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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Senior Scholars at Queens
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260220T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260220T110000
DTSTAMP:20260613T163821
CREATED:20260119T163129Z
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SUMMARY:The United States and Africa: History\, Change\, and the Road Ahead with Beth Whitaker
DESCRIPTION:TOPIC: The United States and Africa: History\, Change\, and the Road Ahead \nSPEAKER: Beth Whitaker\, Professor of Political Science\, UNC Charlotte \nHow has the United States engaged with Africa over time and what does that relationship look like today? \nIn this talk\, Dr. Beth Elise Whitaker\, Professor of Political Science and longtime scholar of African politics and U.S.–Africa relations\, will explore the evolving dynamics that have shaped American policy toward the continent. Drawing on more than two decades of research\, teaching\, and on the ground experience—including her work in Kenya as a Fulbright Scholar—she will trace key moments in the diplomatic\, security\, and economic ties linking the U.S. and African nations. \nDr. Whitaker will discuss how Cold War rivalries\, humanitarian crises\, and counterterrorism strategies influenced earlier eras of engagement\, and how today’s shifting global landscape has transformed U.S. priorities. She will also highlight the role of migration\, diaspora communities\, and African public opinion in shaping contemporary policy debates. \n\nBIOGRAPHY \nDr. Beth Elise Whitaker is professor of political science and associate dean for research and interdisciplinary collaboration in the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. \nWhitaker’s research focuses on migration and security\, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Her work explores how political dynamics influence attitudes and policies toward migrants and refugees. \nAs a Fulbright Scholar in Kenya in 2005-2006\, she examined U.S.-African counter-terrorism cooperation. \nShe is co-author with John F. Clark of Africa’s International Relations: Balancing Domestic and Global Interests (Lynne Rienner Publishers\, 2018) and her articles have appeared in many academic journals. \nWhitaker worked previously at the Brookings Institution and the American Council on Education and has consulted for the U.S. Department of State\, U.S. Department of Defense\, Social Science Research Council\, United Nations Foundation\, and Save the Children Fund. She earned her bachelor’s degree in public and international affairs from Princeton University and her master’s and Ph.D. in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. \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-united-states-and-africa-history-change-and-the-road-ahead-with-beth-whitaker/
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/2026/01/BWhitaker_2-20-2026.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260221T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260221T173000
DTSTAMP:20260613T163821
CREATED:20260214T171201Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260214T171201Z
UID:10000212-1771686000-1771695000@seniorscholars.net
SUMMARY:Queens University: West Georgia Game
DESCRIPTION:On February 21st\, through our arrangement with Queen’s University we are able to get group rate tickets to the men’s basketball game (Queen’s Royals vs West Georgia Wolves) for a discounted price of $7.00. \nTickets can be purchased at link below\, using promo code: SRSCHOLARS26 \n 
URL:https://seniorscholars.net/event/queens-university-west-georgia-game/
LOCATION:Curry Arena\, 2201 Wellesley Ave\, Charlotte\, NC\, 2874
CATEGORIES:Queens University
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://seniorscholars.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/QU-WGA-game_2-21-2026.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260226T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260226T210000
DTSTAMP:20260613T163821
CREATED:20260214T171925Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260214T174135Z
UID:10000214-1772132400-1772139600@seniorscholars.net
SUMMARY:Queens University: Fuel the Fire
DESCRIPTION:Fuel the Fire: Celebrating the Voices\, Stories & Opportunities that\nChampion Girls & Women in Sport\nPresented by Queens University of Charlotte Athletics\nFrom the C-suite to the Olympic stage\, and from inspiring leaders sharing their story to fathers empowering their daughters every step of the way\, we’re shining a spotlight on the people\, moments\, and movements that fuel the fire to lift girls and women higher. \nJoin us as Molly Grantham delivers a powerful keynote\, Bet on Yourself\, followed by a moderated panel featuring trailblazers from the Charlotte community and beyond.
URL:https://seniorscholars.net/event/queens-university-fuel-the-fire/
LOCATION:NC
CATEGORIES:Queens University
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://seniorscholars.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/QU-Fuel-the-Fire_2-26-2026.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260227T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260227T110000
DTSTAMP:20260613T163821
CREATED:20251210T160650Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251210T160824Z
UID:10000200-1772186400-1772190000@seniorscholars.net
SUMMARY:Microplastics with Olya Keen
DESCRIPTION:TOPIC: Microplastics and Other Contaminants of Emerging Concern\nSPEAKER: Olya Keen\, Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director\, UNC Charlotte \nThe talk will focus on microplastics and other contaminants of emerging concern\, such as PFAS\, plasticizers\, pharmaceuticals\, flame retardants\, etc. I will discuss where they come from in the environment\, where we encounter them in our daily lives and the latest research discoveries. \n\nBIOGRAPHY \nOlya Keen received her BS and MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of South Florida and her PhD in the same discipline for University of Colorado at Boulder. She has been a faculty member in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UNC Charlotte for 13 years. She has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles on contaminants of emerging concern and ways to treat them in water. \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/microplastics-with-olya-keen/
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/2025/12/OKeen_2-27-2026.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260227T114500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260227T140000
DTSTAMP:20260613T163821
CREATED:20260212T155828Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260222T194043Z
UID:10000210-1772192700-1772200800@seniorscholars.net
SUMMARY:Lunch Bunch: February 27
DESCRIPTION:We have booked Trio Restaurant\, for Friday\, February 27\, 11:45 a.m. \nLocated 10709 McMullen Creek Parkway\, Charlotte\, NC 28226 \nLimited space available! Please sign up by 02/25/2026. \nIf you register and find you can’t attend\, please email LunchBunch@SeniorScholars.net so that we can offer your seat to another member. \nIndividual checks. Plenty of free parking. \nTrio Restaurant \n10709 McMullen Creek Parkway\,\nCharlotte\, NC 28226
URL:https://seniorscholars.net/event/lunch-bunch-february-27/
LOCATION:Trio Restaurant\, 10709 McMullen Creek Parkway\, Charlotte\, NC\, 28226\, United States
CATEGORIES:In-person,Lunch Bunch
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://seniorscholars.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Lunch-Bunch_02-27-2026_01.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260306T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260306T110000
DTSTAMP:20260613T163821
CREATED:20251210T155909Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251210T172652Z
UID:10000199-1772791200-1772794800@seniorscholars.net
SUMMARY:Vaccine Science with Courtney Labonge
DESCRIPTION:TOPIC: Vaccines Science\, Development and Clinical Trial Applications\nSPEAKER: Courtney Labonge\, Associate Director\, Alkermes\, Inc \nThis presentation explores the fundamentals of vaccine science\, the various types of vaccines\, and their critical role in clinical trials. \nIt covers the importance of vaccines in public health\, mechanisms of immune response\, safety and efficacy principles\, phases of clinical research\, regulatory review\, and post-marketing surveillance. \nReal-world case studies\, including COVID-19 vaccine development\, and innovations in vaccine technology are discussed\, highlighting the global health impact and ongoing challenges in vaccine trials. \n\nBIOGRAPHY \nCourtney Labonge is Associate Director of Study Start Up at Alkermes\, where they lead global clinical trial operations and process innovation. With extensive experience in study start-up\, regulatory affairs\, and team leadership\, Courtney is recognized for driving collaboration and operational excellence across late-stage clinical programs. \nCourtney holds a BS in Biology from UNC Wilmington. She has received multiple industry awards for leadership and research\, including Charlotte Top 30 under 30. \nWebsite \nBook Recommendations: \n\nVaccine: The Controversial Story of Medicine’s Greatest Lifesaver by Arthur Allen\nThe Vaccine Race: Science\, Politics\, and the Human Costs of Defeating Disease By Meredith Wadman\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/vaccine-science-with-courtney-labonge/
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/2025/12/CLabonge_3-6-2026.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260311T131500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260311T140000
DTSTAMP:20260613T163821
CREATED:20251218T170742Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260116T212842Z
UID:10000202-1773234900-1773237600@seniorscholars.net
SUMMARY:Curriculum Committee Meeting  - March 11
DESCRIPTION:Curriculum Committee Meetings are open to Membership.  \nJoin 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. \nThese meetings are always held on the Zoom platform.
URL:https://seniorscholars.net/event/curriculum-committee-meeting-march-11/
LOCATION:Zoom Registration Required
CATEGORIES:Curriculum Committee,Zoom Presentation Only
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://seniorscholars.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Zoom-Meetings.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260313T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260313T093000
DTSTAMP:20260613T163821
CREATED:20250908T165502Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250908T165502Z
UID:10000176-1773392400-1773394200@seniorscholars.net
SUMMARY:New Member Orientation - March 13
DESCRIPTION:All members old and new are invited to attend our New Member Orientation meeting in person. \nLearn 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! \nIn person meeting\, in Room 106 in PUMC. \nClick the RSVP button for an email to tell us you’re coming!
URL:https://seniorscholars.net/event/new-member-orientation-march-13/
LOCATION:Providence United Methodist Church (PUMC) – Wolfe Hall\, 2810 Providence Rd\, Charlotte\, North Carolina\, 28211
CATEGORIES:In-person,New Member Orientation
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://seniorscholars.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/NewMemberOrientation-1.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260313T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260313T110000
DTSTAMP:20260613T163821
CREATED:20260215T161637Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260215T161637Z
UID:10000211-1773396000-1773399600@seniorscholars.net
SUMMARY:Charlotte’s 1830’s Gold Rush with Landis Wade
DESCRIPTION:TOPIC: Charlotte’s 1830’s Gold Rush Meets Deadly Gold Rush: Where Fact and Fiction Come Together\nSPEAKER: Landis Wade\, Author \nLearn how the first US gold rush began\, how it became centered in Charlotte\, and how it changed Charlotte’s economy. Meet interesting characters who mined gold in Charlotte in the 1830s and see the location of the Rudisill gold mine that produced gold for more than one hundred years. Learn about the history and features of the US Mint in Charlotte and how it became the first art museum in North Carolina. See examples of the gold coins minted at the Charlotte mint. And learn about the mystery of Deadly Gold Rush\, and how it was inspired by the city whose streets were said to be paved with gold. \n\nBIOGRAPHY\nLandis Wade is a recovering trial lawyer turned author who writes mysteries and legal thrillers. His publication credits include six works of fiction\, eight non-fiction books\, and many short stories. Deadly Declarations\, his first novel in the Indie Retirement Mystery series\, won ten awards. Deadly Gold Rush\, his recent release in that series\, has been positively compared by Kirkus Reviews to Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series and by Midwest Book Reviews as “a satisfyingly complex entwining of events and personalities that proves hard to put down.” The Charlotte Writers Club awarded Landis their 2025 Adelia Kimball Founders Award for service to the club and the literary community. Landis splits his time between Charlotte (where he grew up and practiced law)\, Durham (where his grandson lives)\, and the North Carolina mountains (where the trout live). \n\nRESOURCES \nAuthor website: www.landiswade.com  \nPodcast website: https://charlottereaderspodcast.com/ \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/charlottes-1830s-gold-rush-with-landis-wade/
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/2022/09/LWade_5-5-2023.jpg
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