Provost's Lecture Series
A partnership of the Office of the Provost and the OSU Foundation to bring renowned thinkers, writers, scientists, artists and leaders to OSU to engage, challenge and inspire.
Featuring Harry Smith: Reporter and Television Journalist
7 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2026 | Lynn Hallstrom Detrick Concert Hall, PRAx
America As I See It with Harry Smith
Online LIVESTREAM Registration
Registration for IN-PERSON tickets coming soon!
"They say history doesn’t repeat itself but it often rhymes. Seems more like an echo to me. And the echo is growing in strength. History sure seems like it’s speaking to me. Do you hear what I hear?"
Recipient of Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award, acclaimed journalist Harry Smith brings his more than 40-years of experience in American news to Corvallis to shed light on the dark places, and navigate the twists and turns of the constantly shifting American cultural and political landscape.
Harry Smith is a professor at his Alma mater Central College in Pella, Iowa, where he teaches a seminar on curiosity and adaptability. Until spring of 2025 Smith was a reporter for NBC News. Before that he worked as a reporter and anchor at CBS News. He also hosted Biography at A&E. Smith has reported multiple stories from all fifty states and filed pieces from each continent.
Smith has interviewed a passel of presidents and plenty of superstars. In a network career spanning nearly forty years. Smith often found his favorite stories in places far from the headlines. He has won four Emmys, a Peabody and is the recipient of The Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award.
Previous Speakers
Margot Lee Shetterly
October 28, 2025
Céline Cousteau
November 19, 2024
Margaret Atwood
November 19, 2024
W. Kamau Bell
January 31, 2019
Michael Beschloss
November 10, 2015
Richard Besser
April 13, 2015
Robin Chase
March 8, 2017
David Eagleman
October 27, 2021
Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
November 9, 2020
Diana B. Henriques
March 14, 2024
Mae C. Jemison
February 4, 2021
Mary Karr
April 13, 2022
Ibram X. Kendi
April 14, 2021
Maya Lin
April 26, 2018
Michael Pollan
April 2, 2024
Ruth Reichl
February 17, 2016
Laurie Santos
April 4, 2023
Cheryl Strayed
January 15, 2015
Sam Quinones
November 14, 2022