2026 Barton series speaker will continue WSU’s history of free expression
President Rick Muma
On a campus shaped by a multitude of perspectives and big questions, Wichita State University’s Barton Speaker Series reminds us why thoughtful dialogue is essential to a vibrant democracy.
The Barton Speaker Series aims to “expose students and the community to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation.”
These kinds of events are springboards for conversations and potential opportunities for civil discourse among people with varied perspectives. At their very core, they are the epitome of the free expression that keeps a democratic society vibrant. That matters, especially on college campuses, where young thinkers are learning how to engage with the world beyond them.
The Barton Speaker Series carries on the university’s history of supporting free expression from different voices, including the prestigious Forum Board Lecture Series (1937-2002) — which brought thought leaders like First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (1957); future presidents Gerald Ford (1970), Joe Biden (1978) and Ronald Reagan (1980); feminist icon Gloria Steinem (1972 and 1985); author and activist Maya Angelou (1974 and 1982), and longtime Kansas politician Bob Dole (1975) — to name a few of the more than 500 nationally and internationally known personalities.
Craig Barton, the namesake for the Barton Speaker Series, said: “You may not agree with what a person has to say, but you’re going to encounter many people in life with whom you won’t agree. If you think you’re going to go through life and never have to confront something objectionable, you are ill-prepared for the world outside the comfort of the university setting.”
Previous Barton speakers have been Robert Gates, the 22nd secretary of defense; Cody Keenan, former speechwriter for President Obama; and investigative journalist Norah O’Donnell. For 2026, we will be welcoming Retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster to our campus on April 8.
McMaster is a decorated three-star general who served as the 25th U.S. National Security advisor from 2017-2018 and is the author of three New York Times bestselling books. He is a distinguished graduate of the United States Military Academy, and he earned his Ph.D. in American history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His military awards include the Silver Star Medal, the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster and the Purple Heart.
The Barton Speaker Series is a reminder that listening — truly listening — is one of the most powerful skills we can cultivate.
As we welcome Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster this April, I hope we lean into that spirit of curiosity and courage. Difficult conversations don’t divide us when we approach them with respect. They strengthen our understanding of one another and help us discover the common ground that moves us forward.
Go Shockers!
Rick Muma
President, Wichita State University