The speaking events sponsored by the Ashbrook Center allow Ashbrook Scholars to apply what they learn in the classroom to the practice of political and professional life. Speakers at Ashbrook Center events have a great deal of professional and scholarly experience, which shows in the topics they discuss.

The Colloquium Series is offered in the spirit of genuine dialogue and the free exchange of thoughts and ideas, for the purposes of enhancing the ability of students and guests to think in larger terms about a broader range of political and historical topics. Many of the nation's best-known scholars, writers and public leaders have visited the AU campus to give talks and engage in dialogue with students during our Ashbrook Colloquium events, which take place three times per semester on Friday afternoons. Noteworthy scholars from universities across the country visit and present short lectures on a relevant American History or Political topic, and engage in a question and answer session with students and guests. Visiting speakers are preeminent in their professions and fields of study, and often they come prepared to discuss and answer questions about an important book they have recently published.

One of the longest running and most successful of the Ashbrook Center's speaking events is the Major Issues Lecture Series, inaugurated in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan, which features lectures by today's most renowned political figures and scholars. These luncheons are typically attended by upwards of 500 people, and take place three times each academic semester. Ashbrook Scholars have the opportunity to meet with speakers in private hour-long sessions to ask serious questions and engage in enlightening conversation. C-SPAN has broadcast more than a dozen Ashbrook Center speaking events, and over 120 speakers have participated in this Lecture Series since its inception.

Some of the former speakers at Ashbrook Center events include: Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher; Associate Justice Clarence Thomas; Karl Rove; Secretary of State Colin Powell; President George H. W. Bush; First Lady Barbara Bush; Vice President Dick Cheney; Senator Lamar Alexander; Brit Hume; Henry Kissinger; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; William J. Bennett; Bill Kristol; Mitt Romney; Speaker John Boehner; and George W. Bush.