New ‘Maid Of The Mist’ Lecture Series At Niagara University Debuts Nov. 19
A new Niagara University lecture series sponsored by the Maid of the Mist will debut at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19, in the Castellani Art Museum.
Dr. Anthony Townsend, the author of SMART CITIES: Big Data, Civic Hackers, and the Quest for A New Utopia, will serve as the keynote speaker for what will be the first of an annual series hosted by NU’sCollege of Hospitality and Tourism Management.
The event is open to the public.
Prior to Dr. Townsend’s presentation, Christopher Glynn, a 1985 Niagara alumnus and president of the Maid of the Mist, will speak about the importance of tourism in Western New York. Glynn’s father, 1957 NU graduate James V. Glynn, purchased the Maid of the Mist in 1971 and was a driving force behind its rise to a world-class tourist attraction that has thrilled millions of visitors from around the globe.
“We are grateful to the Glynn family for their longtime support of Niagara University and excited for this new event, which will facilitate important conversations on tourism in the region,” stated Dr. Kurt Stahura, dean of Niagara’s College of Hospitality and Tourism Management. “This is another concrete illustration that Niagara University fully intends to be involved in the planned development and growth of the tourism and hospitality industry in Western New York and New York state.”
A panel discussion follows the keynote, featuring Dr. Townsend, Dr. Stahura and Christopher Schoepflin, president of USA Niagara Development Corporation. The dialogue will be moderated by Dr. Tim Downs, Niagara University provost.
The event’s opening remarks and invocation will be given by the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of Niagara University.