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 […]

GREAT DECISIONS TOPIC: How PBS Charlotte Shines the Spotlight on our Region SPEAKER: Amy Burkett, PBS General Manager Amy will share interesting statistics and behind the scenes production details woven in and out of video clips of local documentaries as well as our signature Emmy winning news magazine Carolina Impact. BIOGRAPHY Amy has been honored […]

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 […]

GREAT DECISIONS TOPIC: Update on Mecklenburg County Initiatives SPEAKER: Dena Diorio, Mecklenburg County Manager Dena will provide an update on County projects and initiatives and answer questions. BIOGRAPHY Dena Diorio has been a leader in public administration since 1988. After graduate school Dena started what would be a ten-year stint with the City of New […]

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 […]