The Niebuhr Legacy

Theology in Action

A series of lectures examines the intersection of theology and public life, and honors two of Elmhurst's most celebrated alumni.

The Niebuhr Lecture Series is a distinctive event in the life of Elmhurst College, and dates back to the early 1960s. It is held in honor of theologians Reinhold Niebuhr ’10, and his brother, H. Richard Niebuhr ’12, who also served as the College’s president from 1924–1927.

Recent Niebuhr Lecturers

2009
Dr. Phillip Hefner
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

2008
Dr. Jason Hill
DePaul University

2007
Dr. Gary Dorrien
Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics, Union Theological Seminary

2006
Dr. Bernard Gert
Dartmouth College

2005
Dr. Delores S. Williams
Paul Tillich Professor of Religion and Culture Emerita, Union Theological Seminary

2004
Dr. John Searle
University of California–Berkeley

2003
Dr. Marc Ellis
University Professor of American and Jewish Studies,  Baylor University

2002
Richard Wollheim
University of California–Berkeley

2001
Dr. Martin E. Marty
University of Chicago Divinity School

2000
Dr. Robert Fisher
Oxford University

1999
Dr. Larry Rasmussen
Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics, Union Theological Seminary

1998
Dr. Julia Speller
Chicago Theological Seminary

1997
Rev. Dr. Gabriel Fackre
Andover Newton Theological School

1996
Dr. Fernando Segovia
Vanderbilt University

1995
Dr. Stanley Hauerwas
Duke University

1994
Dr. Max Oelschlaeger
University of North Texas

1993
Dr. Thomas Oden
Drew University

1992
Dr. Jeffery Stout
Princeton University

1991
Dr. William Placher
Wabash College