By Brie Wyant ’26

Acclaimed writer Wright Thompson will deliver Mercersburg Academy’s annual Schaff Lecture on Ethics and Morals on Monday, April 20, in the Burgin Center for the Arts’ Simon Theater. The event continues the Academy’s long-standing tradition of Monday evening lectures that bring distinguished voices to campus to explore questions of character, values, and human experience. 

Thompson, a seasoned writer, known for his deeply reported storytelling, is widely recognized for his work exploring culture, sports, and the American South. His writing often examines the intersection of memory, identity, and moral complexities, themes that align closely with the purpose of the Schaff Lecture series.

While on campus, Thompson will engage with students beyond just the lecture. Prior to his talk, he will join editors of The Mercersburg News and members of John David Bennett’s Write Your Novel class for dinner and conversation. Following the lecture, attendees will have the opportunity to meet Thompson during a book signing, with copies of his work available.

The Schaff Family Endowment, which supports the lecture, was funded by and is in honor of Schaff brothers Phillip ’38, Charles ’41, and David ’42. The endowment supports annual speakers “on topics related to fundamental human values—those principles which direct a person’s decisions and actions because they clarify what is ‘right’ and what is ‘wrong.’”