ERIE, Pennsylvania (Thursday, March 27) — The Jefferson Educational Society (JES) continues programming with its Spring Term schedule, full of influential topics touching on history, culture, linguistics, and more. The kick-off begins at the JES, 3207 State St., Erie, PA 16508, on April 7 as Brock Institute visiting speakers present What’s Happening in Washington, D.C.? A Look at the First 100 Days of the Trump Presidency.
The panel includes Jay Cost, of the American Enterprise Institute; Molly Reynolds, of the Brookings Institution; Amie Parnes, senior political correspondent at The Hill; and Erie native and host of “The Briefing” on Sirius XM, Steve Scully. The event begins at 7 p.m.
The upcoming term feature 20 programs at the Jefferson Educational Society and 16 at its satellite locations throughout Erie County – the first of which will be held Thursday, April 10 in partnership with Erie’s Black Wall Street, as Dr Rhonda Matthews and Alycia Olivar present, ‘OK Boomer:’ How the Baby Boomers Lost a Generation, or Why Your Grandkids Stopped Talking to You.
Running through June 25, the term takes a deeper look into the intersections of history and culture, focusing on topics like architecture, the role of men, linguistics, and more.
“Our team is excited to build on the momentum created during our winter series of events,” said Dr. Ferki Ferati, President of the Jefferson Educational Society. “This upcoming slate of programming offers a wide range of topics – from issues of the day to art, to medicine, and more – and we look forward to continuing to welcome attendees to the JES to learn from some of the best and brightest in our region, as well as special events featuring visiting speakers.”
Two visiting speakers will be in Erie thanks to JES’s partnership with the Hagen History Center and its Doris Beck Lecture series. On April 29, Kimberly Montague, President and CEO of Albert Kahn Architecture, will present, The Trinity of American Architecture: Richardson, Sullivan, and Wright, focusing on the work of three of the most famous architects in American history. On June 25, Keelan Evanini, a linguist and artificial intelligence research scientist and manager, will present The Erie Accent: What is It, and How has It Changed Over the Past Century.
On May 21 Thomas B. Hagen Dignitas Award recipient Fred Biletnikoff returns to Erie for From Erie to the Hall of Fame: Life, Legacy of Fred Biletnikoff as he is recognized for his impact in the football community as a Pro- and College-Football Hall-of-Famer and beyond.
During its spring events, the JES will feature several of its Raimy Fellows, presenting on topics like Multi-Generational Leadership: Guiding Age-Diverse Work Groups on May 5, Hidden Voices: The Unheard Struggle of Students on May 15, Presque Isle Neighborhood Alliance: Uniting Neighbors to Build Change on May 16, and Child Care is Workforce Development: Making the Case for Affordable and Accessible Child Care in Rural Pennsylvania on June 17.
The JES will also celebrate two of its Scholars-in-Residence, Drs. David Frew and Andrew Roth, with Bay Rats to Bookworms: JES’s Frew and Roth Take Their Work from the Page to Stage to Celebrate 200-plus Publications on May 19 – an event that reflects on their collective 400-plus publications since 2000.
New this term, a group of historians will bring history to life in Jeopardy! The Civil War Version, a game-show style event played in front of a live audience on May 7.
On Monday, May 12, the JES will host Erie Insurance Chairman Tom Hagen; Erie’s President and CEO Tim NeCastro; and retired Erie executive Marty Eisert for Erie Insurance at 100: A Remarkable Past and Promising Future, a conversation moderated by Steve Scully.
JES Scholar in Residence Dr. Parris Baker has a hand in multiple lectures about men, including One-Hundred Black Men: Exploring the History and Relevance from National Impact to Erie’s Chapter with Marcus Atkinson, President of the Erie Chapter of 100 Black Men, on April 11. He will also present Cognitive Conception: When Men Become Fathers on June 12. Meanwhile, Gannon University’s Jeff Bloodworth will present ‘Men in Crisis: Class, Despair, and Politics’ — Exploring a New Series and Why It Matters on April 21, which coincides with a JES publication series by Bloodworth and others.
Historian Richard Arthur will offer a series of lectures on Lafayette, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the 13-month journey the French nobleman and military officer who volunteered to join George Washington's Continental Army to fight for American freedom in the Revolutionary War, took 1824-1825 that include a stop in Erie.
Other topics in the term include US-Canada relations, tariffs’ impact on the economy, local history, and health and well-being through the JES’s continued partnership with LECOM Health.
More than 85% of the programs are free. To find more information about programs, memberships, or to make reservations, visit JESErie.org or call 814.459.8000.
Speakers and the JES staff are available before and after lectures, discussions, and conversations for interviews. Media coverage is welcome at all events.
For comments in advance, please contact:
Ben Speggen
Vice President
Jefferson Educational Society
814.459.8000
Speggen@JESerie.org
