Former U.S. Senators Jeff Flake and Doug Jones to Speak at Rutgers Lecture Series 

The Open Mind Lecture Series at Rutgers marks 10-plus years with new student participation

For more than 10 years, the Richard D. Heffner Open Mind Lecture series has illuminated critical areas of public policy for the Rutgers University community.

To mark the milestone, this year’s lectures – featuring former U.S. Senator and Ambassador Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) on Sept. 23 and former U.S. Senator and attorney Doug Jones (D-Ala.) on Feb. 26 – are adding a new layer of student civic engagement.

The series honors the legacy of former Rutgers professor Richard D. Heffner, creator of what remains the longest-running public affairs series, The Open Mind, which began broadcasting in 1956. The show has continued with his grandson, Alexander Heffner, as host since 2014. 

“Over a decade, formidable leaders across American culture, law, religion, journalism, and philanthropy have advanced my grandfather's commitment to public knowledge,” said Alexander Heffner. “Senators Jones and Flake continue a tradition of deep, meaningful and constructive insights, considering the importance of communications in our representative democracy and the future of civil society.”

Both lectures, offered in partnership between the School of Arts and Sciences Honors community and the Rutgers Democracy Lab at the Eagleton Institute of Politics, will incorporate a unique student-moderated fireside chat discussion. This is the first time that Rutgers students will be invited to submit questions for the speakers centered around issues and topics critical to young people.

Marking its 70th year in 2026, The Open Mind has interviewed the most important movement leaders, entrepreneurs, politicians, scientists, and scholars, from MLK and Malcolm X, to Elie Wiesel and Gloria Steinem, to Milton Friedman and William F. Buckley, to Salman Rushdie and Richard Blanco, to Cory Booker and John Thune.

“The Rutgers Democracy Lab is honored to partner with the Open Mind Lecture Series in empowering communities – particularly our students – to discuss the most pressing societal challenges on their minds,” said Ava Majlesi, a professor and chief operating officer of the Rutgers Democracy Lab. 

“Democracy thrives when all voices are heard,” said Elizabeth Matto, director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics. “That is the hallmark of the Eagleton Institute of Politics, and we’re honored to be a partner.”