Osher at RIT offers preview of fall classes

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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Rochester Institute of Technology celebrates 30 years this October, once again proving, “It’s Never Too Late to Learn.”

Classes in the arts, history, literature, music, sciences, writing and more are available for thinkers ages 50 and beyond in the Greater Rochester area. And this fall, new members are invited to take a sneak peek of offerings with a free course preview session at 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 14, followed by registration for classes at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15.

The 10-week fall term runs from Sept. 11 to Nov. 17 at the Athenaeum Building, 50 Fairwood Drive, Henrietta.

Participants will be able to explore 61 courses and six one-session classes—all led by 58 members. New offerings include Beethoven: His Life and His Music, Beginning Genealogy and Family History, The Demagogue in American Politics, The Femme Fatale in Film, French for Travel and Leisure, Law 101, The Protestant Reformation 500, and The Science of Global Warming: What We Know and How We Know It. The full fall 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:

• “The Strange Case of Dr. Billroth and Mr. Brahms” on Sept. 14 with Robert Bakos, Professor Emeritus Neurosurgery, URMC;
• “The National Debt and International Trade: Lessons for Public Policy” on Sept. 21 with Amitrajeet Batabyal, RIT Arthur J. Gosnell Professor of Economics;
• “Rotary: The Original Social Media” on Sept. 28 with Don Alhart, previous Rotary president and news anchor for WHAM-TV;
• “Scam Free! Become an Empowered Older Adult: Your Best Defense Against Scams, Identity Theft and Fraud is Knowledge” on Oct. 5 with Leita King, Lifespan scam prevention coordinator;
• “City of Rochester History of Solid Waste Management” on Oct. 12 with Norman Jones, commissioner of Department of Environmental Services;
• “The Susan B. Anthony Legacy” on Oct. 19, with Deborah Hughes, president of the National Susan B. Anthony House;
• “Criminal Justice Reform: Where We’ve Come From and Where We Need To Go” on Oct. 26 with Nicholas Stefanovic, vice chair of the Veterans Outreach Center;
• “I Am My Own Man: Dr. John Edland and His Legacy of Truth in the Story of Attica” on Nov. 2 with Gretchen Perry and Gwen Edland, family of John Edland;
• “From Mammy to Madea: Race Films and Racial Presentation” on Nov. 9 with Barbara Lupack, New York State Public Scholar;
• “New Developments in the Field of Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention” on Nov. 16 with Dr. Anton Porsteinsson, director of URMC Alzheimer’s Care, Konar Endowed Professorship of Psychiatry.

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 Osher Lifelong Learning Institute website.

Reservations for the Aug. 14 preview session are encouraged. Call 585-292-8989 to reserve a spot or email osher@rit.edu.