Retired Philosophy Professor Gifts $300,000 to Fund Lecture Series

Robert Louden, who recently retired from his position as professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Southern Maine (USM), gave his department $300,000 to endow a lecture series.

The Louden Family Lecture Series, Professor Louden says, is intended to “bring new ideas to campus—ideas that will engage not only students, faculty, and staff, but also the larger Portland community as well.”

According to a press release from USM, “Louden, who tends to live frugally, was surprised by a recent inheritance. He chose to invest his newfound wealth in the academic space.” The lecture series was created in honor of the professor’s late father, who, he says, enjoyed seeing speakers and hearing new ideas and arguments.

Jason Read, chair of the USM’s Department of Philosophy, says, “The Department of Philosophy is very excited to host these lectures and bring philosophy to not only the entire university, but also to the community and the state of Maine. In doing so, we hope to show that philosophical reflection is an indispensable aspect of political and cultural life.”

The lecture series will be inaugurated in October of this year by Martin Hägglund (Yale).

More information here.