On Jan. 24, Waynesburg University hosted the James Parker Hall Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of Law and Senior Lecturer, University of Chicago, Professor Richard A. Epstein. 

Professor Epstein spent a day and a half with students and Dr. Lawrence Stratton discussing the areas of law, the constitution and the administrative state.

Dr. Lawrence Stratton, Professor of Ethics and Constitutional Law and Director of the Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership, invited Professor Epstein to campus for the first time in February of 2020. 

“I’ve actually been one of his admirers for many years, I’ve read his books and articles and heard him speak many times,” said Dr. Stratton. “I actually met someone who was one of his research assistants and it led to a conversation and email with him. I invited him to come here in 2020 and he did a terrific job.”

During his recent visit, Epstein was able to lecture on three separate occasions and engage with students in conversation after class. Dr. Startton held a lunch with Pre-Law students, Student Senate and Stover Scholars who listened to another lecture and asked questions. 

“Whenever a speaker comes, I want to expose them to a wide audience of students,” said Dr. Stratton. “[It’s] the opportunity for all of us, students and faculty and administrators, to really see this world renowned scholar in action. The other great part is that he thoroughly enjoyed it too.”

Although Stover Scholars were the majority of the attendance on Tuesday evening for Professor Epstein’s lecture, some other men and women in the Waynesburg community were also in attendance. 

“This is part of what the Stover Scholars seek to do,” said Dr. Stratton. “The Stover Program is to strengthen, from our angle, an understanding of the constitution and law and ethics within society for the University community.”

Dr. Stratton hopes to invite Professor Epstein for another lecture in the near future but said he understands his schedule may be too busy. He wants to encourage students and faculty to keep their eyes open for the next speaker.