The Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics & Economics provides lectures and panel discussions with scholars, practitioners and public officials for Wheaton College students and the surrounding community on issues related to market economies, representative democracies and limited government.
2024-2024 Lecture Schedule (subject to change)
Fall Semester
"Why Taiwan is Important to the United States"
Ben Han Memorial Lecture, delivered by Thomas J. Christensen, Ph.D.
September 5, 7:00-8:00pm, Bakke Auditorium, Wade Center
This talk will address why a secure, democratic, and properous Taiwan is in America's long-term national interest. In light of the challenges that Taiwan currently faces, especially the growing military threat from the People's Republic of China, the talk will discuss what the United States should do and should not do to support Taiwan in meeting those challenges.
Thomas J. Christensen is the James T. Shotwell Professor of International Relations and Director of the China and the World Program at Columbia University. Professor Christensen is also a Senior Advisor to the China Coordination Office at the U.S. Department of State. All opinions expressed are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Government.
TBD Lecture
Robert Parham, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of finance at the McIntire School fo Commerce at the University of Virginia
Spring Semester
"Bursting from the Bubble: Lessons in Career Navigation"
Mike Bleadorn, Ph.D.
Alumnus of Wheaton College and current Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry.
Event details to follow in late 2024.
2023-2024 Lectures
"Immigrant Nation: What Happened?"
Panel Discussion
April 11, 7:00-8:00pm, Bakke Auditorium, Wade Center
A discussion between experts from theology, politics, law enforcement, and the media, on the current immigration situation, examining what makes this current problem so different and pressing than previous immigration crises. Panel guests include nationally syndicated columnist, Ruben Navarrette, Former US Attorney for Arizona, Paul Charlton, and Scripture Press Ministries Professor of Biblical Studies and Pedagogy at Wheaton College, Dr. Daniel Carroll R.
"Leadership Through Liberal Arts: Why Divergent Thinkers Are Needed in a Convergent World."
Vice Adm. Ann E. Rondeau (ret.), President, Naval Postgraduate School.
November 16, 7:00-8:00pm, Bakke Auditorium, Wade Center
Divergent thinking empowers creative problem solving and is a crucial counterpart to analytic decision making. Vice Admiral Ann Rondeau, President of the Naval Postgraduate School, elaborates on the powerful role a liberal arts education plays in developing idea generating skills that equip us to navigate effectively and lead thoughtfully in an increasingly complex world.
"How Christianity Can Be a Healing Force in American Society"
Peter Wehner
September 11, 7:00-8:00pm, Amerding Concert Hall
Peter Wehner, a senior fellow at the Trinity Forum, served in the Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations and the George W. Bush White House. He is a contributing editor at The Atlantic Monthly and a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times.
2019-2020 Lectures
"The Role of Faith in the Public Square"
Bill Haslam, Governor of Tennessee, 2011-2019, will share how his faith has impacted both his business and political practices.
"C.S. Lewis and Freedom: Christianity's Famous Apologist meets Adam Smith" - Cancelled
Ken Elzinga, Robert C. Taylor Chair in Economics, University of Virginia
View Videos from past events