Speakers for the 2011-2012 Series

Nick Clooney, Journalist, Author, TV Personality

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Kicking off the series is Nick Clooney. Clooney's varied career in journalism reflects his many passions.  He has worked as a reporter, anchor, managing editor, and news director.  His columns and op-ed pieces have appeared in publications across the country, including the Los Angeles Times and the Salt Lake Tribune.  The Washington Review of Journalism named him one of the “best in the business of television news.” He holds an honorary doctorate of fine arts from Northern Kentucky University, the President’s Medal from Thomas More College, the Kentucky Broadcaster’s Association Distinguished Kentuckian Award, a regional EMMY, and three national EMMY award nominations.

Journalist. Author.  TV personality.  Activist.  He is all of these things, but you can also call him a speaker, a master of ceremonies, moderator, and panelist, given that he has appeared at over 3,000 events and has delivered the commencement address at more than 30 high schools, colleges and universities.

Arun Gandhi, Peace Activist & Proponent of Non-Violence

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The third speaker to the Lehigh Valley is Gandhi.  Few names in world history evoke such powerful images of integrity, courage, social harmony, and perhaps most of all – hope. 

Arun Gandhi carries within himself the same guiding principles as his grandfather, the legendary peace-maker and spiritual leader, Mohandas K. Gandhi, also known as Mahatma Gandhi. 

After leading successful projects for economic and social reform in India, Gandhi came to the United States in 1987 to complete research for a comparative study on racism in America.  In 1991, Gandhi and his late wife, Sunanda, founded the M.K. Gandhi Institute of Nonviolence, headquartered at the University of Rochester, New York.  The Institute’s mission is to foster understanding of nonviolence and how to put that philosophy to practical use. 

A speaker of international acclaim, Gandhi has spoken before hundreds of colleges and universities, and corporate and civic organizations.  Arun Gandi is a cultural treasure, offering firsthand insights into one of history’s most influential leaders.

Joe Petro, Former Special Agent of the Secret Service

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

The second speaker of the series is Joseph Petro, the Managing Director of Citigroup Security and Investigative Services.  Since 1993, he has been responsible for fraud prevention and investigations, physical security and executive protection for Citigroup and its worldwide subsidiary and legacy companies. 

From 1971 to 1993, Joe was a special agent and senior executive with the United States Secret Service.  He supervised the Presidential and Vice Presidential Protective Divisions and the Washington Field Office.  Earlier in his career, Joe had been assigned to investigations, intelligence, training, internal affairs and public affairs.  He also was selected as Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Treasury, where he advised and assisted department officials on financial crime enforcement policy and worked with the Justice Department, Congressional committees and other federal agencies on law enforcement issues. 

Joe is a graduate of Temple University and the author of the book Standing Next to History, An Agent’s Life Inside the Secret Service.

Cloris Leachman, Award-Winning Actress

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Wrapping up the series is Cloris Leachman, an Emmy and Oscar-winning actress best known for her roles as the self-involved neighbor, Phyllis, on the Mary Tyler Moore Show, and as Frau Blucher in Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein. She was recently paired with professional dancer Corky Ballas, as a contestant on season seven of Dancing With the Stars.  Her list of awards is record-setting, with eight Primetime Emmy Awards-more than any other female performer-and one Daytime Emmy Award; she has been nominated more than 20 times.  She also won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in the 1971 film, The Last Picture Show. 

She worked in television on shows, such as The Twilight Zone, Rawhide, Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Lassie.  Some of her more recent work includes the role of Grandma Ida on Malcolm in the Middle, and the grandmother, Evelyn, in the feature film, Spanglish. 

In April 2009, Cloris: My Autobiography was released reaching bestseller lists around the country.  Currently, Cloris is playing the role of “Maw Maw” on the television show, Raising Hope, which Fox just picked up for a second season.