Menard Family Distinguished Speaker Series
The Menard Family Distinguished Speaker Series hosts world thought leaders to share their ideas on big questions that explore ways to improve the human condition and create economic opportunity. The Distinguished Speaker Series is made possible thanks to a generous gift by the Menard family.
These events are free and open to the public. A reception with hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will follow events held on campus.
For on-campus events, parking is available in the visitor parking lots, and as a reminder, these lots are free to use after 4:30 p.m.
October 23 | Steve Forbes
"Prosperity Through Economic Freedom"
Event Location: Oceti Sakowin Ballroom, Memorial Union, 5:30-7:00 p.m., hors d'oeuvres will follow from 7:00-8:00 p.m. This event is co-sponsored with the Young America's Foundation.
A renowned American publishing executive and public policy leader, Steve Forbes serves as the Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media.
Mr. Forbes’ newest project is the podcast “What’s Ahead,” where he engages the world’s top newsmakers, politicians, and pioneers in business and economics in honest conversations meant to challenge traditional conventions as well as featuring his signature views on the intersection of society, economics, and policy.
Mr. Forbes helped create the recently released and highly acclaimed public television documentary, In Money We Trust?, which was produced under the auspices of Maryland Public television. The film was inspired by the book he co-authored, Money: How the Destruction of the Dollar Threatens the Global Economy – and What We Can Do About It.
His latest book, Inflation: What it Is, Why it’s Bad, and How to Fix it, takes on one of today’s most pressing issues. In it, Mr. Forbes explains what’s behind the worst inflationary storm in more than forty years, answering key questions in an engaging and compelling discussion.
Mr. Forbes also writes editorials for each issue of Forbes under the heading of “Fact and Comment.” A widely respected economic prognosticator, he is the only writer to have won the highly prestigious Crystal Owl Award four times. The prize was formerly given by U.S. Steel Corporation to the financial journalist whose economic forecasts for the coming year proved most accurate.
In both 1996 and 2000, Mr. Forbes campaigned vigorously for the Republican nomination for the Presidency. Key to his platform were a flat tax, medical savings accounts, a new Social Security system for working Americans, parental choice of schools for their children, term limits, and a strong national defense. He continues to energetically promote this agenda.
Recent Speakers
September 16 | Daryl Davis
"From Discord to Harmony: Transforming Conflict into Collaboration - An Evening of Learning and Music"
Special Event Location and Time: Fargo Theater, 6:30-8:00 p.m., featuring a music collaboration with the NDSU Jazz Combo.
Dr. Daryl Davis is an international recording artist who has performed and toured all 50 States and around the world. He has performed extensively with Chuck Berry, The Legendary Blues Band (formerly The Muddy Waters Blues Band), Elvis Presley’s Jordanaires, and many others.
As an actor Daryl received rave reviews for his stage role in The Time Of Your Life, and has done film and television roles including HBO’s acclaimed series The Wire.
As a race relations expert Dr. Daryl Davis has received numerous awards and high acclaim for his book Klan-Destine Relationships and his award-winning film documentary Accidental Courtesy. He is the first Black author to write a book on the Ku Klux Klan based upon in-person interviews and personal encounters.
His ability to get racists to renounce their ideology has sent Daryl to travel all over the United States and the world to share his methodology.
Past Distinguished Speakers
- Steve Kaplan, Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship and Finance at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business
- Robert Zoellick, Former President of the World Bank Group, Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Former U.S. Trade Representative
- Leen Weijers, Vice President of Engineering at Liberty Energy
- Doug Duncan, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist of Fannie Mae, NDSU Alumni and NDSU Trustee
- Greg Lukianoff, Attorney, New York Times best-selling author and President and CEO of Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE)
- Charlie Bobrinskoy, Vice Chairman and Head of the Investment Group for Ariel Investments
- Douglas Irwin, Ph.D., John French Professor of Economics at Dartmouth
- Tami Reller, former CFO of Microsoft Windows, and CEO of Duly Health and Care
- Ian Rowe, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and Cofounder of Vertex Partnership Academies
- Benjamin Powell, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Free Market Institute and professor of Economics at Texas Tech University
- Robert Lawson, Ph.D., Professor and Chair in Economic Freedom & Director of the Bridwell Institute at Southern Methodist University
- David Bobb, President of the Bill of Rights Institute
- Gabriela Santos, Managing Director and Global Market Strategist at J.P. Morgan
- John List, Ph.D., distinguished professor in Economics at the University of Chicago
- Glenn Loury, Ph.D., professor of Social Sciences and Economics at Brown University
- Magatte Wade, serial entrepreneur, inspirational speaker, and visionary business leader
- Mark Mills, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and co-founder and strategic partner in Montrose Lane
- Sam Peltzman, Ph.D., distinguished professor of Economics Emeritus at the University of Chicago
- Vernon Smith, Ph.D., recipient of the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 2002
- Liz Ann Sonders, managing director and chief investment strategist at Charles Schwab
- Jason Riley, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and columnist for the Wall Street Journal
- Tyler VanderWeele, Ph.D., director of the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University
- Alice Marie Johnson, former federal inmate and founder of the Taking Action for Good Foundation
- Emily Oster, Ph.D., author and professor of economics at Brown University
- Robert Koopman, Ph.D., chief economist at the World Trade Organization
- Ambassador Susan Schwab, former U.S. Trade Representative from 2006-2009
- Emily Chamlee Wright, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Institute for Humane Studies
- J.D. Vance, author of the best-seller Hillbilly Elegy
- Edward Glaeser, Ph.D., professor of economics at Harvard University
- Arthur Brooks, Ph.D., author and professor of the practice of public leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School
- Johan Norberg, author and documentary filmmaker
- John Allison, former chairman and CEO of BB& T Corp.