Weekly Presentations
Fall 2024 Schedule
Join us for Monday presentations at 1p.m. and 2:30 p.m. with a social break in between sessions.
- Charleston Atlantic Presbytery (CAP) building
4701 Park Place W
North Charleston, SC 29405
Be Our Guest
Come to any Monday afternoon meeting as our guest to see if CCR is for you. Just check in for free at the front registration desk.
September 9 1 p.m.
President Andrew Hsu
President, College of Charleston
State of the College
President Hsu will give an update regarding the College of Charleston’s strategic plan and progress on the related major initiatives and projects.
September 9 2:30 p.m.
Don Campagna
History and Archives Coordinator for City of North Charleston
The Navy Century
Don Campagna will discuss how during the 1900’s, the US Navy and Charleston Naval Shipyard dominated the community culture and economy. Sailors came from all over the country. Locals became highly skilled tradesmen. Charleston played an integral role in extending our influence around the globe.
September 16 1 p.m.
Charlton Brownell
Environmental Justice Program Manager, Charleston Climate Coalition
A Resource for Democratizing Community Data
Charlton Brownell will explain the Charleston Climate Coalition’s Environmental Justice Community Profile, a website designed to make community-level data about environmental and socioeconomic issues more accessible to help concerned citizens quantify problems and advocate for needed resources or infrastructure to mitigate them.
September 16 2:30 p.m.
Diana Barth
Chair of CCR’s C.A.L.L. Committee
Fall 2024 C.A.L.L. Classes
Diana Barth and others will preview the Fall 2024 C.A.L.L. classes.
September 23 1 p.m.
Paula Egelson, President and
Judy Peper, VP, League of Women Voters
Getting To Know the League of Women Voters
The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan grassroots organization. The LWV is a leading advocate for registering people to vote and providing information necessary for voters to participate in fair and free elections.
September 23 2:30pm
Becca Hiester
Director of Education and Programs, Gibbes Museum of Art
The Gibbes: A Southern Museum with a Global Perspective
From its opening in 1905 to its current exhibitions, the Gibbes Museum of Art always has something new to see. Becca Hiester will talk about the history of the building, the Gibbes’s mission, upcoming programs, and things to look forward to.
September 30 1 p.m.
Wojciech Milewski
Music Director, Summerville Symphony
Are Films the New Operas?
Wojciech Milewski will discuss how film soundtracks enhance and elevate the meaning and emotions behind movies and how similar they are to operas.
September 30 2:30 p.m.
William Cogswell
Mayor of Charleston
New Initiatives, Ongoing Challenges, and Hopes and Dreams for Charleston
Mayor Cogswell will share specific initiatives he is focusing on. Initiatives that he believes are of importance and a high priority for Charleston residents. He will also describe current governmental challenges.
October 7 1 p.m.
Neal Gordon
PhD, retired from Merck
How My Life’s Journey Helped to Guide Me in Retirement
Neal Gordon’s journey began in Brooklyn, NY with stops in Michigan, Puerto Rico, New Jersey and finally Charleston, S.C. A sense of humor helped to forge his 42-year career in the pharmaceutical industry. And how his recent retirement gave him the confidence to say NO.
October 7 2:30 p.m.
Alana Rojewski
PhD, Associate Professor of Public Health Sciences, MUSC
Addressing Barriers to Tobacco Treatment for People with Comorbid Conditions
Individuals with physical and mental health conditions who smoke need to quit smoking for the benefit of their long-term health. Dr. Rojewski’s presentation will discuss evidence-based approaches to tobacco treatment. She will explore the barriers and potential solutions to increasing the availability of tobacco treatment in healthcare systems.
October 14 1 p.m.
Caroline E. Sawyer
Producer, By The River & Associate Professor, Communication Studies, USCB
Behind the Scenes of By The River
Caroline Sawyer and some of the students that work on the show will take us behind the scenes of the award-winning national public television show By The River to learn how this production is used to educate the next generation of public media makers.
October 14 2:30 p.m.
Dena Moses
President, Charleston Interreligious Council
The Origin and Mission of the Charleston Interreligious Council
Dena Moses will discuss the origin and work of the Interreligious Council in building bridges of understanding to promote sensitivity, tolerance, respect, and fellowship among the diverse religious groups in Charleston.
October 21 1 p.m.
Dr. Hamilton Baker, MD, MS,
Associate Professor of Pediatric and Public Health, MUSC
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: Ethics, Clinical Applications and Research
Dr. Hamilton Baker will explore the current and potential uses of artificial intelligence (AI) in various domains of healthcare, such as diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. He will also examine the ethical challenges and opportunities that AI poses for patients, their families, and healthcare providers. Finally, he will discuss the best practices and guidelines for conducting and implementing AI research and innovation in healthcare.
October 21 2:30 p.m.
Mark Finkbeiner
Physical Scientist, NOAA Office for Coastal Management
Supporting Ocean Planning Through the NOAA/BOEM Partnership
Mr. Finkbeiner will describe how the NOAA/BOEM partnership provides data, tools, and technical assistance to federal and state agencies, the private sector, and the public, to inform ocean activities. He will focus on marine habitat as a key element of ocean use planning and highlight some of the important habitats that occur off the South Carolina coast.
October 28 1 p.m.
Amy Hider
Speech-Language Pathologist, Roper St. Francis Healthcare
The Neuron Dance
Research has emerged that offers hope for boosting cognitive reserve and preventing cognitive decline with age. The more people know about the brain, the more they can do to care for its longevity. Amy Hider’s presentation is an overview of some key points that offer a functional understanding of the brain and empower brain health.
October 28 2:00 p.m.
Extended Social Time
Today's meeting will include an extended social break. This will be a fantastic opportunity for everyone to relax, catch up, and talk about our grandchildren.
November 4 1 p.m.
Meredith Kablick
Director of Collections, Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum
Preserving Our Cultural Heritage
Museums are the libraries of the world’s cultural and environmental history. They work to interpret the past so that we can understand our place in the future. Meredith Kablick will share the role museums play in preserving history. She will also discuss the different ways that people can preserve their own personal family histories for future generations.
November 4 2:30 p.m.
Solomon Stevens, Educator, Post and Courier Columnist
Civility and Democracy
Solomon Stevens will discuss the need for civility in our current politics.
November 11 1 p.m.
Bill Cosgrove
Retired US-EPA
Veterans Day: Its Origin and Importance
Bill Cosgrove will discuss the origin and importance of Armistice Day, now called “Veterans Day” in the US and “Remembrance Day” in the UK. He will consider how it is honored in the United States and other countries. He will explore the many beautiful monuments that were commemorated after World War I and the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
November 11 2:30 p.m.
Karyn Amira, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Political Science, School of Humanities and Social Studies, College of Charleston
The U.S. 2024 Election Results
Karyn Amira will discuss presidential elections in the modern era and how 2024 does (or does not) fit into patterns we have seen over the last 50 years. She will discuss the results of the 2024 election and the implications for the Democratic and Republican parties in the future.
November 18 1 p.m.
C. Vincent Spicer, PhD
Associate Professor of Psychology, College of Charleston
Cross Racial Attitudes and Beliefs
Vincent Spicer’s talk will focus on the cross racial attitudes that African American and European Americans have toward each other. He will also discuss the implicit beliefs that African Americans have about their ingroup (African Americans).
November 18 2:30 p.m.
Nancy Simson
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Master Beekeeper, Middleton Place
The History of Honeybees in America
Nancy Simson will present an interactive talk about how honeybees were imported to the New World from Colonial days to the current times for commercial and hobby beekeepers. There will be plenty of interaction with live bees and products of the hive.
November 25 No CCR – Thanksgiving
December 2 1 p.m.
Reggie Burgess
Mayor of North Charleston
Good News, Hard Work, Projects: What’s Happening in North Charleston
Mayor Reggie Burgess will discuss what’s happening in North Charleston and his vision, goals, and mission for the City of North Charleston
December 2 2:30 p.m.
Brian Hicks
Columnist, Post and Courier
What Is Going On?
Brian will let us know what is happening in Charleston right now.
December 9 Noon: Member Luncheon and Program
The Center for Creative Retirement (CCR) invites individuals from diverse backgrounds to make presentations on a wide array of topics. The views and opinions expressed by these presenters are not necessarily those either of CCR or the College of Charleston.