Join OLLI members the morning of Saturday, October 24th at 8:30 a.m. for a buffet breakfast and three presentations reflecting on the past, present and future of the United States.
The country was born 250 years ago and founded on principles of equality, human rights and democracy. In the first presentation, Eric Berger of the UNL College of Law will examine the founding principles and how they were expressed in the documents of the era.
Where we stand today in living up to the founding principles will be the subject of a panel discussion with Mindy Chipman, executive director of ACLU Nebraska, and UNL professors Rose Holz and Gwendolyn Combs
Then U.S. Rep. Don Bacon and former U.S. Rep. Doug Bereuter will offer their thoughts on the future and the prospects for adhering to our founding ideals.
Speakers:
Eric Berger, J.D.
Eric Berger is a professor at the University of Nebraska College of Law whose teaching and scholarship focus on constitutional law. He has been recognized with numerous teaching awards, including being named Professor of the Year eight times.
Mindy Rush Chipman
Mindy Rush Chipman is executive director of the ACLU of Nebraska. She has held leadership roles in civil rights, legal aid, and public service, advocating for marginalized communities across Nebraska.
Rose Holz
Rose Holz is Associate Director of Women's and Gender Studies and Professor of Practice at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Her teaching and research focus on the history of women, sexuality, medicine, and reproductive politics in the United States.
Gwendolyn Combs
Gwendolyn Combs is a retired associate professor of management at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She is recognized for her leadership in workplace inclusion, student mentorship, and human resources education.
Don Bacon
Don Bacon has represented Nebraska's Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2017. Before entering Congress, he served nearly 30 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a brigadier general.
Douglas Bereuter
Douglas Bereuter represented Nebraska in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1979 to 2004. He later served as president and CEO of The Asia Foundation, leading the organization from 2004 to 2011.
Agenda:
8:15 am - Doors Open
8:30 am - Breakfast
9:00 am - Welcome
9:15am - The Promises: Founding Fathers and Founding Documents - Eric Berger, J.D.
10:00 am - Break
10:15 am - The Progress: The Ways the Experiment Has Played Out - Mindy Rush Chipman, J.D., Rose Holz, Ph.D., Gwendolyn Combs, Ph.D.
11:15 am - Break
11:30 am - The Prognosis: Where Do We Go From Here - Honorable Don Bacon, U.S. House of Representatives, Honorable Doug Bereuter, Retired, U.S. House of Representatives
12:15 pm - Closing statements