Global Summit XVII sponsorship
Support the JES's mission of fostering dialogue for the Erie region on a global level.
Our audiences continue to show up to explore critical topics—from politics and global affairs to cutting-edge science, technology, sports, and more. And thanks to our sponsors, we’ve kept ticket prices unchanged since day one, ensuring that access to these powerful learning experiences remains open to all.
Last year, the 2024 Global Summit featured bold conversations on politics, sports, history, artificial intelligence, and social issues. It culminated in a landmark event: former U.S. Representative Liz Cheney in conversation with Erie’s own Sr. Joan Chittister—the largest event in JES history and the largest educational event ever held at the Bayfront Convention Center.
This year, we look forward to kicking off this year’s Global Summit with President Barack Obama. We will also host and welcome renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback and community leader Jim Kelly, Vice President Mike Pence, and acclaimed historian Lindsay Chervinsky, plus many additional distinguished speakers who will engage and inspire audiences of all ages.
Whether you’ve sponsored the Global Summit before, supported other JES initiatives, or are considering a sponsorship for the first time, thank you for helping our community grow and thrive. Your support makes it possible for us to offer inclusive, high-quality programming that fosters civic engagement and civil dialogue—providing residents across Erie County with access to the ideas, conversations, and learning opportunities that matter most, especially in times when thoughtful public discourse is so urgently necessary.
If your organization is interested in becoming a Global Summit XVII sponsor, please contact Christine Gerlock by phone at 814-459-8000 or by email at gerlock@jeserie.org.
The Power of Saying Yes: A Journey of Performing Surgeries on All Seven Continents
Renowned surgeon, educator, and historian Dr. Jane Arbuckle Petro will receive the 2025 Thomas B. Hagen Dignitas Award recipient, the Jefferson's highest honor. Petro led a distinguished career committed to underserved communities, supporting HIV-positive individuals in the AIDS crisis, providing care for Medicaid patients, and serving on international medical missions.
Date/Time: Tuesday, October 14, 2025 7:00-8:30PM
Location: Jefferson Educational Society, 3207 State St, Erie, PA 16508
Admission:
- General Admission (Early Bird Pricing) $25
- Preferred Seating (Early Bird Pricing) $50 (Closest Section Near the Stage)
Additional Fees: Amusement Tax, Processing Fee
Parking: TBD
Dr. Jane Arbuckle Petro graduated from Florida Presbyterian College (now Eckerd College) in 1968 with a strong foundation in both science and critical thinking. Though initially focused on becoming a “philosopher scientist,” a challenge from a former classmate led her to pursue—and succeed in—medical school at Penn State, launching a distinguished 40-year career in academic plastic surgery.
As one of the few female surgeons of her time and an out lesbian in a conservative profession, Jane overcame widespread sexism and societal expectations. Her internal strength, deeply rooted in the values and community she found at Eckerd, helped her navigate medical training and a changing personal life, including coming out during the early AIDS epidemic. This pivotal moment led her to care for patients others rejected, becoming the AIDS general surgeon at a Catholic hospital in New York.
Throughout her career, she remained committed to healing, whether reattaching limbs in emergency settings or teaching others the history and human impact of the AIDS crisis. Jane credits her well-rounded liberal arts education—including literature and history—for helping her understand the complexities of life and medicine.
Now retired, she remains engaged with Eckerd College through philanthropy, mentorship, and teaching. Jane's enduring message to students: embrace the power of community—and the freedom to be yourself.
