Skip to Content

Probasco Chair of Free Enterprise

Search UTC.edu:

Campus & People

Resources:


Past Burkett Miller

Distinguished Lecturers

The Burkett Miller Distinguished Lecture Series brings internationally recognized scholars, practitioners, and thinkers to the UTC campus to speak on topics critical to an understanding of the market economy. The series is organized and supported by the Probasco Chair for the benefit of the University, business community, area schools, and the general public.

Fall 2007

Photo of Paypal Co-Founder Peter Thiel
Peter Thiel — Co-Founder and former CEO of Paypal, Peter Thiel, spoke on "Technology and the End of Politics" at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  Dr. Edward Stingham of San Jose State University offered commentary on Mr. Thiel's presentation.

Learn more about Peter Thiel
Learn more about Peter Thiel's speech
 

Fall 2006

Photo of Thomas Saving
Thomas R. Saving — Thomas R. Saving presented "Medicare: Does It Have a Future?" at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  Commentary on Dr. Saving's presentation was provided by Dr. Carolyn R. Thompson of The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Learn more about Thomas Saving
Learn more about Thomas Saving's speech
 

Fall 2005


Edward C. Prescott — Noble Laureate Edward Prescott spoke on "How to Make Everyone Better Off" at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  Dr. Bob Lawson, Professor of Economics at Capital University offered commentary to the Edward Prescott speech.

Learn more about Edward Prescott
Learn more about Edward Prescott's speech
 

 


Mercer Reynolds — U.S. Ambassador Mercer Reynolds spoke at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on his extensive and distinguished professional career.  Topics included entreprenship and new business ventures, fundraising, and politics.

Learn more about Mercer Reynolds
Learn more about Mercer Reynolds' speech
 

Fall 2004


Wally (Famous) Amos — Author and Entrepreneur Wally Amos spoke on "The Cookie Never Crumbles: Secrets of Entrepreneurial Success" at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  Dr. Samuel Spralls, Assistant Professor of Marketing at UT Chattanooga offered commentary to the Wally Amos speech.

Learn more about Wally Amos
Learn more about Wally Amos' speech
 

Fall 2003


Vernon Smith — Nobel Laureate Vernon Smith spoke on "Freedom, Economic, Theory and Experiment" at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  Dr. David E. R. Gay, Professor of Economics, University of Arkansas, offered commentary to the Vernon Smith speech.

Learn more about Vernon Smith
Learn more about Vernon Smith's speech
 

Fall 2002


Van Hilleary — Congressman Van Hilleary spoke on "The Economic Competitiveness of Tennessee in the 21st Century" at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Dr. Bruce Hutchinson, Professor of Economics at UTC, critiqued Congressman Hilleary's speech. 

Learn more about Van Hilleary
Learn more about Van Hilleary's Speech

Fall 2001


Linda Chavez — Linda Chavez spoke on "Affirmative Action" at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Tim Chavez, columnist and reporter for the Nashville Tennessean, was the commentator for Ms. Chavez's presentation.

Learn more about Linda Chavez
Learn more about Linda Chavez's Speech

 


Ward Connerly — Ward Connerly spoke on "Affirmative Action" at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  Dr. Vicki Petzko, UC Foundation Associate Professor at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, critiqued Mr. Connerly's speech.

Learn more about Ward Connerly
Learn more about Ward Connerly's Speech
 

Fall 2000


Walter Williams — Nationally syndicated columnist, Dr. Walter Williams spoke on "The Role of Government in a Free Society." Dr. Charles Baird, Professor of Economics and Director of The Smith Center for Private Enterprise Education, critiqued Dr. Williams' presentation

Learn more about Dr. Walter Williams
Learn more about Dr. William's Speech
 

Fall 1999


John Stossell — John Stossel spoke on "Pandering to Fear: The Media's Crisis Mentality" at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  Mr. Joe Decosimo, Chairman - UC Foundation, offered a response to Mr. Stossell's speech.

Learn more about John Stossell
Learn more about John Stossell's Speech


 

Fall 1998


Dan Quayle — U.S. Vice President  Dan Quayle spoke on "American Competitiveness" at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  Dr. James C. Miller III offered a response to the former Vice President's speech.

Learn more about Dan Quayle
Learn more about Dan Quayle's Speech

 

Fall 1997


 Steve Forbes — Publisher Steve Forbes presented his perspective on the question, "What's Next for the Economy?" at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  Dr. Dwight Lee, from The University of Georgia, responded with a counter discussion on Forbes' speech.

Learn more about Steve Forbes
Learn more about Steve Forbes' Speech

 


Thomas Sowell — Thomas Sowell, of the Hoover Institute, spoke on "The Vision of the Anointed" at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  A commentary was provided by Howard Roddy on Sowell's speech.

Learn more about Thomas Sowell
Learn more about Thomas Sowell's Speech

Fall 1996


Edwin Meese III — Former Attorney General Edwin Meese spoke on " Capitalism & Civil Society: Conflict, Coexistence or Concord?" at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  A commentary was provided by Charles Goetz, Hartsfield Distinguished Professor of Law, and John Stophel Esq. of Stophel & Stophel on Meese's speech.

Learn more about Edwin Meese
Learn more about Edwin Meese's Speech

Fall 1994


James Buchanan — Nobel Laureate James Buchanan evaluated the success of the Clinton Administration in regard to the 1993 tax increases and their prospect for deficit reduction.  International issues were also assessed in regard to Japan-U.S. trade relations and the exchange value of the dollar. In the field of monetary policy, the relationship between President Clinton and Alan Greenspan was analyzed as well as future propests for interest rates.

Learn more about James Buchanan
Learn more about James Buchanan's Speech

Lectures from 1981--1996

1996   Charles Murray

1995   Reverend Robert A. Sirico

1994   Nobel Laureate - James Buchanan
           Dr. Dwight Lee
           Dr. Richard McKenzie

1990   Warren Brooks
            Susan Liebeler
            Clyde Prestowitz, Jr.

1988   Honorable William Brock III
           Dr. Rudolph A. Oswald

1986   Clyde Farnsworth
           Dan Frierson
           Dr. Anne Wortham

1985   Dr. John Baden
           Dr. Alvin Rabushka

1984   Dr. Lester Thurow

1983   Robert Lekachman
           Dr. Walter E. Williams

1981   Dr. Walter W. Heller
           Dr. Herbert Stein