IRVING, Texas (Jan. 16, 2026) — The University of Dallas will host Rabbi Mark Gottlieb, chief education officer of Tikvah and founding dean of the Tikvah Scholars Program, along with leading scholars from Tikvah, the Witherspoon Institute and the University of Dallas for the 2026 McDermott Lecture Series, a free two-day public event Feb. 25-26 exploring how recovering a comprehensive and rigorous liberal arts education, what’s often called classical education, can preserve and renew Western civilization amid contemporary cultural and political challenges.
Gottlieb will deliver the keynote McDermott Lecture, "Saving Western Civilization, One Student at a Time: Some Lessons from Jewish and Catholic Educational Leaders," at 7:00 p.m. Feb. 26 in the SB Hall Multipurpose Room located at 2925 Gorman Dr. Irving, TX 75062. A reception will follow.
"This lecture series represents a vital conversation about the future of education and the preservation of our shared intellectual and cultural heritage," said President Jonathan J. Sanford, PhD, who will participate in the first panel discussion. "Rabbi Gottlieb's work at Tikvah and his roles leading four different Jewish schools make him a particularly effective witness to how best to cultivate the virtues of mind and character in students who will leave educational institutions committed to truth and the advancement of the common good."
Tuesday, Feb. 25: Panel Discussions
Panel 1: Cultural and Political Challenges, 1:30-3:00 p.m., SB Hall Multipurpose Room
Panelists will examine the contemporary threats to Western civilization and the role of education in addressing these challenges:
- Rabbi Mark Gottlieb, Tikvah chief education officer
- Jonathan J. Sanford, UDallas President and professor of philosophy
- Richard Dougherty, dean of the Braniff Graduate School at UDallas and professor of politics
- Eric Cohen, Tikvah president and CEO
Panel 2: The Promise of Classical Education, 3:30-5:30 p.m., SB Hall Multipurpose
Room
This panel will explore how classical education offers a path forward for recovering
Western civilization through the formation of students in wisdom and virtue:
- Erik Ellis, UDallas assistant professor of education and classical learning
- Rabbi Mitch Rocklin, academic director and dean of the Lobel Center for Jewish Classical Education
- Joshua Parens, UDallas professor of philosophy
- R.J. Snell, director of academic programs and editor-in-chief of Public Discourse for the Witherspoon Institute
- Mark Goodwin, UDallas distinguished emeritus professor of theology
Wednesday, Feb. 26: Keynote Lecture
Rabbi Mark Gottlieb, Tikvah chief education officer, will deliver a keynote lecture at 7:00 p.m., SB Hall Multipurpose Room.
For more information, visit udallas.edu/mcdermott.
About the McDermott Lecture Series
Established in 1974, the Eugene McDermott Lectureship was created in honor of Eugene McDermott, the late scientist, businessman, civic leader and philanthropist. The endowed lecture series was established on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene McDermott to honor Donald and Louise Cowan's vision and leadership at the University of Dallas.
Beginning with the venerable historian Jacques Barzun, the McDermott Lectureship continues
to bring notable public intellectuals to the university for short courses and seminars.
Through the lectureship, the University of Dallas and the Braniff Graduate School
of Liberal Arts host exceptional guest lecturers and distinguished faculty members
on thought-provoking topics within the Western tradition. Prominent scholars have
spoken on Homer, Aristophanes, Aristotle, Plato, Dante, St. Thomas Aquinas, Locke,
Tocqueville and Leo Strauss, among others.
Discover the McDermott Lectureship Collection, curated by the UDallas Archives, featuring
documents and recordings from past lectures. Search for specific topics using the
finding aid available on both the UDallas Space platform and Texas Archival Resources Online. To request access to materials, email archives@udallas.edu.
About the University of Dallas
With campuses in Texas and Italy, The University of Dallas is among a small list of Catholic universities recommended by the Cardinal Newman Society. UDallas is the premier Catholic liberal arts university in the country, known for its rigorous undergraduate Core Curriculum and robust graduate and professional programs in business, ministry, education and the humanities. Recently recognized as #2 in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Value - Regional Universities (West) and one of America’s Best Colleges 2025 by the Princeton Review and Money.com, UDallas has one of America’s most challenging, comprehensive undergraduate interdisciplinary programs, offered at an excellent value to some of the happiest students in the country. UDallas stands apart as a thriving community of learners committed to an education that forms students intellectually, socially and spiritually for a life well-lived. For more information, visit udallas.edu.
