GREAT DECISIONS TOPIC: Climate Change and Competition SPEAKER:  Mark Kelso, Queens University Professor Kelso will discuss how the politics of climate change will impact economics, especially competition among businesses and countries. BIOGRAPHY Dr. Mark Kelso is currently Professor of Political Science at Queens University of Charlotte and the 2017 winner of the Hunter-Hamilton Love of Teaching […]

TOPIC: The Search for Life Beyond Earth SPEAKER:  Rachel Smith, Head, Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Lab, Curator of Meteorites, Professor, Physics & Astronomy. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences/Appalachian State University. Astronomer Dr. Rachel Smith will use new planetarium software called OpenSpace to journey from Earth to our neighboring planets, to far beyond the solar […]

TOPIC: Overall Budget on Housing & Homelessness SPEAKER:  Dimple Ajmera, Charlotte City Council At Large member Council member Dimple Ajmera will address and share the overall budget regarding housing and homelessness. BIOGRAPHY Dimple Ajmera, City Council At Large, is proud to be living the American dream. With little means, her parents immigrated to the U.S. […]

TOPIC: "Capital L" leadership: The Story of the Duke Mansion and the role of civic leadership in a thriving community. SPEAKER: Peter Blair, President/CEO, The Lynnwood Foundation, Duke Mansion and Lee Institute Duke Mansion is a rare jewel nestled in the crown of the Queen City, a splendid setting for corporate and civic gatherings, milestone […]

TOPIC: Attracting International Companies to Charlotte SPEAKER: Ljubomir (L.J.) Stambuk, President & CEO, World Affairs Council of Charlotte Details coming soon. BIOGRAPHY Ljubomir (L.J.) Stambuk joined the World Affairs Council of Charlotte as Executive Director in 2006. Through his dynamic leadership and systematic approach to development and asset building, Stambuk rebuilt the Council’s branding and […]

TOPIC: The Amazing Gift of Language SPEAKER: Steve Clark, Professor Emeritus, Moody Bible Institute What is language? This presentation will provide an overview of something we rarely consider because it is so automatic: language, the ability to express to others anything we can think of. After looking at what actually happens when we speak, we […]

TOPIC: Karlis Leyasmeyer and the Baptist Speaker's Circuit: A Latvian Exile Comes to America SPEAKER: Joseph Ellis, Professor of Political Science, Assistant Dean of Arts and Sciences, Wingate University In 1949, a little known Latvian refugee named Karlis Leyasmeyer would arrive with his family in Philadelphia, after several years spent at a displaced persons camp […]