The Wade Center plans to record all events and upload them to our YouTube channel unless otherwise noted and barring any technical difficulties.
- JANUARY 29, 2026 @ 7PM, BAKKE AUDITORIUM
“The Horns of Elfland: On Fairy-Story Justice"
Lecture #1 in the 2026 Hansen Lecture Series with Jim Beitler
This lecture will look closely at J.R.R. Tolkien’s famous “On Fairy-Stories” and other defenses of fantasy written by the Wade authors, exploring what these arguments reveal to us about the relationship between fantasy literature and justice. - FEBRUARY 26, 2026 @ 7PM, BAKKE AUDITORIUM
“The Hammer of God: Sub-creation and Divine Justice"
Lecture #2 in the 2026 Hansen Lecture Series with Jim Beitler
Tolkien places a high value on the art of sub-creation, going so far as to call it our “right” as humans. In the second lecture, we’ll reflect with the Wade Center authors on what it means to do justice to this “right” as well as the judgments that await those who do wrong by it. - MARCH 19, 2026 @ 7PM, BAKKE AUDITORIUM
“The Ring of Righteousness: Justice in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth"
Lecture #3 in the 2026 Hansen Lecture Series with Jim Beitler
This lecture will consider the visions of justice that J.R.R. Tolkien offers us in The Lord of the Rings.
Endowed Programming
Stanley W. and Jeannette A. Bakke Endowment for Intellectual and Imaginative Engagement
This endowment offers occasional lectures as well as artistic presentations of all types including periodically commissioning new works.
Ken and Jean Hansen Lectureship
A series of lectures on the Wade authors presented annually by Wheaton College faculty.
Fuller Endowment for Imagination & the Arts
A regular series of talks, performances, exhibitions, and new commissions celebrating imagination and the arts.
Stephen and Marjorie Mead Endowment for Spiritual Formation
Occasional lectures on spiritual formation subjects by speakers who draw upon the writings of the Wade authors in this area.
Explore Media Recordings
View & listen to recordings from our previous programming, and other Wade author-related content, on our Media Page and YouTube channel.
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Connect with the Wade Center
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By Mail:
Marion E. Wade Center, Wheaton College, 501 College Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187
See "Plan Your Visit" page for street address -
630.752.5908
wade@wheaton.edu - Instagram Facebook Youtube