TOPIC: A New Future for the Charlotte Museum of Nature SPEAKER: Rachel Cusick, Chief Advancement Officer, Discovery Place Museums and Elliot Provance, Sr. Director, Collections, Discovery Place The 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: Native Wildlife…
TOPIC: Immigration and Charlotte: What does it mean to be a "welcoming city?" SPEAKER: Dr. Maggie Commins, Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte's population is growing and changing. We are often told that over 150 people move to the region every day. What you may not have heard is that Charlotte attracts people from around the…
TOPIC: Is Classical Music Irrelevant? SPEAKER: James Meena, Conductor; Founder & President, Charlotte Lyric Theatre In 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. BIOGRAPHY Maestro James Meena is a musical entrepreneur. His 50year career in classical…
TOPIC: The State of the River SPEAKER: Brandon Jones, Riverkeeper, Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation The 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. BIOGRAPHY Jones received his M.S. in Earth…
TOPIC: Learning from the Past to Lead Better in the Future SPEAKER: Pat McCrory, Former NC Governor and Charlotte Mayor Leadership examples on major decisions made in Charlotte and NC. BIOGRAPHY Mayor of Charlotte: 1995-2009 Governor of NC: 2013-2017 NOTE: Attend in-person at PUMC, no registration required. Attend via Zoom, please register with the Zoom…
TOPIC: Voices of Revolutionary War Teenagers SPEAKER: Dr. Tony Zeiss, President Emeritus, CPCC and Founding Executive Director of the Museum of the Bible This presentation is an informative and inspiring experience with with the contribution of young people in the Revolutionary War. BIOGRAPHY President, Pueblo Community College, Pueblo, Colorado 1985-92. President, Central Piedmont Community college,…
TOPIC: The Holocaust Museum of the Carolinas: Background, Progress, and Vision SPEAKER: Judy LaPietra, Executive Director, The Stan Greenspon Holocaust Education Center This presentation examines the development of the Holocaust Museum of the Carolinas, exploring the historical, educational, and civic vision that has guided its creation. Attendees will gain insight into the museum's origins, its…
TOPIC: “Nazi” POWs in the Tar Heel State, 1942-1946 SPEAKER: Dr. Robert D. Billinger, Jr., Emeritus Professor of History, Wingate University This 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. His thesis is that enemies were…