McCarthy Lectures

A man in a blue suit and light blue tie stands smiling in front of a flag with an intricate design. The text "Hon. Philip Davis KC, MP Prime Minister, The Bahamas" is written in the upper right corner.

2023-17th Annual Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture – Philip Davis

Stephen B. Humphrey Theater at Saint John's University

The Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture has been rescheduled for Monday, Dec. 11, in the Stephen B. Humphrey Theater at Saint John’s University with the Hon. Philip Davis KC, MP, the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, as the featured speaker. The event was originally set for Nov. [...]

A promotional image for the Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture featuring General Paul Nakasone from the class of '86. The event will take place on October 20, 2022, at 7 p.m. in Humphrey Theater, SJU. The McCarthy Center's logo is included at the bottom left.

2022-16th Annual Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture – Gen. Paul Nakasone

7:00 PM Stephen B. Humphrey Theater

Gen. Paul Nakasone, a 1986 Saint John’s University graduate, presented the 2022 Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20 at the Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, located on the Saint John’s University campus. The four-star general and White Bear Lake, Minnesota native is currently serving as Commander, U.S. [...]

A woman with short brown hair, wearing a blue blazer and pearl necklace, smiles in front of the U.S. flag. The text "McCarthy Lecture 2021 Senator Tina Smith" is on the right side of the image.

2021-15th Annual Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture – U.S. Senator Tina Smith

7:30 PM Stephen B. Humphrey Theater

Tina Smith serves as United States Senator for Minnesota. Smith also serves on four Senate committees: Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; and Indian Affairs. This year, she was named chair of two Senate subcommittees. When speaking on Eugene J. [...]

Portrait of a woman with short gray hair, wearing a dark blazer and light blue shirt, standing in a green outdoor setting. Text on the image reads, "McCarthy Lecture 2020 Dr. Kathleen Hall Jamieson.

2020-14th Annual Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture – Dr. Kathleen Hall Jamieson

2:00 PM

With Dr. Kathleen Hall Jamieson Dr. Kathleen Hall Jamieson is a distinguished award-winning communications professor from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Jamieson’s trail-blazing scholarship and public leadership demonstrate a deep commitment to democratic justice, particularly fair elections and fact-based information. [...]

Two speakers seated on a stage in front of a large cross in a church-like setting. The slide behind them reads "McCarthy Lecture 2018 Denis McDonough '92." Both men are engaged in discussion, surrounded by greenery and colorful flowers on a table.

2018-12th Annual Eugene J McCarthy Lecture – Denis McDonough

7:30 PM Abbey and University Church

Most people rarely get a good glimpse into the inner workings of the White House. But on Monday, Oct. 15, Denis McDonough peel[ed] back the layers of intrigue and describe how the West Wing operates. McDonough, who served four years as President Barack Obama’s Chief of Staff, present[ed] the 12th annual Eugene J. [...]

Two men are seated on stage with microphones, engaged in conversation during the McCarthy Lecture 2017. The man on the right is gesturing with his hands while speaking. The text in the foreground reads, "McCarthy Lecture 2017 Governor Jeb Bush.

2017-11th annual Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture – Jeb Bush

8:00 PM Saint John’s Abbey and University Church

Former Governor Jeb Bush gave the 11th annual Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture on September 21, 2017. You can watch the full lecture HERE Former Florida Governor and 2016 Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush will be interviewed for the 11th annual Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. [...]

A man with white hair in a dark suit and blue tie smiles while speaking into a microphone. He is seated on a wooden chair. The text on the image reads, "McCarthy Lecture 2015 Chris Dodd.

2015-9th Annual Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture – Chris Dodd

Stephen B. Humphrey Theater

For 36 years, Senator Dodd represented Connecticut in the United States Congress and as the state’s longest serving member was recognized as one of the most widely respected legislators in Congress, earning the trust of both Republicans and Democrats. [...]

Two men are seated on a stage having a conversation. Behind them is a large image of a man, and there are microphones in front of them. The text on the image reads "McCarthy Lecture 2014 featuring Dave Durenberger interviewed by Gary Eichten.

2014-8th Annual Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture – Dave Durenberger

Stephen B. Humphrey Theater

Dave Durenberger, the son of SJU Athletic    Director George Durenberger, grew up at Saint John’s. He attended the Prep School, and     graduated from the University cum laude in 1955 with a Commission from its first Army ROTC program. [...]

A person standing at a podium giving a speech during the McCarthy Lecture 2013. Behind them is a banner with a monochrome portrait of another person. The text "McCarthy Lecture 2013, Cokie Roberts" is displayed prominently on the image.

2013-7th Annual Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture – Cokie Roberts

Stephen B. Humphrey Theater

Cokie Roberts is a political commentator for ABC News, providing analysis for all network news programming.  From 1996-2002 she and Sam Donaldson co-anchored the weekly ABC interview program This Week.  Roberts also serves as Senior News Analyst for National Public Radio.   In her more than forty years in broadcasting, she has won countless awards, including three Emmys. [...]

A man with white hair and wearing a dark suit stands at a microphone. The text on the image reads, "McCarthy Lecture 2012 Tom Brokaw.

2012-6th Annual Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture – Tom Brokaw

Abbey and University Church

Tom Brokaw has spent his entire distinguished journalism career with NBC News beginning in 1966 in the Los Angeles bureau where he covered Ronald Reagan’s first run for public office and the 1968 presidential campaign. [...]

A man wearing a suit, eyeglasses, and a striped tie speaks into a microphone against a dark background. To his left, text reads "McCarthy Lecture 2011 Mark Shields" in white font.

2011-5th Annual Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture – Mark Shields

Stephen B. Humphrey Theater

A nationally known columnist and commentator, Shields has worked in Washington through the administrations of nine U.S. Presidents. He was an editorial writer for The Washington Post where he began writing his column in 1979. That column is now distributed nationally by Creators Syndicate. [...]

A man in a suit gestures with his hand while speaking. The dark blue background features the text "McCarthy Lecture 2009 Chuck Hagel" in white letters.

2009-3rd Annual Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture – Senator Chuck Hagel

Chuck Hagel has served two terms in the U.S. Senate. His duties include membership on four senate committees: Foreign Relations; Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Intelligence; and Rules. Hagel and his brother Tom served side by side in Vietnam in 1968 as infantry squad leaders with the U.S. Army’s 9th Infantry Division. [...]

An elderly man with short white hair, wearing glasses and a brown suit, speaks with his mouth slightly open. The text on the right side reads: "McCarthy Lecture 2008 Julian Bond." The background is dark.

2008-2nd Annual Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture – Julian Bond

7:30 PM Stephen B. Humphrey Theater

The Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement announces that Julian Bond, chairman of the board of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), will deliver the second annual Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture at 7:30 p.m. Wed., Oct. 29, in the Stephen B. [...]

A promotional image for the Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture 2007 featuring E.J. Dionne. The image shows text on the left and a portrait of E.J. Dionne on the right against a light green background.

2007-1st Annual Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture – E. J. Dionne

7:00 PM Stephen B. Humphrey Theater

The Promise and Limits of Politics: What Gene McCarthy Taught Us COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. — Gene McCarthy might have liked talking politics to Washington Post newspaper columnist, author and commentator E.J. Dionne, Jr. [...]