All NewsSnapshotsFinn Addresses “Alt-Constitution” at the 27th Annual Hugo Black Lecture Olivia DrakeApril 12, 20184minOn April 5, John Finn, professor emeritus of government, delivered the 27th annual Hugo L. Black Lecture on Freedom of Expression in Memorial Chapel. His talk was titled “Gun Nuts and Speech Freaks: A Guide to the Alt-Constitution.” The lecture series is designed to bring distinguished public figures and scholars to campus with expertise in matters related to the First Amendment and freedom of expression. Finn discussed the Alt-constitution of the extreme right, which he characterized as “an odd mixture of the forgotten, the rejected, the racist, and the bizarre” that, he added, “subverts the very project it claims to honor by undermining the civic virtues necessary to sustain a healthy constitutional order.” Wesleyan President Michael Roth ’78 introduced Professor Finn. An expert on constitutional law who also has a degree in culinary arts, Finn is the recipient of five distinguished teaching awards at Wesleyan, including two Binswanger Prizes, two Caleb T. Winchester Awards for Excellence in Teaching, and the Carol A. Baker ’81 Memorial Prize. The annual lecture is endowed by Leonard S. Halpert Esq., ’44, and is named in honor of the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Kari Weil, chair of the College of Letters, University Professor of Letters and the College of the Environment, talks with Finn prior to his lecture. (Photos by Rich Marinelli) View the list of past Hugo Black Lecture speakers online here. FinnGovernment DepartmentHugo Black Related Articles All NewsCampus LifeCampus News & Events April 24, 2024 Mike Mavredakis At WesFest, Admitted Students Share Opinions on Diversity of Thought, Open Curriculum All NewsCampus News & EventsStudents April 24, 2024 Editorial Staff Gallery: Wesleyan Senior Celebrate Theses Submissions All NewsAlumni April 23, 2024 Sarah Parke “You Just Have to Read This…”: Books by Wesleyan Authors Coggins ’85, P’15, ’22, Gumbiner ’11, and LaBennett ’94