Public Affairs Lecture Series (PALS) 2026
Who: 10 compelling speakers on foreign and domestic public affairs
When: 10 Monday afternoons in Fall 2026, 2PM to 3:30PM
Where: Bickford Theatre, Morris Museum, Morristown, NJ
The Mission of PALS is to sponsor exceptional public speakers who are excellently credentialed to discourse on current and important topics of public affairs. For over three decades, PALS, the Public Affairs Lecture Series has presented distinguished professors from prominent universities, scholars from prominent think tanks, dignitaries and other governmental leaders. The subscription price for the 10 sessions is $120. See below for payment details.
PALS Topics and Speakers, Fall 2026
PALS’ (Public Affairs Lecture Series) Speaker Lineup is very close to being completed for the Fall 2026 season, and we are enthusiastically looking forward to our 34th consecutive year. The 10 week Series will once again be held in the beautiful Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum in Morristown, N.J on Monday’s beginning September 14th.
It should indeed be exciting as we cover both international events, in such areas as the Middle East with former ambassador to Syria, Robert Ford, Europe with Heather Conley, Latin America with political scientist Susan Stokes and Africa with Professor Abosede George. Of course we will also include several audience favorites from last year and prior years, including Dr. Ben Dworkin, discussing current US election results, Dr. Dan Cassino, discussing major issues being decided by the US Supreme Court and Professor Gary Darden on who gets to write history. We will also explore the Good, Bad and Ugly of AI with Eddi Khaytman. We look forward to presenting these and several other highly respected new lecturers to ensure an interesting and enjoyable analysis of current issues around the globe.
Feel free to review our PALS Topics and Speakers Fall 2024 or PALS Topics and Speakers 2025
PALS 2026 Subscriptions
Time change and Location
The programs are held at the Bickford Theatre, in the Morris Museum, Morristown, NJ, each fall on Monday afternoons from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM.
General admission and mask section option
As we did last year, we have reserved a section of the theater for those who prefer to be seated in a “mask only” section. Otherwise, the remainder of the theater will be “masks optional.”
At each lecture, please claim your seat at least 15 minutes before each lecture begins. After that the available seats will be offered to qualified standbys, as well as to members. Please sit in the “Mask Required” section only if you are wearing a mask.
Your subscription payment
You can submit your application and $120 subscription payment electronically or by mail. Your receipt will be forwarded to you via your email.
Submit Electronic Payment Online
Secure online payment is available via Touchnet.
Once you have placed your order, you will immediately receive an email order receipt from misecommhelp@fdu.edu (check your spam file) that is your confirmation letter to the Lecture Series. Simply print out that confirmation page or take a photo of it on your smartphone and bring it with you to exchange at the door for your PALS lecture series ticket.
OR
Send Subscription Payment by Mail
If you prefer, you can print out the subscription application form and mail it with your $120 check payable to FDU to:
Donna L. Sadowski, MAS
School of Public and Global Affairs
Fairleigh Dickinson University
1000 River Road, H-DH2-13
Teaneck, NJ 07666
201-692-7171
Once your check and application is received we will email you a confirmation receipt. Simply print out the emailed confirmation receipt or take a photo of it on your smartphone and bring it with you to exchange at the door for your PALS lecture series ticket.
If you have not received your confirmation email (and have checked your email spam files) or if you have any questions please contact us at palsboard2025@gmail.com.
PALS Board of Directors
Director, FDU School of Public and Global Affairs
FDU Facility Liaison, PALS Board
PALS Volunteer Board Members 2025
Seated, from left: Helen Saffer, Wally Saffer, Dorrie Susser, Lynn Gold
Standing, from left: Fred Lavinthal, Jack Lynch, Marcia Geltman, Nancy Moore, Robert Martin, Joan Sturm, Sandy Goodman
- Marcia Geltman, Randolph
- Sandy Goodman, Livingston
- Lynn Gold, Berkeley Heights
- Fred Lavinthal, Florham Park
- Jack Lynch, Morristown
- Nancy Moore, Basking Ridge
- Helen Saffer, Morristown
- Wally Saffer, Morristown
- Joan Sturm, Morristown
- Dorrie Susser, Morristown
PALS Volunteer Board as of December 2024
Standing, from left: Robert Martin, Joan Sturm, Lynn Gold, Deborah D’Urso, Marcia Geltman, Tina Johnson.
Contact Us
Please use the PALS Reply Form to request to be added to our mailing list, or to send comments and questions about the PALS Lecture Series.