University Club programs are open to the public and are held Tuesdays in the Padua Room of the Hughes Community Center, 1700 Danbury Road, Claremont, California. Meetings start at 11:30 AM. The $20 meeting fee includes a buffet lunch. Membership applications are available at each meeting. Map to Hughes Community Center
June Program Chair: Donna Bernard
June 4 – “Life’s Surprises and Medical Miracles”
Speaker – Carol Weise
On February 22, 2018 Carol Weise had a massive “widow maker” heart attack, from which she was not expected to recover. By the grace of God, the love and prayers of family and friends, and amazing medical care, she survived. Carol will share her unique story. She will talk about the experience of extended near-death; pain and peace; and the roles of prayer, advocacy and attitude. She will urge us to “donate life.” She will also show a series of paintings that she created as part of her recovery.
Carol is a wife to Bill Wiese for 38 years, mother to Jack for 31 years and grandmother to Riley for 1 year. As a local real estate agent for 26 years, she has gotten to know a wide variety of people during times of change in their lives. She has lived and worked in the area since 1978 and loves the town and gown aspects of Claremont.
Introduction: Anne Sonner
Fellowship: Pat Kelly
Greeter: Lori McGrath
June 11 – “Searching for Sculptor Albert Stewart”
Speaker – Anne Sonner
Albert Stewart (1900-65) created several pieces of art for the Claremont United Church of Christ, where Anne Sonner is historian (following in the big shoes of Doug MacKenzie). Research on Stewart and his sculpture ranged from Stewart’s roots in Europe, youth in NYC, and sculpture on buildings around the country, to his involvement with Scripps College and the Claremont Mid-Century Modern art community. Anne made it a mission – or scavenger hunt – to find all of Stewart’s art in Claremont – both in plain view and hidden. This led to many tangents, such as trying to find out what happened to Stewart’s eagle sculptures that were in the old San Francisco old mint.
Anne is a graduate of Pitzer College. She writes about church and art history, genealogy, and sometimes plumbing. She has been University Club secretary for a few years.
Introduction: Donna Bernard
Fellowship: Wes Hawks
Greeters: Pat Kelly, Art Parker
June 18 – “The Power of Technology to Improve Human Functioning”
Speaker – Dr. David Cisneros and Dr. Pedro Diniz
This joint program is about how several new technologies – that you may or may not have heard of – are impacting the fields of education and medicine. Dr. Cisneros will talk about virtual reality and augmented reality. Thousands of schools are already using this technology to engage students in deeper understanding of concepts that could either be dangerous, impossible, counter-productive, or expensive in the typical classroom setting. If there is time, we will get an opportunity to experience the technology. Dr. Diniz will focus on how 3D models and 3D printing are revolutionizing medical training for human and animal medicine. At Western University these technologies support advanced learning in anatomy, cardiology, and dentistry. We will be able to see and interact with 3D printed models used in classroom activities.
David Cisneros earned a PhD from Claremont Graduate University and was an educator for 18 years in the Fontana and Redlands School Districts. He is now Southern California Regional Director for the technology start-up zSpace, where he is helping schools and districts discover how virtual and augmented reality can change classroom instruction. Pedro Diniz is Associate Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine, specializing in cardiology and infectious diseases, at Western University College of Veterinary Medicine. He earned a DVM from São Paulo State University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine and a PhD in Clinical Sciences from the College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences at São Paulo State University. Dr. Diniz joined Western U in 2009.
Introduction: Mel Boynton
Fellowship: Mel Boynton
Greeter: Peter Boniface
June 25 – “Positive Psychology”
Speaker – Louis Alloro, M.Ed., MAPP
Successful people think differently. They have the ability to bounce back, persevere, and make things happen even in (especially in) the face of adversity and challenge. This new field of Positive Psychology teaches how we’re genetically predisposed to negativity and how we can change this. Learn about scientifically researched strategies for getting more of what you want from your life.
Louis is one of the first 100 people in the world to earn a Master of Applied Positive Psychology (from U Penn). He consults for a variety of groups in leadership development, team building, change management, etc. He co-founded The Flourishing Center’s Certificate in the Applied Positive Psychology program, which is offered in 14 cities across the US and Canada. He is a senior fellow at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Wellbeing and is currently pursuing his PhD in positive organizational psychology at Claremont Graduate University.
Introduction: Gene Smith
Fellowship: Armando Lopez
Greeters: Bob Knell and Julia Arias
Birthdays: Lucy Lynch