RIKARD LECTURE SERIES

The Mack A. Rikard Lecture Series introduces students to current issues in business as presented by business and civic leaders who are recognized leaders in their professions. Established in 1991, it is named after the late Mack A. Rikard ’37, an Oglethorpe alumnus, honorary degree recipient, Athletic Hall of Fame member and Trustee Emeritus. Rikard was former president of Allied Products Company in Birmingham, Alabama, and a supporter of Oglethorpe athletics and student scholarships.

Rikard Lecture 2026

Oglethorpe University will welcome entrepreneur, investor and business leader Eric Hartz, a serial founder whose career spans internet banking, financial technology and sustainability innovation, as the featured speaker for the next Rikard Lecture on October 6 from 5 – 7 p.m.

Over a career spanning more than three decades, Hartz has founded, grown and advised companies across technology, finance and sustainability sectors. Before Nexus Circular, he was a founding executive of Security First Network Bank, recognized as the world’s first internet bank. He later served as president and CEO of RentBureau, a rental payment credit bureau that was acquired by Experian in 2010. He also led ZapMedia, a digital entertainment company whose ZapStation platform earned innovation honors at the 2001 Consumer Electronics Show.