9:30 – 10:30        EDUCATION          Presidents’ Hall
Moving the Bell Museum

Speaker: Denise L. Young, Bell Museum Executive Director

Learn firsthand about the remarkable process of moving Minnesota treasures to the new Bell Museum and how they have been expertly preserved and reinterpreted for a new generation of visitors. Discover the stories behind your favorite large dioramas.

10:45 – 11:45        WOMEN’S VOICES           Presidents’ Hall
Redefining the Way We Think about Beauty

Speaker: Amira Adawe, Host for the KALY Radio talk show called Beauty-Wellness Talk

How do we define beauty? How do we change the beliefs that some people have—if you are dark, you aren’t beautiful, and if you are light, you are beautiful. Adawe addresses the issue of skin-lightening creams, alerting her audiences about the dangers of toxic ingredients such as mercury. She hopes to lessen the demand for products called Whitenicious or Fair & Lovely. She encourages her listeners to feel proud of who they are, instead of altering themselves to fit a cultural norm.

11:45 – 12:15 BUSINESS MEETING
12:15 – 1:15 LUNCHEON

1:15 – 2:15       PUBLIC POLICY           Presidents’ Hall
American Democracy in a Changing World

Speaker: Timothy R. Johnson, Morse Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor of Political Science and Law, University of Minnesota

The United States was founded as a republic, rather than a democracy, and our system of governance has evolved over time. Professor Johnson will discuss the fundamental characteristics of our political institutions (executive, legislative, and judicial branches) and the people who run them. He will speak about contemporary issues such as partisanship and policy differences. Does the government of today live up to the ideals of democracy?