Senior Scholars at Queens

Charlotte’s 1830’s Gold Rush with Landis Wade
2026-03-13 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: Charlotte’s 1830’s Gold Rush Meets Deadly Gold Rush: Where Fact and Fiction Come Together
SPEAKER: Landis Wade, Author
Learn 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.

BIOGRAPHY
Landis 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).

RESOURCES
Author website: www.landiswade.com
Podcast website: https://charlottereaderspodcast.com/

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

Ukraine and the Future of European Security with Steven Sabol
2026-03-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
GREAT DECISIONS TOPIC: Ukraine and the Future of European Security
SPEAKER: Steven Sabol, Professor of HIstory, UNC Charlotte
This presentation encompasses America’s strategic interest in Europe and its stake in NATO, Europe’s strategic interests in Ukraine and its response to this conflict, and the future of European security generally.

BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Steven Sabol is a Professor of History at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) in Charlotte, NC, specializing in Russian and Central Asian history, WWI, and nationalism, with affiliations in the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences and the Honors College. He’s authored several books and articles on these topics, often commenting on current events such as the Ukraine war.

NOTE: This speaker will be on Zoom only. PUMC/Wolfe Hall is closed.
Attend in-person at PUMC, no registration required. Attend via Zoom, please register with the Zoom link above.

Queens University: Learning Society - AI and the Future of Everything
2026-03-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Curry Arena, 2201 Wellesley Ave, Charlotte, NC, 2874
Artificial Intelligence and robotics aren’t just reshaping industries—they’re redefining what it means to be human. Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and former editor-in-chief of Wired, has been at the forefront of AI’s evolution, witnessing its breakthroughs firsthand—including the moment OpenAI launched ChatGPT.
Meanwhile, Nita Farahany, a leading expert on the ethical and legal dimensions of emerging technologies, explores the profound implications of AI in her latest book, The Battle for Your Brain. Together, Thompson and Farahany offer a rare, insider perspective on the future we’re stepping into—one shaped by new rules, new values, and limitless possibilities. The question isn’t just how we’ll adapt—it’s how we’ll thrive.

America and the World: Navigating Trump 2.0 with Dr. Harry I. Chernotsky
2026-03-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
GREAT DECISIONS TOPIC: America and the World: Navigating Trump 2.0
SPEAKER: Dr. Harry I. Chernotsky, Professor Emeritus of Global Studies, UNC Charlotte
Since assuming office for his second term, President Trump is charting a new course for U.S. foreign policy that is transforming America’s overall position in the world and its relationships with both longstanding partners and strategic adversaries. This talk will review these policy shifts and analyze their implications. It will also offer recommendations on how to best advance U.S. global interests in these uncertain times.

BIOGRAPHY
Harry I. Chernotsky is Professor Emeritus in Global Studies, retiring after 43 years on the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He served as the founding chair of the Department of Global Studies from 2009-2016 after spending 30 years in the university’s Department of Political Science. Previous positions included Director of International Studies and Interim Associate Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. He is the recipient of UNC Charlotte’s Bank of America Teaching Excellence Award and its International Education Faculty Award.
Chernotsky received his Ph.D. in Political Science from Rutgers University. He specializes in international political economy and American foreign policy and has published in a wide range of professional journals. He is senior author of Crossing Borders: International Studies for the 21st Century (5th edition, 2026) – one of the first textbooks providing an interdisciplinary perspective on the field.
Throughout his career, Chernotsky was a leader in international studies education. He spearheaded numerous initiatives at UNC Charlotte, including the development of the Model United Nations program and the interdisciplinary International Studies major. He was Director of the North Carolina Great Decisions public affairs series and still lectures widely on international affairs and U.S. foreign policy. He also served as President of the Southern region of the International Studies Association (ISA) and as Chair of ISA’s International Education section. He worked for many years with the University of Cantabria (Spain) on its global studies certificate program and was Scholar in Residence at Florida Atlantic University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, where he continues lecture each year.

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

Lunch Bunch: March 27
2026-03-27 11:45 - 14:00 | Maggiano’s, 4400 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211
We have booked Maggiano’s Little Italy, for Friday, March 27, 11:45 a.m.
Southpark location: 4400 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
Limited space available! Please sign up by 03/26/2026.
If you register and find you can’t attend, please email LunchBunch@SeniorScholars.net so that we can offer your seat to another member.
Individual checks. Plenty of free parking.
Maggiano’s Little Italy
4400 Sharon Rd
Charlotte, NC 28211

Queens University: Easter Egg Hunt
2026-03-28 10:00 - 13:00
Join us for the 28th Annual Easter Egg Hunt!
Face painting, photos with the Easter Bunny and Rex will be available at 9:30 a.m. and the hunt will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m.

The New Science of Chaos and Complexity with John Gaertner
2026-04-03 10:00 - 11:00 | The Pearl, 915 Pearl Park Way, Charlotte, NC, 28204
TOPIC: The New Science of Chaos and Complexity: Using It to Solve Really Big Problems
SPEAKER: John Gaertner, Consultant, Energy and Environment
The world is very complex, and our institutions struggle to manage important issues. This presentation explores the new science of chaos and complexity, and how it can positively affect the future by solving really big problems.

BIOGRAPHY
John Gaertner is a consultant on energy and climate change.
He has worked extensively since 2020 as an independent technical expert on the North Carolina Transition to Zero-Carbon Electricity — authoring technical papers and presentations, writing Op-Eds in NC newspapers, presenting testimony at utility commission hearings, and advising the environmental community on energy matters.
John retired from Electric Power Research Institute as Technical Executive after 28 years. He was Senior Vice President of ERIN Engineering and Research for 8 years, was an engineer with Duke Energy for 8 years.
He holds an MS in Atmospheric Science from MIT, a BS in Physics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and was a Certified Professional Engineer in North Carolina.

NOTE: LOCATION CHANGE! This speaker location is The Pearl, 915 Pearl Park Way, Charlotte, NC 28204 (The church is closed due to Good Friday) in the Howard R. Levine Center for Eduction building.
Attend in-person, no registration required. Attend via Zoom, please register with the Zoom link above.

Curriculum Committee Meeting - April 8
2026-04-08 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 - April 10
2026-04-10 09:00 - 09:30 | 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!

The Surprising Benefits Genealogy with Danielle Pritchett
2026-04-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: The Surprising Benefits Genealogy
SPEAKER: Danielle Pritchett, Genealogy Librarian, Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library
Discover the unexpected rewards of exploring your family history! This session highlights how genealogy can strengthen identity, promote healing, uncover health insights, and connect generations. Ideal for all ages, this class reveals how tracing your roots can empower both individuals and communities in meaningful and lasting ways.

BIOGRAPHY
Danielle Pritchett is a native of Danville, VA. She is a highly accomplished individual, graduating Summa Cum Laude from North Carolina Central University in 2021 with a Master of Library Science degree specializing in Public Libraries.
With over a decade of experience in the library field, Danielle has excelled in various roles within three distinct library systems. She embarked on her library career as an Adult Services Information Specialist, displaying her dedication to serving and assisting library patrons of the Danville Public Library, now known as the Ruby B Archie Library. However, it was her passion for genealogy that truly ignited her journey into the world of genealogy research in 2012.
In 2019, driven by her desire for personal and professional growth, Danielle decided to challenge herself by transitioning to a larger library system. At the Greensboro Public Library, she initially served as the Government Documents Librarian, but was later entrusted with the role of Genealogy Librarian, where her expertise flourished even further.
Today, Danielle Pritchett serves as the Genealogy Librarian for the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. In her current position, she is poised to bring her extensive knowledge and enthusiasm to the diverse communities of the Charlotte area. With a track record of excellence, Danielle is eager to share her passion for genealogy and history, enriching the lives of those she serves through her dedicated work at the library.
Website link.

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

History of Stem Cell and Regenerative Therapies with Steven Spencer
2026-04-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: History of Stem Cell and Regenerative Therapies for the Treatment of Chronic Pain, Disease, and Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System
SPEAKER: Steven Spencer, Director of Community Relations for NeoGenix Stem Cell & Regenerative Therapies
Steven will define regenerative medicine, encompassing stem cell therapy, and discuss an overview of tissue engineering, cellular therapies, and biologics, focuses on repairing or replacing damaged tissues to restore normal function.
He will address major global health challenges, particularly chronic pain and musculoskeletal disorders, by offering innovative restorative solutions that go beyond traditional symptom management. The presentation traces the historical evolution of the field, highlights key scientific milestones, and explores current clinical applications alongside promising future directions.

BIOGRAPHY
Steven Spencer is a Salisbury, North Carolina native and a 1981 graduate of the University of Georgia. A Charlotte resident since 1989, he began his career in orthopaedic sales and medical devices in 1987. As President of Surgical Source, Inc., Steven represented several nationally recognized and publicly traded orthopaedic implant and device manufacturers. During this time, he cultivated a leadership philosophy grounded in service and mentorship, continuing to guide young professionals in orthopedic surgery and medical device sales today.
In 2016, Steven founded Regen Medicine Consulting, with a mission to educate healthcare providers and their patients about the life-changing potential of regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy. His work emphasizes patient safety, healthy aging, and longevity, guided by the core values of Truth, Trust, and Transparency. As Steven often says, “All healing comes from within, and it all begins with you.”
Currently, Steven serves as Director of Community Relations for NeoGenix Stem Cell & Regenerative Therapies, where he continues his lifelong commitment to advancing innovative, patient-centered healthcare.

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

Field to Factory to Finance with Tom Hanchett, PhD
2026-04-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: Field to Factory to Finance: A History of Charlotte and its Region
SPEAKER: Tom Hanchett, PhD, Author
Trace the development of our city from an Indian crossroads to a farm hamlet to hub of America’s textile manufacturing region, to a major banking center today.

BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Tom Hanchett is a community historian who works with neighborhood groups in Charlotte. Educated at Cornell, University of Chicago and UNC Chapel Hill, he is author of a history book about Charlotte, Sorting Out the New South City, as well as his new book Affordable Housing in Charlotte: What One City’s History Tells Us About America’s Pressing Problem. Charlotte Magazine calls him “Charlotte’s Dr. History” and named him a Charlottean of the Year.
Click here to check out his lively website.

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

Lunch Bunch: April 24
2026-04-24 11:45 - 14:00 | Baoding Southpark, 4722-F Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28210, United States
We have booked Baoding Southpark, for Friday, April 24, 11:45 a.m.
Southpark location: 4722-F Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210
Limited space available! Please sign up by 04/23/2026.
If you register and find you can’t attend, please email LunchBunch@SeniorScholars.net so that we can offer your seat to another member.
Individual checks. Plenty of free parking.
Boading Southpark
4722-F Sharon Rd
Charlotte, NC 28210

Wildacres Spring 2026 Retreat / April 27-30, 2026
2026-04-27 08:00 - 2026-04-30 17:00 | Wildacres Retreat, 1565 Wildacres Road, Little Switzerland, NC, 28749, United States
Wildacres 2026: April 27-30, 2026

Enjoy 3 nights in a Blue Ridge Parkway Mountaintop Resort with 75 of your Senior Scholar friends!
Speaker Kevin Kokomoor, Professor, Coastal Carolina University
Speaker Kassidy Pyler, Catawba Nation
Entertainment by Anya Hinkle
Waterfalls, hiking paths, fresh air, local entertainers, 8 home-style, all-you-can-eat meals!

Reservations now open!
Details Here

Native American Specialist, Kevin Kokomoor
2026-04-28 08:00 - 2026-05-01 17:00 | Wildacres Retreat, 1565 Wildacres Road, Little Switzerland, NC, 28749, United States
Wildacres 2026 Speaker Kevin Kokomoor
Kevin teaches early America up to the 19th C. He is a Native American specialist, and he focuses on the Southeast, from precontact through the Revolutionary Era and on to Removal. His first book was on Creek history in the 18th and 19th Cs. His second was La Florida, which was a book on the Spanish influence on early American history. His 3rd and most recent is on the American invasion of the Cherokees during the first days of the American Revolution. The book centers heavily on the southern Appalachians, including the Boone/Asheville/Johnson City area.
Topics may include:

The 1776 Cherokee War.
The “Overmountain men.”
The American Revolution in the Region.
Native American cultures in the Southeast generally.
Colonialism and Native American interaction in the Southeast.
Virginian and Carolinian expansion during the Revolutionary Era (Wataugans, etc).

Kevin’s personal website page, click here.
More Wildacres Details Here
Note: exact day and time of Kevin’s talk at Wildacres is not known at this time.

Queens University: Estate Planning and Wealth Management Forum
2026-04-30 07:15 - 18:00
The 48th annual Estate Planning and Wealth Management Forum (formerly Estate Planners Day) presented by Queens University of Charlotte is the premier estate planning conference of the Carolinas.
This single-day, in-person conference offers a comprehensive educational program featuring nationally recognized experts, networking opportunities, sponsor booths, continuing education credits, and more.

The Future of Human Rights with Alexa Royden
2026-05-01 10:00 - 11:00 | Providence United Methodist Church (PUMC) – Wolfe Hall, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28211
GREAT DECISIONS TOPIC: The Future of Human Rights: Defending and Expanding the Circle
SPEAKER: Alexa Royden, Associate Professor, Queens University of Charlotte
Who counts? It’s the defining question of our time.
For centuries, the circle of rights has been expanding — from property owners to the enslaved, from men to women, from citizens to refugees. Now, at a pivotal moment in history, rights face bold challenges and new opportunities for expansion.
In this talk, we explore the future of global human rights, from rights currently under attack to new rights pushing the boundaries of personhood.

BIOGRAPHY
An Associate Professor of Political Science at Queens University of Charlotte, Alexa Royden is a scholar of human rights, international organization, and global conflict. In the classroom, she teaches classes in international relations, foreign policy, international security, human rights, and political philosophy.
Currently serving as President of the Faculty, Alexa spends her time persuading students that philosophy is fun and walking her dogs.

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

The Passover Story Turned Upside Down with Craig Perry
2026-05-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: The Passover Story Turned Upside Down: Slavery and the Jews of Medieval Egypt
SPEAKER: Craig Perry, Professor, Emory University
The memory of slavery in Egypt, God’s redemption of the Israelites, and the Exodus led by Moses are central to the sacred history of the Jewish people. For much of history, however, Jews were much more likely to be among the slave owning-classes than the enslaved. This presentation will focus on how a remarkable discovery in a medieval Egyptian synagogue illustrates the global history of the slave trade, the centrality of slavery in Jewish and Islamic culture, and the lives of enslaved people who converted to Judaism and became the parents of Jewish children.

BIOGRAPHY
Craig Perry is an assistant professor of Middle Eastern and Jewish Studies at Emory University. He is the co-editor of the Cambridge World History of Slavery (2021), author of Slavery and the Jews of Medieval Egypt: a history (2026), and the winner of the Rome Prize in Medieval Studies (2024).
Book link: Slavery and the Jews of Medieval Egypt: A History

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

Field Trip: Charlotte Museum of History
2026-05-12 11:00 - 12:30 | Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC, 28215
DATE: May 12, 2026
TIME: 11:00 am (Tour start time)
COST: $15
ADDRESS: 3500 Shamrock Dr, Charlotte, NC 28215
TRANSPORTATION: Self drive and meet at location or carpool from PUMC.
Enjoy America 250 with this immersive exhibit at the Charlotte Museum of History.
The tour is limited to 25 participants. Reserve your spot by April 29 with a $15 payment to Senior Scholars. For an additional $5, you will have your own histopad. You may share one if you would like.
This tour uses the histopads inside the museum. Afterwards, the tour continues at the Rock House which is a 10 minute walk from the museum.
If you have never been to the museum, this is a wonderful way to see it.
Charlotte Museum of History

Curriculum Committee Meeting - May 13
2026-05-13 13:15 - 14:00 | Zoom Registration Required

How Latin American Countries View the United States with Dr. Gregory Weeks
2026-05-15 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: How Latin American View the United States
SPEAKER: Dr. Gregory Weeks, Professor of Political Science and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, UNC Charlotte
Dr. Weeks will discuss U.S.-Latin American relations from the Latin American perspective. This will help us understand how Latin American countries are responding to U.S. policies and actions, and how they assert autonomy.

BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Weeks is a professor at UNC Charlotte for 26 years. He has published numerous books and articles on Latin American politics and U.S.-Latin American relations. His most recent book is Embracing Autonomy: Latin America-U.S. Relations in the Twenty-First Century, published in 2024.

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

State of the Canopy with Krysten Reilly
2026-05-29 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: State of the Canopy
SPEAKER: Krysten Reilly, Director of Programs, TreesCharlotte
Charlotte is often called a “City of Trees,” with an urban tree canopy covering roughly about half of the city, making it one of the greenest large cities in the U.S. However, rapid growth and development along with an aging canopy and new environmental stresses have caused gradual canopy loss in recent years. TreesCharlotte will take you through a thoughtful presentation to examine where our city’s tree canopy currently stands and what we are doing to help mitigate tree loss through the county. Maintaining Charlotte’s tree canopy is critical for reducing heat, improving air and water quality, managing stormwater, and preserving overall quality of life as the city continues to grow.

BIOGRAPHY
Krysten Reilly is the Director of Programs at TreesCharlotte, the nonprofit dedicated to growing, diversifying, and stewarding Charlotte’s urban tree canopy. In her role, she leads community-facing programs, helps develop and refine new campaigns such as their Treesilience Initiative and TreeSpeaker program. Additionally, Krysten coordinates the scheduling and implementation of planting, stewardship, education, and outreach events that connect residents with tree care and equity-focused urban forestry work. She’s originally from New England and brings a passion for resilient, community-centered environmental programming to her work in Charlotte.

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

Spring Luncheon - June 5
2026-06-05 11:30 - 14:00 | Brewers at 4001 Yancey, 4001 Yancey, Charlotte, NC, 28217
SPRING LUNCHEON
Date: June 5, 2026
Time: 11:30 – 2:00 pm
Cost: $47/person
Place: Brewers at 4001 Yancey, 4001-A Yancey Rd. Charlotte, NC 28217. Private dining room with adjacent patio area.
Speaker: Sheri Lynch, radio personality, “The Bob and Sheri Show”
Topic: Anecdotes of 30+ years as an on-air radio personality
Buffet lunch includes:

Caesar salad
Grilled bistro steak and lemon herbed chicken
Whipped potatoes, rosemary vegetables and roasted brussels sprouts
Dessert,
Beverages: iced tea and water (coffee, soft drinks and cash bar available for extra charge).

Sign up at the Welcome/donut desk at Friday meetings starting April 10 until May 29.
$47.00 check to SS or cash.
Mail checks to:
Senior Scholars at Queens
1900 Selwyn Ave
MSC 1409
Charlotte, NC 28274
Checks must be recieved by Friday May 29.
For questions, contact Nancy Stancill at nancy.stancill@gmail.com
