Chautauqua Institution today announced the interim appointment of Jordan Steves to the role of Emily and Richard Smucker Chair for Education. This appointment follows the announcement last week of the resignation of Matt Ewalt, Vice President and Emily and Richard Smucker Chair for Education, who is taking on a new role for The Texas Tribune. As interim chair, Steves will lead the coordination, planning and presentation of the Chautauqua Lecture Series, the Institution’s signature lecture platform that takes place at 10:45 a.m. Monday-Friday during the Summer Assembly. “Jordan brings a deep knowledge of and commitment to the mission and history...
CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y. — Chautauqua Institution today announced that Matt Ewalt, longtime member of the Institution’s leadership team who currently serves as vice president and Emily and Richard Smucker Chair for Education, will depart at the end of March for a new professional opportunity at The Texas Tribune in Austin. Ewalt has served Chautauqua in a variety of capacities since joining the staff in 2006. Since 2018, he has served in his current role, overseeing the Institution’s signature Chautauqua Lecture Series, Chautauqua Literary Arts, youth and family programs, the Special Studies community education program, and the Chautauqua Climate Change Initiative, along...
Welcome to the winter 2023 update of the Chautauqua Climate Change Initiative. In this edition, you’ll get a sneak peek into one of the most exciting programs we have in store for you during the 2023 season. A full climate program list will appear in our Spring 2023 update along with some unique adventures coming up through Chautauqua Travels. You’ll also learn about the ongoing work of our Chautauqua Lake Initiative and our efforts to advance a greener, more sustainable Chautauqua. As of February 2022, we have more than 200 members on our Facebook group, Chautauquans for Sustainability. If you’re...
Welcome to the Fall 2022 update of the Chautauqua Climate Change Initiative. In this edition we look back at how we did during the 2022 season and highlight some post-summer programs and events. As a reminder, we have a dedicated page on Chautauqua’s website, climate.chq.org, where you can get updates on current programs and events as well as links to past programs on CHQ Assembly. We also have a Facebook group, Chautauquans for Sustainability, now with nearly 200 members. For those who are not on Facebook, know that we will continue to send quarterly updates by email so you won’t...
Dear Chautauqua Family, I have potlucks on my mind this morning as Peter and I prepare to host loved ones at our table for Thanksgiving. At Chautauqua, we are well familiar with the potluck, and our community throws a lot of them — from neighborhood picnics for residents and students, to monthly sessions through the fall, winter and spring at Hurlbut Church, to intimate gatherings of families and friends on porches or in kitchens, as the seasons permit. The opportunity to gather and enjoy each other’s company is something I think we all treasure a little more after these...
CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y., AND WASHINGTON, D.C. — To build on their respective missions that advance democracy, Chautauqua Institution and Campaign Legal Center (CLC) today announced a partnership to co-create, host and distribute programming centering on voter education and engagement. The partnership launches Nov. 1 on the Institution’s CHQ Assembly streaming channel with the premiere of a conversation between CLC Founder and President, and Republican former Chairman of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) Trevor Potter and Chautauqua President Michael E. Hill, examining the mission of CLC and key issues at play in the upcoming mid-term election. The launch will also feature a...
New Trustee Class Began Term Oct. 1 Chautauqua Institution’s Board of Trustees elected Laurie Branch to a four-year term of service at the final meeting of the body’s 2021–22 cycle on Aug. 27. Additionally, members of the Chautauqua Corporation elected Sara Ponkow Falvo as the newest of the four trustees selected by Chautauqua property owners at the Corporation’s annual meeting on Aug. 19. The new trustee class officially began its term on Oct. 1. Branch, of Longboat Key, Florida, and originally of Olean, New York, is CEO and President of Iroquois Group, Inc., one of the oldest and largest networks...
Eradicate Hate Global Summit Keynote Address As Prepared for Delivery September 20, 2022 Dr. Michael E. Hill 18th President, Chautauqua Institution Thank you, Leslie, for that kind introduction and for serving as the catalyst for bringing me here today. I’m deeply honored to be with each and every one of you. I’m particularly and sincerely overwhelmed to serve as a keynote the night after Henry Reese and Diane Samuels offered their own thoughts and reflections. For those who know the story of what brought me here, the last time I saw Henry and Diane was at Chautauqua Institution on a very fateful day that...
Three Taps of the Gavel closing the 149th Assembly Dr. Michael E. Hill, 18th President of Chautauqua Institution When I was a little boy, I used to lament things that were hard. In those moments when I found myself complaining to my father, his reply would often be: “It builds character.” Chautauqua, as we round out our Summer Assembly season, I have stood witness to many things that were indeed hard about our time together this summer. We entered our summer with COVID still an ominous presence. We struggled to find the necessary staff to operate Chautauqua amid a national labor...
“Aftershocks and Gratitude” Good morning. It has been much too long since we’ve gathered as a full community in this space and in this sacred place. I offer our returning Chautauquans a hearty welcome home. It is definitely not Chautauqua without you. And it’s absolutely wonderful to see you again. To those with us visiting Chautauqua for the first time this morning, we want to offer you an extra special greeting. You are now part of a community that cherishes lifelong learning as a key to perpetuating and enhancing our democratic society. Our mission calls us to constantly widen our...