In 1933, during the Great Depression, a small group of citizens seeking to learn more about the significant events of the time started a public lecture series. It is now known as the Norfolk Forum.
The Forum is now the oldest publicly subscribed speakers' group in the U.S. and presents at least four speakers each year, including internationally known authors, educators, journalists, and politicians.
This year’s season launches Thursday at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk. Tickets are available at thenorfolkforum.org.
Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m.: Jenna Hager, best-selling author and “TODAY” show host of Jenna &
Friends. Hager is the daughter of former U.S. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. Like her mother, Hager taught public school. She and her mother co-authored the children’s books “Our Great Big Backyard” and “Read All About It!” Hager has authored or co-authored additional children’s books, including “I Loved You First; Love Comes First,” “The Superpower of Sisterhood” and “Everything Beautiful in Its Time.”
Nov.18, 7:30 p.m.: Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden, Jr. USMC (Ret.). Bolden was appointed the 12th administrator for NASA in 2009 by President Barack Obama; Bolden became the second astronaut to hold that position. While leading NASA, Bolden oversaw the transition from the Space Shuttle system to the International Space Station and the development of aeronautics technology. While an astronaut, Bolden flew on four space shuttle missions. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Bolden flew over 100 combat missions during the Vietnam War.
Jan. 27, 7:30 p.m.: Dr. Elias Zerhouni. Zerhouni served as the 15th Director of the National Institutes of Health under Bush and as the presidential envoy for science and technology under Obama. He has served as a senior fellow in global health research at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Zerhouni is a former vice chair of radiology at Eastern Virginia Medical School and helped coordinate the merger between EVMS and Old Dominion University.
April 21, 7:30 p.m. John McEnroe. McEnroe won his first grand slam singles title in 1979, the first of four U.S. Open Championships. He went on to garner three Wimbledon singles titles, becoming the youngest No. 1-ranked male in the history of professional tennis. With seven grand slam singles and 10 grand slam doubles championships, McEnroe is still considered one of the greatest players of the game. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1999. McEnroe has founded several philanthropic organizations, including The Johnny Mac Tennis Project, which aims to eliminate the financial barriers that prevent young people from participating in tennis.