Category: Craig W. Barton Speaker Series

The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series is an annual event established to expose students and the community to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation.

The 2025 event did not take place as planned, but to help shape future Barton Speaker Series events, take a moment to complete this brief survey. The survey closes at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, April 23.

The previously scheduled Barton Speaker Series event at Wichita State featuring Ben Stein has been canceled. Stein informed the university last week of his need to cancel due to personal circumstances.

Stein, an economist, lawyer, actor and prolific author, was set to headline the speaker series and visit campus for other events March 11.

Tickets to the event were free.

“We wish Ben well and hope there may be an opportunity to collaborate in the future,” President Rick Muma said.

Stay tuned later this year to wichita.edu/bartonseries for news of the 2026 Barton series speaker.

Students are cordially invited to an exclusive Q&A session with this year’s Craig W. Barton Speaker Series headliner, Ben Stein — economist, lawyer, actor and prolific author — at 2 p.m. March 11 in 209 Hubbard Hall. RSVP at wichita.edu/meetben.

Stein, a Yale Law School valedictorian, has worked as a speechwriter for former Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, authored more than 30 books on finance and law, and has become a key figure in exposing the junk bond scandal. Widely recognized for his iconic role in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and for hosting “Win Ben Stein’s Money,” Stein continues to speak on economics and politics.

The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series is an annual Wichita State event established to expose students and the community to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation. Previous speakers include Robert Gates, 22nd United States secretary of defense (2006-2011); Cody Keenan, former White House director of speechwriting for President Barack Obama; and Norah O’Donnell, former anchor for the CBS Evening News and “60 Minutes” contributor.

Update: This event has reached capacity. To be added to the waitlist, please email the Fine Arts Box Office inside Duerksen Fine Arts Center at fastickets@wichita.edu by 5 p.m. Thursday, March 6. Patrons on the waitlist will be notified by email if tickets become available.

Ben Stein, economist, lawyer, actor and prolific author, will speak at the 2025 Craig W. Barton Speaker Series event at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 at Miller Concert Hall in Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Seat reservations are required, and the event is free and open to the public.

Stein, a Yale Law School valedictorian, has worked as a speechwriter for Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, authored more than 30 books on finance and law, and has become a key figure in exposing the junk bond scandal. Widely recognized for his iconic role in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and for hosting “Win Ben Stein’s Money,” Stein continues to speak on economics and politics.

The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series is an annual Wichita State event established to expose students and the community to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation. Previous speakers include Robert Gates, 22nd United States secretary of defense (2006-2011), Cody Keenan, former White House director of speechwriting for President Barack Obama, and Norah O’Donnell, anchor for the CBS Evening News and “60 Minutes” contributor.

Ben Stein, economist, lawyer, actor and prolific author, will speak at the 2025 Craig W. Barton Speaker Series event at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 at Miller Concert Hall in Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Seat reservations are required, and the event is free and open to the public.

Stein, a Yale Law School valedictorian, has worked as a speechwriter for Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, authored more than 30 books on finance and law, and has become a key figure in exposing the junk bond scandal. Widely recognized for his iconic role in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and for hosting “Win Ben Stein’s Money,” Stein continues to speak on economics and politics.

The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series is an annual Wichita State event established to expose students and the community to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation. Previous speakers include Robert Gates, 22nd United States secretary of defense (2006-2011), Cody Keenan, former White House director of speechwriting for President Barack Obama, and Norah O’Donnell, anchor for the CBS Evening News and “60 Minutes” contributor.

Ben Stein, economist, lawyer, actor and prolific author, will speak at the 2025 Craig W. Barton Speaker Series event at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 at Miller Concert Hall in Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Seat reservations are required, and the event is free and open to the public.

Stein, a Yale Law School valedictorian, has worked as a speechwriter for Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, authored more than 30 books on finance and law, and has become a key figure in exposing the junk bond scandal. Widely recognized for his iconic role in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and for hosting “Win Ben Stein’s Money,” Stein continues to speak on economics and politics.

Stay tuned for more information on an exclusive Q&A for students at 2 p.m. March 11.

The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series is an annual Wichita State event established to expose students and the community to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation. Previous speakers include Robert Gates, 22nd United States secretary of defense (2006-2011), Cody Keenan, former White House director of speechwriting for President Barack Obama, and Norah O’Donnell, anchor for the CBS Evening News and “60 Minutes” contributor.

The Wichita State University Craig W. Barton Speaker Series cordially invites you to save the date for an evening with Ben Stein, economist, lawyer, actor and prolific author, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at Miller Concert Hall in Duerksen Fine Arts Center.

Ticket reservations will be available on Jan. 21.

The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series is an annual event established to expose students and the community to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation.

Norah O’Donnell, anchor for the CBS Evening News and “60 Minutes” contributor, headlined Wichita State’s 2024 Craig W. Barton Speaker Series March 21.

O’Donnell spoke to attendees at Miller Concert Hall in Duerksen Fine Arts Center and answered questions from the audience. Earlier in the day, she met with students in the Rhatigan Student Center during her visit to WSU.

The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series is an annual Wichita State event established to expose students and the community to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation. Previous speakers include Robert Gates, 22nd United States secretary of defense (2006-2011), and Cody Keenan, former White House director of speechwriting for President Barack Obama.

Details for the 2025 Craig W. Barton Speaker Series event will be announced at a later date.

Norah O’Donnell, anchor for the CBS Evening News and “60 Minutes” contributor, headlined Wichita State’s 2024 Craig W. Barton Speaker Series March 21.

O’Donnell spoke to attendees at Miller Concert Hall in Duerksen Fine Arts Center and answered questions from the audience. Earlier in the day, she met with students in the Rhatigan Student Center during her visit to WSU.

The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series is an annual Wichita State event established to expose students and the community to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation. Previous speakers include Robert Gates, 22nd United States secretary of defense (2006-2011), and Cody Keenan, former White House director of speechwriting for President Barack Obama.

Details for the 2025 Craig W. Barton Speaker Series event will be announced at a later date.

All Wichita State students are invited to an informal Q&A, free snacks and an opportunity to meet Norah O’Donnell, anchor for the CBS Evening News and “60 Minutes” contributor.

The event is at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 21 in 262 Rhatigan Student Center, Herrman Room.

Capacity is limited.

RSVP now

O’Donnell is a multiple Emmy Award-winning journalist with nearly three decades of experience covering the biggest stories in the world and conducting impactful, newsmaking interviews. She is currently the only woman anchoring an evening news broadcast. During her career, she has covered six presidential elections and interviewed every living president of the United States.