Wichita State University’s Gordon Parks Lecture Series presents John W. Franklin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, in the CAC Theater.

A reception at 5 p.m. at the Ulrich Museum of Art will precede the lecture.

Both events are free and open to the public.

Franklin, director of partnerships and international programs for the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, will present on the mission and development of the new national museum on the Washington Mall, opening in 2015.

This event also includes a book release for “Gordon Parks Centennial: His Legacy at Wichita State University,” a 68-page scholarly publication acknowledging the strength of the university’s holdings, archival and artistic, related to Parks. The publication will be available Oct. 4 for a special price of $15; the regular retail price is $24.95.

The fourth event in the Gordon Parks Lecture Series at Wichita State University and the 2012 Centennial Celebration of Mr. Parks’ life have been made possible by a generous lead gift from Shannon Michaud. Additional supporters include Mickey Armstrong, Marcia and Ted D. Ayres, J. Eric Engstrom, Katie and Joseph C. “Buz” Lukens Jr., Mike Roach, Marni Stevens, Go Wichita Convention and Visitors Bureau, Groves Retail Liquor and Martin Pringle Attorneys at Law.

Ulrich patrons made donations to honor Patricia McDonnell’s leadership as Ulrich Museum director. WSU’s Office of General Counsel and Office of the Provost have also contributed.