The Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership at the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs has received a generous donation for the Richard Gelwick Endowed Lecture Series. Allen Gelwick, son of Rev. Dr. Richard Gelwick, has given $100,000 to further the purpose and reach of the important lecture series. The Gelwick gift will be matched by the Hobby School of Public Affairs for a total contribution of $200,000.  

“It is my honor on behalf of the Gelwick family to further endow this effort assuring continued lectures, scholarships and other student enhanced activities,” said Allen Gelwick. The gift was announced during the Nov. 12 lecture “What Now? Politics and Tech in the Wake of the 2020 Election,” featuring nationally recognized journalist and media personality Kara Swisher who covers the intersection of politics, power and technology.

“The work of the Dr. Gelwick strongly supports the ideals of the Hobby School in important ways, challenging us to incorporate the human elements that help create better public policy,” said the Hobby’s School’s founding dean Senator Kirk Watson. “We are so honored to accept this gift and continue the memory and scholarship of Dr. Gelwick.”

The annual lecture, sponsored by the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center, brings respected speakers of national and international reputation to the University of Houston community to encourage the exploration and discovery of how science, faith, and reason can help improve solutions to challenging public policy issues. An ordained minister and scholar, Dr. Gelwick addressed the dilemma of combining modern medical science with religious values and human needs in his life work.