A lineup of nationally recognized public intellectuals, military heroes, sports figures and activists will share their stories with campus audiences in a series exploring "Bold Leadership."
The Elon University Speaker Series returns in 2026-27 with visitors whose careers span the highest levels of journalism, sports media, military leadership, literature and American history.
Visiting Elon University in the next academic year:
- David Brooks, bestselling author, staff writer for The Atlantic and longtime New York Times columnist – Sept. 25, 2026
- Hanif Abdurraqib, author and cultural critic (Common Reading Lecture) – Sept. 29, 2026
- Lance Cpl. Kyle Carpenter, Medal of Honor recipient and author – Nov. 11, 2026
- Danielle Coke Balfour, artist, author and social justice advocate – Jan. 13, 2027
- Tim Tebow, Heisman Trophy winner, former NFL quarterback and philanthropist – March 9, 2027
- Heather Cox Richardson, historian and bestselling author – April 6, 2027
All programs are free to Elon University students, faculty and staff with ID. Venues will be announced closer to the dates of the programs. Tickets for the public for Fall Convocation go on sale starting in August. Admission: $15 via ElonTickets.com.
Elon University’s Cultural Calendar for Fall 2026 will be available later this year with additional speakers and a wide range of musical, theatrical, artistic and other intellectual and creative events.
About the 2026-2027 Speakers at Elon University
David Brooks
Sept. 25, 2026
Fall Convocation
3:30 p.m.
A bestselling author and longtime New York Times columnist, Brooks is a leading observer of American culture, politics and civic life. He serves as a staff writer at The Atlantic, a commentator on PBS NewsHour and a senior fellow at Yale University’s Jackson School of Global Affairs. Over decades in journalism, his columns have become some of the most widely read in the nation, offering insight into political dynamics, social trends and the challenges facing modern democracy.
Brooks is the author of multiple bestselling books, including “How to Know a Person,” “The Second Mountain,” “The Road to Character” and “The Social Animal,” which explore moral development, human connection and the search for meaning. His work emphasizes the importance of community, empathy and the cultivation of both inner character and outward relationships as essential to a flourishing society.
Hanif Abdurraqib
Sept. 29, 2026
Common Reading Lecture
7:30 p.m.
An acclaimed essayist, poet and cultural critic, Abdurraqib is widely recognized for his lyrical and deeply personal writing that explores music, identity and the intersections of culture and lived experience. His work blends criticism with memoir, offering readers a nuanced perspective on art, belonging and the forces that shape contemporary life.
Abdurraqib is the author of several award-winning books and is known for his ability to connect cultural analysis with broader questions about race, community and memory. “There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension” was selected as Elon’s Common Reading for 2026-27.
Lance Cpl. Kyle Carpenter
Nov. 11, 2026
Carol Ann Walker International Lectureship
11 a.m.
A United States Marine and the youngest living recipient of the Medal of Honor, Carpenter is recognized for extraordinary heroism during his service in Afghanistan. In 2010, he sustained life-threatening injuries after throwing himself on a grenade to protect a fellow Marine, an act of valor that led to years of recovery and more than 40 surgeries.
Following his recovery, Carpenter set and achieved ambitious personal goals, including completing a college degree, running a marathon and traveling internationally. He is the author of the memoir “You Are Worth It: Building a Life Worth Fighting For,” which chronicles his journey of resilience and purpose. Today, he speaks widely about leadership, perseverance and finding meaning in adversity, encouraging others to overcome challenges and pursue lives of impact.
Danielle Coke Balfour
Jan. 13, 2027
Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Address
12 p.m.
An artist, entrepreneur and author, Balfour is the founder of Oh Happy Dani, an illustration-based educational platform that uses visual storytelling to make complex ideas about racial justice and advocacy accessible to broad audiences. Through her work, she has built a community of hundreds of thousands who engage with her content on social media and beyond.
Her creative approach to “artivism” combines design, storytelling and education to inspire individuals to take meaningful action in their own communities. She is the author of “A Heart on Fire: 100 Meditations on Loving Your Neighbors Well” and a companion workbook that encourages reflection and everyday advocacy. Through partnerships with major brands and speaking engagements across the country, she promotes a message of hope, empathy and sustained engagement in social change.
Tim Tebow
March 9, 2027
Baird Lecture
7 p.m.
A Heisman Trophy winner and two-time national champion, Tebow gained national prominence as a quarterback at the University of Florida before being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. He later played professional baseball and has become a prominent sports analyst, author and motivational speaker.
Tebow is a seven-time New York Times bestselling author and founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation, an organization that serves vulnerable populations in more than 70 countries through initiatives focused on faith, health and human dignity. Through his speaking and philanthropic efforts, Tebow encourages audiences to pursue their passions, lead with integrity and make a positive impact in the lives of others.
Heather Cox Richardson
April 6, 2027
James P. Elder Lecture
6:30 p.m.
A professor of history at Boston College, Richardson is a leading scholar of American political history with expertise in the Civil War, Reconstruction and the evolution of the Republican Party. Her work examines the intersections of politics, economics and social change, helping audiences better understand the forces shaping the nation’s past and present.
She is the author of several award-winning books, including the bestselling “Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America,” which explores the nation’s ongoing struggle to uphold its own ideals. Richardson also writes “Letters from an American,” a nightly newsletter that reaches millions of readers with analysis of current events in historical context. She hosts two video series, “Journey to American Democracy” and “American Conversations,” both of which are available on YouTube and Facebook. Her articles and reviews have been published in the Washington Post, the New York Times, and The Guardian, among others.