Community Corner

Madison Library to Host 10 Free Seminars This Summer

Lecture topics for 29th series include Benjamin Franklin, the philosophy behind innovation, and New Jersey's contributions to cinema and TV.

A reclusive, nuclear-armed country, the work of a trailblazing conductor and composer, the future of unions, and changes along Jersey shore after Superstorm Sandy are among the wide range of topics that will be explored during the 29th Summer Seminar Series at the Madison Public Library, starting next week.

The free lectures, sponsored by the Madison Public Library and the Madison Senior Center, are held in the Chase Room of the library at 39 Keep Street. It's open to the public. No reservations are required and seating is first come, first served.

"The series is planned by an advisory committee made up of community members and receives financial support from the Friends of the Madison Public Library and the Friends of the Madison Senior Center," an announcement about the series says. "It was created with the purpose of providing thought-provoking programs to entertain and educate, to support life-long learning and to help people stay connected.

Here is the lineup of the lectures with descriptions from a news release about the series:

Find out what's happening in Madisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Monday, July 8 – 2 p.m. – “Challenge on the Pacific Rim: The Case of North Korea”

Dr. Douglas Simon examines this highly reclusive, nuclear-armed country  facing widespread deprivation under a totalitarian government led by a leader barely out of his twenties. Dr. Simon is Professor Emeritus of political science at Drew University where he specialized in international affairs, U.S. foreign policy, international organization, and national security.  A graduate of Willamette University, Dr. Simon served as an officer in U.S. Air Force Intelligence, including a tour in Viet Nam.  He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon.  During Dr. Simon’s tenure at Drew University, he directed the school’s Semester on the United Nations for fifteen years, served as a convener of Drew’s Masters in International Affairs Program, and later was department chair.  An award winning professor, he is co-author of three books and has contributed to many publications. 

Thursday, July 11 – 10:30 a.m. – “Leonard Bernstein: The Legend and the Music”

 Dr. Robert Butts, conductor, composer, educator, writer and lecturer shares his fascination with the trailblazing conductor and composer who set new standards for both symphonic works and musical theater. Dr. Butts has conducted The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey since its founding in 1996. He has developed the orchestra into one of New Jersey's leading ensembles, expanding the repertoire to include major works of all periods. Dr. Butts teaches on the faculties of Montclair State University and The College of Saint Elizabeth.

Find out what's happening in Madisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 Monday, July 15 – 2 p.m. – “Super Storm Sandy and the Future of the NJ Coast”

 Dr. Jon Miller explores the problems and solutions resulting from Super Storm Sandy that are among the many challenges altering and impacting New Jersey’s shorelines and coastal zones.  Dr. Miller is currently a Research Assistant Professor at the Center for Maritime Systems of Stevens Institute of Technology.  He is a graduate of Stevens and holds a Masters Degree and Doctorate from the University of Florida in Coastal Engineering.  A Fulbright Fellow, he served as a Visiting Researcher at the University of Queensland in Australia.   Dr. Miller has had numerous articles published and has presented many of them at professional conferences. 

 Thursday, July 18 – 10:30 a.m. – “Do Unions Have a Future?”

 Mark Magyar, Professor of Labor Studies at Rutgers University, looks at the colorful history of unions in New Jersey and explains the troubled outlook for local and national unions. A resident of Harding Township, he has spent 37 years in New Jersey journalism, public policy and politics. He served as a Statehouse correspondent, as a senior policy adviser to Governor Christie Whitman, as head of a state public policy institute, and as policy director for the Independent gubernatorial candidate, Chris Daggett. He currently writes about state government for NJSpotlight and heads The Independent Center, the public policy center that developed the TownStats on-line municipal budget project.

 Monday, July 22 – 2 p.m. – “Morristown’s Community Theatre: Looking Back, Moving Forward”

 Allison Larena, president and CEO of the Mayo Performing Arts Center, recounts the story of entrepreneur Walter Reade’s flagship Morristown Community Theater which opened in 1937. Ms. Larena is responsible for overseeing all administrative, financial and operational aspects of the organization.  She has been instrumental in transforming the theatre into a full-fledged performing arts center and growing the annual operating budget from $1.5 million to approximately $8 million.  As a result, the venue now welcomes more than 200,000 patrons to 200 events annually, generates over $6 million in ticket sales and has an estimated impact of $12 million dollars on the local economy.  Ms. Larena has more than 20 years of related experience and education in arts management.

Thursday , July 25 – 10:30 a.m.– “The Idea Factory: Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Invention”

 Jon Gertner looks at the innovative philosophy that guided Bell Labs and nurtured academic, corporate and scientific contributions,  creating a culture of pioneering technology.  Mr. Gertner is editor-at-large at Fast Company magazine, where he writes and edits features on innovation and technology. Between 2004 and 2011, he worked at The New York Times Magazine, where he wrote about science, business, society, and economics. He has also served as a senior editor for Money and The American Lawyer. In March 2012 Penguin Press published his first book, "The Idea Factory: Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Innovation."

Monday, July 29 – 2 p.m. -  “A Brief History of American Photography: Images that Define Our World”

Jim DelGiudice, County College of Morris instructor, photographer and author, reveals how iconic photographs capture history, from shadowy daguerreotypes to images from the Hubble Telescope, incorporating  technique and context. Mr. DelGiudice has used his eyes and voice to document the New Jersey scene for more than half of his 55 years. His architectural photography for books published by Rutgers University Press twice won him the state’s Historic Preservation Award, and his plays have been produced by such venues as the Bickford Theatre and Kean University. In the millennium year, Jim was cited by both the state and county legislatures for his lifetime contribution to the arts. He is an adjunct assistant professor at County College of Morris, and also lectures frequently at Drew and Columbia Universities. Most recently, he served as photo editor for "A Lifetime with Shakespeare," published by McFarland & Company. A lifelong Morris County resident, Jim is inordinately proud of his one, tiny Wikipedia entry.

Thursday, Aug. 1 - 10:30 a.m. – “Ben Franklin and 18th Century America: Perfect Together”

 Dr. J. Perry Leavell, Professor Emeritus, Drew University, shares his thoughts on the famed author, printer, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor and statesman.  Leavell received his BA degree from Emory University and his PhD in American history from Tulane University.  He taught history at Drew University from 1967-2008, winning the Presidential Distinguished Teaching Award and serving as chair of the history department on four different occasions.  Since his retirement, Dr. Leavell has lectured widely on the history of the United States.  His official title is William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of History Emeritus.

Monday, Aug. 5 - 2 p.m. – “Cinema and Television: The New Jersey Connection”

 Walter Choroszewski, photo essayist, graphic designer and New Jersey chronicler, celebrates the state’s historic contributions to American cinema and television—from Edison’s Black Maria Studio to NJ’s popularity as a location for movies and reality TV. "New Jersey, a Scenic Discovery" was published in 1981 and established his photographic identity and lifelong link to the Garden State. He was the primary photographer of the New Jersey state tourism campaigns through the 1980’s and 1990’s, and he continues to supply the state with stock photos today. In 1985, the Choroszewski family moved to New Jersey and started Aesthetic Press, Inc. to publish regional books and calendars. Walter has photographed and produced 17 photographic books and numerous wall calendars.  In addition to location photography, Walter is also an award-winning graphic designer. He continues to promote a positive image for New Jersey through his creativity, public speaking and popular school presentations, and is a leading advocate of state pride.

Thursday, Aug. 8 – 10:30 a.m. – "Texting, Tweeting and Talking: Communication in a New Age"

Ron Alsop asks: As parents, grandparents and educators face the challenges of technology, is it possible to adapt the language of the 20th century to meet the realities of the 21st?  Mr. Alsop is a freelance writer and editor for websites, magazines and newspapers. He also does public speaking and consulting engagements on generational issues in the workplace, business education trends and corporate reputation management. A longtime reporter and editor for The Wall Street Journal, he is the author of eight books, including his latest, "The Trophy Kids Grow Up: How the Millennial Generation Is Shaking Up the Workplace." His other books include "The Wall Street Journal Guide to the Top Business Schools" and "The 18 Immutable Laws of Corporate Reputation: Creating, Protecting, and Repairing Your Most Valuable Asset." He also has served as editor of the Journal’s Marketplace page and its annual ranking of M.B.A. programs.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here