Public Lectures

Series History

The Graduate School administers two endowments, the Walker-Ames Fund and the Danz Fund, that fund the public lecture series.

The University of Washington Walker-Ames Fund was established in 1936 by a bequest from the estates of Maud Walker-Ames and Edwin Gardner Ames. Since 1936, the fund has been used to bring many outstanding scholars in the academic profession to the University of Washington campus. These scholars present public lectures about their respective fields of expertise and also work with groups of graduate students during their stay.

John Danz, veteran motion picture theatre owner and philanthropist of the Pacific Northwest, and his wife, Jessie, made a gift to the University of Washington in 1961. This gift was used to establish the John Danz Fund. This fund, an enduring benefit to the University and the state, brings to the University of Washington campus and Seattle community lecturers of national and international reputation. Specifically, the gift is intended to enable the University of Washington to bring 'distinguished scholars who have concerned themselves with the impact of science and philosophy on man's perception of a rational universe.'

The Graduate School and the University of Washington are very proud to offer the UW and Puget Sound community access to some of the most brilliant minds in our country and our world. Without the support of these two funds, this simply could not be achieved.