Community Conversations is a free lecture series examining a current topic each quarter. Credit is available by enrolling in Humanities 106 (Community Conversations).

Lectures are held at 12 noon in the Rose Center for the Arts, Wollenberg Auditorium (unless otherwise noted). Where to Park? See: Parking Information. To arrange accommodation for a disability call 360.442.2341

Spring Quarter 2013

Cowlitz County: Our Growing International Connections
Examining emerging opportunities for economic growth and development of the future. Speakers will include regional experts on economic development, transportation, global competitiveness, intercultural endeavors, and globalization.

Join the conversation on Twitter at #talkglobal

News stories:

Lower Columbia College Hosts the Washington Council on International Trade to Discuss International Trade Competitiveness, Millennium Bulk Terminal Blog, May 9 2013

Sprague discusses Longview's economic evolution during LCC lecture, The Daily News, May 2, 2013

LCC lecture series to focus on Cowlitz County's growing international ties, The Daily News, March 28, 2013

Schedule of Speakers

April 11
Educating Our Future Workforce: Chinese Teacher Exchanges and Language Programs
Suzanne Cusick, Superintendent, Longview School District
Related information
Confucius Institute: Longview Students Celebrate Lunar New Year

April 18
Lower Columbia College's Role in the Region's Future
Chris Bailey, President, Lower Columbia College

April 25
Increasing Washington's International Competitiveness
Eric Shinfeld, President, World Trade Council, and Chief of Staff, Seattle Chamber of Commerce
Related information
Articles written by Eric Shinfield on Crosscut.com

May 2
A Look into the Future Economy of Cowlitz County
Ted Sprague, Director, Cowlitz Economic Development Council

May 9
Benefits and Opportunities in International Education
Margit Brumbaugh, Director, Lower Columbia College International Programs

May 17 (Friday)
Space Policy and its Entrepreneurial Impact in the Pacific Northwest
Paul Laufman, retired CEO, United Paradyne
(Administration Building, Heritage Room)

May 23
Connection of our Major Industries to World Markets and Producers
Peter Bennett, Vice President of Business Development, Millennium Bulk Terminals

May 30
Longview Sister City Commission: Expanding Our Intercultural Connections
Eileen Bergeson, Business Faculty, Lower Columbia College
Tom Hutchinson, Longview City Council

June 6
Our Regional and International Transportation Connections
Geir-Eilif Kalhagen, CEO, Port of Longview
and other port representatives

June 13
How Globalization Affects Labor: Past, Present and Future
John Philbrook, Board of Trustees member, Lower Columbia College, and ILWU member
Jeff Davis, Commissioner, Port of Olympia, and ILWU member

For previous Community Conversations Lecture Series topics see Archive