Some of Our Past Programs

Moore in the Gardens

Members received a guided tour of the Henry Moore sculptures at Denver Botanic Gardens.

2010 Annual Banquet

The 2010 annual banquet was held Thursday, March 25, 2010, at The University Club. Professor Ricardo Iznaola, chair of the Guitar and Harp Department at the Lamont School of Music, University of Denver, presented a performance of guitar music related to his experiences as a touring concert artist in Cuba, Colombia, Venezuela, and Spain, as well as the United States. The banquet raised over $500 for our Scholarship Fund.  

Wednesday Lunch Discussion

Fanaticism: The word fanatic is derived from the Latin fanaticus, inspired by a deity, frenzied; from fanum temple. Fanaticism is the opposite of rationalism. As a rational human being, how do you relate to a fanatic — whether that person is fanatical about politics, religion, dietary habits, or . . . It is easy to refuse to be engaged, and maybe there is no other possible course of action, but at what price? If you were kidnapped by fanatics, what would you do? Rationalize or agree?

“All mass movements generate in their adherents a readiness to die and a proclivity for united action; all of them, irrespective of the doctrine they preach and the program they project, breed fanaticism, enthusiasm, fervent hope, hatred and intolerance; all of them are capable of releasing a powerful flow of activity in certain departments of life; all of them demand blind faith and singlehearted allegiance.” -Eric Hoffer, The True Believer, 1951

“The man visited by ecstasies and visions, who takes dreams for realities is an enthusiast; the man who supports his madness with murder is a fanatic.” -Voltaire, Fanaticism, 1764

Wednesday Lunch Discussion

Discussion Topics That Make You Uncomfortable: Illegal immigration. Racial profiling. Legalizing drugs. . . .To what extent do you avoid discussing certain topics? Maybe they are politically incorrect or your opinions are minority viewpoints among your friends. Let’s talk about both sides of issues that make you uncomfortable and why they do.

Saturday Lunch Discussion

The New Field of Epigenetics: The rapidly growing field of epigenetics complicates the debate over whether nature or nurture plays the most important role in our behavior, mental abilities, and mental/physical disease vulnerability. What are the societal implications (exciting and troublesome) of these new research findings?

Wednesday Lunch Discussion

State Boundaries: How Relevant Are They in the 21st Century?

• Do the boundaries of your home state reflect natural boundaries?
• Do state boundaries make any sense in the western U.S.?
• Do state boundaries influence our perceptions of our identity as citizens of that state?
• What impact does the number of electoral college votes have on your home state's influence in presidential elections? 
• If you could start from scratch, how would you redraw state boundaries? How many states would you create, and what criteria would you use?

Annual Meeting

The Alpha Association's annual meeting was held at 11 a.m. on September 26, 2009, at the University Club, 1673 N. Sherman Street, Denver, Colorado. Featured speaker was Dr. Dennis Barrett, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver. The title of his talk was "Joys of a Liberal Education: A Personal View."

Cherokee Ranch and Castle

Just a short distance to the south of Denver is a ranch house unlike any other in Colorado. De­signed in the style of a Scottish castle by Burnham Hoyt, a well-known Colorado archi­tect, the main house sits atop a high hill and is constructed of quarried stone, with a slate tile roof, intricately carved fireplace mantels, a soaring beamed great hall, and several towers. Twelve PBK members and guests took a tour of the castle on July 25, learning about its construction, its art and artifact collection, and the two families for whom it was home. Today, the castle is a nonprofit cultural and educational center, and the 3,200-acre property preserves open space.

Annual Banquet, Denver Country Club. Program: Justice Rebecca Love Kourlis, "Reforming the Civil Justice System."

Behind the Scenes Tour, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, with Dr. Chip Colwell-Chanthaphonh, Curator of Anthropology.

Joe Turner's Come and Gone,by August Wilson. Shadow Theatre Company.

Annual Meeting, The University Club. Program: “The Cultures of Gold,” by Chip Colwell-Chanthaphonh, Curator of Anthropology, Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

Annual Banquet, Denver Country Club. Speaker: Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald, East Alameda Veterinary Hospital.

Aug. 11, 2007

May 19, 2007

Annual Meeting, The University Club. Speaker: Dr. Russell Schnell, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, "The Air We Breathe: It Ain't What It Used to Be."

Annual Banquet, Denver County Club

A talk by Dr. James Elkins on “How Greenhouse Gases Affect Climate.” Dr. Elkins is with the Earth System Research Laboratory for the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration in Boulder Colorado. The talk focused on how trace greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, halocarbon gases [halons, chlorofluorocarbons], ozone, water vapor, and sulfur hexafluoride) can affect climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, and air quality. 

Walking Tour of City Park

May 20, 2006

May 14, 2005

Annual Meeting and Travel Program - "Visiting Egypt" by Gary Knapp

April 27, 2005

Crowns as Headdress at Mizel Museum

April 16, 2005

Tour of the Wings over the Rockies Museum

March 30, 2005

Tour of the National Center for Atmospric Research in Golden, CO