Events

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 […]

TOPIC: An Untold Story of the US Involvement in Afghanistan...And Its Aftermath...A Personal Journey SPEAKER: George Forsythe,  Brigadier General, U.S. Army (retired) George will discuss the establishment of the National Military Academy of Afghanistan from 2003-2005...its strategic implications and lessons learned. George will also discuss how his translator and their family immigrated to the US […]

TOPIC: MakerSpace Charlotte: Enabling & Celebrating Human Creativity SPEAKER: Steven Gray, Makerspace Board Member This talk will present an overview of makerspaces as a means of providing affordable access to a wide variety tools, equipment and training to the general public both nationally and across the globe. In particular it will highlight MakerSpace Charlotte's offerings […]

TOPIC: Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby SPEAKER: Mary Beth Martin, Executive Director of the Earl Scruggs Center, Shelby, NC The Earl Scruggs Center combines the life story of legendary five-string banjo master and Cleveland County native, Earl Scruggs, with the unique and engaging story of the history and cultural traditions of the region in which […]

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, […]

How Music Impacts Society with Joe Kendrick

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: Medicare Fraud SPEAKER: Austin Caton, Aging Program Coordinator, Centralina Area Agency on Aging Austin is an Aging Program Coordinator for the Digital Navigation Program providing assistance with technology and training for older adults in our region. BIOGRAPHY Details coming soon. NOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC, no registration required. Attend via Zoom, please register with […]

GREAT DECISIONS TOPIC:   America and Changing Economic World SPEAKER: Jay Bryson, Managing Director, Chief Economist, Wells Fargo Corporate and Investment Bank Dr. Bryson will present his annual analysis of financial markets and macroeconomic developments in the global economy. He will also provide an outlook for the next two years including forecasts of GDP growth rates, […]

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 Shadow of Alzheimer's Disease SPEAKER: Dr. Adam Law, Visiting Scientist, Cornell University This talk will explore Alzheimer's Disease from a personal, professional and research perspective, as a physician who, in retirement, is participating in a laboratory investigating its molecular mechanisms. BIOGRAPHY Adam Law is a Londoner by birth and emigrated to the USA […]

GREAT DECISIONS TOPIC: International Climate Cooperation in an Era of Geopolitical Turmoil SPEAKER: Mark Kelso, Professor, Political Science, International Studies & Sociology Department, Queens University An overview of international efforts to enhance global environmental protection, with a focus on recent efforts to address climate change.  Discussion of where these efforts have succeeded. Discussion of key […]

GREAT DECISIONS TOPIC: North Atlantic Treaty Organization SPEAKER: Dmitry Vovchuk Europe is frightened and frightening for the first time really since the 1980s, when nuclear sabers were rattling as the Soviet Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) both deployed contending intermediate range missiles along the dividing line of the military alliances. With Russia’s […]

GREAT DECISIONS TOPIC: American Foreign Policy in the Middle East  SPEAKER: Dr. Harry Chernotsky, Professor Emeritus Global Studies, UNC Charlotte This presentation - part of the Great Decisions 2025 program -will address the continuing search for peace in the Middle East, as the region looks to move beyond the events of October 7 and confronts […]

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 […]