Event Series
Convocations
The Oberlin Convocation Series, presented by the Finney Lecture Committee and the Office of the President, presents free, public discussions of cutting-edge issues by some of the country’s most prominent thinkers from an array of disciplines and professional fields. These talks are open to the public and take place in Finney Chapel.
Lectures begin at 7:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. A question and answer session with the presenter follows each talk.

Past Events
Convocation: An Evening with Paul Beatty
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
7:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Finney Chapel
Paul Beatty is the author of four novels― Slumberland , Tuff, The White Boy Shuffle , and The Sellout ―and two books of poetry: Big Bank Take Little Bank and Joker, Joker, Deuce . He is the editor of...

Convocation: What's the Point of Comedy? (And other pointless questions)
Sunday, April 2, 2017
7:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Finney Chapel
Come hear the conversation between two alums, Daniel Radosh ’91 and Ed Helms ’96. Daniel Radosh is the senior writer for the Daily Show with Trevor Noah and has won three Emmy Awards as a...

Convocation: An Evening with Professor Robert Spano '84
Thursday, September 14, 2017
7:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Finney Chapel
Conductor, pianist, composer, and teacher, Robert Spano ’84 is known worldwide for his intense artistry and distinct communicative ability. His visit to Oberlin marks the first Convocation of the academic year.

Convocation: An Evening with Terry Tempest Williams
Friday, November 17, 2017
7:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Finney Chapel
Conservationist, free speech advocate, and author, Terry Tempest Williams has a long history of environmental activism. Currently the Provostial Scholar at Dartmouth College, Williams writes of how...

Presidential Convocation: A Conversation with Jesse Milan
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
12:15 pm to 1:30 pm
Finney Chapel
Webcast Available
Jesse Milan Jr., JD, will present a talk titled “You are the Keeper of the HIV Movement.” Milan is president and CEO of AIDS United. Milan leads AIDS United, a national organization...

Convocation: Beautiful Boy
Thursday, April 11, 2019
7:30 pm
Finney Chapel
Convocation Series ‘‘A Conversation with David Sheff and Nic Sheff, moderated by Kameron Dunbar ’19’’ Nic Sheff was drunk for the first time at age 11. In the years that...

Convocation: Objectivity, Facts, Fiction and the Future of Journalism with Tom Rosenstiel ’78
Thursday, December 5, 2019
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Nancy Schrom Dye Lecture Hall
Convocation: Objectivity, Facts, Fiction and the Future of Journalism with Tom Rosenstiel ’78, author, journalist, and director of the American Press Institute. A keen observer of the inner...
