Posts tagged College

Roberts to discuss labor market changes at Community Lecture Series event

The nineteenth century brought with it changes in the supply and demand of labor. When Allison Roberts speaks on the topic at the Nov. 13 Community Lecture Series event, she will discuss how those changes gave way to such structures as the Hotel Ponce de Leon.

Roberts, a Flagler College associate professor of economics, will speak on “Structural Changes in the Market for Labor during Reconstruction, the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era.”

“As a labor economist, I am intrigued by the resources needed to build the Ponce de Leon Hotel and the Florida East Coast Railway,” said Roberts. “My talk will explore the labor conditions of the time that made such grand construction possible.”

Roberts says that changes in demand were primarily driven by the railroads, agrarian capitalism and industrialization. Changes on the supply side were brought about by the first major wave of immigrants flocked to the north; and with emancipation, slaves and their descendants journeyed into freedom in the South.

“This was such an interesting time in our nation’s economic past, as many of the relationships between worker and firm were tested and forged during this time,” said Roberts. “And, unfortunately, the racist behavior of this period grew such strong roots that its effects are still felt today.”

Roberts has a Ph.D. in economics from Northern Illinois University and a B.A. in economics and mathematics from Lake Forest College. Her primary academic interests are in econometrics, labor economics and public finance. In addition to her academic service, Dr. Roberts has served as a data analyst, research consultant and research assistant to private consulting firms and healthcare organizations.

Roberts’ lecture is the third in this year’s lecture series entitled “Reconstruction & Gild: Wealth, Innovation and the Pursuit of Status in Late 19th Century America” which focuses on defining moments in American history during the mid to late 1800s. Speakers will discuss the topic through the lens of their particular discipline.

Tickets are $5 per person for a single lecture, or $15 for four lectures. Active military personnel may attend at no charge.

Lectures begin at 10 a.m. in the Flagler Room at Flagler College, 74 King St. Reservations are not required, but space is limited. The lecture will last approximately one hour and will be followed by a coffee and pastry reception.

For reservations or more information, call Holly Hill, Assistant Director of College Relations at (904) 819-6282. To watch a live stream of these lectures, visit ustream.tv/channel/community-lecture-series.

Flagler College hosts annual ‘Flagler Creates!’ festival

Flagler College will host the annual “Flagler Creates!” handmade festival on Nov. 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the College’s West Lawn.

“Flagler Creates!” is a festival that offers Flagler students, faculty, staff, alumni and Flagler families the opportunity to display and sell items they have created, including a great variety of items such as artwork, jewelry, sewn items, clothing, accessories and photography. There will also be raffles held for various items to benefit the Flagler College Annual Fund. All participant entry fees will also go to benefit the Annual Fund.

“This is a huge opportunity for local business owners and specialty shop owners to come and discover new and unique handmade items to carry in their stores,” said Marsha LeDuke, who works in the College’s counseling center and helped create the event with assistant registrar Shonas Kibbee. “Our intent is to help promote the Flagler community. We wanted to encourage and give the opportunity to Flagler students, staff, faculty and alumni to exhibit and sell their work and at the same time help the Flagler College Annual Fund with its growth.”

Kibbee believes that “Flagler Creates!” is a fantastic way for the College to share its community members’ talents with the public.

“It’s an exciting time of the year in St. Augustine and on campus – preparing for midterms, Nights of Lights, the holidays, final exams,” said Kibbee. “We’re hoping to add ‘Flagler Creates!’ to the list of things that make this time of year exciting in St. Augustine and on campus.”

In addition to benefitting the Flagler College Annual Fund and providing an avenue for the Flagler community to show off their talents and creativity, it will also serve as a student club fundraiser opportunity.

“We’re trying to help foster the entrepreneurial spirit so eloquently displayed by Henry Flagler by offering this opportunity to the Flagler community,” said LeDuke.

The festival will be held on the Flagler College campus and is free and open to the public. Free event parking will be available in the Markland House parking lot located on Markland Place.

Source: Flagler College