Join us for this dynamic speaker series exploring what it means to be virtuous and free in a prosperous, capitalist society.


The mission of the Concordia University Free Enterprise Center rests upon four distinct pillars of work: Research, Education, Application, and Public Policy. It is focused around promoting the ideals of a free and virtuous society, which ultimately unleashes the nearly unlimited creative potential of the human spirit while producing remarkable levels of economic and human flourishing.

The Center’s Economics, Politics, and Philosophy on the Bluff speaker series hosts nationally-known thought leaders that attract large audiences of student, faculty, staff, and community members. Speakers in the past have included such luminaries as John Stossel, Karl Rove, and former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. This spring’s lineup carries on the tradition with more outstanding speakers and events.

All events are FREE, though registration is preferred. Click the “Register Now” button to sign up for individual events.


Nobel Prize Winner’s Lunch

Wednesday, January 24 | 12:00 p.m. | Robert W. Plaster Center Collaboratorium

Featuring Dr. Tom Scholz, Dr. Steve Nelson, Dr. Jordan Beck, Dr. Aaron Viets, and Dr. Dan Sem presenting the winners in their fields for CUW faculty, staff, and students.


Dr. Phil Magness & Dr. Mark Schug

Wednesday, March 1 | 6:00 p.m. | Robert W. Plaster Center Collaboratorium

“Debunking the 1619 Project & Discovering a More Hopeful Social Studies Curriculum”

Dr. Phillip W. Magness is an economic historian specializing in the “long” 19th century United States, as well as general macroeconomic trends. He is a leading expert on black colonization during the Civil War era, and its sometimes-strained relationship with the African-American emigrationist movement of the same period.

Dr. Mark Schug is Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and President of Mark Schug Consulting Services. Mark taught for 36 years at the middle school, high school, and university levels. A widely recognized scholar, he has written and edited over 230 articles, books, and national curriculum materials.


Dr. Brad Humphreys

Thursday, March 21 | 6:00 p.m. | Robert W. Plaster Center Collaboratorium

“Should Professional Sports Facility Construction and Renovation Projects be Subsidized?”

Dr. Brad R. Humphreys is a native West Virginian and WU alumni. He holds a BS in Business Administration and a BS in Economics from the WVU Chambers College of Business and Economics and an MA and PhD in economics from the Johns Hopkins University. His research on the economics and financing of professional sports and the economics of gambling has been published in academic journals in economics and policy analysis.


Mr. Daniel Di Martino from The Dissident Project

Wednesday, April 17 | 6:00 p.m. | Robert W. Plaster Center Collaboratorium

“The Story of a Venezuelan Dissident”

Daniel Di Martino is the founder of the Dissident Project. Born and raised in Venezuela, Daniel experienced the terrible consequences of socialism firsthand. After leaving Venezuela for the United States in 2016, he dedicated himself to explaining how socialism destroyed his homeland, advocating for its freedom, and stopping this ideology from ever being implemented in America and elsewhere.


Want in?

Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world.

The Batterman School of Business enrolls the most students out of CUW’s six academic schools. The BSB offers a complete range of business education programs and degrees including associate and bachelor’s degrees for undergraduate and adult accelerated students, as well as licensures and certifications. Graduate programs include our highly ranked Master of Business Administration program (with 13 concentrations), and master’s degrees in leadership, accountancy, business analytics, and more. The school also offers a Doctor of Business Administration degree, the only one of its kind in the Milwaukee area.