The Presidential Signature Series unites a variety of special opportunities and some of the nation's leading experts under one series to elevate scholarly conversations and illuminate significant work in the pursuit of flourishing!
We hope you will make plans to join us throughout the season as often as you can. Learn more about the 2026-27 Presidential Signature Series season below.
Sept. 30, 2026: Illuminate: Working With Purpose
Speaker: Dr. Jay Jakub, executive director, Economics of Mutuality Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland
Jay Jakub is executive director of the Economics of Mutuality Foundation (EoM) in Geneva, Switzerland. He has held leadership and advisory roles with organizations around the world, including the EoM Alliance, Mutual Value Labs, Mutual Value Investments, Commence, the Human Flourishing Foundation and Singapore's Alliance for Action on Corporate Purpose, and previously served as senior director for external research at Mars, Inc. An international speaker and author, he earned his doctorate from Oxford University and has co-authored books on business, purpose and the Economics of Mutuality, including "Completing Capitalism." He and his wife, Eleni, also co-founded the Christian Healing Institute and lead Biblically based healing prayer ministries globally.
Dr. Russell Moore, editor-in-chief, Christianity Today, and Haslam Endowed Professor of Faith & Reason, Lipscomb University
In addition to his work at Christianity Today, Moore serves as host of "The Russell Moore Show," and is co-host of The Bulletin. He is also the author of several books including "Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America." Moore previously served as president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention and as provost and dean of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. A senior fellow with the Trinity Forum and board member of Becket Law, Moore brings a unique blend of theology, ethics and cultural insight to the conference.
Chip Pugh, director of spiritual and personal growth, Tennessee Titans
Chip Pugh supports players, coaches and staff members in their development beyond the game and also serves as the team's chaplain. He is the co-founder of Be1Make1, a ministry that trains people to live and lead on mission for Jesus Christ. A certified strength and conditioning coach, Pugh has spent much of his career training athletes and fitness enthusiasts, and he has taught leadership development at Tennessee Tech University, where he also served as a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Character Coach. He played football at Ohio University, where he earned a master's degree in coaching. He is the author of "Made to Win: Six Practices of Jesus for a Life on Mission."
Oct. 12-16, 2026: Fashion Week
Fashion Week is a weeklong celebration of creativity and design that gives fashion students opportunities to explore the industry and engage with ideas shaping the future of fashion.
Nov. 5, 2026: Don R. Elliott Distinguished Presidential Lecture
Speaker: Greg McKeown, best-selling author, "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" and "Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most"
Greg McKeown and his wife, Anna, are the proud parents of four children. McKeown is the author of two New York Times bestsellers, "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" and "Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most," which together have sold 3 million copies and been published in 40 languages, and recently released The Essentialism Planner, a 90-day guide to accomplishing more by doing less.
Since its publication, Essentialism has become a part of the wider culture. Kanye West declared himself an Essentialist on The Joe Rogan Podcast. It's Steve Harvey's favorite book. Former First Lady of California, Maria Shriver, shares insights from the book at her coveted Sunday luncheons. Even presidential hopefuls have voiced their allegiance to its transformative power. In Brazil, Essentialism has been outselling Harry Potter. In Japan there are a series of graphic novels based on these ideas. At McKeown's Essentialism Academy, people from over 100 countries take online classes. Hundreds of thousands receive his 1-Minute Wednesday newsletter. His podcast has grown into a living conversation with people the world over.
McKeown has become one of the most sought-after public speakers in the world. He has spoken to hundreds of organizations while traveling to more than 45 countries. His clients include Apple, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Nike, X and the Navy Seals.
He holds a Master's from Stanford University and is conducting doctoral research at the University of Cambridge about the #1 skill we need now.
Feb. 9, 2027: Landiss Lecture & McClure Lecture on Faith and Science
Speaker: Dr. John Wellons, chief of pediatric neurosurgery and vice chair of neurosurgery and professor, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; associate surgeon-in-chief, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital
Dr. John "Jay" Wellons III holds the Cal Turner Chair in Pediatric Neurosurgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he has led the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery since 2012. A nationally recognized leader in his field, he helped found the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network, a national collaboration for multicenter trials in pediatric hydrocephalus, and is a past president of the American Society of Pediatric Neurosurgeons. His clinical and research interests include hydrocephalus, Chiari and Chiari-related disorders, brain tumors and brachial plexus and peripheral nerve injuries. He is also the author of "All That Moves Us: A Pediatric Neurosurgeon, His Young Patients, and Their Stories of Grace and Resilience," and his essays have appeared in The New York Times.
March 23, 2027: Fred Gray Lectureship
Speaker announcement coming soon!