The William H. Fitzpatrick Institute of Public Affairs and Leadership at Canisius University remains true to William Fitzpatrick's guiding belief that political leaders can be trained for the profession of politics. The highly acclaimed Fitzpatrick Lecture Series continues within the context of an academic institute at Canisius that sponsors additional academic initiatives to enrich the learning environment and opportunities for its students.
Besides the lecture series, The Fitzpatrick Institute sponsors and facilitates other public affairs and leadership programming, such as more focused lectures, workshops and symposia, with the intention of bringing Canisius students into close contact with ideas and people who are contributing to American political life.
The Fitzpatrick Institute encourages Canisius students to develop leadership potential through close contact with, and exposure to, those involved in societal leadership with travel experiences to Washington DC, Albany, New York City, and to locations abroad. Internship experiences and educational opportunities, on-campus and off, both in Western New York and elsewhere, are encouraged and supported, as is volunteerism with political campaigns, political parties, and interest groups.
All lectures are free and open to the public, but seating is limited.
Upcoming Speakers
Adam Zyglis: Free Speech and the Current State of Free Press in America
Joined by Canisius alumna working in Buffalo Journalism
- When: Tuesday 4/29
6:00 pm reception
7:00 pm Lecture - Where: Montante Cultural Center
Since the nineteenth century, western governments and leaders have recognized the significant power of the press in the political process with Edmund Burke even claiming that the press, which he labeled the “fourth Estate,” was the most important of all. As the framers of the U.S. Constitution addressed the demands of the nation’s first states, they sought to protect the press and its power in the First Amendment, which guarantees not only the freedom of speech, but also the freedom of the press. Nearly 240 years later, the powers enshrined in the First Amendment remain important in the life of the body politic. They also remain under fire.
Join us on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 7:00 pm in the Montante Cultural Center for a conversation between members of Buffalo’s journalism community, including Adam Zyglis ‘04, Emyle Watkins ‘20 , and Natalie Faas ‘24, and Dr. Maura Snyder, Assistant Professor of Communications as they discuss the First Amendment, the Fourth Estate and the perils confronting free speech and a free press in the United States.
For more information please email Richard A. Bailey, PhD, at Fitzpatrick.lecture@canisius.edu.