Engage. Engross. Edify.
The Beacon Salon Speaker Series is the college’s educational outreach program. Channeling the spirit of the intellectual discourse of the French salons during the Enlightenment, the Speaker Series invites the Central Florida community to partake in lifelong learning at the feet of respected scholars, to enrich their souls through the beauty and vibrancy of visual and performing arts, and to weigh new perspectives on old issues through lectures from breakthrough authors and national speakers.
Speaker Schedule
As the college’s educational outreach program, the Salon Speaker Series events are free and open to the public. Registration is required.
For each event, food service begins at 6 p.m. and the speaker presentation starts at 7 p.m.
Dr. David Head
Aug. 28, 2024, at the Venetian Center: "A Very Mysterious Business: George Washington and the Rumored Rebellion that Threatened the Revolution"
Dr. Ray Nault
Sept. 18, 2024, at the Venetian Center: "Japanese Woodblock Art"
Dr. Leigh Camacho Rourks
Oct. 16, 2024, at the Venetian Center: "Appallingly Funny: Humor and the Taboo from War Literature to Social Media"
Christopher Irving
Nov. 21, 2024, at the Venetian Center: "The Future Happened Yesterday"
Greg and Candy Dawson
Dec. 9, 2024, at the Venetian Center: "A Ukrainian Symphony of Survival: From the Holocaust to Putin's War"
CFCArts Big Band
Jan. 30, 2025 at Lake Deaton United Methodist Church: "Hand-Drawn Jazz"
Kimberly Wehle
Feb. 10, 2025, at the Venetian Center: "How to Read the Constitution and Why"
Dr. J. Michael Butler
March 13, 2025, at the Venetian Center: "State, Local and National Campaigns: The Civil Rights Movement in Florida"
Speaker Proposals
The Salon Speaker Series team invites historians, adventurers, visual and performing artists, writers, statesmen, poets, and others to educate, engage, and edify the Central Florida community. The Series is not looking for self-help or motivational speakers.
These are PAID appearances. Travel, lodging, and meals (where applicable) also are provided.
The Beacon Salon Speaker Series events are free and open to the public with a hot meal served to guests. Events typically draw 250-plus guests.
The Beacon Salon Speaker Series aims to support the college’s core mission and obligation as an institution of higher learning to educate our students and edify the community in which we live, work, and serve.
For additional information, email Darryl Owens at dowens@beaconcollege.edu or Mary Wymer at mwymer@beaconcollege.edu