The Thomas Roy and Lura Forrest Jones Visiting Lecture Series was founded by Trustee Emeritus Thomas Roy Jones in 1973 to provide Lafayette College students with the opportunity to hear presentations and interact each year with individuals of exemplary accomplishment in the academic world or in public life.

The lectures are free and open to the public. The visiting lecturer also leads an afternoon discussion with students and sometimes visits one or two classes.

Nominations are submitted by members of the faculty to the Presidential Advisory Committee on Commencement each spring. The Committee reviews the nominations and selects the top five or six choices.