Resource person: Audra Bullard - office@clehighlands.com

Description:

In 1847, in a small Ohio town near the shores of Lake Erie, was born a small boy who befuddled those he met. He didn’t talk until the age of four and when he enrolled in school, he was sent home as “unteachable.” Home-schooled, he developed a level of genius rarely seen and would go on to change the world with his many inventions. But the image of a kindly old white-haired man working in his laboratory is largely mythical. Thomas Edison was a product of the Gilded Age, and his main goal in life was to get rich. He would do whatever he could to achieve that goal, ruthlessly crushing competitors, taking credit for the work of others, and estranging himself from his children. Ultimately, his poor business decisions led to the loss of his fortune. Even so, life as we know it today was inexorably shaped by the man known as “The Wizard of Menlo Park.”

A Pittsburgh area native, Rick Kistner has lectured on various topics for over twenty years. Based on his dual professional career in local government administration and the performing arts, his topics primarily focus on American History, Biography, and Film and Theater. He holds a B.A. in Urban Studies from Wright State University and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Dayton. He served as an adjunct faculty member at two colleges. Since 2006, he has delivered over 500 programs for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and Road Scholar programs at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL.

Notes: Cancellation Policy Please let us know immediately if you are unable to attend a class. There is no refund for cancellations within two (2) weeks prior to a scheduled class. Programs that include food, beverage or art materials must be canceled within three (3) weeks prior to receive a refund. CLE reserves the right to cancel a program if the minimum enrollment has not been met or for circumstances beyond our control, and participants will be notified, a complete refund will be issued. All classes are held in the CLE Lecture Hall at the Peggy Crosby Center unless otherwise noted. In the event information has changed from the published brochure, it will be posted on our website and in our e-blasts. Addresses for “private home” venues will be provided to registrants within 2 days of the program date.

Share this activity: