Current Season
Our Speakers — 2023-24 Season
Entering its 40th year, the Town Hall Lecture Series has brought engaging, insightful and informative speakers from across the world to audiences in North Platte, Nebraska. All lectures begin at 10:30 a.m. CST at the Neville Center, located at 301 East 5th Street.
AMANDA L. TYLER
"Supreme Court Round-Up"
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2023
Amanda L. Tyler served as a law clerk to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She is the author of “Justice, Justice Thou Shalt Pursue: A Life's Work Fighting for a More Perfect Union,” the result of an intimate interview with the legendary justice just a year before Ginsburg's death. Tyler gives audiences a behind-the-curtain look at the history and procedures of the nation's highest court, exploring notable decisions, the quirks and personalities of current and prior courts.
CAPTAIN SCOTT KELLY
“The Sky Is Not The Limit”
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2023
Veteran astronaut Captain Scott Kelly has enjoyed an illustrious career with NASA. Along with his identical twin brother, fellow astronaut Mark Kelly (who will be on Earth), Scott was selected to participate in a yearlong experiment aboard the International Space Station designed to test the effects of extended space travel on the human body. Scott's memoir, “Endurance,” was published in 2017 and he recently published “Ready For Launch — An Astronaut's Lessons for Success on Earth.”
JAMES OLSON
“A Different Kind of Career: Under Cover in the CIA”
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2024
James Olson served in the Directorate of Operations of the Central Intelligence Agency. Mr. Olson, along with his wife Meredith, led a secret life as a husband-and-wife spy team, conducting espionage and covert action missions for over 30 years overseas, while raising their family. Mr. Olson received his law degree from the University of Iowa. He is a professor of the practice at the Bush School, where he teaches courses on intelligence and counterintelligence.
STEVE UZZELL
“Open Roads, Open Minds”
TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2024
A renowned photographer for National Geographic, Steve Uzzell brings his photos to life as he inspires audiences to make any venture an adventure. An engaging speaker, Uzzell's presentations encourage people be accountable for their actions, look in unexpected places for solutions, and make their problems their passion.