49th Lugar Symposium for Tomorrow’s Leaders brings 60+ schools together for a day of discussion
The 49th annual Richard G. Lugar Symposium for Tomorrow's Leaders hosted by The Richard G. Lugar Academy at the University of Indianapolis will bring more than 175 top high school juniors from Indiana together for a day of discussion on public issues and world events on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. The Evansville area will be represented by students from Reitz Memorial, Evansville Day and Heritage Hills as part of a broader contingent that includes students from more than 60 Hoosier high schools.
By attending the symposium each student is eligible to receive the $5,000 per year Lugar Symposium Scholarship on top of any other financial or merit aid they receive from UIndy. More than 20,000 students have benefited from the symposium in the last four decades, continuing to expand the legacy of former Indiana Senator Richard Lugar, who was also a Distinguished Trustee and former political science professor at the University of Indianapolis.
Journalist, author and host of National Public Radio's Morning Edition Steve Inskeep will be the keynote speaker. Inskeep will be available for media interviews at 11 a.m., immediately following his keynote address.
Students will choose from a variety of breakout sessions on current issues including the state of Indiana politics in 2026, the history of disability and welfare in Indiana, the evolution of power politics at the national level, and refugee integration in Indianapolis.