Past Conferences

The All Star II Family Conferences split from All Star I (the family week which precedes All Star II each year) in 1957. Each year, a different group of people chairs the conference and chooses the speaker and the topic. This list shows the name of the speaker, their topic, and the chairpeople for each year's conference, but it's somewhat incomplete. If you have more information about past All Star II Family Conferences, write to the web team at web@allstar2.org.

Where available, a year links to more information about that year's conference.

• • 2024: Dr. Samantha "Mandy" Joye was the speaker, on her environmental and oceanographic research and the impacts of climate change. (Erik Cordes, Brooke Cordes, and Liz Hanna, Chairs)

  • 2023: Amy and Mike Forster Rothbart were the speakers, "From the Political to the Personal: Stories from the Conflict in Ukraine". (Lisa and Eric Zuend-Misner, Chairs)

  • 2022: A team of speakers – Steve Emt, Deirdre Fischer, and Skip Kosciusko – spoke on "Turning Points on Life". (Kathy and Phill West, Chairs)

  • 2021: Erik Cordes was the speaker on “Ocean Exploration: Our complex history and uncertain future with some of the most remote places on Earth”. (Alison Barrows Ronn and Matt Ronn, Chairs)

  • 2020: AS2 went "virtual" this year, as the island was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Alison Barrows Ronn and Matt Ronn, Chairs)

  • 2019: Hilton Dier III was the speaker on "Following the Sun: Renewable Energy for Your Home and the World" (Dottie Deans and Meg Doty, Chairs)

  • 2018: Linda Borghi and Criss Ittermann were the speakers on "Starting a revolution – One yard at a time" (Josh and Fiona Monllor, Chairs)

  • 2017: Dr. Michelle Thaller was the speaker on "The Intimate Universe: Stories of Connection and Context from the Lives of the Stars to Life Outside the Earth" (Bill Knox and Margot Fleischman, Chairs)

  • 2016: Chuck Collins was the speaker on "Changing the Story, Fixing the Future" (Joni Praded and John Reynolds, Chairs).

  • 2015: Tim Weed was the speaker on “Life Stories: Creative Adventurers, Adventurous Creators” (Nancy and Gene Taylor, Chairs).

  • 2014: Liza Bakewell was the speaker on "Language from the Eyes of an Anthropologist" (Lisa, Sarah, and Ellen Eberhart, Chairs).

  • 2013: Tim Berners-Lee was the speaker on "Connections" (Chuck and Suzy Binzel, Chairs).

  • 2012: Philip Ackerman-Leist was the speaker on "Transitions: Building Resilience in Changing Times" (Nate and Stephanie Hubbard, Chairs).

  • 2011: Dr. John Maeda was the speaker on "Simplicity by Design"; John shared his keen insights into art, design, technology, simplified living, and effective leadership in the 21st century (Jim and Noni Cooper, Chairs).

  • 2010: Peter Fenn was the speaker on "The Times, They Are a Changin'; What has happened to our politics, our campaigns, and the issues that really matter" (Joni and Brian Lipton, Chairs).

  • 2009: Gretchen Cryer and Nancy Wood were the speakers/performers, on their contributions to American musical theater (Britt and David Cryer, Chairs).

  • 2008: Prof. Richard Parker was the speaker, on the history of religion in America and its influence on US politics. (Julie and Tom Fenn, Chairs).

  • 2007: Peter Fenn was to be the speaker, on "Politics and the Political Commercial: Getting The Message Out". However, the conference was cancelled because the hotel was closed by the fire marshall until August. (Julie and Tom Fenn, Chairs).

  • 2006: Prof. Frank Myers spoke on "Political Rhetoric and Policy Change". (Sara and John Lutterbie, Chairs).

  • 2005: Dr. Lisa L. Lahey spoke on "Effective Communication Enhancement for Partnering and Parenting". (Bonnie L. Sylvester and Jonas R. Gavelis, Chairs).

  • 2004: Nancy and Jim McLaren looked at human emotion and reason, studying examples from short stories (Nancy) and the biology and genetics of the human brain (Jim). (Tim and Irene Flint, Chairs).

  • 2003: Cammy Thomas on "What Is Poetry For?" (Sally Russell and Rodney Lowe, Chairs).

  • 2002: Ronald J. Young and Rev. Carol A. Jensen on "Crossing Boundaries: the Challenge of Creating Community in the 21st Century" (David and Mary Ellen Mellen and Lori Heninger, Chairs).

  • 2001: Briant "Mike" Lee on "Theater in Our Lives" (Craig Allshouse and Bonnie Smith, Chairs)

  • 2000: Tom Wessel on "Humans, Nature, and Change" (Katy Weeks and Dave Kay, Chairs).

  • 1999: Larry Prusak on "Knowledge Management". Larry drew upon his experience as a corporate consultant to describe how organizations in our culture use – and fail to use – knowledge. (Chris and Mike Ellis, Chairs)

  • 1998: Various speakers on "The History of Star Island" (Susan Phoenix and Steve Manning, Chairs).

  • 1997: Holly and Barry Tashian on "Country Music and the Beatles" (Suzanne and Bernie May, Chairs).

  • 1996: Paul Erickson on "A Sea of Wonders" (Caroline Taylor and Candace Erickson, Chairs).

  • 1995: Linda Alcoff on "All You Ever Wanted to Know about Feminism but Were Afraid to Ask" (Tom and Vivian Duncan, Chairs).

  • 1994: William Kapelle on "The Roman World Goes Christian: Martyrs and Demons, Politicians, and Spiritual Athletes" (Lydia Spitzer and John Levine, Chairs).

  • 1993: Jose Santos on "An Introduction to Latin America" (Pat and Phil Hurzeler, Chairs).

  • 1992: Donna Harlan, on "Spirituality and Education" (Maureen and Roger Kellman, chairs)

  • 1991: Michael Weilbacher on "Environmentalism" (Lon Braender, Scott Ward, and Bruce Oswald, chairs)

  • 1990: Peter Harvey on "Early American Music" (Karl and Mary Haslinger, chairs).

  • 1989: Carol DiGianni and Leslie Fenn on "Family Counseling" (Margy and Jordan Young, chairs)

  • 1988: Robert Stevenson on "Death and Dying" (Laird and Susanne Kelly, chairs)

  • 1987: Helen and Don Cohen on "The Uses of Literature" (Allen and Mary Ann Armstrong, chairs)

  • 1986: John Mock on "The Last 20,000 Years of Human History" (Harry and Sandy English, chairs)

  • 1985: Ron McAllister on "The Social Context of Religion" (Ron and Cathy Cordes, chairs)

  • 1984: Paul Sigmund on Latin American politics and history (Diana and Leroy Anderson, chairs)

  • 1983: Peggy McIntosh on "Alternatives to Winning/Losing: Working for the Decent Survival of All" (Carol Waldron and Anne Gove, chairs) Dan Fenn

  • 1982: Ronald Aqua on "Coping with Change and Challenge in the 80's" [Topic from blue book, before speaker was lined up] (May-Britt and Jack Patterson, chairs)

  • 1981: Deane Starr on "Naturism, an Alternative to Theism and Humanism" (Jim and Lee Blue, chairs)

  • 1980: Raymond Brown on "Reversing the Aging Process" [The announced speaker died before the summer started.] (Emerson and Ginny Callahan, chairs)

  • 1979: Jack Patterson on "Conflicting Mythologies in the Mideast, Ireland, and southern Africa: The Role of Religions in Fractured Societies" (Mary and Ed Doty, chairs)

  • 1978: Betty Roberts on "Midlife Crisis" [approximate title] (Betty and Warren Eberhart, chairs)

  • 1977: Morse Peckham on "Our Art and Our Attitudes" (Lenore and Dan Fenn, chairs)

  • 1976: Madelyn Ryan on "Astrology" (Gail and Joe Colella, chairs). All Star I's speaker was Leon Martel.

  • 1975: Edmund Volpe (Pres., Richmond College) on "The Themes and Techniques of William Faulkner" (Bob and Ginny Levine, chairs). All Star I's speaker was Jane and Jim Prochaska (U.R.I.) on "Intimacy, Sexuality, Marriage, Parenthood, Careers: Are They Compatible?"

  • 1974: William Alfred Aloicius Woodruff, MD on "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" (Spike and Martha Dier, chairs). All Star I's speaker was Marvin Bressler on "Some Doctrines of Secular Salvation."

  • 1973: Dan Fenn, Jr. on "How the Government Really Works" (Nornie and Bob Temple, chairs). All Star I's speaker was Ralph Siu on "Taoism."

  • 1972: Al Eipper on "Fragile Marine Ecology" (Evie Phoenix May, chair). All Star I's speaker was Bill Moors and Sara Erhman on "Prison Reform."

  • 1971: Jerry Hammerman on "Old People in America"(Bob and Judy Hawthorne, chairs). All Star I's speaker was Sheldon Hackney on "The Future of the University."

  • 1970: David B. Van Vleck on "Population, Pollution, Povery, and Posterity" (Jane and Richard Turner, chairs). All Star I's speaker was Bill Lacey on "Contemporary theater as a Mirror of the Human Condition."

  • 1969: Robert Kent on "Law, Order, and the Supreme Court" (Steve and Zabelle Russian, chairs). All Star I's speaker was Chuck Stone on "Alternatives to Racial Chaos."

  • 1968: A. Richard "Dick" Turner on "Art Now: Issues and Ideas" (Monique and Norm Doelling, chairs). All Star I's speaker was Dr. Richard Dewey on "Planning: Road to Surfdom or Doors to Freedom."

  • 1967: Dr. Leo Class on "Legal Aspects of Drugs" (Faye and John Bennett, chairs). All Star I's speaker was Dick Howard on "Our Botanical Resources."

  • 1966: Terry Votichendo on "The Interaction of Existential Philosophy and Contemporary Forms of Psychotherapy" (Cynthia and Jack Ward, chairs). All Star I's speaker was Bill Caudill on "Cross-Cultural Study of the Family: Japan and the U.S."

  • 1965: Joe Bram on "The Age of Complexity" (Dick and Doris Fredericks, chairs). All Star I's speaker was LeRoy Smith on "The Individual and the Media of Communication."\

  • 1964: Dr. David Frisch on "Disarmament and Arms Control" (Regina and Asher Shapiro, chairs). All Star I's speaker was Dr. Vincent Whitney on "World Population: Chellenge or Dilemma?"

  • 1963: Dr. Howard Minst? Kunst? on "Liberal Religion Faces the Social Crisis" (Julia and Arthur Wachsman, chairs). All Star I's speaker was Paul Carnes on "God and Man: Five Alternatives."

  • 1962: Waldemar Argow on "What Would a Truly Mature Religion Be Like?" (Durinda and Peter Putnam, chairs). All Star I's speaker was George Zabriskie on "The Film as Communication."

  • 1961: Richard Dewey (UNH) on "Sociology, Christianity, and Culture Change" (Dorothy and Howard Lightfoot, chairs). All Star I's speaker was Russell Smith (NYU) on "The Semantics of Expression and Communication."

  • 1960: David Springer Brown (GWU) on "The Individual and the Community" (Jessie and Chester Ward, chairs). All Star I's speaker was Alex Magoun (MIT) on "Don't Underrate the Duty to Be Happy."

  • 1959: Ira Reid (Haverford) on "The Individual and Society" (Betty and Dwight Persons, chairs). All Star I's speaker was Amiya Chakravarty (BU) on "Our Heritage of Great Ideas."

  • 1958: Kirtley Mather (Harvard) on "Earth and Man" (Muriel and Stillman Williams, chairs). All Star I's speaker was Joe Bram (NYU) on "Man and Culture."

  • 1957: Charles Bell on "How Man Looks at Himself" (Lois and Sandy Brown, chairs). All Star I's speaker was Dan Fenn Jr. on "The Amateur in the Political Jungle."

Before 1957, there was only one family conference at Star Island — All Star.

• • 1956: Harry Scholefield on "Directions"

  • 1955: Samuel Bois on "One CAN Do Something"

  • 1954: Norman Cousins on "How to Grow a Better Breed of Man"

  • 1953: Donald Harrington on "Are Eastern and Western Cultures Basically Incompatible?"

  • 1952: Harry and Bonaro Overstreet on "Building Sound Human Relations"

  • 1951: Francis Russell (State Dept.) on "Living with Today's World"

  • 1950: Dilworth Lupton on "Secrets of Successful Living"

  • 1949: "Personality and the Family"

  • 1948: "The Liberal Family"

  • 1947: Six speakers on "Freedom and Security"

  • 1946: Karl Deutsch