Community invited to "America 250" conference at WC
Weatherford College invites the community to its 8th Annual Interdisciplinary Academic Conference on Thursday, Feb. 12.
This year’s theme, "America 250: Honoring our Past, Courageously Imagining our Future," commemorates the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The day-long event will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Workforce and Emerging Technologies Building and is free to attend.
“The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond,” said Lisa Winegar, event organizer and WC social science instructor.
The conference features a lineup of experts across government, defense, education, humanities, arts and science.
In addition, the Parker County Car Club will host a Classic Car show in the Alkek lot, several local food trucks will have offerings for purchase in the Kingsley lot, and there will be a birthday cake cutting ceremony at 11:30 in the foyer of the Workforce and Emerging Technologies Building, Attendees may also enter a raffle for prizes at the end of each presentation session.
Keynote speakers for this year’s event include:
- Army Lieutenant Colonel Christine Neusmith, a Military Intelligence officer on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, will discuss leadership lessons from the Special Operations battlefield.
- Mary Helen Dodson, historian and author, will present on the architecture of Wesley Clark Dodson, the designer of the historic Parker County Courthouse.
- Carlos Rovelo, political analyst and professor, will deliver a multimedia presentation on the sacrifices and democratic ideals that have shaped the nation.
The day will also include a Parker County elected official's roundtable with Sheriff Russ Authier, Precinct 2 Commissioner Jacob Holt, Texas House District 104 (Retired) State Representative Roberto Alonzo, Weatherford Mayor Paul Paschall, Texas Senate District 30 Senator Brent Hagenbuch, and Texas House District 60 Representative Mike Olcott.
Additional presentations will cover diverse topics, including the impact of AI on education and literature, the evolution of American popular music, current pet care practices and the psychological impacts of the pandemic on childhood development.
Attendees are encouraged to register in advance. For a full schedule of events, campus map, and registration details, visit the official conference page here.