Lectures

Queens strives to inspire and engage the minds of our community. Our university is a hub for intellectual discussion, regularly bringing national and world-renowned thought leaders to campus. We host a variety of speakers on stimulating topics ranging from business and politics to religion and science. 

Our Lectures Include:

Learning Society

The Learning Society of Queens leads the way in influencing intellectual dialogue in the Charlotte region. Since 1988, its members' generosity has made possible a semi-annual speakers series that draws experts on important contemporary issues to campus. Recent speakers have included Scott Kelly, Michael Lewis, Fareed Zakaria and Doris Kearns Goodwin. Learn more about the Queens Learning Society.

BB&T Distinguished Leaders in Action Lecture Series

The BB&T Distinguished Leaders in Action Lecture Series provides the McColl School of Business and Queens University's campus community with an opportunity to interact with and be exposed to a host of leaders whose experiences and styles represent a vast spectrum of leadership. The lecture events are hosted in a setting where students can ask questions and engage in an authentic conversation as part of their personal development.

BusinessWoman of the Year

Established in 1986, the BusinessWoman of the Year award honors the achievements of exceptional businesswomen based on their contributions to the business, civic and cultural communities in the Charlotte region. Past recipients include: Andrea Smith, Chief Administrative Officer for Bank of America; Debra Plousha Moore, Chief Human Resources officer and executive vice president of Carolinas HealthCare System and Susan DeVore, President and CEO of Premier, Inc.

Recognized for its longstanding history and prestige, the Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year kicks off the spring award season. With ample professional development and networking opportunities, this event reaches 300 of the area's business and thought leaders.

Diversity Lecture and Cultural Series

The Diversity Lecture & Cultural Series features renowned speakers and entertainment to promote an environment of multicultural understanding. This series will engage the Queens community and its partners in thoughtful and inclusive dialogue throughout the academic year.

 

Ann Tarwater Lecture Series

For the benefit and edification of Queens and the Charlotte community at large, the Ann Tarwater Lecture Series explores interesting and relevant topics related to the relationship between faith and the physical or social sciences. This annual lecture, featuring a speaker from the Reformed Theological Seminary, bears the name of Mrs. Ann Tarwater, a graduate of the seminary, great friend of Queens and wife of Queens Board Chair, Michael Tarwater.

Preyer Lecture Series

Dr. Norris Preyer is professor emeritus of history at Queens University of Charlotte. He is the author of two books (including Hezekiah Alexander and the Revolution in the Backcountry) and numerous articles in scholarly publications. Kathryn Preyer has also been very influential at Queens. She is the founder of Friends of the Library and a founding member of Friends of Music and Friends of Art. She received the distinguished Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award from Queens in 1974. Both Kathryn and Norris have been named Honorary Alumni by the Queens Alumni Association.

TWIST Conference Breakfast

Use this opportunity to strengthen relationships and reduce the day-to-day stress that you may be experiencing. Invite friends, partners, peers, colleagues, emerging leaders, subordinates, someone with whom you have been meaning to connect or someone very different from you. Consider bringing the entire department. It is a great way to start the day! For information about upcoming events, see the event calendar below or contact Suzy Plott at 704-337-2489 or plotts@queens.edu.

Witherspoon Lecture Series

William Witherspoon established the lecture series at Queens in memory of his wife Margaret, a 1932 alumna of Queens who passed away in 1995. She majored in chemistry and biology and taught high school in St. Louis, Missouri. They were married in 1938. The Witherspoon Lectures were established to address the religious and moral implications of developments in the sciences. "I decided to endow this lecture series at Queens because I feel it is important for students today to know the important connection between theology and science," Witherspoon said. "The number of philosophy and religion majors has risen in recent years at Queens, and I wanted to support the University's commitment to linking the humanities and the natural sciences."