Helen Edison Lectureship Welcomes Frank Bruni

The Helen Edison Lectureship Welcomes Frank Bruni to UC San Diego for a Thoughtful Exploration of Identity, Faith, and Public Life

In a time of cultural polarization and deepening divisions in American civic life, the Helen Edison Lectureship at UC San Diego is proud to welcome Frank Bruni—acclaimed journalist, bestselling author, and contributing opinion writer for The New York Times—for a compelling evening of conversation on Monday, November 3, 2025, at the Jeannie Auditorium.

Bruni will explore the intersection of faith, identity, and public discourse in a democracy increasingly challenged by mistrust, ideological fragmentation, and the erosion of common ground. Drawing from his decades-long career in journalism and his own personal journey through vision loss, Bruni will offer a nuanced and human-centered perspective on how empathy, resilience, and shared values can help restore meaning to public conversation.

A former restaurant critic, White House correspondent, and op-ed columnist at The New York Times, Bruni has long been recognized for his insightful and wide-ranging commentary on politics, religion, education, LGBTQ+ rights, and culture. Now a professor at Duke University, he continues to shape national discourse through thoughtful, bridge-building commentary that defies partisanship and invites deeper understanding.

Bruni is the author of several acclaimed books, including Born Round, Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be, and The Beauty of Dusk: On Vision Lost and Found—a moving meditation on vulnerability, perspective, and the unexpected paths to clarity.

The conversation will be moderated by Marco Werman, award-winning journalist and host The World, a coproduction of WGBH Boston and PRX, the Public Radio Exchange. Werman, known for his international lens and attention to underrepresented voices, will guide the discussion through themes of journalism, identity, and civic responsibility in an increasingly divided era.

This timely lecture invites the community to reflect on the role of storytelling, public values, and personal belief in shaping a more civil and inclusive society. Bruni’s deeply personal yet widely relevant insights offer an inspiring call to engagement, resilience, and meaningful dialogue across difference.

The Helen Edison Lectureship supports UC San Diego’s commitment to advancing public discourse and civic education by presenting conversations with leading thinkers and cultural changemakers. The series is made possible by a generous endowment from Helen Edison, whose vision was to promote understanding and enrichment through the humanities and public dialogue.

The Helen Edison Lectureship series is presented in partnership with the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, whose mission embraces lifelong learning and fosters a sense of belonging across the broader San Diego community. Together, the partnership underscores the university’s commitment to inclusive, civically engaged programming that informs and inspires.

This event is presented in thoughtful coordination with the Helen Edison and Burke Lectureships, underscoring the university’s commitment to fostering timely public dialogue through the voices of distinguished journalists whose work illuminates the ethical, civic, and human dimensions of our most pressing societal challenges.

EVENT: The Helen Edison Lectureship Welcomes Frank Bruni to UC San Diego for a Thoughtful Exploration of Identity, Faith, and Public Life

DATE: Monday, November 3, 2025TIME:

5:30-6:00 PM book sales & venue doors open

6:00 - 8:00 PM Presentation

*8:00 - 8:30 PM Book signing to follow the eventLOCATION: The Jeannie AuditoriumPARKING: Scholars Parking Structure (9655 Scholars Dr N, La Jolla, CA 92093)

ADDITIONALLY

In a moment of heightened political polarization, rising global conflict, and urgent humanitarian need, The Eugene M. Burke C.S.P. Lectureship on Religion and Society is honored to welcome Nicholas Kristof—Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, bestselling author, and human rights advocate—to UC San Diego’s Jeannie Auditorium on Monday, September 15, 2025. https://NicholasKristof.eventbrite.com

Host or Publisher Helen Edison Lecture Series