Current Events Series

The central campus location of the Wilson Center has opened up new opportunities for meaningful programs, including the "Wilson Center current event series."

The purpose of such a series is to educate interested persons in the campus community on national and international topics of immediate interest. The front room of the Wilson House provides a comfortable location for timely discussions led by campus experts or others who are brought in.

The series has proven to be immensely popular, with standing room only for each session. The Wilson Center has purchased folding chairs and rearranged the front room to accommodate the larger than expected groups! 

2011-2012 Current Events Discussions

• Neil Denton, American Red Cross, November 29, 4 pm Wilson Center
• "Occupy Wall Street Movement" Profs, Lehman, Carilli and Carroll, December 6, 4 pm Wilson Center
• Capt. David Grisdale '08, recently deployed, "Reflections on the Current State of Affairs in Afghanistan" 4 pm WC
• "Impressions of Putin's Russia" Dr. James F. Pontuso, Patterson Professor of Government and Foreign Affairs, 4 pm Wilson Center

2010-2011 CURRENT EVENTS DISCUSSIONS

• General Samuel Wilson on the Death of Osama bin Ladan
• "Crisis in Japan" Dr. Zhao-Economics Professor, Dr. Dinmore-History Professor, Dr.McDermott-Physics Professor, Dr. Thurman-Physics Professor, 4 pm in Library 4th Floor Rotunda
• "Reaction to Sec Gates Speech at West Point" by Gen S. V. Wilson, March 3, 4:15 - Wilson Center
• Dr. James I. Simms, Professor of History Emeritus, Upheaval in Egypt, Op-Ed in the Daily Progress, February 13, 2011
• "Unrest in North Africa and Middle East: Regional and Global Implications" Dr. Warner Winborne-Moderator with Dr. James Simms and Col. Rucker Snead, BR in Settle Hall, February 9 @ 4 pm
• "The World of Micro-Finance" Session with Caleb Varner '02, December 1, 4:15 pm
• "The Deficit Reduction Commission Report: America at the Crossroads" December 9, 12:30 pm
• "The Role of Intelligence in Modern Warfare," by Major General Robert B. Neller - October 18
• "The Financial, Economic and Political Challenges Facing the European Union" - Professor Ciaran Buckley, Champlain College, Dublin, Ireland, September 29, 2010
• "Reflections on Contemporary Japan and the Japanese Exchange and Teaching Programs" - Wesley Julian '08, October 28, 2010
• "Military Leadership/National Security Studies Program" - Major General Robert B Neller, President of Marine Corps University at Quantico, October 18, 2010
• "China and the Global Economy" - Economics Professor Jinzhuo Jhao, September
• "Why Iraq Can't Form a Government" - Dr. James F. Pontuso, Patterson Professor of Government and Foreign Affairs, October 2010

2009-10 CURRENT EVENTS DISCUSSIONS

• "The Last Best Hope of Earth?" - with Government and Foreign Affairs Professor Dr. Roger Barrus. A talk to commemorate Constitution Day - September 17, 2009

• "The September Elections in Japan" - with History Professor Dr. Eric Dinmore, September 21, 2009
• "Is Teaching in a Chinese University More Fun?" - with Chemistry Professor Dr. C. William "Bill" Anderson, visiting Professor in China last year - October 1, 2009
• "How Should the World's Flattest Country Deal with Rising Sea Levels? - A Case Study in Leadership" with Dr. Alex Werth, Biology - October 29, 2009
• "20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall" with Dr. James Simms (moderator), Dr. Caroline Emmons, Dr. Dirk Johnson, Dr.James Pontuso and Dr. Salif Traore - November 10, 2009
• "Haiti: Where Should Things Go From Here?" - with Dr. Ken Lehman (History), Lt. Col. Rucker Snead (USA ret), and Dr. Willie Thompson (College Chaplain) - February 10, 2010
• "Have Chinese-American Relations Entered a New Era?" - with Dr. Eric Dinmore (History) and Dr. Warner Winborne (Government and Foreign Affairs) - February 23, 2010

2008-09 CURRENT EVENTS DISCUSSIONS

• "In Remembrance of Alexander Solzhenitsyn" - Dr. James F. Pontuso, Patterson Chair of Government and Foreign Affairs - September 17, 2008
• "Speculation on the Surge: Observations from within Iraq" - Dr. Warner R. Winborne '88, Associate Professor of Government & Foreign Affairs - October 7, 2008
• "Afghanistan and the War on Terrorism: Experiences on the Front Line" - LT Brad Israel '04 - November 4, 2008
• "Terror in Mumbai: Who? Why? and What Now?" - Dr. Gerald T. Carney, Professor of Religion - December 9, 2008
• "U.S. - Latin American Relations - Thom Robbins '04 - April 14, 2009

 
  
Dr. Gerald Carney addresses the group; students and professors attend a Current Event session.