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From the Director

Welcome to another enlightening semester with the Schemel Forum!

This semester’s highlights include three evening short courses, six luncheons, and two evening programs. For our short courses taught by University faculty, we have Dr. Matthew Meyer discussing Identity Politics, Dr. Melissa Anyiwo’s exploration of Hidden Figures of Black History, and Professor Charlie Cino’s foray into Norman Lear’s influential TV shows. These three topics are all very timely, and I expect rich discussions to accompany each session.

As always, our luncheon lecture series, proudly sponsored by Munley Law, will feature a diverse range of world-class scholars and experts. Among them are Dr. Anthea Butler, a distinguished historian in African American and American religion; Richard Pildes, a constitutional law expert well-known for his recent service on President Biden’s Commission on the Supreme Court; and Jill Dougherty, native Scrantonian, longtime friend of the Schemel Forum, and renowned expert on Russia. We’re also excited to host Patrick Bringley, who will share reflections from his tenure at the MET Museum, and Koren Schoenberg, Senior Scholar of the National Jazz Museum, who will draw an artful connection between Abraham Lincoln and Louis Armstrong. Loren will also be In Concert with The University of Scranton Jazz Ensemble to deliver a complimentary and open-to-the-community performance. We will share details of the performance closer to that date. Lastly, with our local newspaper’s transition weighing heavily on many of us, I am pleased that we were able to bring Jeff Jarvis, a media and journalism expert, to share valuable insights into the evolving world of journalism and what’s next for Scranton.

This semester also features two exceptional collaborative evening programs. In collaboration with the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Dr. Richard Kogan will return to deliver a virtuoso piano performance and discussion. In a nice change of place, we will have the performance and reception in the Medical School’s main building on Pine Street.

We will also collaborate again with the Slattery Center for the Ignatian Humanities, where Fr. Gallagher will speak on the rise of Christian Nationalism and connect it to his most recent book, Nazis of Copley Square: The Forgotten History of the Christian Front. This event will be free and open to the public. A reception with light refreshments will follow the talk.

I hope you join us for a semester filled with engaging discussions, unique perspectives, and an enriching journey through history, culture, and current events. I look forward to growing and discovering together, and I hope you do too.

Warm regards,

George J. Aulisio
Dean of the Weinberg Memorial Library & Director of the Schemel Forum

© 2024 University of Scranton

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