Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, 76, and his wife Michele Ridge, 75, visit the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Millcreek Township on April 12, 2022. Tom Ridge is scheduled to appear at a Global Summit event on Oct. 22.
Greg Wohlford/Erie Times-News
USA TODAY Network, Reuters
Politicians, sport legends, business leaders, and award-winning authors are among the scheduled speakers for the Jefferson Educational Society’s 18th Global Summit.
The Global Summit runs periodically from Sept. 22 to Nov. 19 at various locations around Erie. All events begin at 7 p.m.
Early-bird pricing for general admission is $25.75. Preferred seating is $51.50.
“The Global Summit continues to embrace the opportunity to learn from the world’s leading thinkers, researchers, and practitioners, raising the bar once again with an exceptional lineup of speakers,” Ferki Ferati, executive director of the Jefferson Educational Society, said in a news release. “We’re proud to bring these voices to Erie, which is made possible by community support and our partners and sponsors who work to create unparalleled opportunities for lifelong learning.”
Steelers legendary QB Terry Bradshaw to appear in September
The 18th Global Summit kicks off Sept. 22 with Hugh Hewitt, a nationally syndicated radio host, constitutional law professor and political commentator presenting “President Trump, the MAGA Movement and 2028: What’s Next for the GOP?” This discussion takes place at the Jefferson Educational Society at 3207 State St.
On Sept. 24, Pittsburgh Steelers legendary quarterback, Pro Football Hall of Famer and FOX Sports broadcaster Terry Bradshaw will present “Steelers Legend and FOX Sports Broadcaster Talks Everything Football.” This event takes place at the Bayfront Convention Center at 1 Sassafras Pier.
On Sept. 29, Jim Berlin, founder and Chairman of Logistics Plus along with William B. Taylor, a fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center and Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, will present “How Erie is Shaping Ukraine’s Future.” This event takes place at the Jefferson Educational Society.
Former Gov. Ridge among Global Summit speakers in October
Former Gov. Tom Ridge will join former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and former Homeland Security Advisor to President George W. Bush, Fran Townsend, in a conversation on Oct. 22. The trio will discuss national security, terrorism and the enduring lessons of Sept. 11, 2001, reflecting on when Ridge served as the first director of homeland security. This presentation takes place at the Jefferson Educational Society.
Also on the schedule in October:
Oct. 1: The Thomas B. Hagen Dignitas Award, will be presented to Bishop Sean Rowe, the 28th presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church. Rowe will receive the award at the Jefferson Educational Society.Oct. 5: Geoffery Hinton, the “Godfather of AI” and 2024 Nobel Prize winner in the field of physics is scheduled to present “The Godfather of Artificial Intelligence on the New Frontier of Technology” at the Gannon University Waldron Campus Center at 628 Peach St.Oct. 19: Prolific author, law professor and CEO emeritus at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Jeffrey Rosen, will present “The US Constitution and Our Republic: Will We Keep It?” at the Jefferson Educational Society.Oct. 20: JES partners with Gannon University for the “Dr. David and Maryanne Koxak Gannon READS” event, featuring author Simran Jett Singh, author of “The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life.” This free event will be held at the Warner Theatre at 811 State St.Oct. 21: Global business strategist specializing in transatlantic relations, Sally Painter, and expert on public policy and civic innovation, Miriam Lambert, present “Why the Transatlantic Alliance Matters: Protecting Ukraine’s Children and Europe’s Next Generation” at Gannon University’s Waldron Campus Center.Oct. 27: A handful of Erie entrepreneurs will make business presentations during “Lake Erie Launchpad.” The participants will present to a panel of angel investors, business owners and other entrepreneurs for a chance to obtain funding in this “Shark Tank” style event at the Jefferson Educational Society.Oct. 28: Erie Insurance President and CEO Tim NeCastro joins Steve Leeper, president and CEO of 3CDC, to host a panelist discussion on the state of the economy and opportunities facing Erie at Gannon’s Waldron Campus Center.Oct. 29: Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell, the creative team behind “March,” the graphic memoir trilogy that chronicles the Civil Rights Movement and late U.S. Congressman Jon Lewis’ journey from the rural south to the hall of congress, presents “March, Run, Vote: Graphic Storytelling and the Fight for Democracy.” The presentation takes place at Waldron Campus Center.
Nikki Haley on Global Summit schedule in November
In November, the Global Summit will include Pulitzer Prize winners, a filmmaker, a nationally syndicated radio host, authors and the former Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley.
Haley will appear Nov. 16 at the Bayfront Convention Center for a presentation titled “America’s Greatest Challenges at Home and Abroad.”
Other November dates include the following presentations:
Nov. 4: Nikole Hannah Jones, a Pulitzer Prize winner and journalist, will discuss her landmark 1619 Project during “The 1619 Project: Examining the Origins of American Slavery 400 years later” at the Bayfront Convention Center.Nov. 9: Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author Rick Atkinson presents “From the Revolution to World Wars” at Gannon’s Waldron Campus Center.Nov. 10: Historical documentary filmmakers Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt will present “The producers Behind Ken Burns’ Award-Winning PBS Documentaries” at Waldron Campus Center.Nov. 12: Michael Smerconish, a radio host, author, former lawyer and host of “Smerconish” on CNN presents “The Mingle Project: Restoring Civility in Our Society Through Gathering” at Gannon’s Waldron Campus Center.Nov. 19: The Global Summit concludes with Anne Applebaum, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author who will present “The Author of ‘Autocracy Inc.’ on How Dictators are Working Together to Run the World” at Waldron Campus Center.
Contact Nicholas Sorensen at Nsorensen@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Terry Bradshaw, Tom Ridge, Nikki Haley among Erie’s Global Summit guests
Reporting by Nicholas Sorensen, Erie Times-News / Erie Times-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Former Pennsylvania Governor and Erie native Tom Ridge enters Courtroom H inside the Erie County Courthouse to attend the swearing-in ceremony of judicial and Erie County elected officials in Erie on Jan. 5, 2026. GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS USA TODAY Network, Reuters
Copyright Reuters or USA Today via Reuters Connect
This story was originally published September 17, 2026 at 12:01 PM.