39th Annual Weinstein-Rosenthal Forum 
Medical Research Advances in 2026: The Best of Times, The Worst of Times
Keynote by Dr. Francis Collins

Wednesday, September 30, 2026
7 p.m.  |  Alice Jepson Theatre
A reception will follow in the Booth Lobby

Welcome
Dr. Craig T. Kocher
Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life
University Chaplain and Jessie Ball duPont
Chair of the Chaplaincy

Keynote Speaker
Dr. Francis Collins

Questions from Students

Closing Remarks
Dr. Kocher

A reception will follow in the Booth Lobby.

The annual Weinstein-Rosenthal Forum is sponsored by the University of Richmond’s Office of the Chaplaincy and funded by the Weinstein and Rosenthal families.

Drawing on his former leadership of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Francis Collins will examine how advances in genomics, stem cells, AI, and precision medicine are leading to dramatic progress against a wide range of disorders. But he will also focus on how current societal polarization threatens this progress by destabilizing traditional anchors of truth, faith, and trust. A path forward for flourishing of “We The People” will be proposed. 

Cameras or recording devices of any kind are not permitted and must be surrendered to house management before entering the venue. The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs, with or without flash, is strictly prohibited.