Our mission is to bring nationally and internationally renowned, thought-provoking speakers who inform, educate, and entertain our audience! San Joaquin Valley Town Hall is a non-profit organization that is run by an all-volunteer board of directors. Our daytime speaking events are held at the beautiful Saroyan Theatre.
We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate our 84th year of service to the San Joaquin Valley.
Starting with tutorials posted on YouTube for his younger cousin, Khan has sparked a worldwide, educational phenomenon, inspiring teachers and students alike. Offering personalized instruction on topics ranging from preschool math to precalculus, English language to economics, students can accelerate their learning with a customized curriculum. Khan’s goal? Create a one world schoolhouse that opens the doors of education to all.
Presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize winner Jon Meacham celebrates the songs that define the American experience in a patriotic presentation showcasing historic songs recorded by country music star Tim McGraw. Based on their book Songs of America, Meacham illuminates the lyrics that have carried our country through times of struggle and celebration.
Dr. Verghese, a physician and Stanford Medical School professor, eloquently draws on history, literature, and medical experience to reveal why human touch and the patient’s story are vital to doctor-patient relationships. A National Humanities Medal recipient and author of the bestselling novel Cutting for Stone, Verghese’s uniquely humanistic approach to medicine resonates with the patient in all of us.
Award winning National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore takes us on his worldwide adventures, camera in tow, to share his incredible experiences developing the Photo Ark, a 25 year effort to document 12,000 vanishing species living in the world’s zoos and wildlife sanctuaries and build the single largest collection of animal studio portraits.
New York Times’s first female restaurant critic, best selling author, and Gourmet’s Editor-in-Chief Ruth Reichl weaves a delectable tale of America’s food journey and shares life lessons from the kitchen. Her fifty-year career in food, beginning as a chef trailblazing the farm-to-table movement, puts her at the forefront of America’s culinary revolution.
Steves, a beloved PBS TV personality and travel writer, shows us how travel broadens our global perspective – all while having the time of our lives!
Gupta will share his experience using music to heal, inspire and promote social connection and change for the homeless and forgotten people of our society.
Who We Are
Join Us
Salman Khan
One World Schoolhouse: Education Reimagined
Jon Meachum
Songs of America: the Music that Made a Nation
Dr. Abraham Verghese
The Patient is the Story
Joel Sartore
From Noah to Now: The Photo Ark
Ruth Reichl
A Nation of Foodies
Rick Steves
Travel Like A Local
Vijay Gupta
Changing Lives, Note by Note
Generous Anonymous Patron
The Frances F. Ermoian Memorial Lecture
Annette & Bob Smittcamp
Educational Employees Credit Union
Sharon Hanley Lecture
Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant
Bernice and Jack Woolf Lecture