David Witwer, 2020-21 Penn State Laureate

David Witwer

David Witwer, professor of American studies in Penn State Harrisburg’s School of Humanities, has been named Penn State Laureate for the 2020-21 academic year.

As laureate, Witwer's lectures will draw on his research on corruption, organized crime, and labor racketeering. Presentations will focus on his current book project, Searching for Jimmy Hoffa, which traces the history of what is known about International Brotherhood of Teamsters president James R. Hoffa’s disappearance, his involvement with organized crime, and what his career reveals about working-class attitudes towards corruption.

Witwer notes that his laureate presentations will not only provide an account of the events involved in this history, but also will connect those details to broader issues intrinsic to the humanities. He plans to generate conversations about what past confrontations with corruption can teach us today.

Virtual Presentation Schedule

Date and Time Access Information / Sponsor
Sept. 8, 2020; noon Penn State Alumni Association
Sept. 21, 2020; 12:15 p.m. Penn State DuBois
Sept. 25, 2020; 12:10 p.m. Penn State New Kensington
Oct. 2, 2020; 12:15 p.m. Penn State Berks
Oct. 7, 2020; 12:15 p.m. Penn State Greater Allegheny
Oct. 20, 2020; 12:15 p.m. Penn State Abington
Oct. 22, 2020; 11:30 a.m. Penn State Harrisburg
Nov. 12, 2020; 12:15 p.m. Penn State Shenango
Nov. 17, 2020; 12:15 p.m. Penn State Lehigh Valley
Nov. 18, 2020; 12:15 p.m. Penn State Mount Alto