David Brooks and Pete Buttigieg to headline Earlham College’s 2025–26 lecture season

Earlham College will welcome two nationally recognized speakers to campus during the 2025–26 academic year.

David Brooks, acclaimed author and New York Times columnist, will deliver a free public lecture on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. in Goddard Auditorium, Carpenter Hall. His talk, “Society in Focus,” is part of Earlham’s Artist & Lecture Series.

The event is free, and no tickets are required. Seating is first-come, first-served.

Brooks has been a leading voice in American journalism for more than two decades. A longtime op-ed columnist for the New York Times and a regular contributor to PBS NewsHour, he is widely known for his thoughtful analysis of politics, culture, and character. His most recent bestseller, How to Know a Person, explores the art of truly seeing others and building deeper human connections. He is the author of six books, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the recipient of more than 30 honorary degrees.

On Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, will join Earlham as the next speaker in the College’s Presidential Lecture Series. A Rhodes Scholar and Afghanistan veteran, Pete was elected mayor of South Bend, Indiana at age 29, leading the city to its strongest economic and population growth in decades. He later gained national attention as a presidential candidate and today is a leading voice, featured in media across the political spectrum — working to shape a more hopeful future. The Presidential Lecture Series is supported by the Hawkins Just Society Lecture Fund, the Artist and Lecture Series, and the President’s Discretionary Fund.

“Earlham is committed to bringing influential voices from across the spectrum to our campus to inspire dialogue, challenge assumptions, and help us engage with big questions,” said Earlham President Paul Sniegowski. “David Brooks and Pete Buttigieg represent very different experiences and perspectives, but both have demonstrated a commitment to thoughtful public service and civic engagement. By welcoming them to campus, we create opportunities for our community to listen, reflect, and learn together with civility and respect.”

Ticketing information for Buttigieg’s lecture and additional event details will be announced later this year. For the latest updates on both speakers, and to be alerted about ticketing for the Buttigieg lecture, visit earlham.edu/lectures. For all other campus events, visit earlham.edu/events.

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About Earlham College 

Earlham College and Earlham School of Religion foster a collaborative learning community that inspires and motivates students with transformative opportunities and experiences so they can become catalysts for good in a changing world. Located in Richmond, Indiana, Earlham is one of U.S. News & World Report’s Top 75 national liberal arts colleges and offers one of the top 20 classroom experiences in the nation, according to the Princeton Review.