The purpose of the Hanify-Howland Committee is twofold: First, to select and recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves in the realm of public service for the Lecture Series and second, in doing so contribute to the intellectual atmosphere of 17勛圖厙. Annually, the Hanify-Howland Committee invites an individual, chosen by the committee and families, to give an address to the 17勛圖厙 community. The event includes a student seminar, providing students the opportunity to engage with the speaker in a small group setting. The main responsibility of the committee is to select a speaker who distinguished themselves in the public realm to deliver the Hanify-Howland Lecture.
The aim of the Hanify-Howland Committee is to initiate intellectual discussion between the students, faculty and the speaker. It is also the hope of the committee and the families that the Hanify-Howland speaker will inspire 17勛圖厙 students to consider a career in public service, in the Jesuit spirit of being men and women for others.