TOPIC: Behind the Curtain SPEAKER: Laura Little, Executive Producer, Laura Little Theatricals Laura will speak about what it takes to put up a theatrical production at the community theatre and regional levels and the difference between Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off Broadway. She’ll explain the difference between the roles of the artistic director, executive director, producer, […]

TOPIC: Elections Review SPEAKER: Mary Jo McGowan, Dept of Political Science and Public Administration, UNC-Charlotte A review of the 2024 elections process helps folks understand how elections work and how confident we can be in our electoral process. BIOGRAPHY Mary Jo McGowan is a faculty member at UNC Charlotte in the Department of Political Science […]

TOPIC:  What a Rush! A Brief History of Mining in North Carolina SPEAKER: Valerie Reynolds, Department of Earth, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences UNC Charlotte From the first gold discovered in the United States to the ultra-pure quartz fueling the semiconductor industry, mining has played an essential role in North Carolina's economy for centuries. This presentation […]

TOPIC: What did you say? Communication, Problem-solving, and Intelligence in Birds SPEAKER: Jeffrey Thomas, Professor of Biology, Queens University of Charlotte Birds, especially songbirds, say a lot. But what do we know about what they’re saying to each other? And how do they use their communication to negotiate interactions with each other, find food, and […]

GREAT DECISIONS TOPIC: The Future of US-China Relations SPEAKER: Keren Zhu, Assistant Professor, Davidson College U.S.-China relations have emerged as the most consequential dynamic in contemporary international relations, profoundly influencing global politics, economics, and security. This lecture will explore the evolution of U.S.-China relations since 1949, examine the key factors shaping the future of this […]

TOPIC: The Nightwatch Effect: Art, Intuition, and a Career Unfolding at the Rijksmuseum SPEAKER: Peter van der Bel In 1984, a chance discussion about Rembrandt's The Nightwatch at the Rijksmuseum helped a linguist unexpectedly land a job in the tech industry. This talk explores the role of art, intuition, and psychology in shaping a surprising […]