In an effort to further strengthen the new military studies and homeland security minor offered through Washburn University, a new lecture series has been created. 

The Rick Rescorla Homeland Security Lecture Series is in honor of the director of security for the financial services firm Morgan Stanley at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. After seeing an airplane hit the north tower, Rick Rescorla is responsible for anticipating attacks on the south tower and evacuating thousands of people. He died that day after going back in the building to lead others out of the south tower. 

The yearly lecture will take place on Washburn University's campus, with the first one taking place in the fall of 2019. Each year, the lecture will feature a top expert on homeland security for students, faculty and the community to learn from the discussion. It will allow for the opportunity to experience robust, respectful and intellectually honest discussions to promote understanding of a wide range of political and national security issues. 

Gifts toward the homeland security lecture will go toward the costs associated with the lecture, travel and speaker fees.