2020 - 2021 Season and Annual Membership "The Learning Society has been an influential aspect of my Queens experience. Bringing international speakers to the doorstep of Queens places the world at my feet. The culture of The Learning Society is to challenge the very core perception of our knowledge, asking questions that do not lead to answers, but Queens students becoming thinkers, doers and the leaders of future generations."
– Caitlin Roper ’21, Sustainability Sciences Major, Politic Science Minor ince 1988, The Learning Society has brought Sleading thinkers and doers to our doorstep, broadening our worldview through face-to-face, unfiltered dialogue. Thanks to our members’ commitment and generosity, the semiannual series extends far beyond the auditorium. The guest lecturer’s impact at the podium is magnified by weeks of student engagement and immersion in the speaker’s topic, viewpoint and background. Upon arrival to Charlotte, the speaker engages first with Queens’ students in an on-campus discussion prior to the public, community event.
The Learning Society is a place where provocative thinkers and life-long learners have the pleasure of engaging with current leaders and experts in an intriguing array of topics. My husband Oscar and I have been members for 6 years, and people that we tell about the Learning Society are envious that we have such an incredible organization right here in Charlotte. It makes us feel good that while we are enjoying The Learning Society, that the students of Queens and the community are engaged as well. Heide Grooms, 2020-21 Executive Committee Chair, The Learning Society of Queens EXPANDING OUR VIEW. And engaging our students.
Our members make it possible to bring dynamic speakers to Queens and the Charlotte community, and broaden their impact through student-centered learning opportunities.
Annual Membership for Two Individuals: $1,500 ($1,125 tax deductible)
Two Lecture Events | Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 Two tickets with seating in reserved member section Access to private lounge before program Private reception following program with opportunity for photograph with speaker Complimentary transportation options including valet parking at theater, validated self-parking at theater or shuttle service between Queens and theater Signed copy of speaker book delivered in advance of program
Member Salon | Early Winter 2021 Intimate gathering of members engaging with community thought leaders and Queens faculty
Member Cocktail | Late Spring 2021 Annual membership party featuring the reveal of the coming season’s speakers
QUESTIONS ABOUT JOINING OR CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP? JOIN OR RENEW MEMBERSHIP ONLINE AT QUEENS.EDU/LEARNING-SOCIETY Please visit www.queens.edu/learning-society or contact Julia Walton, Questions about joining or corporate sponsorship? Please contact Rebecca Tanner Director of The Learning Society, at 704.688.2838 or [email protected]. at 704.688.2838 or [email protected] President’s Circle Benefits: $5,000 ($4,500 tax deductible)
Receives Member Benefits plus:
Individual reserved seating Invitation to the President’s intimate pre-lecture cocktail reception with speaker Brief meet and greet with speaker in advance of program Opportunity to have speaker book signed in person Private car transportation to and from theater
Interested in Arts at Queens Membership? Members of both The Learning Society and Arts at Queens receive 15% off additional tickets to the respective lectures and performances. DORIS KEARNS GOODWIN Election 2020: Where Do We Go From Here
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020 - VIRTUAL EVENT
World-renowned presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin delves deeply into our 200-year history of presidential elections that brings us to 2020: A deeply divisive, logistically challenging and extremely expensive presidential campaign cycle, significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and punctuated by relentless polling, atypical communications and uncertainty about how ballots might be cast. Photo by Annie L by Photo
Through rich stories of past primaries, fractured parties, campaign promises and policy outcomes, former candidates and present-day hopefuls, Goodwin examines the path to the presidency and poses the engaging question: Might our election process need an overhaul? Can we instead evaluate our candidates by the standards of a leadership index that would reveal the strength of their teams, their ability to grow, to learn from mistakes and to overcome adversity—qualities that can apply to leaders in every field and all of us in our everyday lives.
Goodwin graduated magna cum laude from Colby College and earned a doctor of philosophy in government from Harvard University. She traces her career as a presidential historian and author back to her days as a White House Fellow during the Lyndon Johnson presidency.
Presented to the Community by:
Wells Fargo Center for Community Engagement Connected to Student Learning Two longstanding Queens traditions – The Common Read and The Learning Society – are aligning again for the 2020-21 academic year with Doris Kearns Goodwin’s visit. Her book, Leadership in Turbulent Times, is this year’s university-wide common read with the Learning Society providing a complimentary copy of the book to each undergraduate student. Academic Affairs, Student Life and service-oriented centers are incorporating the book into their coursework and programs. In various classes, students will be challenged to critically analyze, dialogue with one another, and share insight on Leadership in Turbulent Times, as well as providing a written reflection on their findings.
Doris Kearns Godwin is one of America’s finest guides both to our past and to our future. We reap what others have sown, others will one day reap what we sow; as Dr. King reminds us, ‘we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.’ Goodwin’s life’s work of exploring, explaining and imagining our shared destiny is a model for Queens students and our community of civically engaged scholarship that illuminates our past and so guides us into a bright future. Dr. Robert Whalen, Carolyn G. and Sam H. McMahon, Jr. Professor of History
Students learning about history at Charlotte's Levine Museum of the New South. BILL BRYSON Best-selling author of “The Body: A Guide for Occupants”
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021
Best-selling author Bill Bryson charms audiences with the same warmth, goofy wit, and dry, self-effacing humor that has made his work so universally appealing. He will guide the audience through an exploration of the human body, how it functions and its remarkable ability to heal itself. Of great relevance will be Byrson’s research on the body’s reaction to the 1918 flu pandemic.
Bill Bryson has established himself as one of the worlds most beloved and prolific commentators, by finding delight in the minutiae of travel and the subtleties of culture. His New York Times bestselling book The Body: A Guide for Occupants is full of extraordinary facts and astonishing stories in a brilliant, often very funny attempt to understand the miracle of our physical and neurological make up. It will have you marveling at the form you occupy, and celebrating the genius of your existence, time and time again. In Bryson’s words, “What I learned is that we are infinitely more complex and wondrous, and often more mysterious, than I had ever suspected. There really is no story more amazing than the story of us.”
Presented to the Community by:
Wells Fargo Center for Community Engagement Connected to Student Learning Students in the Exercise and Sport Science program engage in an interactive curriculum that prepares them to prescribe clinical and performance-based health prescriptions. The program is also highly research-based and students have multiple opportunities to participate in, and conduct research that advances the highly interdisciplinary field of integrative physiology. The Kinesiology department values the importance of learning as an ongoing process, emphasizing these skills in all students. The students operate a community fitness testing program in the Exercise and Sport Science laboratory where they conduct metabolic and fitness tests on community members and counsel them on the meaning of this data in relation to overall health.
The opportunity for our students to engage with the community through the Learning Society events and speaker visit is an invaluable piece of their learning experience at Queens. Amy M. Knab Ph.D., FACSM, Billy O. Wireman Associate Professor of Kinesiology
Students measure maximal oxygen consumption as an outcome measure for a study on high intensity interval training and berry/fruit ingestion. 2019-2020 STUDENT EXPERIENCE. Beyond the Lectures.
Through the generosity of The Learning Society members, every undergraduate student was provided a complimentary copy of Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, which served as last year’s Common Read. Across campus, students and faculty engaged in critical analysis, robust dialogue and further exploration of the challenging issues at the core of Alexander’s book. The student-led discussion with our Learning Society speaker has become a signature learning experience for our students.
Sarah Fatherly, Ph.D., Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs “The 2019 James Comey event showed me that leadership is more than a buzz word, more than distinct types. Cultivating ethical leadership is a vital challenge for today’s leaders across the globe. By participating in such an inspiring event and engaging in my leadership classes, l feel better equipped to lead ethically when I finish my MBA at Queens.”
– Catherine Nason MBA ’20, pictured second from left below
“Participating in the student discussion with Michelle Alexander was an experience that allowed me to not only become more aware of social issues surrounding the criminal justice system, but also learn from others in the community about how I can become a better citizen.”
– Sami Tubolino ’20, Biology Major, Psychology Minor MORE THAN A LIST. A LEGACY. 2019-2020 Learning Society Members
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Linwood Bolles Jeanie and Tom PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE Jenny Boone Cottingham – Chair MEMBERS Bonnie and Thor-Erik Heide and Oscar Groomes Jan and Ed Brown Borresen – Vice Chair Jeanie and Tom Gay Boswell Arrington and Burch Mixon Cottingham Mary and Charles – Immediate Past Chair Heide and Oscar Groomes Bowman Jennifer DeWitt Barbara Laughlin Betsy and Alfred Brand Daniele Donahoe Juli Marley and Sally Gambrell Bridgford Kelly Katterhagen and Mark Clarke and Brian Bridgford Larry Nabatoff Esten Mason Kathie and Terry Juli Marley and Kaye and Dennis McGarry Broderick Mark Clarke Pat Rodgers Ann Brookshire and Sonja and Richard Nichols Joe Grier M.A. Rogers Anne and Scott Perper Sara and JB Brown Susan and Herb Spaugh Karen and Brandon Perry Frannie and Herb Browne Ann and Michael Tarwater Susan and Bob Salvin Karen and Paul Broyhill Joan Zimmerman Vicki and Pete Brunnick ACTIVE FOUNDING Amy Bryan and Eric Plott MEMBERS MEMBERS Paige and Steve Burgess Amanda and Bob Anders Jean Batten Zan and Heath Byrd Georgia and Bill Belk Rebecca and Mike Anderson Mary Lou and Greg Cagle Anne Marie Black Diane and Gerald Madelyn and Kevin Caple Doris and Charlie Fonville Applefield Barbara and Steady Cash Bill Gorelick Leslie Arnonovitz and Siu Challons-Lipton and Peggy and Jim Hynes Ted Gearhart Jordan Lipton Sandra and Leon Levine Holly and Jeff Atkins Mary and Emory Chapman Esten Mason Mary Lou and Jim Babb Jamie and Stuart Christhilf Jane and Hugh McColl Debbie and Sadler Sallie and Derick Close Carolyn and Sam Barnhardt Kim and Jack Cobb McMahon Anne and John Barry Amy and Philip Colaco Dale and Larry Polsky Candy and Rick Batchelor Titi and Wale Cole Clyda and George Rent Kat Belk Meredith and Stephen Mattye and Marc Kim and Johnny Belk Collie Silverman Sarah and Tim Belk Katie and Lee Cornwell Gail Brinn Wilkins and Stephanie and Howard Darlene and Glyn Howard Freese Bissell Cowlishaw Betsy and Bill Blue Gail and Ira Cox Wendi and Dave Boddy Jane and Tom Coyle Susan Cybulski Katie and Mike James Lynn Rogers Carol Dabbs Greg Johns Amie and Brandon Rucker Pamela and Bob Davies Ginger and Jim Kelly Stephanie and Boyd Safrit Caroline and Ben Bess and Kent Kercher Sally and Downie Saussy Dellinger Kathryn and Luke Kissam Laura and Michael Schulte Elyn and Mike Dortch Kristen and Mark Kral Harriet Seabrook Dru Doughterty and Ellen and David Leitch Michele and Roger Shaul Rick Abrams Deborah Majewski and Carolyn Shaw Patsy and Jere Daniel Ward Drummond Elsa Simaan Leslie and Michael Donna and Mark Simon Lisa and Carlos Evans Marsicano Caroline and Bob Sink Jay Everette and Jami and Randy Masters Brian Speas Kati and Chris Small Ashley and Scott Mattei Linda and Bill Farthing Daphne and Eric Solomon Peggy and Neill McBryde Ashley and Tom Fisher Jennifer and Eric Kathy and Bill McCollum Betsy Fleming and Steigerwalt Edward Weisiger Susan McConnell Ann and Wellford Tabor Amy and Sid Fletcher Susanne and Bill McGuire Boyce Thies Elizabeth and Louis Melissa and Mike McGuire Jane and Chris Thomas Foreman Lydia and Jack McNeary Rocky and Curtis Andrea and Donald Fraser Babak Mokari Trenkelbach Pamela Freeman Di and Ed Morais Jane and Trey Tune Naiema and Donald Katie and Walker Morris Kathleen and David Frieson Wanda and Bill Musgrave Turner Libba and Mike Gaither Janet and Lowell Nelson Rita and Bill Vandiver Mary and Sean Gallivan Kay and Robert Norris Judy and Kent Walker Sarah Gambrell Ann and Kenneth Judy and Chip Wallach Jen and Tim Gelorme O’Connell Julie and Lance Walton Selena and Rick Indun Patrick and K. Martin Waters Giovannelli Wayne Smith Linda and Rex Welton Stacy and Todd Gorelick Pam Pearson and Leslie and Mitchell Brooke and Clayton Chuck Peach Wickham Grindle MC and Jeff Pilon Jo Wilson Deidre and Clay Grubb Natalie and Michael Liz and Brad Winer Pittman Dale Halton and Jennifer Winstel Fred Wagner Mary Margaret and Katie Wireman Carol and Watts Hamrick Fritz Porter Anne and Fletcher Wright Suzy and Steve Hannon LeeAnn and Crawford Pounds Anja and David Claudia and Andy Heath Tamea Price Zimmerman Elaine and Landrum John Reid Jacqueline Zinn and Henderson John Lesher Kelli and Mike Richardson Gene Hoots Sally and Andy Christie and Jon Hunt Cathryn and Jay Rivers Zoutewelle Courtney and Bill Hyder Jo and Mike Rizer Gibbs and Bryan Ives Sally and Russell Robinson PAST SPEAKERS More than thirty years of leadership and discourse.
Michelle Alexander Steve Forbes Michael Beschloss Thomas Friedman Bill Bradley Arun Gandhi David Brinkley Dr. Atul Gawande David Broder Dr. Sanjay Gupta Art Buchwald General Michael Hayden Mika Brzezinski John Irving William F. Buckley, Jr. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. James Carville Captain Scott Kelly James Comey Alan Keyes Pat Conroy Dr. Jeane Kirkpatrick Jean-Michel, Céline and Dr. Henry Kissinger Fabien Cousteau Dr. C. Everett Koop The Hon. Mario Cuomo Charles Krauthammer Carly Fiorina Michael Lewis Marlin Fitzwater Mary Matalin
Dr. Condoleezza Rice Dr. Atul Gawande Jon Meacham William Safire David McCullough Dr. Carl Sagan Blake Mycoskie Joe Scarborough Dee Dee Myers Sir John Scarlett Ralph Nader Daniel Schorr The Hon. Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill Lesley Stahl H. Ross Perot Ben Stein Michael Pollan George Stephanopoulos Dan Rather The Hon. Paul Tsongas Diane Rehm J.D. Vance Janet Reno Dr. J. Craig Venter Dr. Condoleezza Rice Edward S. Walker, Jr. Cokie Roberts Dr. Andrew Weil Charlie Rose Bob Woodruff The Hon. Warren Rudman Bob Woodward Sir Salman Rushdie Fareed Zakaria Tim Russert General Anthony Zinni
Dan Rather