In 1939, University of Washington student and Tacoma native Arthur Paulsen heard a lecture that changed his life. British socialist Harold Laski, who came to UW as a guest speaker through the Walker-Ames Lecture Series, offered a new outlook at the end of the Great Depression and became a “beacon of light” to Paulsen as he began a career in law and lifelong involvement in public affairs.

Nearly 70 years later, Paulsen, then a retired judge and state legislator, decided to give back to his alma mater and his hometown at the same time. His pledge created the Arthur R. and Anna Mae Paulsen Endowed Visiting Chair in Public Affairs, an annual lecture series designed to bring provocative, nationally known speakers to the UW Tacoma campus.

The annual holder of the chair will deliver a major public address to campus and meet with students. Paulsen hoped that speakers of this caliber will spark public discourse, create future generations of informed citizens and inspire today’s students to change the world.

Read more about Arthur Paulsen and his gift to UW Tacoma.

The next Paulsen Lecture will be scheduled in 2013.