Distinguished Speaker Series
About the program
The Distinguished Speaker Series (DSS) is a signature program under the leadership of Student Activities, that aims to provide the university and surrounding community with world-class speakers and lecturers. DSS hosts public events with priority seating for UTRGV students, faculty, and staff.
The series has brought in notable speakers such as the former leader of Russia Mikhail Gorbachev, former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, author, and civil rights activist the late Dr. Maya Angelou, Emmy award-winning CNN host Larry King, and Grammy/Oscar award-winning R&B artist John Legend.
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Tuesday, November 12, 2024 Roy Choi Chef UTRGV Performing Arts Complex | Edinburg, TX |
Previous Speakers
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Tuesday, April 16, 2024 Jose Hernandez Astronaut and book author UTRGV Performing Arts Complex | Edinburg, TX |
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Monday, November 6, 2023 Ambassador Nirupama Rao Former Indian Ambassador to the United States UTRGV Performing Arts Complex | Edinburg, TX |
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March 22, 2023 Marlee Matlin Academy Award-Winning Actress & Activist TSC Performing Arts Complex | Brownsville, TX |
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March 29, 2022 Eduardo Chavez Director, Speaker, Activist, Podcast Host, and Grandson of César Chávez PlainsCapital El Gran Salon Brownsville, TX |
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March 2, 2022 Lana Condor Actress, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, X-Men Apocalypse Virtual Event |
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February 1, 2022 (New Date) Common Academy Award, Golden Globe, Emmy, and Grammy-winning Artist, Actor, and Activist. Performing Arts Center Edinburg, TX |
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September 21, 2021 John Quinones ABC News Veteran, Creator & Host, What Would You Do? TSC Performing Arts Complex Brownsville, TX |
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February 8, 2021 Terry Crews Actor, Artist & Activist Virtual Event |
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November 14, 2020 Anderson Cooper CNN News Anchor, Host of Anderson 360 Virtual Event |
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September 24, 2020 John Leguizamo Actor, Voice Actor, Stand-Up Comedian, Producer, Playwright & Screenwriter Virtual Event |
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September 16, 2020 Johnny Earle (a.k.a. Johnny Cupcakes) Keynote Speaker for L.E.A.D. Conference CEO, Johnny Cupcakes, Award-Winning Entrepreneur & Brand Hysteria Expert, and Top Innovator in Retail. Virtual Event |
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March 2, 2020 Ruth Carter Academy Award Winning Costume Designer Edinburg, TX |
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September 26, 2019 Emmitt Smith Pro Football Hall of Fame Running Back, Businessman, and Entrepreneur Edinburg, TX |
2018-2019
"Celebrating 15 years for DSS"
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January 28, 2019 George Takei Actor, Social Justice Activist, and Social Media Mega-Power Brownsville, TX |
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September 27, 2018 Wilmer Valderrama Actor, Producer, and Activist Edinburg, TX |
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March 7, 2018 Daymond John American Businessman, Investor, Television Personality from ABC’s Shark Tank, Author, and Motivational Speaker Edinburg, TX |
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February 1, 2018 Diane Guerrero Actress and Author, White House Ambassador for Citizenship and Naturalization Brownsville, TX |
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September 27, 2017 Julian Castro Former United States Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Former Mayor, San Antonio, TX Edinburg, TX |
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March 29, 2017 Alison Levine American mountain climber, sportswoman, explorer, and leadership consultant Brownsville, TX |
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February 8, 2017 Laverne Cox American actress and LGBT advocate Edinburg, TX |
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November 7, 2016 J.R. Martinez American actor, motivational speaker, and former U.S. Army soldier. Edinburg, TX |
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October 4, 2016 Albert Manero Engineer & Co-Founder of Limbitless Solutions Edinburg, TX |
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April 12, 2016 Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield Co-Founders of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, American Businessmen, activists, and philanthropists. Edinburg, TX |
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January 28, 2016 Neil Pasricha Canadian author, entrepreneur, podcaster, and public speaker Brownsville, TX |
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October 5, 2015 Soledad O'Brien I am Latino in America Tour Edinburg, TX |