Presidential Lecture Series
Lecture Information

Changing Lives, Changing Communities
The Wright State University 2011–12 Presidential Lecture Series

Presenting speakers who provide a global perspective on today's issues

The Wright State University Presidential Lecture Series was developed to advance human justice and promote the university's commitment to creating a diverse university community and learning environment. All events are free and open to the public unless noted.

Browse through the Presidential Lecture Series Archives to view information about previous speakers on campus.



Robert Ballard

Deep-Sea Explorer and Discoverer of the Titanic

Photo of Robert Ballard

"Adventures in Deep-Sea Exploration: Living the Dream"

March 1, 2012, 7 p.m., Student Union Apollo Room

Best known for his 1985 discovery of the Titanic, Robert D. Ballard, Ph.D., has succeeded in tracking down numerous other shipwrecks, including the German battleship Bismarck, the U.S. aircraft carrier Yorktown, and John F. Kennedy’s boat, PT 109.

"I grew up wanting to be Captain Nemo from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," Ballard notes. He has lived up to that aspiration with more than 100 deep-sea expeditions, using both manned and unmanned vehicles. Beginning in 1973, Ballard participated in his first international expedition, Project FAMOUS (French-American Mid-Ocean Undersea Study), the first manned exploration of the Mid-Ocean Ridge, which helped to confirm the newly emerging theory of Plate Tectonics. By 1979, Ballard was scientist in charge of the exploration program that discovered the first "Black Smokers"—smoking chimneys of almost pure crystalline zinc sulfide that create a mineral-rich environment to support unique evolutionary variants of common fish and snails.

Learn More →

Please also join us on Friday, March 2, for the Wright State University Honors Institute Symposium on Exploring the Ocean. For more information, please visit the Honors Institute 2012 page.

Honors Institute


Upcoming Speakers for the 2011–12 Season:

Mark Johnson, Grammy®-Winning Producer/Engineer, April 18, 2012, 7 p.m.

Daniel Hernandez, First Responder for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, May 2, 2012, 7 p.m.

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Last updated: Tue. Jan-24-12, 10:43
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