Osher at RIT previews spring courses

‌

Start your spring cleaning by clearing your mind and learning something new. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Rochester Institute of Technology is offering a sneak peek of spring term classes for thinkers ages 50 and beyond.

Osher offers a free spring course preview session at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 20, and registration begins at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 21. The 10-week spring term begins on Monday, April 3, at the Athenaeum Building, 50 Fairwood Drive, Henrietta.

Curious minds who live in the Greater Rochester area will be able to explore 52 courses and programs, varying from history and literature to science and music. The preview will introduce attendees to the center and provide highlights from a few of the spring courses. New offerings include “Freedom of the Press,” “French for Travel and Leisure,” “Exploring the History of Africa,” “Evolution After Darwin” and “Tchaikovsky's Life and Music.” The full spring catalogue is now online.

Following the preview session, attendees can tour the facility, meet with course leaders, current members and staff, and receive help with registration. Light refreshments will be served.

Osher membership includes the distinguished Pfaudler Lecture Series lineup on consecutive Thursdays from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. The series includes:

• “Current Trends in Refugee Movement with a Focus on Africa” on April 6 with Benjamin Lawrance, RIT professor of history and anthropology;
• “Ten Countries that Do Not Want to Destroy ISIS” on April 13 with Robert Gerace, RIT professor of counterterrorism measures;
• “Raising Awareness to Help Reduce Racism and Inequality” on April 20 with Jennifer Leonard, president and CEO of Rochester Area Foundation and Julie Phillipp, Democrat & Chronicle engagement editor;
• “The Muslims I Know, A Documentary Film and Lecture on Muslims” on April 27 with Mara Hamad, Pakistani-American Rochester-based filmmaker and artist;
• “From the Genesee River to Madagascar: A Zoo’s Role in Species Survival, Near and Far” on May 4 with Pamela Reed Sanchez, executive director of the Seneca Park Zoo;
• “No One Left Behind: An Organization Helping Our Wartime Allies (Afghan and Iraqi Combat Interpreters) Resettle Safely in the U.S.” on May 11 with John Comatos, Osher member;
• “Is Rochester’s New City Center Sustainable?” on May 18 with Heidi Zimmer-Meyer, president of the Rochester Downtown Development Corp.;
• “The Life and Legacy of Holocaust Survivor and Nobel Laureate Ellie Wiesel” on May 25 with Michael Dobkowski, professor of religious studies at Hobart and William Smith Colleges;
• “Human Trafficking in the Greater Rochester Region” on June 1 with Peg Billyard, Rochester Chapter of the Worker Justice Center of N.Y.;
• “The Rochester Police Department’s Body Worn Camera Program” on June 8 with RPD Lt. Michael Perkowski, head of the program.

Osher membership include lectures and social events, travel, tours, field trips, an RIT Student Identification card to use at campus events and access to audiology services at RIT’s libraries. More information about full membership and benefits can be found at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute website.

Reservations for the March 20 preview session are encouraged. Call 585-292-8989 to reserve a spot or email osher@rit.edu.