In 1990, Wilson W. and Anne D. Wyatt created the Wyatt Lecture Series at Bellarmine University. The Wyatts created the series to bring to Bellarmine individuals of national or international prominence who have distinguished themselves in government or public service or who have been important observers and analysts of public affairs and government. During their visit to Bellarmine, the Wyatt lecturers deliver a public address and preside over smaller gatherings for faculty and students. A lecture by former U.S. senator and ambassador to Japan Michael J. Mansfield inaugurated the Wyatt Lecture Series on March 9, 1990. Pictured:
2006 Lecturer Kevin Phillips
Wilson W. and Anne D. Wyatt
Wilson W. Wyatt served as Mayor of Louisville and Lt. Governor of Kentucky, and was the 1962 Democratic nominee for the United States Senate. He served in President Harry S. Truman's cabinet and was the national campaign chairman for Adlai E. Stevenson's presidential campaign. He also served as Special Envoy to Indonesia under President John F. Kennedy. Along with former Governor Bert Combs, Wyatt founded the prominent Louisville law firm, Wyatt, Tarrant, and Combs. Well known in Louisville as a philanthropist, Wyatt also served a term as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Bellarmine. He died on June 11, 1996.
Anne D. Wyatt was active in public affairs at the local, state, and national levels. She served as President of the Junior League and as President of the Young Woman's Club of Louisville. She died on April 7, 2001.
To honor the Wyatts' service and generosity to Bellarmine, the university dedicated the Wyatt Center for the Arts, which houses the Anne D. Wyatt Black Box Theater.
Previous Lectures
- March 9, 1990: Michael J. Mansfield
Former ambassador to Japan, former U.S. Senator, former member of House of Representatives - March 26, 1991: Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.
Author and historian - March 30, 1992: James B. Reston
Chief Washington Correspondent and Bureau Chief for the New York Times - two-time winner of a Pulitzer Prize for his reporting and coverage - April 13, 1993: David Gergen
Editor-at-Large for U.S. News & World Report, served in the White House under Presidents Nixon, Ford and Reagan. - February 1, 1994: Sir Edward Heath
Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom - March 6, 1995: David Gergen
Former Counselor to President Clinton. Also served in the White House under Presidents Nixon, Ford and Reagan. Former Editor-at-Large for U.S. News & World Report - November 11, 1996: James MacGregor Burns
Author, teacher and political scientist - September 14, 1999: Kurt L. Schmoke
Mayor, City of Baltimore. Former White House staff member under President Carter. - April 10, 2002: David Broder
Author and nationally syndicated political correspondent for the Washington Post. Winner of the 1973 Pulitzer Prize for Distinguished Commentary. - March 30, 2004: Andrea Mitchell
Television news journalist, NBC News - March 3, 2005: Seymour Hersh
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author - April 25, 2006: Kevin Phillips
Author and Commentator - March 20, 2007: Bob Woodward
Washington Post journalist and author. Received two Pulitzer Prizes for coverage of Watergate scandal and the aftermath of 9/11. Has authored or co-authored ten number-one best sellers, including the classic All The Presidents Men. - October 7, 2008: Ray Suárez
Senior Correspondent for PBS's NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. Previously, host of NPR's nationwide call-in news show Talk of the Nation. - March 12, 2014: Jim Lehrer
Journalist best known for moderating U.S. presidential debates and serving as host of PBS NewsHour from 1976 to 2011. - February 21, 2017: Rebecca Skloot
Award-wining writer of "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," a New York Times best seller.