James Patterson Honors Program
Speaker Series
Through this series, elite industry leaders visit campus to share their ideas, engage with Honors students, and enrich the broader Manhattan University community.
The Speaker Series is a flagship component of the James Patterson Honors Program (JPHP) at Manhattan University.
Why It Matters
The Speaker Series gives James Patterson Honors Program (JPHP) students direct access to accomplished professionals, innovators, and thought leaders from a wide range of fields.
More than traditional lectures, the series fosters meaningful interaction through conversations, Q&A sessions, networking opportunities, mentorship, and behind-the-scenes engagement with speakers.
It also enhances Manhattan University’s profile by bringing high-impact voices to campus, connecting students with alumni and industry partners, and reinforcing the University as a center for leadership, creativity, and professional growth.
What to Expect
JPHP students benefit from exclusive engagement opportunities, including smaller-format workshops, panels, and informal gatherings that allow for deeper dialogue and mentorship with visiting speakers.
Many Speaker Series events are open to the broader Manhattan University community, welcoming students, faculty, staff, alumni, and families to participate and engage.
The series features a variety of formats, including lectures, fireside chats, book talks, and interviews, designed to appeal to different interests and learning styles.
Beyond the events themselves, the Speaker Series serves as a catalyst for new ideas, meaningful connections, and fresh perspectives as students shape their academic and professional paths.
November 16
Vicky Ward, bestselling author and investigative journalist
Join the James Patterson Honors Program for an evening with Vicky Ward, #1 New York Times bestselling author and investigative journalist, as she discusses American Rage: The Making of Luigi Mangione, her forthcoming book co-authored with James Patterson.
Ward is also the host and co-producer of the Audible Original podcast Pipeline to Power: The 40-Year Plan to Capture the Supreme Court and the Audible Original podcast and documentary Chasing Ghislaine, an investigative series about Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. A former senior CNN reporter and longtime Vanity Fair contributing editor, Ward has also been executive editor of Talk Magazine and features editor of the New York Post. She writes the weekly Substack newsletter Vicky Ward Investigates.
The conversation will be moderated by Kelly Marin, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Professor of Psychology at Manhattan University.
September 15
Jodi Kantor, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter and bestselling author
The James Patterson Speaker Series at Manhattan University is proud to welcome Jodi Kantor, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter for The New York Times and bestselling author, on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
Jodi Kantor is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter for The New York Times whose groundbreaking reporting has exposed hidden truths about power, technology, gender, law, and the workplace. In 2017, she and Megan Twohey broke the story of Harvey Weinstein's treatment of women, helping ignite the global #MeToo movement. Their reporting earned the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service and became the bestselling book and major motion picture She Said.
August 25
James Patterson ’69, alongside acclaimed journalist and bestselling author Mike Lupica
The James Patterson Speakers Series at Manhattan University is honored to welcome distinguished alumnus and the world’s bestselling author, James Patterson ’69, alongside acclaimed journalist and bestselling author Mike Lupica for an exclusive conversation.
At this event, they will discuss writing, their careers, and their collaboration, including their highly anticipated January release.
Mike Lupica is an award-winning columnist, National Sports Media Hall of Fame inductee, and author of 17 New York Times bestsellers.
James Patterson Honors Program
2025-26 Speakers
The James Patterson Speaker Series is free and open to students, families, friends, and the community.
-
Image
Michael DowlingAfter the Roof Caved In: An Immigrant’s Journey from Ireland to America
February 17, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Kelly Commons, Room 5BMichael Dowling is a prominent healthcare leader and advocate on social issues. CEO Emeritus of Northwell Health since October 2025, he previously served more than 23 years as president and CEO, leading major growth and innovation. He advises on public health initiatives while focusing on teaching and writing. Widely honored, he has received TIME’s Global Health recognition, multiple international fellowships, major civic awards and honorary degrees. A former New York State official and academic, Dowling is also an accomplished author on healthcare leadership and reform.
-
Image
Andrew McCarthyWho Needs Friends: An Unscientific Examination of Male Friendship Across America
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
7:00 p.m. | Kelly Commons, Room 5BAndrew McCarthy is the author of four books, Walking with Sam: A Father, A Son, and Five Hundred Miles Across Spain; Brat: An ’80s Story; Just Fly Away; and The Longest Way Home—all New York Times bestsellers. He is an award-winning travel writer and served for a dozen years as an editor-at-large at National Geographic Traveler.
Best known as an actor for the past four decades, Andrew has appeared in such iconic films as Pretty in Pink and Less Than Zero. He lives in New York. A complimentary copy of his book, Who Needs Friends: An Unscientific Examination of Male Friendship Across America, will be provided.
-
Image
Admiral William H. McRaven (Ret.)Duty, Honor, Country & Life: A Tribute to the American Spirit
Monday, April 20, 2026
7:00 p.m. | Kelly Commons, Room 5BAdmiral William H. McRaven is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Make Your Bed and The Wisdom of the Bullfrog and the New York Times bestsellers Sea Stories: My Life in Special Operations and The Hero Code: Lessons Learned from Lives Well Lived. In his thirty-seven years as a Navy SEAL, he commanded at every level. As a Four-Star Admiral, his final assignment was as Commander of all U.S. Special Operations Forces.
After retiring from the Navy, he served as the Chancellor of the University of Texas System from 2015 to 2018. He now lives in Austin, Texas with his wife, Georgeann.
-
Image
The Honorable Hector Gonzalez ’85 with Connor Flannery ’16Tuesday, November 4, 2025
4:30 p.m. | Kelly Commons, Room 5BThe James Patterson Honors Program at Manhattan University welcomed the esteemed United States District Judge for the Eastern District of NY, the Honorable Hector Gonzalez '85 and his law clerk, Connor Flannery '16 for a fireside chat regarding the law, Lasallian education at Manhattan University, and his career path.
Co-sponsored by:
The James Patterson Honors Program, Alumni Relations,
Manhattan University Alumni Law and Public Policy Committee. -
Image
Alex SchultzThursday, October 9, 2025
12 p.m. | Smith Auditorium, Squeri HallAlex Schultz is chief marketing officer and VP of analytics for Meta, overseeing marketing, product analytics, global experience, and design and creative. He built and runs Meta’s data science and data engineering teams to help set strategy, provide business intelligence and drive user growth and engagement. Since joining Meta in 2007, he has run some of the most effective online direct response campaigns in the company’s history and is credited with helping grow its user base to nearly 3.3 billion daily users globally.
Named one of the world’s most influential CMOs in 2024 and 2025 by Forbes, Schultz has largely influenced the way companies achieve growth in the digital age.
-
Image
James Patterson ’69 and Patrick LeddinMonday, September 29, 2025
7-8 p.m. | Kelly Commons, 5th FloorThe James Patterson Honors Program at Manhattan University was proud to welcome bestselling authors, James Patterson ’69 and Patrick Leddin, Ph.D., for an engaging conversation about their latest book, Disrupt Everything—and Win.
A complementary copy of Disrupt Everything—and Win was made available to the first 500 attendees.
-
Image
James Patterson ’69Why I'm Investing Big in Manhattan University: An Interview with James Patterson ’69
Thursday, September 9, 2025
7-9 p.m. | Draddy GymnasiumThe James Patterson Honors Program at Manhattan University was proud to welcome the world’s bestselling author and distinguished alumnus, James Patterson ’69, for an inspiring conversation on success. Following the event, Mr. Patterson participated in a book signing.
