Keith E. Whittington, the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Politics at Princeton University, will discuss the importance of free speech at universities as part of The University of Toledo College of Law’s Stranahan Lecture series.

His lecture, “Why We Should Value Campus Free Speech,” will be delivered at noon Wednesday, March 20 in the Law Center McQuade Auditorium.

Whittington will explain the need to protect free speech at universities to enhance the mission of assembling and nurturing an open and diverse community of scholars, teachers and students. As argued in his award-winning recent book, “Speak Freely: Why Universities Must Defend Free Speech,” he will examine how relationships between the critical functions of the university and the principles of free speech can help resolve difficult challenges that confront modern universities.

“Free speech, which for so long has been a cornerstone of American universities, has recently come under significant pressure at universities across the country,” said Lee J. Strang, John W. Stoepler Professor of Law and Values at the College of Law. “Professor Whittington will argue that free speech is fundamental to the mission of modern universities as centers of research and teaching.”

A prolific scholar, Whittington’s publications include nine books and dozens of articles and essays on constitutional law, politics and history, and American political thought. He is a Fellow with the National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement, and is a member of the American Academy of the Arts and Sciences.

The winner of numerous book, scholarly and teaching awards, Whittington completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Texas at Austin and earned his doctorate in political science at Yale University.

This free, public lecture is a part of the Stranahan National Issues Forum and is sponsored by the College of Law and its chapter of the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies.

There will be book sales and signings before and after the free event, which will be streamed live by The University of Toledo Alumni Association at toledoalumni.org/events/law-lecture.html.