Senior Scholars at Queens

New Member Orientation - January 17
2025-01-17 09:00 - 09:45 (America/New_York) | Providence United Methodist Church (PUMC) – Wolfe Hall, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28211
All members old and new are invited to attend our New Member Orientation meeting in person.
Learn more about the organization including how to meet people, join events and how you can help the organization – the best way to meet new people!
In person meeting, in Room 106 in PUMC.
Click the RSVP button for an email to tell us you’re coming!

How Music Impacts Society with Joe Kendrick
2025-01-17 10:00 - 11:30 | Providence United Methodist Church (PUMC) – Wolfe Hall, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28211
TOPIC: Songs of Solidarity, Songs of Protest, Songs of Hope Amidst Struggle: A Brief Survey of the Impact of Music on the Radio for Social Movements
SPEAKER: Joe Kendrick, Director of Programming and Operations Manager, WNCW
An overview of songs, artists, genres and eras of music on radio that reflect and have impacted various social movements in America.

BIOGRAPHY
Public radio programmer, music host, writer, podcaster, college instructor, public speaker, event producer
My role is to envision and develop the sound and image of WNCW, create original programming and manage round the clock operations. I recruit, develop and manage our programming staff. Also I host and produce weekly music shows and a bi-weekly podcast, Southern Songs and Stories. I represent WNCW in person as well as virtually worldwide to donors and industry partners. Additionally, I am part of the team that produces the annual Earl Scruggs Music Festival in Tryon, NC.

NOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC, no registration required. Attend via Zoom, please register with the Zoom link above.

What a Rush! A Brief History of Mining in North Carolina with Valerie Reynolds
2025-01-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
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 will provide a brief history of mining in North Carolina as well as the geologic conditions responsible for forming such valuable mineral deposits.

BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Reynolds earned her PhD from the University of Tennessee, then worked as a Research Assistant at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History for 2 years before beginning her teaching career. She taught at The University of the South (TN) and Colby College (ME) before arriving at UNC Charlotte in 2012. In addition to teaching, Dr. Reynolds is the Undergraduate Coordinator for the Geology and Earth & Environmental Sciences programs and is a faculty advisor for the student-led GEO club.

NOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC, no registration required. Attend via Zoom, please register with the Zoom link above.

International Holocaust Remembrance 2025
2025-01-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts, 2319 Wellesley Ave, Charlotte, 28207, United States
Starts: 7 pm
Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement
2319 Wellesley Ave, Charlotte, NC 28207
More Details: View Event Page

Distinguished Leaders in Action Lecture Series
2025-01-28 18:00 - 19:00 | Sykes Learning Center, 1926 Selwyn Ave, Charlotte, 28274, United States
Featuring: Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer
Free Event: 6 pm to 7 pm
Sykes Learning Center, Ketner Auditorium
1928 Selwyn Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28274
More Details: Views Event Page

What did you say? Communication, Problem-solving, and Intelligence in Birds with Jeffrey Thomas
2025-01-31 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
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 learn about their surroundings? Birds offer a rich and fascinating opportunity to explore and define animal intelligence and the complexity of communication systems.
From mockingbirds to ravens to vultures, birds show a remarkable breadth of intelligence, but research is beginning to shed light on the connections between vocal behavior and problem solving.

BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Jeffrey Thomas is a professor of biology and the director of general education at Queens University of Charlotte. His research and teaching examine the intersection of ecology and evolutionary processes on animal communication systems. He has also served on the board of Carolina Raptor Center.
In his spare time, he travels, cooks, and takes his dog for long walks.

NOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC, no registration required. Attend via Zoom, please register with the Zoom link above.

2025 Homecoming & Reunion
2025-02-07, 2025-02-08 | Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts, 2319 Wellesley Ave, Charlotte, 28207, United States
Two Campus Traditions, One Royal Weekend
More Details: View Event Page »

The Future of US-China Relations with Keren Zhu
2025-02-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
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 relationship, and analyze how their competition extends to and impacts other regions.

BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Keren Zhu is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Davidson College. She teaches courses on Asia Pacific international relations, the rise of China, and policy analysis. Her research focuses on Chinese foreign policy, the Belt and Road Initiative, and global infrastructure development. She holds a B.A. from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, an M.Sc. from the University of Oxford, and a Ph.D. from the Pardee RAND Graduate School.
Dr. Zhu has published extensively on China’s global engagement and U.S.-China relations. She also co-hosts “The Belt and Road Podcast” and is currently working on a book about the global impact of Chinese infrastructure projects. Prior to Davidson, she held academic and research positions at the RAND Corporation, University of Southern California, Boston University Global Development Policy Center, and The New School India China Institute.

NOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC, no registration required. Attend via Zoom, please register with the Zoom link above.

Curriculum Committee Meeting - February 12
2025-02-12 13:15 - 14:00 | Zoom Registration Required
Curriculum Committee Meetings are open to Membership.
Join our monthly Curriculum Committee meetings, via Zoom, to hear about upcoming speakers/events or to suggest speakers you know (or have heard speak) and believe would be of interest to your fellow Senior Scholars.
These meetings are always held on the Zoom platform.

New Member Orientation - February 14
2025-02-14 09:00 - 09:30 | Providence United Methodist Church (PUMC) – Wolfe Hall, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28211

Medicare Fraud with Austin Caton
2025-02-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
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.

NOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC, no registration required. Attend via Zoom, please register with the Zoom link above.

America and Changing Economic World with Jay Bryson
2025-02-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
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, inflation rates, and interest rates in the major economies of the world.

BIOGRAPHY
Details coming soon.

NOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC, no registration required. Attend via Zoom, please register with the Zoom link above.
