The University of St. Thomas Center for Irish Studies will take a spotlight role in a virtual forum across 50 states at 3:10 p.m. CDT, Friday, August 28. The all-day event is called “Big Irish American Campfire” and is hosted by the “Irish Echo” and other sponsors. The event is aimed at bringing Irish America together to emerge stronger and better from this era of a pandemic.

UST’s featured topic is “Digging Deep: Ramping Up Irish American Philanthropy in a Changed World.” The discussion will be led by the CEO of the Irish American Partnership in Boston, Mary Sugrue.

Director of UST’s William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies, Lori Meghan Gallagher, will be a panelist for that session.

She said, “Our Center for Irish Studies was chosen as a participant in the “Irish Echo” Big Irish American Campfire because we are the only Center for Irish Studies of our kind in the Southwest. By providing academic, cultural outreach and study abroad opportunities to our students, we are one of the top ten such programs in the country.

“In a video interview for the upcoming event, I discussed with organizers how Dr. Joseph McFadden, UST President Emeritus, and founder Honorary Consul General John B. Kane were the inspiration for our Center. I emphasized how this year the Center asked its friends and donors to direct funds to our CeltCare program during the pandemic. Now, more than ever, we need to pull together to help our students begin and complete their college education at UST.” 

According to the event website, Irish American organizations, which span the United States, will “give the most comprehensive picture to date of the scale and scope of our community. This showcase will be a permanent online celebration of Irish America and will appear in the 'Irish Echo' print and digital versions."

Among the other featured topics are discussions on business, labor, politics and pandemic lessons from the Great Hunger.

For more information on this event, click here.