
The Samuel I. Clark memorial lecture is a major annual event for IGP. Its topic rotates among the political science subfields covered in the department. The lecture is named in honor of Professor Sam Clark, who joined the faculty of the Department of Political Science in 1948. Specializing in political philosophy, he was known as a challenging and engaging professor and scholar. Dr. Clark was named the founding director of the University’s new honors program in 1962. In addition to overseeing the expansion of the honors program during his 24 years as its director, he coordinated lectures and planned opportunities for other kinds of growth, such as trips abroad for students and faculty. Clark was affiliated with the National Collegiate Honors Council since its inception in the 1960s and, in 1984-1985, served as its president. Also active in University affairs, he was president of the Faculty Senate from 1971-1973 and from 1978-1979. Upon his retirement in 1986, the Faculty Senate created this lecture series in his name, to be organized by the Institute of Government and Politics and the Department of Political Science. Sam Clark in 1998.
Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Lee Honors College.
| 2009 | Dr. Roxanne Euben | Wellesley College |
| 2008 | Dr. Scott Pegg | Indiana University |
| 2007 | Dr. David Rhode | Duke University |
| 2006 | Dr. Lawrence Baum | Ohio State University |
| 2005 | Dr. Fred Dallmayr | University of Notre Dame |
| 2004 | Dr. Gerald C. Wright | Indiana University |
| 2003 | Dr. Peter Katzenstein | Cornell University |
| 2002 | Dr. Charles Bullock | University of Georgia |
| 2001 | Dr. Robert Huckfeldt | Indiana University |
| 2000 | Dr. Guillermo O'Donnell | University of Notre Dame |
| 1999 | Dr. Jean Bethke Elshtain | University of Chicago |
| 1998 | Dr. Arlene Saxonhouse | University of Michigan |