A nation known for its rich culture and extensive history, China is currently a hot topic of discussion on the world scene. The Academia Hernando community learning series will present “China Under Communism” on Friday, Oct. 14 at 10 am. This lecture will be hosted by Dr. David Kelly at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill. The community will be given an overview of communism in China for the past 100 years and explore the possible future of China and their leaders.
Academia Hernando is a not-for-profit lifelong learning organization providing quality instruction and learning experiences for adult students throughout Hernando County and beyond. Their goal is to inform, educate, and inspire adult learners through a series of weekly lectures on a wide variety of topics.
David Kelly has a Ph.D. in History from Indiana University and is a Professor Emeritus at
D’Youville University in Buffalo NY, where he has taught world history subjects for the past 35 years, including courses on Europe, Russia, and the Far East. He helped produce nine books, five monographs, and a half dozen articles mainly on higher and comparative education. The most significant of which were (with Gail Kelly) Education of Women in Developing Countries
(UNESCO) and The D’Youville Family Album (for the college’s centennial). He participated in
teacher exchanges to Nigeria, Russia, and China and student educational travel to Ireland. Since retiring he has continued to teach online at D’Youville and has become active in OLLI at Eckerd College here he has lectured on Russia since Communism, China under Communism, 1920 compared to 2020, Dickens, and moderated a Great Decisions discussion group.
“China is the oldest continuous civilization on earth. Since 200 BCE it has had a series of authoritarian governments organized in dynasties. This lecture briefly examines that history and then questions how and why the Communist rule is similar or different than these dynasties,” Kelly explained. “How it rose in the chaos at the end of the Qing Dynasty, was victorious, had its foibles and strengths, and seems to fit into a strong future. My real focus is the last 100 years and the current situation.”
Sharon Printz, board member of Academia Hernando, looks forward to Kelly’s presentation. She stated, “At this time, when so many people seek true information about the country of China, we are pleased to welcome an expert like David Kelly; someone who can give us answers.”
Coming up soon at Academia Hernando will be “Around the World in 100 Minutes” presented on Friday, Oct. 21 at 10 am by Joy Katzen-Guthrie; Nan Colton will present “Agatha Christie, Queen of Murder Mysteries” on Friday, Oct. 28 at 10 am; Ross Tarr, M.S. and Wanda Stuart, M.S will present “Storyteller of Old Tampa” on Friday, Nov. 4, at 10 am; and the series will conclude on Friday, Nov. 11 with a Mystery Bus Excursion.
The Academia Hernando lectures begin promptly at 10 am and lasts for 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission. To register for the entire lecture series in addition to a mystery excursion, print the registration form found at https://www.academiahernando.org/fall-series and mail with your check for $80 payable to Academia Hernando, Inc. and mail to:
Bev Nuzzi
15027 Middle Fairway Drive
Brooksville, FL 34609
Checks also can be brought to an Academia Hernando presentation; in addition, walkin admissions are available at $15 per presentation. Visit https://www.academiahernando.org/ for more information or call (352) 345-8345.
