Erik S. Kristensen Memorial Lecture Series

Honor a Fallen Navy SEAL and St. John’s Alum

This special lecture series, jointly sponsored by St. John’s College and the United States Naval Academy, honors LCDR Erik S. Kristensen (AGI00)—an alumnus of the Academy and the St. John’s Graduate Institute. Kristensen, a Navy SEAL, was killed in the line of duty while leading a search and rescue mission in Afghanistan in 2005. His story is recounted in the 2013 film Lone Survivor.

2023 Lecture

“Leadership in Uncertainty”

Wednesday, April 12 at 8 p.m. ET
The Great Hall, McDowell Hall

It is free and open to the public. No registration required.

H. Wyman Howard III is a is a fourth generation Naval Officer and a 1990 graduate of the United States Naval Academy where he was a member of the Navy crew team. A retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral (Upper Half) with over 32 years in the SEAL Teams and joint special operations, Wyman commanded at all levels of Special Operations, including service as Commander Naval Special Warfare Command, Special Operations Command Central, and Naval Special Warfare Development Group.

A Literary Life Taken Too Soon

A fellow Johnnie established the lecture series in 2013 to honor the life and legacy of GI alumnus Erik Kristensen.

Read About Kristensen

The annual memorial lecture series to honor Kristensen was initiated by a 1992 St. John’s College graduate, Lt. Michael Zampella, along with friends and family. All inquiries concerning the lecture should be directed to mzampella(at)mac.com.

The lecture series is supported in large part by the Navy SEAL Foundation, Inc., Eye-Street Kristensen Klassic, and the Navy SEAL Family Foundation.

Past Lectures

Recordings of past Kristensen Memorial Lectures are available on the St. John’s College Digital Archives site.

More About the Erik S. Kristensen Memorial Lecture Series