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Let’s face it: someone is going to write your obituary — why not you? This four-week course flips the script on one of life’s final rituals. Whether you want to be remembered for your epic pie crust or your patent on space-age Velcro, this course is your chance to tell your story, your way. We’ll dive into the surprisingly rich history of obituaries, explore how modern memorials blend facts with flair, and guide you in writing a piece that’s equal parts memoir and love letter. Bonus: your descendants (and their family trees) will thank you. Please consider bringing the following to class: a notebook or device for writing; a willingness to reflect, write, and (maybe) laugh at yourself; and sample photos, family trees, or keepsakes (optional but helpful). 

At age 70, Frank Lloyd Wright shocked the architectural world with his audacious Fallingwater in Pennsylvania. This course will explore this extraordinary house in relation to its times, the era of the Great Depression. Fallingwater will also be examined within the context of other Wright buildings of the 1930s, such as his Usonian houses, Broadacre City, Taliesin West in Arizona, Auldbrass Plantation in South Carolina, and Wingspread and the Johnson Wax Administration Building in Wisconsin.

Rick will discuss the Allied campaign in Italy from 1943–45, including the landings at Salerno and Anzio. The rugged Italian interior presented major obstacles for the Allies as they sought to drive the Nazis out of Italian peninsula. Fierce battles raged up and down the peninsula as the Nazis and Italian Facists provided stiff resistance.

This course will focus on sharing photos and experiences from Costa Rica’s cloud and rain forests, volcanoes, a pineapple farm, a coffee and cocoa plantation, hanging bridges, and more! Discuss preparing and packing for a trip of this nature. The goal of the course is to generate appreciation for this small, collaborative nation, working toward a sustainable future.

Two sessions will cover events in the 1920s leading up to the start of the Great Depression, including ominous parallels between the 1920s and the 2020s. During this course, the instructor suggests that the seeds were sown following the end of World War I and subsequent events throughout the 1920s. Discuss the political and economic conditions during the 1930s and the early years of World War II, with detailed examination of the lives of a diverse group of Americans who lived during this tumultuous period of American life. There will be a discussion of lessons learned with questions and comments solicited.

In 1867, Édouard Manet wrote, “Mr. Manet has no intention of overthrowing old methods of painting or of creating new ones. He simply seeks to be himself and not someone else.” This might have seemed disingenuous to the public scandalized by Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe in 1863 or Olympia in 1865, despite both paying homage to Italian Renaissance masterpieces. Even the young artists who admired his contemporary subjects and innovative approach to color and light might have seen this comment as overly modest. This presentation will explore the revolutionary nature of Manet’s modern masterpieces. 

 

Due to a conflict, Officer Abrahamson is unable to teach the course. Officer Stevick from Penn State Police will be teaching the course.

Join Community Relations Officer Kyleen Abrahamson to learn about scams and frauds and recent incidents in the community.

Artificial intelligence (AI) now dominates the news with forecasts that range from transformative advances for humanity to existential crises. This course will help sort through the issues and provide a foundation for AI novices to understand these claims. Terry will briefly review the history of AI, outline the major approaches, describe how the most prominent models work, and discuss the current state of practice. No prior AI experience is necessary.

In this course, Larry will focus on how to prepare for the big “what if” and prepare your records for your death. Larry will review wills, power of attorney, health proxy, titling beneficiaries, IRAs, annuities, etc. He’ll provide the mechanics for avoiding probate and explain how to develop instructions for heirs.

 

Petra, known at the Rose-Red City because of the stunning colors of its carved rock facades, dates back before the 1st century BCE. As the capital of the Nabataean Empire, situated along a major trade route, Petra prospered for 1500 years. Abandoned in the 7th century and “rediscovered” in the 1800s, Petra, Jordan, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This course will share facts and photographs from this incredible experience.

After Charles Darwin wrote On the Origin of Species, he became instantly famous and could’ve chosen any subject he desired for his next book. Any subject he desired ... and he chose orchids. In this course, participants will learn what makes orchids botanically unique and about the highly evolved role they play in ecology with a focus on their indelible link to fungi. Learn about the nontrivial role they’ve played in our culture, as well as some of the approximately 35 species found here. After this presentation, better understand why Darwin chose orchids, and why he chose very well indeed. 

Due to unforeseen circumstances, this lecture has been canceled. We hope to reschedule this lecture in the near future.

This lecture is offered in partnership with Penn State Emeritus Academy as part of the Academy’s lecture series, Explorations: The Penn State Emeritus Academy Lecture Series.

Dr. Doan has been drawing as a form of meditation for years. This practice has become central to maintaining his mental health. For the past two years, Dr. Doan has been collaborating on a research project that explores guided drawing as a tool for anxiety management. He’ll share both highlights of the research along with his own drawings and a short, guided drawing activity with the audience.

This course is free to members and nonmembers.