture Series brings influential and visionary leaders to our campus each year…providing our students and the broader community an opportunity to hear fresh perspectives on the critical issues shaping our society.”
Tickets for these events are available online at a cost of $20 for the general public. Kean faculty, staff, and students can attend free of charge but must reserve tickets in advance.
The lectures will take place at 4:30 p.m. in the North Avenue Academic Building.
Al Franken’s talk comes just before the election week in 2024. He plans to emphasize collective action for safeguarding democracy’s foundation while offering insights from his career both in government and as a Saturday Night Live cast member.
Ndaba Mandela will focus on themes of reconciliation and justice inspired by his grandfather Nelson Mandela’s legacy. As Senior Human Rights Fellow at Kean this year, he will engage with students during his visit.
Temple Grandin is known for her contributions to animal welfare and autism advocacy. Diagnosed with autism herself as a child, she later became a professor of animal science and has designed humane facilities for cattle handling.
Giancarlo Esposito is set to discuss his experiences overcoming racial hurdles in entertainment as a biracial actor known for roles such as Gustavo Fring in Breaking Bad.
Kara Swisher will conclude the series discussing technology’s impact post-Kean University’s Research Days event. Known for her coverage of Silicon Valley since its early days, Swisher remains an influential voice on AI developments today.
For more information or ticket reservations visit kean.edu/lectureseries.
