University of Washington Lecture Series collection, approximately 1970s-2013

The University of Washington Graduate School has been able to provide for a Public Lecture series thanks to endowed funds.

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 outside scholars 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 Department of History History Lecture Series began in 1975 with newly retired professor of history Giovanni Costigan. Costigan, a very well-known part of the UW community, began the series as a way to bring history to the wider community and to spark dialogue around important topics.

Source: https://grad.uw.edu/public-lecture-series/about-the-lecture-series/