Central College’s Central RED Society invites its members to sit in on three presentations of “The January Series,” a collection of speakers at Calvin University in Michigan that is designed to provoke “deep thought and conversations about important issues of the day in order to inspire cultural renewal and make us better global citizens in God’s World.”
The three presentations will be livestreamed at Third Reformed Church, 708 E. 13th St. in Pella. There is no cost and no need to register.
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 10, 2020
Sandra Postel: “Replenish: The Virtuous Cycle of Water and Prosperity”
A leading authority and prolific author on global water issues, Sandra has been hailed for her inspiring, innovative and practical approach to promoting the preservation and sustainable use of fresh water. She directs the independent Global Water Policy Project, based in New Mexico, and is the co-creator of “Change the Course,” a national water stewardship initiative which brings together the public, the business community and on-the-ground conservation organizations to transform the way society uses, manages and values fresh water. A Pew Scholar in Conservation and the Environment and a Fellow of the Post Carbon Institute, Postel has been named one of the Scientific American 50. She appears in the BBC’s “Planet Earth” and Leonardo DiCaprio’s “The 11th Hour.”
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020
Deborah and James Fallows: “Our Towns: A 100,000-mile Journey into the Heart of America”
James, a writer for the Atlantic, and Deborah, a linguist and writer, spent five years visiting small towns and cities in America, flying a modest propeller airplane, to capture firsthand a surprising portrait of the civic and economic reinvention happening across the country, outside the spotlight of national media. The result was “Our Towns,” the bestselling book Publishers Weekly called “an eye-opening, keenly optimistic reminder of the strength of America’s vital center.” It is a tonic for what ails us as a nation, a captivating story of energy and renewal across the land.
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020
Ann Compton: Up Close and Very Personal: My 41 Years in the White House Press Corps”
Ann Compton is a distinguished and highly respected veteran of the White House press corps. She joined ABC News in 1973 and was the first woman assigned to cover the White House by a television network. From her front seat at the White House for ABC News, Compton covered seven presidents, as well as innumerable life-changing and globe-altering events – from the end of the Cold War to 9/11 to the political dramas that made the daily headlines. With her personal access for over four decades, she is well equipped to provide audiences a historical perspective of the presidency and insights into today’s global events and daily headlines.
Central RED (Ready to Engage and Discover) is a volunteer-driven, lifelong learning and social organization with an abiding partnership with Central College alumni and friends who wish to share knowledge, talents and experiences. Members pay $20 annually to join Central RED.
No affiliation with Central College is required to join Central RED. For more information, visit www.central.edu/red or contact Mary Benedict by email at benedictm@central.edu or phone at 641-628-7641.