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The Learning Society : Past Speakers

 


Since its inception in 1988, The Learning Society at Queens
has been honored to present these esteemed speakers:

  • Michael Beschloss
  • Bill Bradley
  • David Brinkley
  • David Broder
  • Art Buchwald
  • William F. Buckley, Jr.
  • James Carville
  • Pat Conroy
  • The Hon. Mario Cuomo
  • Marlin Fitzwater
  • Steve Forbes
  • Thomas Friedman
  • Arun Gandhi
  • John Irving
  • Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
  • Alan Keyes
  • Dr. Jeane Kirkpatrick
  • Dr. Henry Kissinger
  • Dr. C. Everett Koop
  • Charles Krauthammer
  • Mary Matalin
  • Dee Dee Myers
  • Ralph Nader
  • The Hon. Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill
  • H. Ross Perot
  • William Raspberry
  • Diane Rehm
  • Janet Reno
  • Cokie Roberts
  • Charlie Rose
  • The Hon. Warren Rudman
  • Tim Russert
  • William Safire
  • Dr. Carl Sagan
  • Daniel Schorr
  • Lesley Stahl
  • George Stephanopoulos
  • The Hon. Paul Tsongas
  • Edward S. Walker, Jr.
  • Bob Woodward
  • General Anthony Zinni

Speaking together:

James Carville & Mary Matalin
Marlin Fitzwater & Dee Dee Myers
Ralph Nader & Alan Keyes
The Hon. Paul Tsongas & The Hon. Warren Rudman

 

2007-2008 Speaker Series 

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

 

 
 

Environmentalist and Attorney
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

 
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s reputation as a resolute defender of the environment stems from a litany of successful legal actions. Mr. Kennedy was named one of Time magazine's “Heroes for the Planet” for his success in helping Riverkeeper lead the fight to restore the Hudson River. The group's achievement helped spawn more than 160 Waterkeeper organizations across the globe.

Mr. Kennedy serves as senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, chief prosecuting attorney for the Hudson Riverkeeper and president of Waterkeeper Alliance. He is also a clinical professor and supervising attorney at Pace University School of Law’s Environmental Litigation Clinic and is co-host of Ring of Fire on Air America Radio. Earlier in his career, he served as assistant district attorney in New York City.

He has worked on environmental issues across the Americas, and has assisted several indigenous tribes in Latin America and Canada in successfully negotiating treaties protecting traditional homelands. He is credited with leading the fight to protect New York City's water supply. The New York City watershed agreement, which he negotiated on behalf of environmentalists and New York City watershed consumers, is regarded as an international model in stakeholder consensus negotiations and sustainable development. He also helped lead the fight to turn back the anti-environmental legislation during the 104th Congress.

Among Mr. Kennedy's published books are the New York Times bestseller Crimes Against Nature (2004); The Riverkeepers (1997); and Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr: A Biography (1977). His articles have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, Atlantic Monthly, Esquire, The Nation, Outside magazine, the Village Voice, and many other publications. His award-winning articles have been included in anthologies of America’s best crime writing, best political writing and best science writing.

 

General Anthony Zinni: Stressing the Need to Rethink the World

 

 
 

General Anthony Zinni

 
Zinni expressed his concern for the lack of strategic thinking among our governmental leaders, stating that the world has changed dramatically over the past 20 years with significant events altering our social structures and well-being. And while he believes that the situation in Iraq was the “wrong time, wrong place, wrong war,” he thinks the U.S. cannot abandon the Iraqi people, but must instead “clean up the mess we made.”

Over the course of the evening, General Zinni lectured audience members on the upcoming presidential election, the War on Terrorism, the Iraq War and the U.S. government. While his topic, “The Battle for Peace,” was engaging and at times thought-provoking, he did manage to weave in a couple of comedic quips, which drew laughter from the audience.

On working with congressmen… “I walked into a congressman’s office on Capitol Hill who proceeded to say to me, ‘I have 30 minutes, tell me all you know about the Middle East.’”

On his political party affiliation… “I used to be a democrat, then I was a republican and then I was an independent. Now I’m just Roman Catholic.”

On America’s presence in foreign countries… “While driving overseas with one of my professional colleagues, he turned to me and said, ‘There’s the American culture center.’ I turned to my right, and in front of us was a Burger King and McDonald’s.”


 

 

 

2006-2007 Speaker Series

Ben Stein: "Lack of Community" Threatens Nation

By CHRISTOPHER SOTARDI - WCNC
E-mail Christopher: CSotardi@WCNC.com

      
 

Ben Stein speaks to a full house in the
Dana Auditorium 

  
“A shared love of basic values will hold this country together,” said Ben Stein, the Learning Society's guest speaker Thursday night at Queens University of Charlotte.

Speaking before a sold-out crowd, the economist, actor, writer and game show host said that, while modern times are the best mankind has ever lived in, American society faces several problems -- both economically and morally.

Managing the baby boomer generation, Medicare, massive trade debts, income inequality, and education are all looming challenges that Stein said would have to be closely monitored in the United States.

The greatest challenge American society faces, according to Stein, is an overall lack of community -- which can be seen as the root of many of the nation's problems.

“We don't know much about our neighbors,” said Stein, “and Americans now see each other as looting opportunities rather than as friends and neighbors.”

According to Stein, the solution to the problem is a “spiritual solution:" going back to the value of serving one another.

A crucial aspect of beginning to serve one another is a respect towards the military, along with police, fire workers, and teachers, whom Stein considers the true “stars” of American society.

Stein, a conservative Republican, called upon the wealthiest Americans to receive tax increases solely for a raise in military pay and benefits. Once a vocal supporter of the war in Iraq, Stein now hopes to see troops returned home as soon as possible.

Stein concluded his speech by speaking about his father-in-law, a decorated soldier who served in WWII and Vietnam, as the type of person others should look up to for living a life of service. When a younger Stein once asked his father-in-law why he served in the military, he responded, “so you and my daughter won't have to.”

Stein devoted the remainder of his speaking time to answering questions from the audience, responding to an array of inquiries about economics, global affairs, and even Hillary Clinton.

“I think it’s very likely to happen, although it won't make me jump for joy,” said Stein of a possible Clinton presidential victory in 2008. “She's obviously a capable and hard-working woman... (but) she does have anger management issues.” Stein also said that Clinton is probably the best of the Democratic candidates for president.

Answering a question regarding China's rise in the global economy, Stein reminded the audience of the origin of modern China's work ethic. “(The Chinese) did it out of hard work, industriousness and ingenuity...and they learned from what America was in the 1940s and 1950s to become what they are today.”

Earlier in the day, Stein also gave a similar speech to faculty and students of the school. Despite a series of warnings about the United States' future, Stein remained optimistic.

“It's a great, great, great thing to wake up everyday in America,” said Stein, “the opportunities people have in America to make a great life for themselves and their families are incredibly wonderful.”

Story re-printed by permission of WCNC.com.

 

 

David McCullough:"Leadership and the History You Don't Know"

Learning Society of Queens hosts sold out lecture by author of “1776”

  
 

Best-selling Author David McCullough speaks to a
sold out crowd in Dana Auditorium.
As part of Queens University of Charlotte’s Sesquicentennial anniversary celebration, The Learning Society of Queens hosted best-selling author David McCullough on Thursday, October 5 before a sold out crowd of 1,000 attendees.  McCullough’s lecture, titled “Leadership and the History You Do Not Know,” was held at 7pm in Dana Auditorium of the E.H. Little Fine Arts Center on Queens’ campus. Earlier in the day, McCullough participated in an interactive session with Queens students at 4pm in Sykes Auditorium in the Sykes Learning Center.  He was introduced by Senior Jeremy Carlson, a political science major, at Queens.

McCullough is the author of the bestseller “1776” and is a two-time winner of the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize.  His books have been praised for their exceptional narrative sweep, scholarship and insight into American life and literary distinction.

Learning Society President John Culbertson said, "We are very pleased at the response to Mr. McCullough.  Our mission is to continually bring an outstanding speaker series to Queens and the Charlotte community each year, and this sell out is just another example of how our community responds when given access to experts like Mr. McCullough."

“1776” hit the New York Times bestseller list at number one. His previous work, “John Adams,” remains one of the most critically acclaimed and widely read American biographies of all time. His other books include “The Johnstown Flood,” “The Great Bridge,” “The Path Between the Seas,” “Mornings on Horseback,” “Brave Companions” and “Truman.”

  

Author David McCullough speaks to Queens students
during a special interactive session in
Sykes Learning Center.

  
His overall work has been honored by the National Book Foundation Distinguished Contribution to American Letters Award, the National Humanities Medal and the New York Public Library’s Literary Lion Award.  McCullough is the past president of the Society of American Historians.  He has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has received 38 honorary degrees.

The Learning Society of Queens is comprised of a group of leading citizens from the Charlotte area and surrounding counties whose membership fees provide the major funding for a national speaker series held annually at Queens.  Founded in 1988, The Learning Society provides Queens students, faculty and staff, and the Charlotte community with the opportunity to interact with experts on important contemporary issues and topics. Past speakers include Henry Kissinger, Carl Sagan, David Brinkley, Pat Conroy, Ralph Nader and Alan Keyes, Charlie Rose, Janet Reno John Irving and Charles Krauthammer. For more information on the Learning Society, please click here.

Queens University of Charlotte is a private, coed, Presbyterian-affiliated liberal arts university in the heart of historic Charlotte serving approximately 1,950 undergraduate and graduate students through its College of Arts & Sciences, the McColl School of Business, The Pauline Lewis Hayworth College and the Presbyterian School of Nursing.

Queens will celebrate its 150th anniversary throughout the 2006-2007 academic year with a variety of Sesquicentennial events planned for alumni, students, parents and the Charlotte community.  For more information, please click here.

Photos from this event are available for purchase online.

The Learning Society of Queens brought General Anthony Zinni to Dana Auditorium on October 4. General Zinni, a distinguished author, mediator and negotiator opened by saying, “We need to rethink the world.”
PREVIOUS  EVENTS:

2005-2006 Speaker Series

A Look Into Current Affairs with Charles Krauthammer

  

 

Dr. Charles Krauthammer

As the final program of The Learning Society’s 2005-2006 Speaker Series, Queens University of Charlotte hosted Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Dr. Charles Krauthammer on Thursday, March 23, at 7pm.  Dr. Krauthammer, who spoke to a sold-out crowd of about 1,000 in Dana Auditorium, offered an insightful look into current world affairs.

A known Republican, Dr. Krauthammer offered his findings and research about the Bush administration and the war in Iraq. The audience appeared to hang on every word and took advantage of the Q & A session offered at the end of the program.

Dr. Krauthammer mingled with members of the Learning Society at a private reception after the lecture. There was a continuous buzz among the members, a mixed political crowd themselves, about how pleased they were with the quality of the lecture Dr. Krauthammer presented.

Earlier that day Dr. Krauthammer took part in a program for Queens students. Dr. Krauthammer told Queens President Pamela Davies, "The Queens students asked better questions than I've heard at any other university I've spoken at before."

Winner of the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary, Krauthammer writes a syndicated column for the Washington Post that appears in over 150 newspapers worldwide. He also writes a monthly essay for Time magazine, is a contributing editor to The Weekly Standard and The New Republic, serves on the editorial boards of The National Interest and The Public Interest, and is a weekly panelist on Inside Washington and a contributor to FOX News.

   

Dr. Krauthammer answers questions posed by Queens
students, faculty and staff in the
Sykes Learning Center

  
For two decades, his writings have helped frame American foreign policy. He coined and developed The Reagan Doctrine (Time, April 1985), defined the structure of the post-Cold War world in his seminal The Unipolar Moment (Foreign Affairs, 1990/1991) and outlined the principles of post-9/11 American foreign policy in his much-debated Irving Kristol lecture, Democratic Realism (AEI press, March 2004).

In 2001, he was appointed to the President’s Council on Bioethics. He has been honored by many organizations, from the Center for Security Policy (Mighty Pen Award) to People for the American Way (First Amendment Award). In 2003 he was a recipient of the first annual Bradley Prize.

The Learning Society of Queens University of Charlotte is a group of leading Charlotteans whose membership fees provide the major funding of this national speaker series. Founded in 1988, The Learning Society provides the Charlotte community and Queens students, faculty and staff the opportunity to interact with experts on important contemporary issues and topics.

 

AN EVENING WITH JOHN IRVING

  

 

John Irving speaks to Queens
students and faculty

On Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005, author John Irving, famous for works like “Cider House Rules” and “A Prayer for Owen Meany,” spoke to a sold-out crowd of approximately 1,000 as part of the Learning Society of Queens 2005-2006 Speaker Series. The lecture was held at 7pm in Dana Auditorium on the campus of Queens.

John Irving is one of the most popular and respected writers in the world. His 10 novels — famous for their complex yet accessible plots and brilliantly portrayed characters — have become American classics.
 
He has fans of all ages, and many of them were present at Queens Thursday night. The auditorium was filled to capacity about 30 minutes before the program was due to start. Many arrived with their favorite Irving novel in hand and clamored to find a good seat. Those who were not able to purchase a ticket ahead of time waited in the lobby, hopeful that others wouldn’t show or that there would be an extra ticket or two to purchase.

The audience was treated to a reading from one of Irving’s unpublished works and also had the opportunity to participate in a short Q & A session with the author.

Queens was one of the few universities that Irving agreed to visit this year, and students, faculty and staff took full advantage of the opportunity to participate in an interactive  Q & A session at the student program, held earlier in the afternoon.

Aspiring writers and English majors hung on every word Irving spoke as he gave an inside look into his writing process.

 “I always know the end of the story before I know the beginning, which is why I feel I have so much in common with autobiographers,” said Irving. “I then invest in my characters for as long and for as much as I can stand – then I take things away from them to see how well they hold up.” 
  
Irving talked about his battle with dyslexia, and told the audience that because of his feelings of constant failure as a child trying to keep up with the others in school, he can now revise and re-write more than any writer he knows. He learned in school that everything he did was flawed, which has carried into his adult life as a writer.

“Repetition doesn’t bore me,” Irving said. “The better I love a paragraph, the less I leave it alone.”

Irving’s first international bestseller, “The World According to Garp,” introduced a world of readers to his inventive and expansive style, memorable characters and masterfully woven stories-within-stories.

 

 

CONVERSATIONS WITH JANET RENO

      

Former United States Attorney
General Janet Reno

On March 3, 2005, former United States Attorney General Janet Reno spoke to a crowd of approximately 700 as part of the Learning Society of Queens 2004-2005 Speaker Series. The lecture was held at 7pm in Dana Auditorium on the campus of Queens University of Charlotte.

Among the many topics she addressed, Reno spoke on her experiences as the head of the Justice Department in the Clinton Administration, including the 1993 siege in Waco, Texas, and the Elian Gonzalez case in 2000. She said her decision to take over the Branch Dividian compound in Waco was one of the most difficult decisions of her life - and one of her biggest disappointments.

Returning Elian Gonzalez to his father in Cuba was also difficult - until she turned the television on one afternoon and saw the boy happy to be with his father. Reno said that if she had this situation to do over again, that she may have moved more quickly.

Earlier that afternoon, Reno spoke to a full house of Queens students in Belk Chapel. Students were eager to ask questions and listen to her thoughts and experiences as former attorney general.

Appointed 78th Attorney General of the United States, Janet Reno became the first woman to lead the nation's largest law enforcement office of 125,000 employees. A major figure during the Clinton administration, her eight-year term made her the longest-serving attorney general in history. During her tenure, she revolutionized law enforcement by achieving conventional crime rate and drug-use reductions. Facing some of the most difficult decisions of law enforcement, from the Branch Davidian standoff to the Elian Gonzales case, Reno demonstrated outstanding integrity, independence and adherence to the laws of justice. 

This event was made possible by the Learning Society of Queens. Member dues provide the funding for this national speaker series at Queens.

2004-2005 Speaker Series 

 



CHARLIE ROSE DRAWS LARGE CROWD TO QUEENS

  

Charlie Rose speaks to the Queens community

On Thursday, Oct. 21

The event attracted men and women of all ages and backgrounds from the Charlotte community as well as Queens' communication students and professors. After an introduction by Queens'

Communication Chair, Dr. Leanne Pupcheck, Rose addressed the audience with thoughts and experiences on current and past events. With a sense of humor in hand, Rose spoke about several of his experiences interviewing the famous and the not-so-famous, and concluded his thoughts by answering several questions from an admiring and curious audience. He even joked about the possibility of owning "just a tiny bit" of an NBA team - referring to his friend Bob Johnson, owner of the Charlotte Bobcats.

Larry Polsky, president of the Learning Society, stated, "We came close to selling out Dana auditorium when Charlie Rose appeared. He met and even exceeded our expectations. His in-depth knowledge of current events combined with his warm, down-home delivery invigorated the audience. We are pleased that Charlie Rose can now join the long list of distinguished speakers that the Learning Society has been able to attract to Queens University of Charlotte."

Rose first entered television journalism full-time in 1974, when he became the managing editor of the PBS series Bill Moyers' International Report. In 1991, Charlie Rose debuted and then gained national syndication in 1993. Guests of Charlie Rose have included the most pre-eminent figures from the worlds of politics, literature and sports, including Nelson Mandela, Yitzhak Rabin, Jean Bertrand Aristide, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Newt Gingrich, Maya Angelou, Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese.

After the lecture, Rose joined members of the Learning Society for a private reception in Burwell Parlors. Rose, born in Henderson, N.C., was warmly greeted by fellow North Carolinians and enjoyed good food and conversation.

This lecture was made possible by The Learning Society of Queens, as member dues pay for the funding of this series at Queens.

 

 

   
 

Alan Keyes and Ralph Nader with
Learning Society
Co-Presidents Larry and Dale Polsky 
 

As part of the 2003-2004 Learning Society Speaker Series, Ralph Nader and Alan Keyes debated the topic "Big Business, Corporate Crime & Regulation of

Larry Polsky, co-president of the Learning Society, stated, "The primary objective of the Learning Society is to inform and enhance the lives of Queens students and members of the Charlotte community by brining prominent speakers to Charlotte. Two of our best were Ambassador Alan Keyes and Ralph Nader. Their thought-provoking comments will stay with us for a long time."

Consumer advocate Ralph Nader has devoted his life to giving ordinary people the tools they need to defend themselves against corporate negligence and government indifference. Believing that Republicans and Democrats are so close ideologically, Nader organized a presidential campaign in 2000 to challenge the two-party system. His goal is to build the foundation of a third political party and a robust progressive political movement that rally around issues rather than slogans and figureheads.

Recognized as a leader in the Conservative movement, Keyes serves as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Social and Economic Council and as the Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations. As a leader and citizen activist, Keyes was a Republican candidate for President in 1996 and 2000.

Alan Keyes speaks to Queens students

An earlier interactive student session was held in the Belk Chapel. Nader and Keyes spoke to a full house, commenting and listening to questions and concerns from Queens students. Queens College Republicans and the Campus Environmental Outreach Program members helped fill the house and stimulate exciting discussion between the students and speakers.

This event was made possible by the Learning Society of Queens. Member dues provide the funding for these speaker series.


 

 

Business " on Thursday, March 25, 2004. Queens University of Charlotte President, Pamela Lewis, served as moderator before a crowd of approximately 800 in Dana Auditorium.2003-2004 Speaker Series, 2004, Emmy award-winning journalist Charlie Rose spoke to the Charlotte community as part of the 2004-2005 Learning Society of Queens lecture series. Rose, known for his interviewing style and voracious curiosity, spoke to a full house in Queens' Dana Auditorium. Ralph Nader and Alan Keyes Offer Thought Provoking Insights
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