Thursday Morning Roundtable

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Thursday Morning Roundtable is broadcast on Community FM, WCNY-HD3 Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. and Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. It’s a public service program, sponsored by Syracuse University’s Office of Community Engagement, which features experts speaking on local, state, and national issues of concern to the community.

“TMR brings together a variety of business, social agency, educational and civic leaders to learn about and discuss issues of importance to area citizens,” said Sandra Barrett, director of community programs at University College. “Bringing this program to the local public broadcasting station is a perfect partnership in our shared goal to spur discussion of issues and ideas in the community.”

Video link: https://video.syr.edu/channel/Office+of+Community+Engagement/184051671

2023-2024 Season

March 28, 2024
Interrogating the Racial Wealth Gap-Thinking Locally
This session of Thursday Morning Roundtable features panelists from the Lender Center for Social Justice at the Syracuse University, including Kirsten Barnes, professor and associate dean for faculty research at the SU College of Law, Willie Reddic, associate professor at the Joseph L. Lubin School of Accounting and associate dean for business education at the Whitman School of Management, and Kendall Phillips, professor of Communication and Rhetorical Studies and interim director of the Lender Center for Social Justice.

February 22, 2024
Micron, the MOST, and STEAM Education
This session of Thursday Morning Roundtable features Robert Simmons, head of social impact at Micron Technology and the Micron Foundation, and Lauren Kochian, president of the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science in Technology (MOST).

January 18, 2024
39th Annual SU Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
This session of Thursday Morning Roundtable features Rev. Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University, and student event chair Leondra Tyler. They address the 2024 program scheduled for January 21 in the JMA Wireless Dome by offering an event preview, discussion of Syracuse University’s historic connections to Dr. King, and reflection on how to foster and support beloved communities of opportunity for the benefit of all.

December 7, 2023
Syracuse Stage’s A Christmas Carol
This session of Thursday Morning Roundtable features guest speakers Syracuse Stage Managing Director Jill Anderson, and Artistic Director Robert Hupp, discussing their production of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol.

November 9, 2023
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon
Ryan McMahon just won re-election to a second full term as Onondaga County Executive. As this month’s Thursday Morning Rountable guest, McMahon discusses issues and initiatives before the county.

October 5, 2023
Dr. Hamid Ekbia on Artificial Intelligence
How do we respond to challenges brought by artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies? This session of Thursday Morning Roundtable features Dr. Hamid Ekbia, Professor at the Syracuse University’s Maxwell School and Director of the Autonomous Systems Policy Institute (ASPI). U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand also addresses the audience.

September 7, 2023
Food Insecurity Awareness
The Fall 2023 season of Thursday Morning Roundtable is underway, with a discussion of Food Insecurity. Guest speakers are Rev. Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel, and Anne Bellows, Ph.D., professor of food studies in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.

2022-2023 Season

May 4, 2023
37th Annual Syracuse Jazz Fest
Thursday Morning Roundtable on May 4 featured Syracuse Jazz Fest Founder Frank Malfitano, who discusses the 37th Annual Syracuse Jazz Fest and the role of the festival and its contributions to the arts. Rev. Brian Konkol of Hendricks Chapel also details Syracuse University’s role in this year’s festival.

April 27, 2023
ScoutPower 2023
Thursday Morning Roundtable on April 27 featured Grey Rolland, Scout Executive of the Longhouse Council Boy Scouts of America, who talked about the upcoming 55th annual ScoutPower event: www.cnyscouts.org/scoutpower/ in Syracuse, to be held May 3 at the Oncenter.

April 20, 2023
Mayor Ben Walsh
Thursday Morning Roundtable on April 20 featured Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, who gives an update on the City of Syracuse and reviews the 2023-2024 budget.

April 13, 2023
Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Kathryn Anderson
Thursday Morning Roundtable on April 13 welcomed Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Kathryn Anderson. She reviewed the far-reaching and critical activities of local health departments like the Onondaga County Health Department, discussed current challenges facing the American public health care system, and highlighted priority areas for action as outlined in the recent Community Health Assessment.

April 6, 2023
Syracuse Regional Airport Authority
Thursday Morning Roundtable on April 6 welcomed Jason Terreri, executive director of the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority.

March 30, 2023
Syracuse Police Athletic League
Thursday Morning Roundtable on March 30 welcomed Jimmy Oliver, director of the Syracuse Police Athletic League (PAL). The session focuses on PAL’s programs and initiatives serving local youth and other Syracuse Police Department community engagement initiatives.

March 23, 2023
Syracuse University Coalition of Museums and Art Centers
Thursday Morning Roundtable on March 23 welcomed guest speakers from the Syracuse University Coalition of Museums and Art Centers (CMAC). Panelists include SUArt Museum Interim Director Emily Dittman, Office of Cultural Engagement Executive Director Teresita Paniagua, Urban Video Project Program Director Anneka Herre, Community Folk Art Center Executive Advisory Board Member Cjala Surratt, and CMAC Coordinator Evan Starling-Davis.

March 16, 2023
Syracuse University Professor M. Lisa Manning
This session of TMR features S.U. Prof. M. Lisa Manning, director of the BioInspired Institute and Kenan Professor of Physics, discussing the Syracuse University BioInspired Institute and Prof. Manning’s research on the physics of cancer and congenital disease.

March 9, 2023
Syracuse City School District Superintendent Anthony Davis
Thursday Morning Roundtable on March 23 welcomed Syracuse City School District Superintendent Anthony Davis. He addresses the programs and initiatives in Syracuse City School District schools and how SCSD supports the growth and development of the student population.

March 2, 2023
Catholic Charities CEO Mike Melara
Thursday Morning Roundtable on March 2 welcomed Mike Melara of Catholic Charities. He focused on the new Housing Services Center for housing-vulnerable and homeless individuals and its holistic approach to addressing this community need. Melara also discussed housing options and their efficacy, including permanent supportive housing. This includes “harm reduction” strategies that enables individuals to essentially stay alive until they are ready to avail themselves of treatment.

February 23, 2023
Vice President of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Syracuse University, Mary Grace Almandrez
Thursday Morning Roundtable on February 23 welcomed Mary Grace Almandrez, vice president of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Syracuse University. She provided a brief overview of current and forthcoming priorities to support the University’s commitment to being an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. She also engaged in conversation and brainstormed ideas to advance these priorities.

February 16, 2023
Micron’s Head of Social Impact and STEM Programs, Robert Simmons, III
Thursday Morning Roundtable on February 16 welcomed Micron’s Head of Social Impact and STEM Programs, Robert Simmons, III. He addresses Micron’s various social and educational initiatives and the connection between STEM, equity, and hip hop.

February 9, 2023
President and CEO of Syracuse Community Health, Mark Hall
Thursday Morning Roundtable on February 9 welcomed Mark Hall, President and CEO of Syracuse Community Health. The session focuses on Syracuse Community Health capital improvements and health initiatives, and the pending 1115 Demonstration Waiver that addresses health disparities and social-determinants of health in NYS.

February 2, 2023
President and CEO of MACNY, Randy Wolken
Thursday Morning Roundtable on February 2 welcomed Randy Wolken, President and CEO of MACNY. The session focuses on living and working in Central New York as it becomes the epicenter for the semiconductor industry for the United States.

January 26, 2023
Director of Syracuse Build, Christopher Montgomery
Thursday Morning Roundtable on January 26 welcomed Christopher Montgomery, Director of Syracuse Build, a CNY Works, Inc. initiative. The session focuses on construction training, workforce development, local hiring, as well as the Mayoral Initiative’s partner support, mission, strategy, accomplishments, sponsored program, and future goals.

January 19, 2023
Syracuse University’s 38th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Thursday Morning Roundtable on January 19 welcomed Rev. Brian Konkol, Dean of Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University and Malique Lewis, ’24. They address the 2023 program scheduled for January 22 in the JMA Wireless Dome by offering an event preview, discussion of Syracuse University’s historic connections to King, and reflection on how to foster and support beloved communities of opportunity for the benefit of all.

December 8, 2022
OCC and the Community
Thursday Morning Roundtable on December 8 welcomed panelists from Onondaga Community College. The discussion focused on K-12 partnerships, the Community Care Hub, partnerships that provide student supports, and workforce programs. Panelists from OCC included Dr. Warren Hilton, president, David Furney, Dean of Instructional Services, Erika Sheets, Director of Counseling and Community Care Hub, and Flagan Price, Director of Secondary Schools and K-12 Partnerships.

December 1, 2022
SU Vice President for Research Dr. Duncan Brown
Thursday Morning Roundtable on December 1 welcomed Dr. Duncan Brown, Syracuse University Vice President for Research. He discussed a new field of astronomy, using gravitational waves to explore our universe.

November 17, 2022
Professor Gary Engelhardt of Syracuse University Maxwell School
Thursday Morning Roundtable on November 17 welcomed Professor Gary Engelhardt of Syracuse University Maxwell School. He addresses the issues of inflation and possible recession or changes in the economic environment.

November 10, 2022
2022 Election Recap

Thursday Morning Roundtable on November 10 welcomed members of WCNY’s weekly Ivory Tower show, Ben Baughman, Associate Professor of Applied Intelligence at Gannon University, Tara Ross, Professor of History at Onondaga Community College, and Luke Perry, Chair and Professor of Government at Utica College. They address the results of the 2022 election.

November 3, 2022
Evelyn and Chino Ingram of the Castle, and Eric Jackson and Mylz Blake of Black Cub Productions

Thursday Morning Roundtable on November 3 welcomed Evelyn and Chino Ingram of the Castle, and Eric Jackson and Mylz Blake of Black Cub Productions. They addressed the development of their local business ventures, as well as their roles in the community.

October 27, 2022
Raquan Pride-Green, Executive Director of Blueprint 15, and Stephanie Pasquale, Director of Neighborhood Development at the Allyn Foundation

Thursday Morning Roundtable on October 27 featured Raquan Pride-Green, Executive Director of Blueprint 15, and Stephanie Pasquale, Director of Neighborhood Development at the Allyn Foundation, discussing how the New 15th Ward Neighborhood Transformation plans for critical community improvements and “non-housing amenities” to help create a vibrant and thriving neighborhood of choice.

October 20, 2022
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon

Thursday Morning Roundtable on October 20 welcomed Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon. McMahon discusses Micron Corporation’s decision to invest $100-billion to build a chip manufacturing facility in Central New York.

October 13, 2022
Professor Keith Bybee, Vice Dean of the Syracuse University College of Law
This Thursday Morning Roundtable features Keith Bybee, Vice Dean of the Syracuse University College of Law, who addresses the recent Supreme Court decisions.

October 6, 2022
Elizabeth Dunbar, Director and CEO of the Everson Museum
This Thursday Morning Roundtable features Elizabeth Dubnbar, Director and CEO of the Everson Museum, discussing the evolving role of the museum in the 21st century, and previews exciting upcoming projects and programs.

September 29, 2022
Merike Treier, Downtown Committee of Syracuse
This Thursday Morning Roundtable features Merike Treier of the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, discussing her organization’s projects and priorities.

September 22, 2022
Maxwell School Associate Dean Dr. Colleen Heflin
This Thursday Morning Roundtable features Dr. Colleen Heflin of the Maxwell School. She is a nationally-known expert on food insecurity and vulnerable populations, and she discusses that pressing issue.

September 15, 2022
Samaritan Center Executive Director Mary Beth Frey
This week’s Thursday Morning Roundtable features the Executive Director of Syracuse’s Samaritan Center, Mary Beth Frey, discussing their hunger outreach programs.

2021-2022 Season

May 5, 2022
NYS Senator John W. Mannion
This week’s Thursday Morning Roundtable features 50th District New York State Senator John Mannion.
April 28, 2022
The State of Early Childhood and Child Care in Onondaga County
This session, featuring Early Childhood Alliance (ECA) Director Laurie Black will address what the ECA is and what they are working towards; Lori Schakow, executive director of Child Care Solutions (CCS) will present on the current state of child care in Onondaga County; Sarah Merrick, commissioner of the Department of Social Services (DSS) will present on the changes in the child care subsidy program; Megan Wagner Flynn will talk about the ECA’s Child Care Landscape Scan and the recommendations that will be released in May related to that work.
April 21, 2022
Mayor Ben Walsh
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh discusses the proposed fiscal year 2023 budget.
April 14, 2022
Putin’s War Against Ukraine
This session, featuring Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs Professor Brian D. Taylor, will address the reason for Putin’s war against Ukraine, provide an update on the course of the war and discuss the implications for Russian politics.
April 7, 2022
Symphoria, the Orchestra of CNY

March 31, 2022
Syracuse University College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean J. Cole Smith: “Algorithms, Security and Games”
This session, featuring Syracuse University College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean J. Cole Smith, will address the role of computing in solving real-world issues and how we can apply algorithms to answer questions across disciplines.
March 24, 2022
A Tale of Two Jacksons
This session, featuring Syracuse University College of Law Professor Paula C. Johnson, will address the recent nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court as well as the civil rights legacy of Wharlest and Exerlena Jackson in the contemporary context.
March 17, 2022
Children’s Behavioral Health Post-Pandemic

March 10, 2022
The Rev. Brian E. Konkol, Ph.D., on “Student Fulfillment in the Midst of Crisis”

This session with the Rev. Brian E. Konkol, Ph.D., the dean of Hendricks Chapel, will explore how the “spiritual heart” of Syracuse University invites diverse learners into the fullness of life. This presentation will consider meaning, purpose, hope, belief, and how to nourish the heart and soul of learners on campus and beyond.
March 3, 2022
NYS Manufacturing and the New Cold War’

Randy Wolken, president and CEO of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York, will speak about New York state manufacturing and the new Cold War. With the invasion of Ukraine, U.S.-based manufacturing is more important then ever.
Feb 24, 2022
Bertram Lawson II on ‘A Business Case for Diversity/Equity and Inclusion’

At this session, Bertram Lawson II, president and CEO of the YMCA of Central New York, will speak on the topic: “A Business Case for Diversity/Equity and Inclusion.”
Feb 17, 2022
Casey Crabill on Onondaga Community College Today

At this session, renowned educator and community leader Casey Crabill, Ed.D., will speak about the impact that Onondaga Community College has on the Central New York community and how the focus and mission of the college has evolved during her tenure as president.
Feb 10, 2022
Onondaga County—Preparing, Executing and Responding in a Pandemic

Onondaga County government officials Ann Rooney, deputy county executive for human services, and Daniel Wears, commissioner of emergency management, will speak on the topic, “Preparing, Executing and Responding in a Pandemic” from a county level perspective.

2020-21 Season

2019-20 Season

2018-19 Season

2017-18 Season

2016-17 Season

2015-16 Season

2014-15 Season

2013-14 Season

2012-13 Season