Tommy Haring ‘28 on the Biff Hoffman Lectureship

On January 22, 2026, the Phi Lambda Theta chapter of Chi Phi ran the Biff Hoffman Lectureship in conjunction with MLK week. The evening brought together students, alumni, and members of the Bucknell community to engage in a dialogue about leadership, inclusion, and professional development, as well as highlighting the values that have been a part of the chapter for many years.

The evening’s speaker, Devin T. Dobson, M.Ed., discussed the importance of a business mindset, drawing on his personal and professional experiences as a black man in a variety of work environments. Devin discussed the importance of being prepared, adaptable, and a builder of relationships, highlighting the importance of networking as a method of building social capital, rather than a series of individual transactions. The talk was well-received, providing students with practical advice, as well as addressing more macro-level realities that are a part of many spaces.

The evening also featured words from alumni Harley Bennett and Frank Wood, who discussed the history of inclusiveness, a key characteristic of the Phi Lambda Theta chapter. They discussed a variety of examples of when the chapter chose to act on principle, highlighting that inclusion is something that is demonstrated, rather than simply talked about. One notable example was when the chapter invited Jackie Robinson to dinner when he came to visit Bucknell, highlighting the social significance of this action, which is a part of the chapter’s history.

The speakers brought together a sense of history and current events, highlighting that leadership, inclusion, and professionalism are values that are lived. The fact that this event was held during MLK week was a meaningful opportunity for reflection, highlighting the foundational values of Chi Phi  truth, honor, and personal Integrity as well as the Phi Lambda Theta chapter’s commitment to them.