Events

The Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics and Economics provides lectures and panel discussions with scholars, practitioners and public officials for Wheaton College students and the surrounding community on issues related to market economies, representative democracies and limited government.

2019-2020 Lecture Schedule

Politics - The Role of Faith in the Public Square

Bill Haslam, Governor of Tennessee, 2011-2019
October 29, 7:00-8:00pm, Coray Gymnasium

Hon. Bill HalsamFormer Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam will share how his faith has impacted both his business and political practices.

Under Haslam’s results-driven, common sense leadership, Tennessee is recognized as a national leader in education, job creation and fiscal responsibility. Born and raised in Knoxville, he was blessed with parents who instilled their strong faith and work ethic in their children. As a young man, he excelled in academics and sports and was a leader in student government.

When he was 16 years old, the sudden, unexpected death of his mother marked a turning point in his young life. His family leaned on each other and on their faith to get through the tough days. After graduating from Emory University, Haslam returned to Knoxville, where he managed his family’s chain of gas stations. When he first went to work for the company, Pilot Corporation had 800 employees, and when he left, it had more than 14,000 employees in 39 states. Haslam was elected mayor of Knoxville in 2003 and re-elected in 2007. As mayor, he balanced eight consecutive city budgets, tripled the Rainy Day Fund, insisted that city government focus on providing services in an efficient manner, helped found key education initiatives and recruited and retained thousands of jobs to Knoxville

This event is free and open to the public and will take place in Todd M. Beamer Center, Room 136 Coray Alumni Gym, located at 421 N. Chase St. in Wheaton.

For more information, contact Heidi Leffler at 630.752.5975 or heidi.leffler@wheaton.edu.

Location: Beamer Center 136 Coray Alumni Gym

Faith - Missions Impact - Cancelled and rescheduled for March 3, 2021 at 7:00pm via Zoom

Robert Woodberry, director of the Project on Religion and Economic Change and senior research professor, Baylor University
March 18, 7:00-8:00pm, Meyer Science Center

Economics - C.S. Lewis and Freedom:  Christianity's Famous Apologist meets Adam Smith - Cancelled

Ken Elzinga, Robert C. Taylor Chair in Economics, University of Virginia
April 20, 7:00-8:00pm, Barrows Auditorium

View Videos from past events

2017-2018 Lecture Schedule 

Robotics and Emerging Technologies: Friend or Foe of the American Worker?
Wednesday, November 1, 7:30-9:00pm
View Event Video

The Healthcare Labyrinth:  Where do we go from here?
Wednesday, February 28, 7:30-9:00pm
Meyer Science Center, Lecture Hall 145
More info