CMU Lecture Series
Gil and Ruth Fleer Lecture Series
Speaker: Dr. Ben Hartley
Title: The Challenge of Opening Our Eyes, Seeing Clearly, and Moving Forward in Palestine/Israel
Date: November 10, 2026
Bio: Dr. Benjamin L. Hartley, in his first year as a professor of Methodist Studies at Saint Paul School of Theology in Leawood, Kan., has been an educator for more than 20 years. He previously served on the faculties of Eden Theological Seminary, Seattle Pacific University School of Theology, George Fox University, and Palmer Theological Seminary. He also held roles as director of Methodist studies at Palmer and president of the American Society of Missiology.
Hartley recently became a clergy member at the Missouri Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, adding the title of deacon to his name. An author or co-author of numerous papers, chapters, and books, he is currently researching and writing a biography of John R. Mott, organizer of the world Christian missionary movement in the early 20th century. Still more of Hartley’s writing can be found on his blog, Mission and Methodism.
About the lecture series: Former faculty member and sponsor of Alpha Phi Gamma “MOKERS,” Dr. Gilbert “Gil” Fleer '55 and his wife, Ruth Hombs Fleer '58, had a vision to enhance the spirit of excellence at CMU. Their passion for their alma mater where they met, and the love of their son, Jeffrey G. Fleer, led them to make gifts to the University, enhancing the Central experience for students for generations to come.
Fleer was an assistant professor of religion at Central from 1959-65. Before his passing, Dr. Fleer was a social science professor at Western Texas College and a United Methodist counselor. He spent many years counseling young adults in unconventional settings. The couple’s strong support of leadership training led them to fund the Gil and Ruth Fleer Fund for Excellence in Values-Based Education at CMU.
This lecture is funded by the generosity of Gil and Ruth Fleer.
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