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
2026-2027 Speakers
As the college’s educational outreach program, the Salon Speaker Series events are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Registration opens six weeks before each event.
For each event, food service begins at 6 p.m. and the speaker presentation starts at 7 p.m.
Bob Kealing
Sept. 10, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Venetian Center: Good Day Sunshine State, The Beatles in 1964 Florida
Learn more about this program!Dr. Michael Scheibach
Oct. 5, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Venetian Center: The Supreme Court and American History: Landmark Decisions that Changed the Nation's Course
Learn more about this program!Dr. Kimberly Voss
Dec. 1, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Venetian Center: Florida Newspapers and Advice Columns in the Post-World War II Years
Learn more about this program!Ritz Chamber Players
Jan. 21, 2027, at 7 p.m. at Lake Deaton United Methodist Church: Freedom and Liberation
Learn more about this program!Dr. Ray Nault
Feb. 18, 2027, at 7 p.m. at the Venetian Center: Hans Christian Andersen and the Art of Storytelling for Adults
Learn more about this program!Martina Mathisen
March 17, 2027, at 7 p.m. at the Venetian Center: Sacagawea Adventures with Lewis and Clark
Learn more about this program!Dr. David Head
April 27, 2027, at 7 p.m. at the Venetian Center: Britain's Loyal Colonies Lost: The American Revolution in Florida
Learn more about this program!Missed a Speaker? Check Out the Videos!
Missed a Salon Speaker Series presentation that you really wanted to see? Check out the Beacon College YouTube channel for videos of the Salon Speaker Series presentations.
Watch the Salon Speaker events videosSpeaker 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 350-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
Meet the Salon Speaker Series Team
Darryl E. Owens
Associate Vice President of Communication and Engagement
352-638-9789dowens@beaconcollege.eduMary Wymer
Director of Communications
352-638-9709mwymer@beaconcollege.edu