Friday Forums

Forums are held in the Fellowship Hall at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 600 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg.

Each begins with coffee and conversation at 10:00 AM.

Be part of Friday Forum 2025-2026!

November 7:

Rev. Dr. Sarah Wiles, BA, MDiv, DMin

She/He/They: Gender Diversity 101

Sarah Wiles became pastor at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church in 2020. She grew up in North Carolina and is a graduate of Wake Forest University, Union Theological Seminary in New York (MDiv), and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary where she completed a Doctor of Ministry in Creative Writing and Public Theology. Prior to serving BPC, she served churches in Tacoma, WA, and Ann Arbor, MI. She and her husband are parents to twins. She believes firmly in the restorative powers of homemade food, long naps, and laughing until you can’t breathe.

Sarah says, “Our understanding of and language for gender has expanded dramatically in recent years. Join us for an explanation of contemporary thought about gender diversity, current language for various identities, and the common myths and misinformation that are rampant in our society today.”

December 5:

Nicholas A. Fischer, Ed.D and Ed.M in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy

What Do Equity and Equality Look Like in Our Public Schools?

Dr. Nick Fischer has been a professional educator working in public education for more than fifty years. He has been a high school teacher, elementary principal, director of human resources, associate superintendent for instruction, associate commissioner for finance and accountability, and superintendent. He has worked in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Florida, Iowa, Delaware, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. He has worked at the school, district, state, and national levels in urban and suburban schools as a teacher, administrator and research associate for the National Institute of Education. Dr. Fischer received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, and master’s and doctoral degrees from Harvard. He has been married for fifty-seven years and has two daughters. Currently, he and his wife, Karen, reside in Blacksburg. 

 Dr. Fischer believes that although the terms “equity” and “equality” are sometimes used interchangeably, they refer to different concepts. Both should be embraced for students to reach their highest potential.  Every child in America has the right to fair and just public education, and our public school system plays a crucial role in our democracy.

February 6:

Nancy Metz, MS, PhD,

VT professor emerita

Dickens in America, 1842: A Haunting

Nancy Metz enjoyed a 42-year career in the VT English Department, teaching across the literature curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate level.  She has been honored for her scholarly contributions to the fields of Victorian British literature, especially studies of Charles Dickens. She served as a member of the Editorial Board of the Dickens’ Studies Annual and as trustee of the Byron Society of America.

During her teaching tenure, she received the William E. Wine Award and the XCalibre Project Team Award. She was elected to the VT Academy of Teaching Excellence. Dr. Metz was conferred the title of Professor emerita upon her retirement from Virginia Tech. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina and a master’s and PhD. from the University of Michigan. Currently she serves as a member of the Program Committee of the Lifelong Learning Institute of Virginia Tech.

Dr. Metz shared, “In 1842, Charles Dickens visited America. Justice issues confronted him at every turn as he toured courts, juvenile detention centers, and the new ‘enlightened’ penitentiary in Philadelphia. Everywhere he went he was reminded of slavery, the ultimate injustice. He grew to question his youthful idealism – expressing doubt that a democratic government differed much from the monarchy in which he lived.”

April 3:

Richard Masters, MS and PhD

Morning of Musical Delight with Our Highly Talented Virginia Tech Students

Richard is a solo pianist, opera coach, chamber musician, and orchestral pianist based in Blacksburg. He is an associate professor of piano and collaborative piano on the music faculty at Virginia Tech’s School of Performing Arts. Dr. Masters is a Yamaha Artist. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder, a master’s degree from The Juilliard School of Music, and a doctorate from the Eastman School of Music. While at Eastman School of Music, he conducted the world stage premier of American Jak Heggie’s opera “For a Look or a Touch,” dealing with the experience of German gays in the Holocaust. He was previously appointed in 2013 as Diversity Fellow for the college. In that position he chaired the diversity committee and represented the college in promoting diversity and inclusion across the campus.

This annual music delight is always a heart-warmer for our members. Support our VT music students and be entertained!