Bill Nye chosen as 2026 Founders’ Day speaker

Bill Nye, best known for his Emmy-winning television program Bill Nye the Science Guy, will be the 2026 Founders’ Day speaker (previously known as Senior Speaker). 

Nye will sit down for an interview with Jenn Rossmann, William Jeffers Dean of Engineering and Baird Professor of Mechanical Engineering, at 8 p.m. March 30 in Colton Chapel. Attendance will be limited to current Lafayette faculty, staff, and students. Those interested in attending should register for the event. This event is currently waitlisted; those interested should register to hear more about opportunities for attendance. 

Bill Nye | Courtesy photo

An engineer, television presenter, inventor, and bestselling author responsible for bringing science and humor to children in the 1990s and beyond, Nye has spent his career speaking on topics ranging from climate change to the environment, planetary science, and more. 

A recognizable figure to many, Nye takes a unique approach to science education that has inspired generations to pursue careers in research, STEM, and education. The Founders’ Day speaker is organized by Lafayette Activities Forum (LAF), a student-run organization focused on bringing engaging and diverse events to campus.  

“We thought hosting Bill Nye would be an incredible opportunity for the campus to engage with important scientific topics while also feeling a sense of nostalgia from our days watching his videos in elementary school,” says Elizabeth Miller ’26, LAF president. “Bill Nye is one of my heroes, so I am especially excited for the opportunity to see him in action! I expect Bill will have some interesting insight on environmental issues and potentially some hopeful outlooks for our future.”

Nye has also been the host of Bill Nye Saves the World on Netflix, the podcast Science Rules! with Bill Nye, and The End Is Nye on Peacock. 

The Founders’ Day series is made possible thanks to the generous contributions of the Class of 1963 Guest Speaker Fund and LAF. This event is part of an extended celebration of Lafayette’s Founders’ Week, which honors the College’s Bicentennial.

Have a question you’d like Nye to answer? Submit a question for consideration.

About Bill Nye

Bill Nye is an American science educator, engineer, television presenter, inventor, and New York Times bestselling author. As the co-creator and host of the Emmy Award-winning ’90s television series Bill Nye the Science Guy, Nye helped introduce generations of viewers to science and engineering in an entertaining and accessible manner, fostering an understanding and appreciation for the science that makes our world work. Today, he is a respected champion of scientific literacy who has challenged opponents of evidence-based education and policy on climate change, evolution, and critical thinking. 

In 2025, Nye was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, by then-President Joe Biden in recognition of his dedication to science education, included in the TIME100 Health list for his advocacy on behalf of ataxia, a rare genetic disease affecting his family, and received a star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame as a testament to his legacy and lasting impact on the entertainment industry. 

Nye served as CEO of The Planetary Society, the world’s largest and most influential nongovernmental space organization co-founded by Carl Sagan, for 15 years, and is now the vice chair of the board of directors and chief ambassador for the organization. He earned his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Cornell University and currently resides in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles with his wife.