Pfeiffer University is pleased to announce that United States Senator Thom Tillis will serve as the speaker for the 2026 Eugene I. Earnhardt Speaker Series, an annual program created in honor of Professor Emeritus Gene Earnhardt, celebrated for bringing historically significant and thought‑provoking figures to campus. Senator Tillis’s long career in public service, bipartisan engagement, and leadership on nationally significant issues reflects the spirit of the Earnhardt Series, which invites speakers who challenge audiences and students to think critically about history, governance, and public life.

This public event will take place on Friday, March 20^th from 10 – 11 a.m. in Merner Gymnasium on the campus of Pfeiffer University at 48380 US Hwy 52 N, Misenheimer, NC 28109. Doors will open at 8 a.m. and large bags and backpacks will not be allowed.

Senator Tillis has represented North Carolina in the U.S. Senate since 2015 and is currently the state’s senior senator. His Senate service spans nearly a decade in the North Carolina House of Representatives, including four years as Speaker of the House. Known for his pragmatic and solutions‑focused approach, Tillis has played key roles in areas ranging from judiciary matters and veterans’ affairs to banking, housing, and international trade. He has also served on several Senate committees that shape major national policies. Throughout his Senate tenure, Senator Tillis has built a reputation for working across the aisle on issues such as mental health, infrastructure, veterans’ services, and bipartisan legislative initiatives. His willingness to engage thoughtfully with complex policy challenges and to do so in ways that invite discussion rather than division aligns with the values of Pfeiffer.

Senator Tillis’s personal story also embodies themes that resonate with the Pfeiffer community. Raised in a working‑class family that moved frequently as his parents sought work, he began his career earning minimum wage before completing his college degree as an adult and rising to executive leadership roles in the private sector. His trajectory from modest beginnings to national leadership offers a compelling platform for reflection on perseverance, civic responsibility, and service.

Pfeiffer University is honored to welcome Senator Tillis as the 2026 Eugene I. Earnhardt Speaker Series guest. His experiences in public life and commitment to respectful dialogue promise to inspire meaningful engagement for the campus community and guests.