The Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership provides a multi-disciplinary, non-partisan environment to study, discuss, and improve leadership.
03/16/2026
Making Universities Great Again: A Conversation with Chris Rufo
📅 April 22nd, 2026
📍 UW-Madison - Pyle Center
⏰ 6pm
🔗 https://explore.wisc.edu/LP=3591
Registration is required to attend but free and open to the public. Please see security restrictions on our website.
02/03/2026
The Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson will visit campus on March 23rd to deliver a lecture on why the West is worth saving.
Doors open at 5:30 pm. The event will start promptly at 6:30 pm.
No bags will be allowed at this event.
The location will be announced at a later date. All of those who receive a ticket will get notified of the location.
This event is free and open to the public. A free ticket is required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rt-hon-boris-johnson-the-west-is-worth-saving-tickets-1981985483936.
A ticket does not guarantee entry and is revocable. Any unclaimed seats will be given to those in the standby line up to 20 minutes prior to the event start.
11/03/2025
Join us for an evening with Tommy G. Thompson, longest-serving governor in Wisconsin history, 19th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services under President George W. Bush, and 8th President of the University of Wisconsin System.
Tommy Thompson is respected leader known for working across party lines. He shaped policy on welfare reform, school choice, health care access, and national public health preparedness. He brings decades of experience and insight on leadership, resilience, and innovation. At this event, he will share his leadership journey and the lessons he’s learned, offering the audience valuable perspectives on navigating challenges and driving positive change.
10/13/2025
What role, if any, should faith play in shaping our political values and goals?
Join us for a thoughtful and nuanced conversation featuring Daniel Mark, Ross Douthat, Shadi Hamid, and Kaitlyn Schiess
📆 October 22nd
🕰️ 6:30pm
📍 Wisconsin Historical Society
04/23/2025
“What really sets the initiative apart is that the facilitators are students,” Brash says. “There are no grades. There are no faculty members leading it. It’s simply students talking to each other about challenging issues in a space where they won’t feel judged or attacked.”
To read more about our ‘Bridging the Divide’ program, visit https://news.wisc.edu/bridging-the-divide/
03/17/2025
The Last Thing Lost: Exclusive Documentary Screening & Discussion
Join us for a special screening of The Last Thing Lost marking 50 years since the Khmer Rouge takeover, followed by a discussion with Sarith Ou, the film’s subject, and its director and executive producer.
📍 UW-Madison - The Marquee Theatre at Union South
📅 April 16th, 2025
⏰ 5:30 pm - Reception | 6:30 pm - Program
🔗 https://thompsoncenter.wisc.edu/event/the-last-thing-lost/
11/18/2024
Join us as Coleman Hughes challenges conventional thinking on diversity, arguing for a colorblind approach that transcends race-conscious policies.
This thought-provoking discussion will explore whether we can achieve racial justice without race as a central factor in how individuals are perceived or treated—and offers the intellectual tools needed to make it a reality.
Refreshments and light hors d’oeuvres will be provided.
Limited seating will be available. Register in advance here: https://explore.wisc.edu/LP=2449
📍 University of Wisconsin-Madison - Fluno Center
📅 November 20th, 2024
☕️ Reception: 5:30 pm
⏰ Fireside Chat: 6:30 pm