The University of Scranton’s Schemel Forum will host a series of intriguing events this spring, spotlighting a diverse range of topics from literature and philosophy to music and wine education.
On Monday, March 31, the Schemel Forum will collaborate with Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library for a special evening celebrating the legacy of renowned scholar, novelist, and philosopher Umberto Eco. The event will feature the premiere of Umberto Eco: A Library of the World, a documentary exploring Eco’s profound curiosity and his deep connection to libraries. After the screening, a panel discussion will explore Eco’s interdisciplinary influence on literature, philosophy, and culture, addressing the lasting relevance of his work in today’s rapidly evolving world. Panelists will include George J. Aulisio, Ph.D., dean and professor at Weinberg Memorial Library; Virgina Picchietti, Ph.D., professor of Italian; and Hank Willenbrink, Ph.D., associate professor of English and Theatre. The event will take place at 6 p.m. in the Pearn Auditorium of Brennan Hall and is free and open to the public.
On Thursday, April 10, the Schemel Forum will partner with the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM) for the concert lecture Schumann: Music, Mood Swings & Madness. Dr. Richard Kogan, a psychiatrist at Weill Cornell Medical College and artistic director of Weill Cornell Music and Medicine, will examine the relationship between creativity and mental illness, using German composer Robert Schumann as a case study. Dr. Kogan will discuss Schumann’s hypomanic states, which fueled his extraordinary creativity, and the eventual onset of psychosis that led to his tragic end in an asylum. The event, beginning at 6 p.m. at GCSOM, 525 Pine St., Scranton, is open to the public at a cost of $40, which includes a reception. The event is free for Schemel Forum members, as well as University of Scranton and GCSOM employees and students.
In June, the Schemel Forum will introduce a new program, Vinho and Views: Exploring Portugal’s Wine Heritage, on Friday, June 6. This hands-on wine education event will feature a four-course wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, and a presentation on Portuguese wines, led by renowned wine writer David Falchek. Attendees will learn about the rich history of Portuguese wines, including the challenges of indigenous grape varieties and the connection between Madeira and the American Founding Fathers. Falchek, who has written for publications such as Beverage Media and Vineyard and Winery Management, will guide the discussion. The event will take place at 6 p.m. in the Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room of the Weinberg Memorial Library. Admission is $60 per person or $100 per couple for non-Schemel Forum members, with no additional fee for Schemel Forum members. University of Scranton and GCSOM students, staff, and faculty must purchase tickets for the event, which is open only to participants aged 21 and over.
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