Tate Lecture Series

For 100 years, SMU has shaped minds, explored frontiers of knowledge and nurtured intellectual entrepreneurship. The Willis M. Tate Distinguished Lecture Series contributes to this mission by bringing thought-provoking and entertaining icons to the SMU campus and Dallas community.

Regarded as one of the country’s finest platforms for distinguished and engaging discussions, the Tate Lecture Series provides unique opportunities for student interaction, faculty discourse and community debate with world changers and raises funds for academic scholarships and student programs.

Manage Tickets

To renew your 2019-20 tickets, click the button above to log in to your account. Please call 214-768-8283 or email tateseries@smu.edu with any questions.

Single Event Tickets

Buy Tickets

Purchase tickets online to individual lectures or call the Tate office at 214-768-8283.

SMU reserves the right to substitute speakers or to rearrange the order of the lectures without notice. Subscriptions are nonrefundable.

New Patrons

Join Waiting List

The Tate Lecture Series maintains an extensive waiting list for patrons interested in Tate season tickets. Requests for season tickets from new patrons will be placed on a waiting list and considered in the order in which they are received. To be added to the waiting list, complete your request online, download a form, or call the Tate office at 214-768-8283.

Lecture Schedule

Buy Tickets

All lectures begin at 8 p.m. in McFarlin Auditorium. Box office opens at 7 p.m.

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Robert Gates and Adm. James Stavridis with David Gergen

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Shiza Shahid

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Raj Chetty

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

David Rubenstein

Monday, January 27, 2020

Misty Copeland

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Brian Grazer

TBD

Zanny Minton Beddoes

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

David Axelrod and Karl Rove