Curriculum Committee Meeting - March 13
2024-03-13 13:15 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

Earthquakes - A Lot of Shaking Going On with Kenneth Taylor
2024-03-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: Earthquakes — Alot of Shaking Going On
SPEAKER: Kenneth Taylor, North Carolina Geological Survey; N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ)
Travel over several of time in the eastern half of our country to see the number and severity of earthquakes in the Eastern and Central Part of the US.

BIOGRAPHY
Born in North Carolina — Interest in earthquakes began after the 1971 San Fernando in California. I did not feel an earthquake personally until many years later.
In 1971, I lived at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. That year, the San Fernando earthquake in California got me excited. I am a seismologist / geophysicist / geologist. When I went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I was the Teaching Assistant (TA) for the geophysics professor — Dr. Christine Powell (as an undergraduate).
After getting my undergraduate degree in geology, I went to the University of South Carolina in Columbia. With my M.S. I got a job at Teledyne-Geotech in Dallas, Texas as a research geophysicist. Teledyne-Geotech made the most advanced borehole seismometers in the world. We even recorded a volcanic eruption in Mexico with sensors that were hundreds of miles from the volcano.
After a few years at T- G, I moved with my wife to St. Louis to complete my doctorate in geophysics. I chased earthquakes across the Midwest as well as recording seismic events in the Arctic Circle. The team I was part of during the second summer in the high artic recorded the last soviet underground nuclear test.
I got a Congressional Science Fellowship after completing my Doctorate. I spent that year in the Washington area as worked for Senator Harry Reid.
After that, I came back to North Carolina and lived in Asheville, and Wake County working for the State Government ever since.

New Member Orientation - Friday March 8
2024-03-08 09:00 - 09:45 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
All members old and new are invited to attend in person or via Zoom, our New Member Orientation meeting.
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 is in Room 106 in PUMC.

Policing in 2024 with David Robinson
2024-03-01 10:00 - 11:00 | Temple Beth El, 5101 Providence Rd, Charlotte, 28270, United States
TOPIC: Policing in 2024
SPEAKER: David Robinson, Deputy Chief, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
Deputy Chief Robinson will provide insights into the security and public-order issues facing Charlotte this year and beyond and the plans of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department to meet those challenges.
NOTE: Location change. This presentation will be at Temple Beth El.
Directions to Temple Beth El:

Enter Shalom Park at the light – 5007 Providence Rd.
At the T-intersection, turn right, then make an immediate right.
Turn left into parking lots for Temple Beth El.

BIOGRAPHY
Deputy Chief David Robinson joined the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department as a member of the 122nd Recruit Class in 1996. He was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief on October 6, 2022. As the Deputy Chief of the Patrol Services Group, he oversees approximately 1200 sworn and civilian employees, within 13 Patrol Divisions and Airport Law Enforcement.
With over 27 years of dedicated public service to the City of Charlotte, Deputy Chief Robinson has held many assignments to include, Major over the Administrative Services Bureau and Central Patrol Service Area, Captain of the Central and Hickory Grove Patrol Divisions as well as Captain over the Recruiting Unit. As a Lieutenant, Deputy Chief Robinson was assigned to the Homicide Unit where he supervised four squads of Homicide Detectives dedicated to bringing justice to murder victims and their families. Additionally, Deputy Chief Robinson served as a Supervisor in the Steele Creek Division and the Street Crimes Unit after seven years as a police officer.
As an innovative leader within the Law Enforcement Profession, Deputy Chief Robinson is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), an organization which works to address the most crucial issues facing law enforcement today. He currently serves as a member on the IACP Victim Services Committee, which supports cooperation and assistance between law enforcement and other crisis intervention providers to improve services and treatment for crime victims. Deputy Chief Robinson also graduated from the inaugural session of CMPD’s Command College in 2017.
From a young boy, Deputy Chief Robinson grew up in Charlotte, NC where he was educated in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System, (CMS). Following graduation from Independence High School, he attended Appalachian State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, December of 1995. It was only three (3) short months later, March of 1996, when he made the very important life decision to join the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Since that time, Deputy Chief Robinson has worked tirelessly to build collaborative partnerships within the community, while engaging with the citizens of Charlotte on a human level, one positive interaction at a time.

Lunch Bunch - February 23
2024-02-23 12:00 - 14:00
We have booked Red Rocks and Bricktops restaurants for Friday, February 23 at noon.
Registration will start soon. Limited space available!
If you register and find you can’t attend, please email LunchBunch@SeniorScholars.net so that we can offer your seat to another member.
Red Rocks
Southpark location
4223 Providence Rd #8
Charlotte, NC 28211
Bricktops
6401 Carnegie Blvd #1B
Charlotte, North Carolina 28211

Understanding Indonesia with Dr. Kevin Fogg / GREAT DECISIONS Topic
2024-02-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
GREAT DECISIONS TOPIC: Understanding Indonesia
SPEAKER: Dr. Kevin Fogg, Associate Director, Carolina Asia Center, UNC-Chapel Hill
Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous country, has more Muslims than any other country on earth, is a center for global biodiversity, and is the biggest player in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations–and yet it is not well known or understood in the United States.
This presentation will unpack how Indonesia fits into our modern world and what is next for the country after its 2024 elections.

BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Kevin Fogg is the Associate Director of the Carolina Asia Center at UNC-Chapel Hill and teaches in the university’s Department of History.
Dr. Fogg came to UNC from Oxford, where he taught for eight years in the Faculty of History, Brasenose College, and the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. He did his undergraduate degree at Duke, and he completed his master’s and doctoral studies at Yale.
He is a historian of Southeast Asia, specializing in Islamic societies and post-colonial Indonesia.
New Mandala blog run by the Australian National University provides interesting perspectives on Indonesia (often politics) in English, usually about once a month: https://www.newmandala.org/
The Inside Indonesia online journal is written by academics for a non-specialist audience, and treats a broad range of topics in Indonesian society: https://www.insideindonesia.org/
Elizabeth Pisani’s book _Indonesia, Etc._ provides an engaging introduction to the archipelago, although now about a decade old: http://indonesiaetc.com/

Field Trip: Catawba Cultural Center
2024-02-20 11:00 - 13:00
DATE: February 20, 2024; 11 am – 12 pm tour and demonstration.
COST: $10 payable in cash or check payable to Senior Scholars.
WHERE: Catawba Cultural Center, indoors, elevator available, standing for half hour during tour of museum.
ADDRESS: 1536 Tom Steven Rd, Rock Hill, SC (30 miles from PUMC).
CARPOOLING: From Queens University Sports Complex, 2229 Tyvola Rd, meet up at 10:00 am.
The Catawba have lived along the Catawba River for more than 6000 years. Demonstrating an uncanny knack for making beneficial alliances during the colonial and Revolutionary eras, and for navigating the shifting sands of US domestic Indian policies, the Catawba have managed to maintain their identity as a people, and to carry their heritage forward into the 21st century. Today, the Catawba remain a vibrant, modern, and rapidly growing tribe.
Please join us on February 20, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Catawba Cultural Center. The staff will provide a guided museum tour of exhibits including archeology finds, games, basketry, pottery, lifestyle, and dwellings. Staff will also present a pottery demonstration covering a brief history of Catawba pottery, different tools used, significance to Catawba culture, and show basic hand-building techniques.
Afterwards, visitors are welcome to picnic, explore the walking trails, and visit the Trading Post, which is the world’s largest buyer and seller of Catawba pottery, art and other objects.
Catawba Culture

Unveiling the Skies: Preview of Sullenberger Aviation Museum with Kayla Adams and Misty Sweat
2024-02-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: Unveiling the Skies: Preview of Sullenberger Aviation Museum

SPEAKER: Kayla Adams, Director of Education, and Misty Sweat, VP of Education and Programming, Sullenberger Aviation Museum
Join us for a sneak peek into the upcoming Sullenberger Aviation Museum, set to open its doors this summer in the growing city of Charlotte, NC. See a preview of the new state-of-the-art $30 million campus and get a glimpse of the museum’s innovative exhibits that will showcase the evolution of aviation technology, the pivotal moments that have defined modern air travel, and the people of aviation that have made it happen.

BIOGRAPHY
Kayla Adams is the Director of Education at the Sullenberger Aviation Museum (SAM).
Kayla is driving the development of SAM’s comprehensive education program. Her role involves orchestrating educational visitor experiences, including guided field trips, special educational programming, and makerspace engagement.
She also supports the development of SAM’s newly structured volunteer program. Kayla holds a Master’s in Heritage Preservation from Georgia State University, specializing in museum educational programming.
With over a decade of experience in educational programming, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her position, ensuring that Sullenberger Aviation provides enriching and educational experiences for visitors while preserving the heritage of aviation.
Introducing Dr. Misty Sweat, a dynamic educational leader with a passion for innovation and a commitment to shaping the future of aviation education. Currently serving as the Vice President of Education at the Sullenberger Aviation Museum for the past year, Dr. Sweat brings over 15 years of invaluable experience to the field of education.
Dr. Sweat’s journey began as a high school math and science teacher, where her dedication to fostering student growth and curiosity for improving outcomes quickly set her apart. Over the years, she transitioned into leadership roles by spearheading groundbreaking programming and introducing and providing training for transformative initiatives across five different districts spanning two states.
Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a Master’s in Instruction and Curriculum Leadership from the University of Memphis, Dr. Sweat’s academic foundation laid the groundwork for her future in educational leadership. Her commitment to continuous growth and expertise led her to attain a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from East Tennessee State University.
In her current role, Dr. Sweat is at the forefront of designing the educational and volunteer programs while also spearheading outreach and workforce development initiatives at the Sullenberger Aviation Museum. As the museum prepares to open its doors next summer, her visionary leadership and innovative approach promise to create an engaging and impactful educational experience for visitors, students, and aviation enthusiasts alike.

New Member Orientation - Friday February 16
2024-02-16 09:00 - 09:45 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States

Curriculum Committee Meeting - February 14
2024-02-14 13:15 - 14:00 | Zoom Registration Required
Curriculum Meetings are open to Membership.
Join our Curriculum meetings 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.

The Importance of Fungi in Promoting Healthy Plant and Forest Growth with Dr. Andrea Porras-Alfaro
2024-02-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom Only
TOPIC: The Importance of Fungi in Promoting Healthy Plant and Forest Growth
SPEAKER: Dr. Andrea Porras-Alfaro
Fungi are diverse and abundant. They are an integral part of plants and soil communities. This talk will discuss the importance of fungi on agriculture and forest health.
NOTE: This presentation is Zoom only. There will be no in-person meeting at PUMC. You must register via the Zoom button above to get access to this presentation.

BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Andrea Porras-Alfaro is a mycologist. She studies plant-fungal interactions including fungi associated with orchids, desert plants, and grasslands. She obtained her Ph.D. from University of New Mexico and she is currently a Program Director at the National Science Foundation.
https://sites.google.com/site/andreaporrasalfaro/

Inherit the Land with Gene Stowe
2024-02-02 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: Inherit the Land; Jim Crow Meets Miss Maggie’s Will
SPEAKER: Gene Stowe, Author
Two antebellum white spinster sisters in Marvin, NC, raised a black man and then his daughter as their own beginning in Reconstruction.
The women left them their 800 acre homeplace, a will upheld against all odds by two White juries in Monroe in the 1920’s. The personal relationships and economic empowerment left Marvin untouched by Jim Crow to this day.

BIOGRAPHY

Graduated from Monroe High School 1972
UNC (religion) 1975
Lutheran Theological Seminary (MTS) 1983
Reporter for the Charlotte Observer 1981-1993
Teacher, head of writing and religion program for Trinity Schools Inc. in South Bend, IN 1993-2012
Freelance writer 2013 to present

Artificial Intelligence for Defense and National Security with Tate Nurkin
2024-01-26 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: Artificial Intelligence for Defense and National Security
SPEAKER: Tate Nurkin, OTH Intelligence Group, Atlantic Council, Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments
AI and other emerging technologies are shaping the future of conflict–both kinetic and non-kinetic–and military capabilities. As a result, most modern militaries are prioritizing the development, adoption, and integration of AI-enabled capabilities and concepts of operations. The US Department of Defense alone has nearly 700 on-going AI-related development and acquisition programs encompassing a wide range of capabilities and activities–from fielding autonomous systems to speeding up decision-making to improving logistics, sustainment, training to cyber security and information operations to creating new efficiencies and the design and manufacture of military equipment.
This presentation will:
1) provide insight into the reasons why militaries around the world, including the United States, are prioritizing AI development and adoption
2) discuss the range of applications of AI for military and security community organizations
3) profile key AI-related initiatives the US and other countries are pursuing
4) Highlight challenges associated with the adoption and integration of AI enabled capabilities

BIOGRAPHY
Tate Nurkin is an independent analyst and consultant on defense and security issues and the founder of OTH Intelligence Group. He has over 25 years of experience working with the US and allied and partner defense and national security communities examining Indo-Pacific security, China’s military modernization, and how emerging technologies are shaping the future of conflict and military capabilities.
Tate is also a Non-Resident Senior Fellow with both the Forward Defense program and Indo-Pacific Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council and also with the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments.
Prior to starting OTH in March 2018, Tate spent 12 years at Janes, a leading defense intelligence firm, including four as the Executive Director of Strategic Assessments and Futures Studies. He also previously worked with the Modelling, Simulation, Wargaming, and Analysis Team at Booz Allen Hamilton, the Strategic Assessment Center of SAIC, and Joint Management Services.
From 2014 – 2018, Tate spent consecutive two year terms with the World Economic Forum’s Nuclear Security Global Agenda Council and Future Council on International Security.
Tate holds a bachelors of arts in History and Political Science from Duke University and a Masters of Science in International Affairs from the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at Georgia Tech.
He lives in Matthews, NC.

Battlefield Applications
Five Revolutions
Eye to Eye in AI
A Candle in the Dark

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) with Dmitry Vovchuk
2024-01-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
GREAT DECISIONS TOPIC: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
SPEAKER: Dmitry Vovchuk, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative
This presentation will provide an overview of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as we approach the Alliance’s 75th Anniversary. The discussion will cover NATO’s mission, capabilities, relevance, enlargement, and future.

BIOGRAPHY
Mr. Dmitry Vovchuk joined The Cohen Group after serving in numerous key roles at the US Departments of State and Defense, National Security Council, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He also held several leadership positions in financial services and management consulting.
Mr. Vovchuk was selected to the Civil Service as a Presidential Management Fellow in 2006. He led the interagency process to invite new members into NATO at its Summit in Bucharest, Romania, supported the development of NATO’s renewed Strategic Concept, and managed US policy priorities for the Alliance’s International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan. Mr. Vovchuk also served as a Political Officer at the US Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine and in the Office of the Secretary of Defense during the 2008 conflict between Russia and Georgia.
Subsequently, Mr. Vovchuk coordinated the work of the White House Task Force responsible for the 2012 NATO Summit hosted by President Obama in Chicago and served as the National Security Council Director for Eastern Europe, managing the development and execution of US policy for a region stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea.
Mr. Vovchuk later served as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Secretary General of NATO. In that role, he managed the transition of NATO’s combat operations in Afghanistan to its Resolute Support Mission and helped achieve key milestones in NATO’s ballistic missile defense program. Mr. Vovchuk also led the process to conduct a full review of the US integrated campaign plan as the Director for Strategic Planning in the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy to Counter ISIS.
Outside of government, Mr. Vovchuk advised global consumer goods and health care companies on organizational change and strategic alignment as a Principal with the McChrystal Group. He was a registered financial representative and served as Chief of Staff at Ally Bank, supporting the Executive Director for its auto, deposits, online brokerage, and wealth management customer care and experience division.
Mr. Vovchuk is the recipient of the State Department’s Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards, completed a five-year term membership with the Council on Foreign Relations, and teaches foreign policy as an Adjunct Professor in the Political Science Department at Queens University of Charlotte.
He received a Master’s of Arts in US National Security Policy at Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts from Drew University.

New Member Orientation - Friday January 19
2024-01-19 09:00 - 09:45 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States

The Rural-Urban Divide and the 2024 Election with Chelsea Kaufman
2024-01-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: The Rural-Urban Divide and the 2024 Election
SPEAKER: Chelsea Kaufman, Assistant Professor, Wingate University
Chelsea provide an overview of how political attitudes and voting behaviors have varied across rural and urban areas over the last several election cycles and discuss what this might mean for 2024, especially in “swing states” like NC.

BIOGRAPHY
Chelsea Kaufman is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Wingate University, where she has worked since 2018. She teaches courses such as American Government; US Campaigns and Elections; The US Presidency; Public Opinion; and Voting Rights Past and Present.
One of her passions is encouraging civic engagement, especially among her students, and she is a Steering Committee member for the Faculty Network for Student Voting Rights (https://facultyforvotingrights.org/).
Her research focuses primarily on the rural-urban divide in the United States and has been published in The Journal of Rural Studies and Rural Society.
Originally from Pennsylvania, she completed her undergraduate degree in her hometown at Pennsylvania Western University – Clarion and then went on to complete her Ph.D. at Purdue University in 2017. She lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband and their pets (2 cats and 2 dogs).

Curriculum Meeting - January 10
2024-01-10 13:15 - 14:00 | Zoom Registration Required

Holiday Luncheon - December 19
2023-12-19 11:30 - 13:00 | Carmel Country Club, 4735 Carmel Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28226, United States
HOLIDAY LUNCHEON
Date: December 19, 2023
Time: 12 noon (doors open at 11:30 am)
Place: Carmel Country Club
Cost: $45/person. Payable at Friday meetings or mail a check payable to Senior Scholars.
Address: Senior Scholars at Queens; ATTN: Eileen Griggs; 1900 Selwyn Avenue MSC 1409; Charlotte, NC 28274.

The Complicated, Immersive Worlds of Whitfield Lovell with Dr. Jen Edwards, Chief Curator, Mint Museum
2023-11-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: The Complicated, Immersive Worlds of Whitfield Lovell
SPEAKER: Dr. Jen Edwards, Mint Museum of Art Chief curator and curator of contemporary art

New York-based artists Whitfield Lovell creates meticulous portrait drawings and immersive installations that envelope the viewer’s every sensory response. Fresh soil, a tumbler of bourbon, cicadas humming, a gospel chorus swelling in a spiritual, the pulsating rhythm of a river’s current and sunlight sparking light off the ripples, gently shaded charcoal drawings of Black Americans whose likenesses Lovell finds in his personal collection of 3,000 government identification photographs from 1850 to 1950 that—these are some of the details that Lovell includes in his work. The resulting effect encompasses both highly personal and expansively universal, the historic and the immediate. Lovell’s work encourages us to imagine the lives and worlds of his portrait sitters while also reminding us of the complicated narrative of the United States. Through the story of African Americans from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement, Lovell invites us to investigate human struggle, resilience, and fortitude.
The Mint Museum will present an major exhibition on Whitfield Lovell from June 29, 2024 to September 22, 2024 at the Uptown location.

BIOGRAPHY
Jennifer Sudul Edwards, Ph.D. received her doctorate from the Institute of Fine Arts, NYU, in 2014. Since July 2019 she has been the chief curator and curator of contemporary art at The Mint Museum.
She has held curatorial positions at the Norton Simon Museum, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, and the Annenberg Space for Photography, Los Angeles.
Dr. Sudul Edwards has won numerous awards for her publications, exhibitions, and curatorial work, including an SEMC Publications Award for her Wrestling the Angel compendium and Charlotte Magazine’s “Best Curator” for 2017 and Charlottean of the Year in 2019.
She is a cofounder and co-organizer of Sphere Series and founding Board Chair at Goodyear Arts, where she continues to serve on the Board.

Lunch Bunch - November 10
2023-11-10 11:45 - 14:00
SOLD OUT!
You may join a wait list.
Join your fellow members for some lunch social time at Phillips Bistro at Phillips Place.
Space is limited. Sign up at a Friday meeting or RSVP with link above. Parking and entrance is behind the restaurant.
Phillip’s Bistro
6809-A Phillips Place Court
Charlotte, NC 28210

Responsible Citizens—The Lifeblood of America with Major General David Richwine (Ret.)
2023-11-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: Responsible Citizens—The Lifeblood of America
SPEAKER: Major General, United States Marine Corps (Ret.)
In his world renowned speech to the French at the Sorbonne on April 23, 1910, T. Roosevelt opined: A democratic republic such as ours—an effort to realize in its full sense government by, of, and for the people—represents the most gigantic of all possible social experiments, the one fraught with great responsibilities alike for good and evil. This presentation is intended to offer thoughts on the Idea of America—its nature and current condition. . . strengths, weaknesses and challenges; responsibilities of citizens; roles of veterans; and suggestions on ways to keep the gift we have been given, leaving it to our children in as good or better condition than we received it.

BIOGRAPHY
Dave Richwine graduated the University of Kansas (KU) in June 1965, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps.
In his 32+ years on active duty, he held 25 widely varied primary duty assignments, serving in or visiting more than 30 countries.
He commanded an infantry rifle platoon and rifle company in combat in Vietnam; an F-4 squadron; the Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort S. C.; and Marine Corps Air Bases, Eastern Area in the U.S.
He served as the executive officer in an infantry company, aviation squadron and Marine Aircraft Group. He also served as a jet flight instructor and as a recruiter of officer candidates.
His staff duties involved strategic planning; aide de camp; and “planning, programming, budgeting, and analysis” functions in major USMC command headquarters as well as in the Pentagon on the staffs of the Secretary of the Navy and Secretary of Defense.
In addition to several shorter, specialized courses of instruction, he graduated with distinction from the Marine Corps Officer Basic School, USAF pilot training, the Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School, the USAF Air Command and Staff College, and the National War College.
At the time of his retirement, he was serving simultaneously as the Marine Corps’ first Chief Information Officer; the Assistant Chief of Staff, Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Interoperability (C4I); and the Director of Intelligence at Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.
Leaving active duty, he joined the Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association, International for three years following which he served at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum as the Director of Development. His service now is focussed on developing the patriotic, responsible citizens who will keep America strong, and he serves in a leadership or advisory capacity on several youth-oriented organizations which contribute to that goal.

New Member Orientation - Friday November 10
2023-11-10 09:00 - 09:45 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States

Curriculum Meeting with Jane Howard - November 8
2023-11-08 13:15 - 14:00 | Zoom Registration Required

Catawba History 101 with Kassidy Plyler
2023-11-03 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: Catawba History 101: History and Traditions of the Catawba Nation
SPEAKER: Kassidy Plyler, Cultural Programs Docent/Exhibit Coordinator, Catawba Cultural Center
Catawba History 101 explores the rich 6,000-year history of the Catawba Nation

BIOGRAPHY
Kassidy Plyler is an enrolled citizen of the Catawba Nation, born January 24th, 1992, and raised in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Kassidy currently works as the Cultural Programs Docent and Exhibit Coordinator at the Catawba Cultural Center on the reservation.
She has taken the knowledge that she has gained from growing up on the reservation listening to elders and shares it with those eager to learn. She assists with public programming and community cultural classes through dance, basketry, and history lessons. She enjoys sharing the history of the Catawba as much as possible.

Shakespeare is Playing You with Dave Collins
2023-10-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: Shakespeare is Playing You
SPEAKER: Dave Collins, Professor of English, Emeritus
Shakespeare’s language, Early Modern English, can be confusing for people who haven’t spent a lot of time with the Bard.
Best advice? Don’t worry about understanding every word. Enjoy yourself and focus on the big picture. Sometimes understanding depends on knowing about ideas current in Shakespeare’s world. Sometimes a quick wit and a good ear are enough. Sometimes what matters is a good ear and a good heart.
We’ll look at an example or two in each category to see how Shakespeare uses language to get around our defenses–nobody likes to be preached to!–to move his audience toward his way of seeing the world.

North Carolina’s Energy Future with John Gaertner
2023-10-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: North Carolina’s Energy Future — An Independent Perspective on Duke Energy’s Transition to Zero-Carbon
SPEAKER: John Gaertner, Climate Consultant
Duke Energy, community stakeholders, and the NC Utilities Commission engaged in 2023 to produce the latest Carbon Plan and Integrated Resource Plan for energy generation through the year 2050.
This energy transition is complex and costly, but also necessary. It will impact us all and revolutionize NC’s energy infrastructure.
This talk will address:
• background — how we got to here
• key features of the plan and its execution process
• exciting new technologies
• impact on consumers and citizens

BIOGRAPHY
John Gaertner is a consultant on climate change and energy. As a technical advisor to Charlotte Mecklenburg Climate Leaders, he has analyzed Duke Energy’s generation planning since 2020 and authored a review of their Climate Strategy with the full support of Duke Energy.
He participated in workshops on hydrogen infrastructure, power needs for electric vehicles, and other regional energy issues. John is retired from Electric Power Research Institute as Technical Executive.
He was Senior Vice President of ERIN Engineering and Research, and was an Engineer and Atmospheric Scientist with Duke Energy.
John holds MS degree in Atmospheric Science from MIT, BS in Physics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and was a Professional Engineer in North Carolina.

Medical News Seniors Can Use with Dr. Soden at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
2023-10-17 10:30 - 12:00 | Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 3400 Beatties Ford Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28216, United States
TOPIC: Medical News Seniors Can Use
A Joint Presentation of Senior Scholars & Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
Medical advances just keep coming, and Dr. Soden will help seniors understand what are the latest that they need to know.
Join us at the beautiful Friendship Missionary Conference Center for a cup of coffee, new friends, and some enlightening conversation. Face masks are optional.
Event will be at the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Conference Center and will be followed by a tour of the church. See the awe-inspiring 2,500 seat sanctuary, one of the most beautiful in the country.
Afterwards, join us at Laurene’s Cafeteria, 1821 Bishop Madison Lane for a “Dutch treat” lunch.
A carpool option from PUMC may be available. Please email Carol Kesmodel if you are interested in the carpool option.

How Do Elections Work? with Mary Jo McGowan
2023-10-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States
TOPIC: How do elections work? A look at how election administration works in the US states.
SPEAKER: Mary Jo McGowan, Dept of Political Science and Public Administration, UNC-Charlotte
How do elections work? After recent elections many people have questions about how elections work, who runs them, and are they secure?
Beyond voting and campaigning most Americans know little about how elections work behind the scenes. This lack of understanding can lead to questions about elections, voting machines, and ways to make elections accessible and accountable.

BIOGRAPHY
Mary Jo McGowan is a faculty member at UNC Charlotte in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration.
Her research focus is on public policies relating to elections and running for office. She is a part of a research team studying impacts of election administration on electoral outcomes.
The team (Martha Kropf, Zachary Mohr, Mary Jo McGowan and JoEllen V. Pope) will publish their study of election costs A Republic If You Can Afford It: How Much Does it Cost to Administer an Election later this year.
Additionally, she studies policy complexity and its effect on outcome variables such as candidate decisions to run for office. Dr. McGowan teaches in the Model UN, Public Policy, and introductory Political Science courses. She is the Undergraduate Director for the Political Science Dept and Director of the American Studies program at UNC Charlotte.

New Member Orientation - Friday October 13
2023-10-13 09:00 - 09:45 | Hybrid: In-Person at PUMC & via Zoom, 2810 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28211, United States

Curriculum Meeting with Jane Howard - October 11
2023-10-11 13:15 - 14:00 | Zoom Registration Required
