The lecture, "The Protection of Religious Freedom under the American Constitution," will address the constitutional protection of religious freedom under the establishment clause and the free exercise clause, with emphasis on how the two clauses interact and serve as "co-guarantors of religious freedom."

The topic is particularly relevant given the greater push for more religion in public life, as well as growing claims that religion is suffering from increased discrimination in American society. At the first Gibbs lecture, delivered by professor Sedler in 2001, he examined the First Amendment to the Constitution. A distinguished professor of law and the recipient of many awards, he was appointed to the Gibbs Chair at the law school in 2000 for a five-year term.

The late Walter Gibbs was a 1963 Wayne State University Law School graduate and Wayne County prosecutor.

A reception with light refreshments will follow the lecture. Admission to both the lecture and the reception is free, and both are open to the public.