INDIAN RIVER COUNTY

Distinguished Lecturer Series founders lauded as 20th anniversary season concludes at Vero Beach's Riverside Theatre

Maureen Nicolace
For Luminaries

Riverside Theatre's Distinguished Lecturer Series celebrated its 20th season of bringing world-renown speakers to Vero Beach.

Frannie Atchison and Debbi Peniston, founders and co-chairs of Riverside Theatre's Distinguished Lecturer Series.

Frannie Atchison and Debbi Peniston co-founded the lecturer series and continue to serve as co-chairs.

Not only does the Distinguished Lecturer Series enrich the community through stimulating and thought-provoking lectures, the series plays an important role as a major fundraiser for Riverside Theatre, according to its website. Located on the barrier island in Vero Beach, the nonprofit theater is the largest producing theater in Florida.

The 20th anniversary season kicked off Jan. 22 with U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter (2015-2017), who provided a geopolitical forecast on Asia, Russia and other global hot spots.

On Feb. 5, The Right Honourable David Cameron, prime minister of the United Kingdom (2010-2016) shared his view on world affairs, including the rise of populism, globalization and Brexit.

On Feb. 19, Sen. Phil Gramm, who holds a doctorate in economics and is the former head of the Senate Banking Committee, gave an economics lesson about what it would take to ignite an economic recovery in the U.S.

Ted Berghorst, left, and David Cameron, former prime minister of the United Kingdom. In February, Cameron shared his view on world affairs, including the rise of populism, globalization and Brexit.

Concluding the season on March 12 was Ambassador Christopher Hill, former Ambassador to South Korea, Iraq and Poland, who addressed the underlying causes of global uncertainty with an emphasis on North Korea.

Confirmed lecture dates for 2019 are Jan. 28, Feb. 11, Feb. 25 and March 11.

The Distinguished Lecturer Series features four speakers and is typically held during the months of January through March. Each speaker gives two lectures, one at 4 p.m. and one at 6 p.m., both followed by a question-and-answer session. Each lecture is given to an audience of about 675 subscribers in the Stark Stage theatre, and to an audience of 200 watching each lecture by simulcast in the Waxlax Theatre. 

More information about this series can be found at www.riversidelecturerseries.com.

MISSION STATEMENT

To provide diverse perspectives in areas including Foreign Relations, Defense, Politics, Science and other relevant topics. The purpose is to enrich people’s lives with exceptional programs which inform, educate and equip us all with the knowledge and understanding we need to make sense of our world and the future.                             

Jim Walker, left, with Julie and Ambassador Christopher Hill, who concluded the Distinguished Lecturer Series season on March 12. Christopher Hill, former ambassador to South Korea, Iraq and Poland, talked on the underlying causes of global uncertainty with an emphasis on North Korea.