CMU Lecture Series
Gil and Ruth Fleer Lecture Series
Speaker: Dr. Scott Paeth
Title: Public Theology and Democratic Pluralism
Date: March 25, 2026
Bio: Scott Paeth is a professor of religious studies and peace, justice, and conflict studies at DePaul University. Working in the fields of Christian ethics and public theology, he is the author or editor of eight books and numerous articles. He is currently co-editor of the Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics. He has lectured around the world, including in Beirut, Lebanon; Pune, India; and Dunedin, New Zealand. Besides his contributions to the academic profession, Professor Paeth is also an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, and he has worked with a wide variety of organizations including SCUPE/OMNIA, Interfaith Playdate, Chicago Interfaith Worker Justice, and the Confessing Christ National Steering Committee. A prolific author and a popular speaker, he has written editorials to a number of newspapers, and was featured on PBS’s Religion and Ethics Newsweekly. His most recent book is Christianity and Identity: Authoritarianism, Democracy, and Public Theology (Cascade, 2026).
About the lecture series: Former faculty member and sponsor of Alpha Phi Gamma “MOKERS,” Dr. Gilbert “Gil” Fleer '55 and his wife, Ruth Hombs Fleer '58, had a vision to enhance the spirit of excellence at CMU. Their passion for their alma mater where they met, and the love of their son, Jeffrey G. Fleer, led them to make gifts to the University, enhancing the Central experience for students for generations to come.
Fleer was an assistant professor of religion at Central from 1959-65. Before his passing, Dr. Fleer was a social science professor at Western Texas College and a United Methodist counselor. He spent many years counseling young adults in unconventional settings. The couple’s strong support of leadership training led them to fund the Gil and Ruth Fleer Fund for Excellence in Values-Based Education at CMU.
This lecture is funded by the generosity of Gil and Ruth Fleer.
Dr. Thomas A. Perry Faith & Science Lecture Series
Speaker: Dr. Mark Y. A. Davies
Date: April 21, 2026
Bio: Dr. Mark Y. A. Davies is the Wimberly Professor of Social and Ecological Ethics and Director of the World House Institute for Social and Ecological Responsibility at Oklahoma City University. From 2009 to 2015, Dr. Davies was dean of the Petree College of Arts and Sciences and Wimberly Professor of Social Ethics at Oklahoma City University. Previously, Dr. Davies was dean of the Wimberly School of Religion at Oklahoma City University and founding director of the Vivian Wimberly Center for Ethics and Servant Leadership. Prior to becoming dean of the Wimberly School of Religion in 2002, he was associate dean of the Petree College of Arts and Sciences at Oklahoma City University and chair of the department of philosophy.
Dr. Davies has published in the areas of Boston personalism, process philosophy and ethics, and ecological ethics. He serves on the United Methodist University Senate, which is “an elected body of professionals in higher education created by the General Conference to determine which schools, colleges, universities, and theological schools meet the criteria for listing as institutions affiliated with The United Methodist Church.” Dr. Davies is currently working on a project with the Interfaith Youth Core, founded by Eboo Patel, assisting United Methodist schools, colleges, and universities to develop and enhance opportunities for interfaith service, dialogue, and cooperation. He and his wife Kristin live in Edmond, Okla., and they have two daughters.
About the lecture series: Thanks to a generous gift from the Rev. Garth Leigh, wishing to honor the memory of Dr. Thomas Perry, longtime chair of the CMC English Department, this lecture has been endowed at the Central Methodist University. Rev. Leigh sponosored a lecture series as a testament to the impact Perry had on generations of students at Central, encouraging them to think deeply, wrestle with greater questions, and challenge themselves to be the best citizens and scholars. The annual lecture will focus on the role that minister-scientists have played in the development of both religious traditions as well as scientific discoveries.
In addition to spending 20 years as chairman of the Department of English at Central Methodist College, Perry also served as chair of the Division of Literature and Languages and of the honors program. He sponsored Scribblers and Scrawlers, a club for aspiring creative writers, hosting and entertaining them monthly in his home. Perry is the late father of Tad Perry, current member of the board of trustees at CMU. Rev. Leigh served as a United Methodist Pastor for many years, and has worked as a freelance writer since his retirement from ministry in 2000. He currently lives in Kansas City, Mo. with his wife, Cheri.
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