Threshold Series
A platform for intellectual and cultural engagement, the Saint Vincent College Threshold Series has brought a diverse array of distinguished speakers—scholars, experts, authors, artists and public figures—to the Latrobe campus.
Community & Events
Established in 1981 through a generous grant from the Kennametal Foundation, Threshold aims to inspire intellectual curiosity, foster meaningful dialogue and enrich the region’s cultural landscape. By deepening their understanding of the subject matter, attendees can connect theoretical concepts to real-world applications and seek additional knowledge beyond the lecture.
Threshold has become an important institution at Saint Vincent for students, faculty and members of the local community.
Threshold Lecture: Success, Failure, Creativity and The "Secret" to Longevity
Dr. Joseph Maroon
August 5, 2026 | 7 p.m. at the Fred M. Rogers Center
Admission is free of charge.
August 2026 Speaker
Joseph C. Maroon MD
World-Renowned Neurosurgeon
Consultant Neurosurgeon, The Pittsburgh Steelers and World Wrestling Entertainment
Dr. Maroon is professor and vice chairman of neurosurgery and the Heindl Scholar in Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh. He received his education at Indiana, Oxford (England), Georgetown and University of Vermont, and was a Scholastic All American in football at Indiana University.
Dr. Maroon served as team neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers for 40 years and is a medical consultant to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). He is the scientific chairman of the Chuck Noll Foundation for the prevention of brain injuries in sports and co-developed the ImPACT neurocognitive test, now the standard of care for return-to-play in all contact sports, with more than 25 million tests performed.
In 2025, Dr. Maroon was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his leadership, compassion, unique talents, and commitment to the ideals of the United States, a recognition that was read into the Congressional Record. His honors also include the Indiana University Distinguished Alumni Service Award, Jerome Bettis Humanitarian of the Year Award, and induction into the Lou Holtz Hall of Fame alongside Joe Montana and Kareem Abdul Jabbar.
Dr. Maroon has authored 350 peer-reviewed papers, 54 book chapters, and six books. He has been involved with clinical trials related to chronic traumatic encephalopathy CTE, Parkinson’s disease, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. A nationally ranked triathlete, he has competed in 80 triathlons and 8 Ironman-distance events, including five appearances at the World Triathlon Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
Threshold Lecture: Success, Failure, Creativity and The "Secret" to Longevity
Dr. Joseph Maroon
August 5, 2026 | 7 p.m. at the Fred M. Rogers Center
Admission is free of charge.
Past Speakers
Pictured: (header) April 2026 speaker Dr. Alan Matsumoto, (from top left) Stanley Jaki, Robert Jarvik, John Stacks, Joyce Carol Oates, John Noble Wilford, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Alex Haley, Michael Medved, (second row) Strobe Talbot, Isaac Asimov, Harold S. Kushner, Jane Bryant Quinn, Roger Malina, Carl Sagan, Robert Claiborne, Martin E. Marty, Lt. General James A. Abrahamson. Not Pictured: Br. Guy Consolmagno, S.J., Claire Bloom, Stephen F. Cohen, Ralph Nader, Archduke Rudolph of Austria, Roger Cossack, Heinz-Joachim Fischer, Jerome Oetgen, Benjamin Zander, Colleen Carroll Campbell, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Steven Johnson, David Shedloski, Dr. Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Gene Steratore, Ambassador John T. Hennessey-Niland, Dr. Jonathan Lee Walton.