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President’s Lecture Series Fall 2016

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Dr. Mary J.C. Hendrix, president of Shepherd University, has created this new lecture series as part of the Lifelong Learning Program. The lectures are free to the public with advanced registration as seating is limited.

FALL 2016 LECTURES

How Safe is Your Recreational Water?

Tuesday, August 30
Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education Auditorium
6:30-8 p.m.

Summer is here and we are all in the midst of using our available weekend and vacation time to relax and reap the “cooling” benefits of all the various types of recreational water sources that are available to us. These range from marine-water ocean fishing and beach swimming excursions to tubing, fishing, and swimming in nearby fresh water rivers, lakes, and ponds, as well as visits to any number of public recreational water theme parks. The week before Memorial Day, May 23-29 marked the 12th annual Healthy and Safe Swimming Week, promoted and published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, with the theme “Check out Healthy and Safe Swimming.” This President’s Lecture by Dr. Amy Horneman, known as “Aeromonas Amy” to the scientific community, aims to give the Shepherd University and surrounding community audience an overview of some of the possible health hazards related to recreational water activities. It will focus on the various infectious agents–bacterial, parasitic, and occasionally viral–that swimmers, boaters, and fishing enthusiasts could possibly come in contact with in the midst of their water recreational activities, and hopefully promote a sense of “safety awareness” for everyone involved in such activities.

Reinventing West Michigan’s Economy: A Story of Focus and Collaboration and a Possible Model for West Virginia

Friday, September 16
Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium
2-3 p.m.

Regional economic development will be the topic of a special president’s lecture at Shepherd University on Friday, September 16 from 2-3 p.m. at the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium. Dr. Jerry Callahan, innovations and collaborations vice president for the Van Andel Institute (VAI) and director of Hope River Ventures and Hopen Life Science Ventures Fund, will give a talk titled “Reinventing West Michigan’s Economy: A Story of Focus and Collaboration and a Possible Model for West Virginia.” Callahan, who has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration, a master’s degree in information systems management, and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership, has been involved in commercial development of life science business in west Michigan. He has formed two private equity and venture capital investment firms which have raised more than $60 million, has launched several startup life science companies, and has served in various leadership roles in those companies.

Find Your Money Mind

Thursday, September 22
Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education Auditorium
6:30-8 p.m.

Have you ever made money decisions you’ve regretted and then repeated the same mistake again? Perhaps you are just one of those people who avoids talking about money altogether. We understand that decisions around money can be uncomfortable altogether, especially when you have to make them with loved ones. We each have a dominant money mind that shapes our thinking every time we make a financial decision. While each of us has some aspects of fear, commitment, and happiness, we will revert to our dominate money mind when faced with important financial decisions. This interactive event will give you a unique view on money and your relationship with money and important life relationships. We will conduct an engaging exercise that will fundamentally change the way you interact with your advisor and finances. You will leave empowered and may be shocked or surprised at your partner’s choices and priorities. It will open up a new dialogue with your families. Join Rob Hoxton, managing director of United Capital, for this opportunity to change the way you think about your finances. Bring your smart device with you for the “Find Your Money Mind” exercise.

Zika on our Doorstep: Key Information for the Community

Monday, October 10
Erma Ora Byrd Auditorium
6:30 P.M.

Dr. Roberta DeBiasi, chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Children’s National Health System and professor of pediatrics and microbiology/immunology/tropical medicine at the George Washington School of Medicine, will discuss the threat of the mosquito-borne Zika virus and its spread in the United States. 

2016 Nobel Prizes

Monday, October 17
Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education Auditorium
6:30-8 p.m.

Six Shepherd professors will discuss the importance of this year’s Nobel Laureates’ works, the nature of the prize in that discipline, the past recipients, and the impact it has on the world.