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Global Summit XVII Kicks Off Star-Studded Lineup This Month
Decorated guests inspire the discourse that drives democracy
5 hours ago
Collage By Chelsea Oliver
The Jefferson Education Society has designed an ambitious slate of events for their 17th Global Summit, which officially kicked off last month when Erie welcomed President Barack Obama. Events continue through October, featuring names like Neil deGrasse Tyson, Dr. Jane Petro, Jim Kelly, and Mike Pence with subject matter spanning politics, science, medicine, sports, climate, and more.
Billed as its most ambitious lineup to date, the Jefferson Educational Society's Global Summit XVII is bringing some heavy-hitters to town this year including Neil deGrasse Tyson, Henry Louis Gates Jr., and Mike Pence, among others. This year's event officially began last month, when President Barack Obama spoke to a sold-out crowd at the Erie Insurance Arena on Sept. 16, making the evening officially the largest educational event in Erie history.
The Global Summit, which began in 2009, has grown from five events in two-and-a-half days to this year's 18 events that span over four months.
"Over the years, thanks to the hard work of the JES team, as well as the generous support of community partners and sponsors, we've been able to feed the growing appetite of the community to have a place where people who don't always see eye-to-eye can gather shoulder-to-shoulder to engage productively and respectfully in civic discourse over a span of not days but weeks and months," said Ben Speggen, Jefferson Educational Society (JES) vice president.
From domestic politics and international affairs to the latest discoveries in the universe, the events this year are designed to give attendees a world-class learning opportunity, something at the core of Thomas Jefferson's ideology.
Thomas Jefferson believed that individual liberties and education were the pillars of a functioning democracy – to think critically and learn from others. The JES largely adheres to that mission with its preservation of the past and examination into the key lessons that inform Erie's future. At the JES, the Global Summit is an intentional attempt to foster learning and civic engagement in the Erie area and beyond.
"The intention is never to 'just have an event', or even a 'series of events,' but to really help start or advance conversations at the community level by learning together from leading experts and practitioners," Speggen said. "As a nonpartisan think tank, we're never asking our audience to blindly agree with our presenters; rather, we're asking attendees to come with an open, curious mind ready to learn more so that they may think more deeply about a wide range of topics."
The JES offers year-round programming with lectures at its home base on State Street and at a handful of satellite locations throughout the county, alongside community conversations, educational courses, and a leadership academy. The Global Summit gives folks in the region a taste of what the JES has to offer and looks to cover all interests from space to sports, media, and religion.
It also gives residents a look into how the political world works and how national and international issues can touch down at home.
Speggen noted that these are what some may call "hot" times, and his hope is that, just like they have over the past decade-plus, the JES will show the community that there still exists a place for civil, civic dialogue where people seek out information and inspiration to pursue a brighter future.
The Global Summit is hosted each year by the JES in cooperation with numerous sponsors, including Erie Insurance, the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, and more. Find tickets and more information for these events at JESerie.org or by calling (814) 459-8000. As in previous years, students will be admitted for free with preregistration through the JES.
2025 Recipient of the Thomas B. Hagen Dignitas Award
Tuesday, Oct. 14 // 7 p.m. // Jefferson Educational Society, 3207 State St.
This year's Thomas B. Hagen Dignitas honoree, Dr. Jane Petro, is a distinguished plastic surgeon who used her skills to aid underserved communities in need of care. A graduate of Penn State's College of Medicine, she volunteered at a children's hospital to provide care to cleft lip and palate patients on Medicaid and participated in medical mission trips worldwide. She was also an advocate for HIV-positive patients during the AIDS crisis. She now works as a historian, educator, and writer to spread the stories of unsung women heroes in the early medical community.
You Are Changing the World Whether You Like it or Not
Thursday, Oct. 16 // 7 p.m. // Warner Theatre, 811 State St.
Award-winning songwriter, speaker, and writer David LaMotte will expand upon his book You Are Changing the World: Whether You Like it or Not, which examines the role each person plays in larger societal changes. He draws on his work from countries all over the world to challenge narratives that keep people immobile in the face of problems that face our communities. This is a Gannon READS event.
From Washington to Trump: The U.S. Presidency and America at 250
Monday, Oct. 20 // 7 p.m. // Gannon University's Yehl Ballroom, 628 Peach St.
Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, executive director of The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon, and Chris Whipple, best-selling author, acclaimed journalist, documentary filmmaker, and speaker, will discuss the American presidency and its evolution as America approaches its 250th anniversary. Chervinsky draws on her work, including books from the beginning of the presidency, while Whipple adds his expertise from the more modern end, including a recent book about Trump, Biden, and Harris. Both will examine presidents and the people they surrounded themselves with in their cabinets.
A Journey of Perseverance: An Evening with Jim Kelly
Wednesday, Oct. 22 // 7 p.m. // Gannon University's Yehl Ballroom, 628 Peach St.
Hear about the strength of perseverance from Jim Kelly, Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Buffalo Bills quarterback. Kelly virtually rewrote the Bills' record book for quarterbacks, leading the team to four consecutive Super Bowls. Despite multiple injuries, surviving cancer, and losing his son, Hunter, to a rare disease, he has persevered, and he is looking to share that strength with others.
Leading Through Turbulent Times: The Importance of Trust, Culture, and Feedback
Thursday, Oct. 23 // 7 p.m. // Jefferson Educational Society, 3207 State St.
In a politically battered country and fraught time worldwide, Colonel Katie Crombe and General Joseph L. Votel will discuss the material of leadership and how trust, culture, and feedback are woven into it. Crombe is a war plans Army strategist who held posts in the United States and Germany and has degrees in English, political science, international affairs, and national security. Votel is a retired U.S. Army four-star officer where he was the Commander of the U.S. Central Command, responsible for U.S. and coalition military operations in the Middle East, the Levant subregion, and Central and South Asia.
Europe With(out) the U.S.: The Future of NATO and the European Union
Friday, Oct. 24 // 7 p.m. // Jefferson Educational Society, 3207 State St.
The relationships of the European Union and NATO are critical in maintaining international peace and security, and providing defense, financial aid, and military assistance. The United States' role has historically solidified transatlantic security and economic ties, but now that commitment to European defense is being questioned under the Trump administration. Mark Gitenstein, U.S. representative to the European Union from 2021 to 2025 and former U.S. Senator and ambassador to Romania, will break down Europe's future with or without the U.S.
The Future of College Athletics and Sports Media: Where They Are Now, Where They Are Headed
Monday, Oct. 27 // 7 p.m. // Gannon University's Yehl Ballroom, 628 Peach St.
After a career as an award-winning ESPN Senior NBA insider, Adrian "Woj" Wojnarowski was named the first-ever general manager for St. Bonaventure men's basketball in 2024, in a move that the Bonnies' head coach said was critical to navigate the new landscape of college basketball. Woj will draw upon his media background and sports expertise to talk about this new landscape and where the future of college athletics is headed.
This Just In: Latest Discoveries in the Universe
Wednesday, Oct. 29 // 7 p.m. // Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier
In an event out of this world, renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson will do what he does best and popularize science. Leader of the Hayden Planetarium, deGrasse Tyson has researched star formation, dwarf galaxies, the structure of the Milky Way, and everything beyond then used TV, radio, and books to share that information with others. He will talk about the latest discoveries in the universe at a time when space tourism and technology is booming.
Monday, Nov. 3 // 7 p.m. // Jefferson Educational Society, 3207 State St.
Sometimes, local communities have to take action when state and federal governments don't step in. That's why the JES has converged a panel of former mayors – Richard Berry (Albuquerque, New Mexico), Greg Fischer (Louisville, Kentucky), and William Peduto (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania). Drawing on national and local-level trends as well as personal experience, the mayors will examine how local-level action and initiatives can address major problems in tumultuous times and propel America forward.
Wednesday, Nov. 5 // 7 p.m. // Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier
Vice President Mike Pence's conservative philosophy has served him throughout his career as a lawyer, congressman, governor, vice president, and founder of Advancing American Freedom. He continues to advocate for faith, family, and liberty as foundational American values. He will be joined by Paul McNulty. McNulty is a recent past president of Grove City College and has served in different high-ranking Department of Justice positions where he was a leader in our nation's response to terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The two will have an intimate conversation about faith, religion, and American politics.
Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder
Thursday, Nov. 6 // 7 p.m. // Gannon University's Yehl Ballroom, 628 Peach St.
Hot off the presses, Michael McFaul will discuss his new book Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder, as the rise of China, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the reelection of President Donald Trump has ushered in a new global order. McFaul takes a bold look at how autocracies are challenging global order and how democracies like America must continue to confront that threat.
All Too Clear: Exploring Invasive Species Beneath the Surface of the Great Lakes
Friday, Nov. 7 // 7 p.m. // Jefferson Educational Society, 3207 State St.
Ever wondered what lurks below the waters of the Great Lakes? Yvonne Drebert and Zach Melnick are looking to provide a clearer picture with their new documentary All Too Clear. The film draws on footage from cutting-edge underwater drones and features work of researchers to explore how an invasive mussel species is re-engineering the Great Lakes ecosystem. After the screening, there will be a panel discussion including the two award-winning filmmakers and co-founders of Inspired Planet Productions.
Carson the Magnificent: A Look at the Iconic TV Host and His Impact on Comedy Today
Monday, Nov. 10 // 7 p.m. // Jefferson Educational Society, 3207 State St.
Going on three decades as a Chicago-based journalist and author, Mike Thomas has long enjoyed the world of comedy and its implications on society. When he was given the opportunity to finish writing his late mentor Bill Zehme's book Carson the Magnificent, a biography of Johnny Carson, it was quickly launched onto the New York Times best-seller list. He will talk about that book and how Carson redefined late-night television and American culture through accounts of his career and complex personal life. Thomas will be joined by Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center, who was instrumental in bringing the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum in Jamestown to life.
Humanity 2050: The Future of Our World, Our Universe, and Ourselves
Tuesday, Nov. 11 // 7 p.m. // Gannon University's Yehl Ballroom, 628 Peach St.
Although we're only a quarter of the way through this century, Charles Liu is interested in what the year 2050 will look like – the halfway marker. A distinguished Taiwanese-born American astronomer, educator, author, and science communicator, Liu will look at how science fiction might help predict the future as technology grows and could be applied to commercial industries like medicine.
New Prize for These Eyes: The Rise of America's Second Civil Rights Movement
Thursday, Nov. 13 // 7 p.m. // Gannon University's Yehl Ballroom, 628 Peach St.
In 1987, journalist Juan Williams helped illuminate the Civil Rights Movement with Eyes on the Prize, a book that brought history to life. Now, from Obama's election to Charlottesville and January 6th, Williams is tracing the arc of a new civil rights era. He will be speaking about that new era as told in his newest book New Prize for These Eyes: The Rise of America's Second Civil Rights Movement.
The Medium is the Message: Media's Impact on National Politics
Friday, Nov. 14 // 7 p.m. // Jefferson Educational Society, 3207 State St.
Join New York Times bestselling author, four-time Emmy winner, and top political analyst Dr. Larry Sabato as he takes a trip down memory lane and looks at how media and politics have intertwined. He has earned the title of the No. 1 political predictor from Pew Charitable Trust as head of Sabato's Crystal Ball, showing that he truly knows how media can impact outcomes. From the first TV ad to the 24-hour newscast, he'll discuss how issues have entered and stayed in the news cycle and how it has influenced national politics.
An Evening 'Discovering Your Roots' with Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Thursday, Dec. 4 // 7 p.m. // Warner Theatre, 811 State St.
Known as the man who connects celebrities with their heritage, Henry Louis Gates Jr. will be stopping by Erie for an evening of genealogy. Gates is a distinguished filmmaker, literary scholar, and institution builder, publishing numerous books and producing an array of films about Black history. He is the host of Finding Your Roots, which connects people with their undiscovered past, and has a strong background in academics, including being former chair of the Pulitzer Prize board.
For more information on these events and to purchase tickets, visit jeserie.org/global-summit-XVII.
Reach Chloe Forbes at chloeforbes14@gmail.com. Reach Ben Speggen at speggen@jeserie.org.
