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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260911T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260911T110000
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CREATED:20260526T194705Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260814T155707Z
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SUMMARY:A New Future for the Charlotte Museum of Nature with Rachel Cusick and Elliot Provance
DESCRIPTION:TOPIC: A New Future for the Charlotte Museum of Nature\nSPEAKER: Rachel Cusick\, Chief Advancement Officer\, Discovery Place Museums\nand Elliot Provance\, Sr. Director\, Collections\, Discovery Place\nThe new Charlotte Museum of Nature will feature an expanded layout integrated directly into the surrounding 11-acre woodland forest and Freedom Park public green space\, including: \n\nNative Wildlife Habitats: New custom enclosures for North American river otters\, a frog bog\, and an owl aviary.\nTreetop Canopy Walk: An outdoor elevated trail system designed to take advantage of the park’s older forest setting.\nHands-on Naturalist Lab: Immersive indoor spaces designed for local ecosystem schooling and science exploration.\nSaplings Zone: A dedicated\, nature-inspired indoor play space built explicitly for early childhood discovery.\nPublic Plaza & Gardens: Free community spaces and gardens facing the Little Sugar Creek Greenway that do not require museum admission.\n\n  \n\nBIOGRAPHY\nRachel Cusick Bio: \nChief Advancement Officer and enterprise leader recognized for building high-performing advancement teams that strengthen institutional relevance\, modernize philanthropy\, and deliver transformational revenue. Believes exceptional organizations are built by investing in people and cultivating a culture of belonging and shared accountability. Combines campaign and principal-gift expertise with organizational leadership\, board development\, government and corporate partnerships\, data-informed decision-making\, and thoughtful integration of technology and AI. Trusted advisor to CEOs and trustees with a proven record of leading through growth\, change\, and reputational complexity. \nElliott Provance Bio: \nWith over 20 years of professional experience\, I am currently the Senior Director of Collections at Discovery Place\, where I focus on driving excellence in living collections and exhibition design. My expertise lies in ecology and creative direction\, and I am committed to creating engaging\, educational\, and visually captivating exhibits that inspire curiosity and foster a deeper understanding of the natural world. I strive to bring innovative and sustainable strategies to my work\, creating meaningful experiences for diverse audiences and aligning with Discovery Place’s mission of inspiring exploration and conservation. \nAt Discovery Place\, I have guided the development and management of living collections and exhibitions\, ensuring they reflect both educational and aesthetic value. Leveraging my skills in exhibit design and creative direction\, I have collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to deliver compelling aquatic features and museum displays. My role also includes working with professionals across various industries\, such as museums\, aquariums\, and zoos\, where I have contributed my expertise in designing innovative aquatic elements like aquariums and water features. \n\nNOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC\, no registration required. Attend via Zoom\, please register with the Zoom link above.
URL:https://seniorscholars.net/event/a-new-future-for-the-charlotte-museum-of-nature-with-rachel-cusick-and-elliot-provance/
LOCATION:Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom\, 2810 Providence Rd\, Charlotte\, NC\, 28211\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hybrid: In-person & Zoom,Speaker Presentations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://seniorscholars.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Cusick-Provance_9-11-2026.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260918T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260918T110000
DTSTAMP:20260610T173845Z
CREATED:20260609T200557Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260610T173845Z
UID:10000235-1789725600-1789729200@seniorscholars.net
SUMMARY:Immigration and Charlotte with Dr. Maggie Commins
DESCRIPTION:TOPIC: Immigration and Charlotte: What does it mean to be a “welcoming city?” \nSPEAKER: Dr. Maggie Commins\, Queens University of Charlotte\nCharlotte’s population is growing and changing. We are often told that over 150 people move to the region every day. \nWhat you may not have heard is that Charlotte attracts people from around the world. Almost one in five Charlotte Mecklenburg County residents was born in another country\, four times the percentage in 1990. \nThis changing demography is transforming our city and challenging local governments to connect with and integrate people from many backgrounds. During the national celebration of “Welcoming Week” (September 10th – 19th)\, join us to explore what it means to be a “Welcoming City\,” and whether the Queen City measures up. \n  \n\nBIOGRAPHY\nDr. Maggie Commins is the Shelton Professor of Political Science and chair of the Department of Political Science\, International Studies\, and Sociology at Queens University of Charlotte. Her research interests include U.S. immigration policy\, municipal immigrant integration\, U.S. policy toward Latin America\, and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning\, with a focus on pedagogies that encourage students’ civic engagement. \nIn 2020 Queens honored Maggie with their Hunter-Hamilton Love of Teaching award. Modeling what she encourages in her students\, Dr. Commins is actively involved in the Charlotte community. She serves on the Charlotte International Cabinet\, an advisory board for the mayor and city council that focuses on promoting both international business and immigrant integration in the Queen City. \nShe is also a board member of the Latin American Coalition\, the city’s oldest immigrant-serving nonprofit organization\, and of the National Issues Forum Institute\, a national nonprofit that promotes civic dialogue and engagement. \n\nNOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC\, no registration required. Attend via Zoom\, please register with the Zoom link above.
URL:https://seniorscholars.net/event/immigration-and-charlotte-with-dr-maggie-commins/
LOCATION:Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom\, 2810 Providence Rd\, Charlotte\, NC\, 28211\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hybrid: In-person & Zoom,Speaker Presentations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://seniorscholars.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/MCommins_9-18-2026.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260925T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260925T110000
DTSTAMP:20260812T153110Z
CREATED:20260609T201308Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260812T153110Z
UID:10000236-1790330400-1790334000@seniorscholars.net
SUMMARY:Is Classical Music Irrelevant? with Conductor James Meena
DESCRIPTION:TOPIC: Is Classical Music Irrelevant?\nSPEAKER: James Meena\, Conductor; Founder & President\, Charlotte Lyric Theatre\nIn this presentation\, we posit that the preponderance of entertainment\, immediate gratification on all levels\, shortened attention spans have made classical music irrelevant to modern society. \n  \n\nBIOGRAPHY\nMaestro James Meena is a musical entrepreneur. His 50year career in classical music has touched the world of the symphony orchestra\, ballet\, musical theater and opera. \nMo. Meena consistently earns critical acclaim for his artistic vision and dynamic presence on the podium. His guest conducting engagements have included the Washington Opera\, the Pittsburgh Opera\, L’Opera de Montreal\, Michigan Opera Theater\, Festivale Puccini Torre del Lago\, Teatro del Giglio Lucca\, Teatro Pavarotti Modena\, Teatro Ravenna\, Teatro Sociale Rovigo\, the Arizona Opera\, Edmonton Opera\, the KBS Symphony Orchestra in Seoul\, South Korea\, the National Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of China\, the Pittsburgh Symphony\, the Cairo Philharmonic in Egypt\, the Grand Rapids Symphony\, the Memphis Symphony\, the Toledo Symphony\, the Orchestra of the Teatro Massimo Bellini in Sicily and the Orchestra Regionale Toscana in Florence\, Italy. Recently\, he led performances of Puccini’s Turandot in the historic Teatro Antica in Taromina Sicily and the Teatro Greco in Siracusa. \nFor more than a decade he was Resident Conductor of the Toledo Symphony\, General Director of Toledo Opera and conductor for the Cleveland/San Jose Ballet. He concluded a 25-year tenure as General Director & Principal Conductor of Opera Carolina in Charlotte in May 2025\, after which he founded the new Charlotte Lyric Theatre\, an advanced mentorship program for emerging artists. Mo. Meena has conducted legendary singers James McCracken\, Renee Fleming\, Denyce Graves\, Diana Soviero\, Mignon Dunn\, Marilyn Horne\, Sherril Milnes\, Jerome Hines\, Carl Tanner\, Jerry Hadley and Marcello Giordani. \n\nNOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC\, no registration required. Attend via Zoom\, please register with the Zoom link above.
URL:https://seniorscholars.net/event/is-classical-music-irrelevant-with-conductor-james-meena/
LOCATION:Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom\, 2810 Providence Rd\, Charlotte\, NC\, 28211\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hybrid: In-person & Zoom,Speaker Presentations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://seniorscholars.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/JMeena_10-2-2026.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261023T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261023T110000
DTSTAMP:20260725T153313Z
CREATED:20260720T164611Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260725T153313Z
UID:10000239-1792749600-1792753200@seniorscholars.net
SUMMARY:The State of the River with Brandon Jones
DESCRIPTION:TOPIC: The State of the River\nSPEAKER: Brandon Jones\, Riverkeeper\, Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation\nThe Catawba River is the lifeblood of our region\, providing drinking water\, electricity\, agricultural irrigation\, and recreation. Riverkeeper Brandon Jones discusses the greatest threats to this critical resource and the opportunities for protecting it. \n  \n\nBIOGRAPHY\nJones received his M.S. in Earth Science from UNC Charlotte; his studies focused on hydrology\, specifically water chemistry. He completed his undergraduate education at UNC Chapel Hill\, graduating with a B.A. in Economics & a minor in Environmental Science. \nJones joined the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation in 2017 as its director of technical programs before being promoted to Riverkeeper in November 2018. As Riverkeeper\, Brandon is the organization’s chief scientist and advocate and is responsible for coordinating testing\, sampling\, research\, and legislative initiatives. He is also the primary contact for all citizen concerns. Jones is a Gaston County native who’s committed to the environment both inside and outside the office. He spends his free time on the water as an avid whitewater paddler and on the trails hiking whenever possible. \n\nNOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC\, no registration required. Attend via Zoom\, please register with the Zoom link above.
URL:https://seniorscholars.net/event/the-state-of-the-river-with-brandon-jones/
LOCATION:Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom\, 2810 Providence Rd\, Charlotte\, NC\, 28211\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hybrid: In-person & Zoom,Speaker Presentations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://seniorscholars.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/BJones_11-20-2026.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261030T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261030T110000
DTSTAMP:20260603T164657Z
CREATED:20260603T161155Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260603T164657Z
UID:10000233-1793354400-1793358000@seniorscholars.net
SUMMARY:Learning from the Past with Pat McCrory
DESCRIPTION:TOPIC: Learning from the Past to Lead Better in the Future \nSPEAKER: Pat McCrory\, Former NC Governor and Charlotte Mayor\nLeadership examples on major decisions made in Charlotte and NC. \n\nBIOGRAPHY\nMayor of Charlotte:  1995-2009\nGovernor of NC:  2013-2017 \n\nNOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC\, no registration required. Attend via Zoom\, please register with the Zoom link above.
URL:https://seniorscholars.net/event/learning-from-the-past-with-pat-mccrory/
LOCATION:Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom\, 2810 Providence Rd\, Charlotte\, NC\, 28211\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hybrid: In-person & Zoom,Speaker Presentations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://seniorscholars.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PMcCrory_10-30-2026.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261106T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261106T110000
DTSTAMP:20260629T154827Z
CREATED:20260629T154639Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260629T154827Z
UID:10000237-1793959200-1793962800@seniorscholars.net
SUMMARY:Voices of Revolutionary War Teenagers with Tony Zeiss
DESCRIPTION:TOPIC: Voices of Revolutionary War Teenagers\nSPEAKER: Dr. Tony Zeiss\, President Emeritus\, CPCC and Founding Executive Director of the Museum of the Bible\nThis presentation is an informative and inspiring experience with with the contribution of young people in the Revolutionary War. \n\nBIOGRAPHY\n\nPresident\, Pueblo Community College\, Pueblo\, Colorado 1985-92.\nPresident\, Central Piedmont Community college\, 1992-2017.\nEx. Dir. Museum of the Bible in Washington\, D.C. 2017-18.\nAuthored 20 books.\nWife\, Beth – the brains of the family.\n\n\nNOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC\, no registration required. Attend via Zoom\, please register with the Zoom link above.
URL:https://seniorscholars.net/event/voices-of-revolutionary-war-teenagers-with-tony-zeiss/
LOCATION:Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom\, 2810 Providence Rd\, Charlotte\, NC\, 28211\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hybrid: In-person & Zoom,Speaker Presentations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://seniorscholars.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/TZeiss_4-21-2023.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261120T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261120T110000
DTSTAMP:20260725T153358Z
CREATED:20260720T164814Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260725T153358Z
UID:10000238-1795168800-1795172400@seniorscholars.net
SUMMARY:The Holocaust Museum of the Carolinas with Judy LaPietra
DESCRIPTION:TOPIC: The Holocaust Museum of the Carolinas: Background\, Progress\, and Vision\nSPEAKER: Judy LaPietra\, Executive Director\, The Stan Greenspon Holocaust Education Center\nThis presentation examines the development of the Holocaust Museum of the Carolinas\, exploring the historical\, educational\, and civic vision that has guided its creation. \nAttendees will gain insight into the museum’s origins\, its response to the growing need for Holocaust and antisemitism education in the Carolinas\, and the progress made toward establishing a permanent institution dedicated to preserving survivor testimony\, advancing scholarship\, and fostering meaningful public engagement. \nThe presentation will also consider the museum’s role in connecting historical understanding to contemporary challenges while serving educators\, students\, researchers\, and the broader community. \n\nBIOGRAPHY\nAn accomplished Holocaust educator\, museum leader\, and historian\, Judy LaPietra has dedicated more than three decades to advancing Holocaust and genocide education through teaching\, curriculum development\, public scholarship\, and community engagement. Currently serving as Executive Director of the Stan Greenspon Holocaust Education Center\, Judy leads the strategic vision for Holocaust education across the Carolinas\, including the development of the Holocaust Museum of the Carolinas\, and innovative educational initiatives that connect historical scholarship with contemporary civic responsibility. \nUnder Judy’s leadership\, the Center has significantly expanded its impact through transformational programming\, including the North American debut of the internationally acclaimed Seeing Auschwitz exhibition\, the redesign of the Certification in Holocaust Pedagogy to include an immersive study-abroad experience in Poland\, and a 200% increase in philanthropic support for Holocaust education. \nA doctoral candidate (ABD) in Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Gratz College\, Judy’s dissertation\, From Absence to Institution: An Applied Dissertation on the Creation of the Holocaust Museum of the Carolinas\, reflects a broader scholarly commitment to Holocaust memory\, public history\, museum studies\, and the role of education in combating antisemitism. Judy holds graduate degrees in Holocaust and Genocide Studies from Gratz College and Secondary Education (History) from Queens College\, City University of New York\, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and international studies from the University of Vienna. \nPrior to assuming the directorship of the Stan Greenspon Holocaust Education Center\, Judy spent nearly two decades as a history educator and served as adjunct faculty at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte\, where her original courses included The Legacy of the Holocaust\, Bearing Witness to the Past: A Journey to Auschwitz\, and The Final Solution. \nA nationally recognized leader in Holocaust education\, Judy has been selected for prestigious fellowships and leadership programs through Yad Vashem\, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum\, the Shoah Foundation\, the Anti-Defamation League\, and The Olga Lengyel Institute for Holocaust Studies and Human Rights. Judy is a Museum Educator Fellow at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum\, and has presented scholarly work at national and international conferences and contributed publications on Holocaust memory\, museums\, testimony\, and education. \nBeyond academia\, Judy’s commitment to human rights is reflected through volunteer service supporting Holocaust preservation efforts at Auschwitz-Birkenau\, refugee assistance in Greece and Poland\, and humanitarian work during the Ukrainian refugee crisis. Through scholarship\, leadership\, and public engagement\, Judy continues to advance meaningful Holocaust education that strengthens historical understanding\, combats antisemitism\, and inspires ethical responsibility in future generations. \n\nNOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC\, no registration required. Attend via Zoom\, please register with the Zoom link above.
URL:https://seniorscholars.net/event/the-holocaust-museum-of-the-carolinas-with-judy-lapietra/
LOCATION:Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom\, 2810 Providence Rd\, Charlotte\, NC\, 28211\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hybrid: In-person & Zoom,Speaker Presentations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://seniorscholars.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/JLPietra_11-20-2026.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270129T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270129T110000
DTSTAMP:20260610T172454Z
CREATED:20260603T161042Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260610T172454Z
UID:10000234-1801216800-1801220400@seniorscholars.net
SUMMARY:“Nazi” POWs in the Tar Heel State with Dr. Robert Billinger
DESCRIPTION:TOPIC: “Nazi” POWs in the Tar Heel State\, 1942-1946\nSPEAKER: Dr. Robert D. Billinger\, Jr.\, Emeritus Professor of History\, Wingate University\nThis presentation demonstrates the unique and lasting influence on North Carolinians and their 10\,000 German POW “guests” of the POW presence in the state during World War II. \nHis thesis is that enemies were found to be human.\nMain Points include: Uniforms concealed diversity and memories of disunity among the POWs themselves and increasingly good relations with Americans were most lasting in the minds of America’s wartime guests and their hosts. \n\nBIOGRAPHY\nDr. Robert D. Billinger\, Jr.\, is member of the Monroe Rotary Club and an emeritus professor of History at Wingate University. A native of Bethlehem\, PA\, he graduated from Lehigh University and has graduate degrees from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He was a Fulbright Scholar to Vienna and has written three books: Metternich’s South German Policy; Hitler’s Soldiers in the Sunshine State\, and Nazi POWs in the Tar Heel State. \nSee robertbillingerbooks.com for background and bibliography. \n\nNOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC\, no registration required. Attend via Zoom\, please register with the Zoom link above.
URL:https://seniorscholars.net/event/nazi-pows-in-the-tar-heel-state-with-robert-billinger/
LOCATION:Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom\, 2810 Providence Rd\, Charlotte\, NC\, 28211\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hybrid: In-person & Zoom,Speaker Presentations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://seniorscholars.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/RBillinger_10-9-2026.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270212T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270212T110000
DTSTAMP:20260812T153838Z
CREATED:20260812T153813Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260812T153838Z
UID:10000243-1802426400-1802430000@seniorscholars.net
SUMMARY:Leading Boldly in Higher Education with Kandi Deitemeyer
DESCRIPTION:TOPIC: Leading Boldly in Higher Education: An update from Central Piedmont Community College\nSPEAKER: Kandi Deitemeyer\, President\, CPCC\nJoin Central Piedmont Community College’s president Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer to learn more about how the college is evolving to meet the workforce needs of our growing community. The college launched a new strategic plan in the fall of 2026. Dr. Deitemeyer will share more about Central Piedmont’s vision — and what’s ahead for this workforce engine in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. \n\nBIOGRAPHY\nKandi Deitemeyer biography link. \n\nNOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC\, no registration required. Attend via Zoom\, please register with the Zoom link above.
URL:https://seniorscholars.net/event/leading-boldly-in-higher-education-with-kandi-deitemeyer/
LOCATION:Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom\, 2810 Providence Rd\, Charlotte\, NC\, 28211\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hybrid: In-person & Zoom,Speaker Presentations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://seniorscholars.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Speaker-Coming-Soon-v2.jpg
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