Lou Perez
Illinois State University’s Academy of Seniors and Mornings with the Professors will start in March and continue through June. Sponsored by the Senior Professionals of Illinois State University and affiliated with the Elderhostel Institute Network, most classes will be held in the Illinois State University Alumni Center at 1101 N. Main St. in Normal.
Academy of Seniors offers four classes, and the speakers and their topics include:
- Is Japan a Violent Culture? – Lou Perez, Illinois State history professor – March 19, 21, 26 and 28 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
- The Civil War You Never Knew – April 3, 10, 17 and 24 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- Speakers Include: Kurt Carlson, local attorney; Owen Muelder, director of Galesburg Colony Underground Railroad and Freedom Center; Glenna Schroeder-Lein, manuscripts librarian at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library; and Marie-Susanne Langille of Illinois Wesleyan University.
- Economics on Main Street: Concepts for American Voters — Daniel Rich, Illinois State economics professor – May 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
- Lunchtime Journey: April 19 – the Mediterranean; April 26 – Austria; May 3 –Peru; May 10 – Southern Italy.
Academy of Seniors classes are $45 or $15 for individual sessions and may be paid at the door except for the Lunchtime Journey, which is $120.
The Mornings with the Professors are scheduled for Fridays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Alumni Center and speakers and their topics include:
- ISU Agriculture – 100 Years of Excellence – Rob Rhykerd, professor of agriculture at Illinois State University – March 30
- American Pastime: Baseball or Shopping? – Robert Fazzini, retired banker and Bloomington city alderman; Mark Peterson, Town of Normal city manager; and Steve Malliet, Normal City CornBelters president – April 6
- “Book Em, Danno” – An In-Depth look at the Miranda Warnings – Judge Robert Freitag – April 13
- Did the Founding Fathers Intend a Christian Nation? – Richard G. Watts, retired Christian theologian – April 20
- Neanderthals and the Beginnings of People like Us – Fred H. Smith, Illinois State professor of Biology – April 27
The summer Academy of Seniors will offer two more courses:
- Classroom Journey – History, Agriculture and Geography – A Close-Up of McLean County – Don Meyer, lecturer at Illinois State University and retired University of Illinois Extension advisor – Friday, May 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Fee is $50.
- 21st Century Technology: Yes, It Can Be For You – June 18, 20, 25 and 27 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.Four sessions include; iOS (Apple) Products, Android and Other Smart Phones, What is Social Networking and Cyber Security.
The cost for Mornings with the Professors is $45 for all five sessions or $15 for individual sessions with the exception of Classroom Journey and may be paid at the door.
Registration details and further information are available from Conference Services by telephone at (309) 438-2160 or (800) 877-1478, or by visiting the website at www.seniorprofessionals.ilstu.edu. Scholarships are available.