Lectures & Events

50 Years of Video Calling

Tuesday, June 30, 10:15 to 11 a.m., Remote 

On June 30, 1970, Pittsburgh Mayor Peter Flaherty and Alcoa Chairman and CEO John Harper placed the inaugural call on the world’s first commercial video calling service. AT&T’s “Picturephone” system launched to customers the next day, with 38 Picturephones in use at eight Pittsburgh companies. The service later expanded to Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C., and other major cities, with some 450 sets in use by 1973. Although not a commercial success, it marked the first time video calling moved from demo booths to users’ desks and from a concept to practical business tool. As the precursor to tools such as Zoom, Skype and FaceTime, the Picturephone heralded a future of ubiquitous video calling and telecommuting that is mainstream today. To celebrate the 50th anniversary — June 30, 2020 —Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto and Michael G. Morris, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Alcoa, will video chat, as their predecessors did a half century ago.

View the livestream as we celebrate this seminal event, which heralded a future of ubiquitous video calling and telecommuting that is mainstream today. Following the call, scholars from Carnegie Mellon University will host a Q&A discussing the history and legacy of the Picturephone's launch. Learn more

Join the event

Stay Grateful: Weekly Gratitude Session

Tuesday, June 30, 1:30 to 2 p.m., Remote 

Practices in gratitude can help us regulate our mood, build our resilience and cultivate increased happiness and satisfaction. Join us to learn some strategies on how to be more grateful throughout your day and for a weekly opportunity to practice and to share your gratitude with our CMU community. 

We encourage attendees to bring a notebook and a writing utensil to the session. These are historic times; it will be nice to capture the whole-hearted moments through it all. Facilitated by Angie Lusk, Program Director, Student Affairs Wellness Initiatives. 

Learn more

Building Solidarity Workshop

Wednesday, July 1, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Remote 

Join us for a workshop facilitated by the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion, SPIRIT student organization and Carlow University. This is a workshop that is designed for undergraduate and graduate students to come together and share their thoughts while in solidarity with one another. Faculty and staff are welcome to join in the conversation as allies and active listeners. The workshop will provide information about the ways that systemic structures and racism disproportionately affect black and brown communities. We invite students who wish to be uplifted, hear ways to heal from racism and actualize support in the form of advocacy and allyship. 

RSVP

Rhythms: Mental Health & the Menstrual Cycle (Meeting 3)

Thursday, July 2, 12 to 1:15 p.m., Remote 

Open to all CMU students who have a menstrual cycle. Learn how culture, psychology and biology intersect in your experience of the menstrual cycle, and explore how you can define what a healthy relationship to your menstrual cycle looks like. Learn ways to live more in rhythm with your menstrual cycle, including healing shame and developing self-care practices for each phase. The workshop will combine guided solo activities, education and opportunities for questions and discussion.

Please email Dorothy Cashore with questions and to register and receive a password and Zoom meeting ID.

Reclaiming Space: Connection Hour with Our Immigrant Community 

Friday, July 3, 1 to 2 p.m., Remote

This weekly connection hour is open to all immigrants in the CMU community who want to come together in a space of support and solidarity during these uncertain times. Brought to you by CaPS. With: Dareen Basma, Ph.D; Shubhara Bhattacharjee, Psy.D; and Mengchun Chiang, Ph.D.

Learn more

Stay Grateful: Weekly Gratitude Session 

Tuesday, July 7, 1:30 to 2 p.m., Remote 

Practices in gratitude can help us regulate our mood, build our resilience, and cultivate increased happiness and satisfaction. Join us to learn some strategies on how to be more grateful throughout your day and for a weekly opportunity to practice and to share your gratitude with our CMU community.

We encourage attendees to bring a notebook and a writing utensil to the session. These are historic times; it will be nice to capture the whole-hearted moments through it all. Facilitated by Angie Lusk, Program Director, Student Affairs Wellness Initiatives.

Learn more

Tuesday Summer Shindigs with SDS

Tuesday, July 7, 2:30 to 3 p.m., Remote

Join the Social and Decision Sciences Department (SDS) virtually every Tuesday throughout the summer! Enhance your SDS-ness and connect with old friends or make new ones. There will be fun games, adorable pets, fruitful discussions and monthly competitions for fabulous prizes! Every Tuesday will be a different activity to be announced weekly. Join us this week for bingo and a chance to win fabulous prizes! 

Current students: Check the most recent SDS NEWs for the Zoom link to join. Prospective students: Email academic adviser Connie Angermeier to join. 

Reclaiming Space: Connection Hour with Our Immigrant Community

Friday, July 10, 1 to 2 p.m., Remote

This weekly connection hour is open to all immigrants in the CMU community who want to come together in a space of support and solidarity during these uncertain times. Brought to you by CaPS. With: Dareen Basma, Ph.D; Shubhara Bhattacharjee, Psy.D; and Mengchun Chiang, Ph.D.

Learn more

Understanding, Negotiating Resisting Power Differential Experienced by International Students

Monday, July 13, 4:30 to 5:45 p.m., Remote

This workshop examines some of the difficulties graduate international students experience on U.S campuses, particularly around negotiating power differentials with faculty/advisors/staff. Specifically, this workshop examines the mental health implications of navigating these relationships. Finally, this workshop provides concrete strategies to negotiate that power as well as provides on-campus resources students can seek for additional support.

Facilitated by:

• Dareen Basma, Ph.D; Shubhara Bhattacharjee Psy.D.; and Mengchun Chiang Ph.D. from CaPS
• Ayana Ledford, Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Dietrich College and Heinz College
• M Shernell Smith, Executive Director, Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion

RSVP

Tuesday Summer Shindigs with SDS 

Tuesday, July 14, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Remote 

Join the Social and Decision Sciences Department (SDS) virtually every Tuesday throughout the summer! Enhance your SDS-ness and connect with old friends or make new ones. There will be fun games, adorable pets, fruitful discussions and monthly competitions for fabulous prizes! Join us this week for Bring Your Pet to Zoom Day!

Current students:Check the most recent SDS NEWs for the Zoom link to join. Prospective students: Email academic adviser Connie Angermeier to join.

Event status and details are subject to change. All events are taking place EDT, unless noted otherwise. Check the Dietrich College calendar for more upcoming events.