For just over half a century, Senior Scholars at Queens has provided our members with opportunities to expand their personal knowledge, hear differing viewpoints from speakers, socialize with friends, and meet new people. We proudly celebrated our ongoing achievements during our 50th Anniversary in 2023 and will continue doing so during 2024.

On January 12, we will have our first in-person kickoff meeting for 2024. We hope you will be there with us as often as you are able since you will not want to miss the chance to enjoy the social aspects of Senior Scholars, as well as the coffee, tea, and donut holes!

During 2024, we will bring you excellent speakers on a variety of topics. The new year will begin with Chelsea Kaufman, PhD, an Assistant Professor in Political Science at Wingate University who will focus on the upcoming 2024 election. Her presentation will be followed by Dmitry Vovchuk’s Great Decisions Topic, which is NATO. He is a well-respected foreign policy expert who teaches at Queens University. Then, our final January speaker will be Tate Nurkin, who will present another Great Decisions Topic, as he gives us insights about AI and National Security. Click here to see all of our other 2024 speakers. 

We also encourage you to sign up for The Lunch Bunch, Field Trip activities, and Luncheons! Lunch Bunch occurs monthly. Members dine in small groups in nearby restaurants that encourage one-on-one discussions and new acquaintances. Field Trips offer a chance to get out and see our community with other members. Our first Field Trip will occur on February 20 with a visit to the Catawba Cultural Center in Rock Hill. If you attended our meeting on November 3, 2023, you had a preview of the center from Kassidy Plyler’s presentation. During 2023, we scholars also enjoyed two excellent luncheons at Carmel Country Club. Watch our weekly emails for more information. You may sign up for the Lunch Bunch, Field Trips, and Luncheons during our weekly meetings.

One major highlight of our Spring Semester is the Wildacres retreat in the mountains near Little Switzerland, NC. The setting offers us three relaxing days of learning, fellowship, hiking, conversations with new and old friends, and entertainment, all taking place in a beautiful 1,400 wilderness preserve. The Wildacres Team recently scheduled our 2024 event from April 22 – 25. Registration will begin late in January. See our website and weekly emails for more information about Wildacres.

Our Marketing Committee continues to expand our outreach into new areas. We now have several adult living facilities under licenses to Zoom our weekly meetings for their residents. This past October, we held a joint meeting with a senior group at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church to hear Dr. Kevin Soden speak about the health of seniors.

As we begin 2024, here are three final thoughts:

1. Renew: If you haven’t done so already, please renew your membership for only $25
2. Join as a new member for only $35 which includes your nametag. Membership is a wonderful bargain – 32 meetings during 2024 with varied topics and excellent speakers, the ability to attend meetings in person or via Zoom, and discounts to selected events at Queens University. Click here to renew or join. 
3. Volunteer! You are critical to the operations of Senior Scholars, and I want to thank all our current volunteers who keep us going week after week. Remember – we have no paid staff. Please volunteer today using the volunteer tab on our website or sending us an email. We need you whether you are a long-time member or just joined during 2023. Being a volunteer is an excellent way of meeting new people and providing a service to the senior community of Charlotte. Personally, my having agreed to be on the Board after I retired in 2018 has led to many new friendships.

If you have further questions or comments, please let me know.

Very kind regards,

Jane

Jane Mitchell Howard, President
Senior Scholars at Queens
Howard.Jane.M@Outlook.com
Phone: 704-400-3703
seniorscholars.net