Rep. Peter DeFazio Annual Lecture
2026 Lecture: How Do We Bridge a Divided America? with Nicholas Kristof
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Global Scholars Hall 123
Join us for the second annual lecture delivered by Nicholas Kristof, a political commentator and proud UO alum. A winner of two Pulitzer Prizes, he is a regular CNN contributor and an op-ed columnist for The New York Times. Born in Chicago, Kristof was raised in Yamhill, Oregon, the son of two professors at Portland State University. Growing up in rural Oregon, Kristof's lecture will address the current Wayne Morse Center theme of 'Common Ground: Cities and Towns Confronting Shared Challenges.'
This event is free and open to the community. A livestream will be available for those who can't join in person.
X (Twitter), Instagram: @NickKristof
UO Libraries launched an annual lecture series in honor of University of Oregon alumnus and retired U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio.
The DeFazio Annual Lecture promotes public knowledge of politics, governance, civic engagement, and social history by spotlighting esteemed speakers with expertise in the policy areas that DeFazio advanced during his congressional career. The series is made possible through partnership with the UO’s Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics and by generous support from the Coquille Indian Tribe.
Past Lectures
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2025
On April 10, 2025, UO Libraries hosted the inaugural Peter DeFazio Annual Lecture, given by E.J. Dionne, Jr., and internationally recognized and award-winning journalist and political commentator for The Washington Post. The lecture, in collaboration with the Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics, was titled “What Does It Mean to Defend Democracy Now?” and held at the Knight Law Center. The event was highly successful, with more than 300 UO community members in attendance.
About Rep. Peter DeFazio
University of Oregon alumnus and retired U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio got his start in public service as a Lane County Commissioner in 1983 and served for 36 years as the U.S. Representative for Oregon’s 4th Congressional District. A seasoned politician who has navigated the complexities of government at all levels, DeFazio is known for his expertise on transportation, labor, infrastructure, and natural resource policy. He received a master of arts degree from the University of Oregon and retired from Congress in 2023.
About the Defazio Collection
In 2023, DeFazio donated his archives to the UO Libraries, documenting his 36 years of work representing Oregon’s fourth congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. The largest single donation of archives to the Libraries’ Special Collections and University Archives, it contains letters, memos, drafts, maps, and other official documents that give students and scholars insight into nearly four decades of political history of Oregon and beyond.
A Lasting Legacy
While we have funding to host this prestigious lecture series for several years, we hope to make it permanent through endowed funds, ensuring that the legacy of public service that DeFazio leaves behind remains accessible and continues to bring value to the public and to our student community long into the future. Help us honor DeFazio’s legacy and promote civic knowledge and education by supporting this lecture series in his name with a gift of your own. Please contact Libraries' Development Director, Margaret Savoian, to learn more about this funding opportunity.