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Please join us at the Church for a series of community lectures. Pertinent to state, national and international issues and events, the lectures encompass a broad array of topics important in today's changing and ever challenging world. You may choose to attend one, a few or the entire group. The series which is held from 5:00-6:30 p.m. is free to the community, however contributions will gladly be accepted. Monday, August 2 - Samuel P. De Bow, Jr. - Rear Admiral De Bow served as Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from 2004-07. He is presently in charge of Research Operations and Special Operations at URI. As a member of NOAA’s Hurricane Hunters, he will discuss “What it is like to fly into the Eye of a Hurricane.” Monday, August 9 - Dr. Marc A. Genest - Professor at the Naval War College who has given interesting presentations in the past at the South Ferry Church is back by popular demand. Dr. Genest is an expert on the Middle East and will discuss his current view of the situation in Afghanistan. Monday, August 16 - Donald R. Sweitzer - Chairman of GTech Corporation. Mr. Sweitzer from 1985-1989 served as the finance director of the Democratic National Committee and was the political director there in 1993 and 1994. He will discuss the outlook for the November midterm national and state elections. Monday, August 23 - Dr. David M. Dooley - President of the University of Rhode Island, a position he assumed in July, 2009. He has nearly thirty years of experience in public and higher education. His most recent position was provost at Montana State.Dr. Dooley will discuss his future plans for URI and his leadership philosophy for higher education. Monday, August 30 - Deborah A. Gist - Commissioner of Elementary & Secondary Education for Rhode Island. Commissioner Gist was recently honored as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. She began her service in Rhode Island on July 1, 2009 and will discuss the state of public school education in the state. |
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