Professor Stephen Lucas Honored at Biennial Public Address Conference

Evjue-Bascom Professor of the Humanities Stephen Lucas has had a very distinguished career, spanning over four decades of rhetorical scholarship. To commemorate his many accomplishments, Professor Lucas was named the Conference Honoree at the 15th Biennial Public Address Conference, which was held September 29th – October 1st at Syracuse University, New York.

First hosted by UW-Madison in 1988, the Biennial Public Address Conference has been held at thirteen other universities over the years, and each conference embraces the tradition of honoring an eminent, senior scholar during the closing banquet. As the author of the incredibly successful textbook The Art of Public Speaking, now in its eleventh edition, and a Pulitzer Prize nominee for his first book, Portents of Rebellion: Rhetoric and Revolution in Philadelphia, 1765-1776, Professor Lucas was a perfect choice for this year’s honoree. As is tradition, former students of his mentorship, J. Michael Hogan, Paul Stob, and Susan Zaeske, toasted and roasted him to conclude the conference.

Congratulations, Professor Lucas, on a wonderful celebration of an illustrious career!