The American Studies Institute will host bestselling author Stephen M.R. Covey and New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints tight end Benjamin Watson for the spring presentations of its Distinguished Lecture Series.

Stephen M.R. Covey will present his lecture “The Speed of Trust” Thursday, Feb. 20. A graduate of Harvard’s MBA program, Covey co-founded and currently leads FranklinCovey’s Global Speed of Trust Practice. He serves on numerous boards, including the Government Leadership Advisory Council, and has been recognized with the lifetime achievement award for the “Top Thought Leaders in Trust” from the advocacy group Trust Across America/Trust Around the World.

A New York Times and No.1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Covey has taught trust and leadership in 52 countries to business, government, education, healthcare, military and NGO organizations. Covey is the son of Stephen R. Covey, the author of this year’s Harding Read, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”

Benjamin Watson will present his lecture “Under Our Skin” Tuesday, April 21. An NFL veteran, Watson has been a key playmaker for the New England Patriots, the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens. He has been recognized as one of CNN’s Extraordinary People, a Walter Payton Man of the Year finalist and has received the Bart Starr Award. In addition to his commitment on the field, Benjamin and his wife Kirsten established “One More,” a nonprofit dedicated to impacting the lives of those in need by providing enrichment opportunities and promoting education through charitable initiatives and partnerships.

These events are free and open to the public. Both presentations will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Benson Auditorium on Harding’s campus. For more information, visit harding.edu/asi or call 501-279-4497. For other Harding events and free and low cost services available to the community, visit harding.edu/community.