COMMENTARY: Continuing Education in 2018

“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.”

― Abigail Adams, in a May 8, 1780 letter to her son, John Quincy Adams

I’ve been lucky to hear and learn from many smart thinkers in 2018. Among the most thought-provoking:

The Friends of Master Magician Eugene Burger: The life lessons taught by the late Eugene Burger were celebrated by numerous friends, including my husband, Robert Charles, at various events hosted by the Magic Castle in Los Angeles, Magic Circle in London and three venues in Chicago. (January, April, May 31-June1)

Gen. John E. Heyten: The General overseeing US Strategic Command spoke about our country’s peacekeeping role around the globe at a dinner in Omaha celebrating the newly commissioned USS Omaha. (February)

Writer Alex Kotlowitz (pictured above): At a dinner and discussion hosted by the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame, a group of us engaged in a lively conversation about writing and Kotlowtiz’s modern classic, “There Are No Children Here.” The evening was held at the beautiful Harry S. Adams home, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, in Oak Park. (February)

Three Scholars: Robert and I love the One-Day University programs. Hosted at the Thorne Auditorium at Northwestern University’s downtown campus, we heard UCLA Egyptologist Kara Cooney speak on the fall of the great empires (Egyptian, Greek, Roman) and discuss what that portends for the United States of America; Rutgers’ Louis Masur on the Hamilton-Jefferson rivalry; and American University’s Leonard Steinhorn on how the 1960s have shaped U.S. politics today. (March)

Magic Circle President Scott Penrose: A charming magician and smart teacher from England, Penrose lectured on “Making Your Magic More Magical,” at Magic, Inc. in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood. (April)

Pediatrician and Children’s Champion Nadine Burke-Harris, MD, Ounce luncheon at Chicago Hilton (April)

Investors Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger, Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting, Century Link Convention Center, Omaha (May)

Teacher Laura Nunn at Chicago Foundation for Education fundraiser at Fig & Olive (June)

Henry Bienen interview of Joyce Carol Oates, Jones Prep, Printers Row Lit Fest (June)

Hahrie Han, from University of California Santa Barbara, on attributes of successful social movements at Policy Exchange (June)

Liesl Olson, Chicago Literary Hall of Fame book club at private home in Ravenswood Manor, to discuss “Chicago Renaissance: Literature and Art in the Midwest Metropolis” (June)

Playwright James McGrath and Nancy Sindelar conversation about Ernest Hemingway and “Pamplona,” American Writers Museum (July)

Author Scott Turow, at a Chicago Literary Hall of Fame dinner in the old Dawson House in Evanston, discussing “Presumed Innocent,” literature and corruption in ‘da great city of Chicago (August)

Early childhood guru and Yale faculty member Walter Gilliam, PhD, at University Club breakfast hosted by Ounce of Prevention and Boeing Company, to present on preschool expulsion and implicit bias (September)

Master magician Jeff McBride “Super Session” at Magic, Inc. (September)

Professors Austin Sarat (Amherst College, discussing four trials that changed America), Carol Berkin (Baruch College, on what the founding fathers were really like) and Craig Wright, (Yale University, on what makes Mozart great) at One-Day University, Sheraton Hotel (September)

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, “The Search for Life in the Universe,” Chicago Theatre (October)

Child welfare advocate Ashley Rhodes-Courter telling her story at the Changemakers Luncheon benefiting Nebraska Children and Families Foundation. Jessie Rasmussen also received the Grace Abbott Award at the same luncheon. (October)

Historian Ron Chernow interviewed by Bruce Dold about “Grant” and “Hamilton,” Symphony Center, Chicago Humanities Festival (October)

A full evening’s conversation with Max Maven at the Magic Castle (November)

Activist and organizer Saru Jayarman on harnessing grassroots power for young children, Alliance for Early Success Partner Summit, Denver (November)

GOP pollster and messaging guru Frank Luntz on 21 words and phrases that have the greatest impact with policymakers and parents, Alliance for Early Success Partner Summit, Denver (November)

Donna Brazile and Symone Sanders encouraging girls and young women to grow strong, smart and bold, Girls Inc. Luncheon in Omaha (December)