9/17 – 250 Years of Independence: An Exploration of the History, Memory, and Meaning
11/19 – The Interdisciplinary Imagination: How Scholars Write, Create, and Explore Across Disciplines
9/22 – Politics, Trust, and the American Public
10/5 – Civic Leadership in a Divided Era: How State Governments in Partnership with Universities Could Build Solutions
Dear Lifelong Learners,
We are delighted to share that our Lifelong Learning program is not only thriving—it is growing in exciting and meaningful ways. As our community continues to expand, so too does our commitment to providing engaging, enriching opportunities that inspire curiosity, connection, and discovery. With this growth comes a thoughtful transformation of some of our longtime offerings, along with the introduction of new initiatives designed to better serve you.
You’ll notice one of the biggest changes is the evolution of our former Brown Bag Lecture Series, now reimagined as the Spark Lecture Series. This refreshed program will be held twice weekly in the auditorium, creating more opportunities for speakers to share their expertise, insights, and passions. The new format also allows us to welcome larger audiences and foster richer, more dynamic conversations. We hope these talks truly “spark” new ideas and connections among all who attend.
We are also thrilled to re-launch a familiar pre-pandemic favorite: the Lectures and Libations series. This engaging program was originally created by Dr. Kushin, Dr. Broomall, and Shepherd University faculty, and is now being revitalized through a new collaboration with Lifelong Learning. This informal series will be held twice each semester at a local restaurant or venue, bringing together members of the Shepherd community and the broader public for evenings of connection, conversation, and discovery. Each event will feature a lineup of brief, 15-minute TED-style talks centered on accessible, thought-provoking themes, with presenters drawn from Shepherd faculty, students, industry professionals, and, during the summer sessions, Lifelong Learning instructors. By creating a welcoming, social atmosphere, the series aims to showcase the depth and creativity of Shepherd’s academic community, foster meaningful engagement between campus and community members, and provide a relaxed space to learn something new while enjoying good company.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEMBERS
Richard Casuccio, M.D.
Sandy Cavalier
Heidi Dobish, Ph.D.
Laraine Jimenez
Mark Kohut
Frank McCluskey, Ph.D.
Leslie Miller
Wolfgang Pordzik
Doug Poole
Linda Tate, Ph.D.
Eric Thompson
COVER PHOTO
This cover photo was provided by Cindy Powers.
In response to the strong sense of connection fostered through discussion-based programming, we’ve also created a new umbrella category called Community Conversations. This section brings together our two popular Zoom-only weekly discussion groups— Café Society and the Current International Issues Discussion Group. Both are now free and open to the public to join at any time throughout the year, providing a welcoming space for thoughtful dialogue and shared perspectives from wherever you may be.
And there’s more to look forward to! This fall we’re hosting a fun and festive fall fundraiser that will showcase the many talents within our community—a Lifelong Learning Talent Show. Read more about this event on the back cover of the catalog.
As always, we are grateful for your enthusiasm, participation, and support. Lifelong Learning is, at its heart, a community—and it is your curiosity and engagement that bring it to life. We look forward to continuing this journey of learning and discovery together.
Finally, I want to thank the Lifelong Learning Advisory Committee, instructors, lecturers, and volunteers who so generously offer their time, skills, wisdom, and support to making this program a success. This is a strong community program because of you!
With Gratitude,
Lucinda “Cindy” Powers Director of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning
LIFELONG LEARNING PROGRAM
MISSION
The Lifelong Learning Program at Shepherd University is a volunteer member-driven program dedicated to offering stimulating academic courses and activities to the community.
SUBSCRIPTION
Adults of all ages are welcome to simply pay for individual classes and lectures, or purchase a subscription for the semester.
Subscription: $195
Includes all enrollment fees for unlimited classes and all lectures for the semester, as well as a free parking decal for lots on East and West Campus.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The Shepherd University Lifelong Learning Program is pleased to be able to provide a limited number of scholarships to participants who would not otherwise be able to attend a course. Inquire about a scholarship by emailing Cindy Powers at Lpowers@shepherd.edu.
All classes and lectures are free to Shepherd University staff, faculty, and students.
BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR
Do you miss teaching? Share your passion.
Inspire others to learn and explore. Interact and engage with peers and community members. The Shepherd University Lifelong Learning Program is looking for course instructors. Shepherd University’s Lifelong Learning educational program is centered on classes developed and taught by volunteers who share their time and knowledge. The program is an academic cooperative that provides mature adults with opportunities for intellectual development, cultural stimulation, and social interaction. To show our appreciation, we are offering a free subscription to instructors.
Help develop innovative, interesting, and compelling learning experiences. Join a national movement of adult learners in West Virginia. To become an instructor, please email Cindy Powers at Lpowers@shepherd.edu.
STAY UP TO DATE
To stay updated on Lifelong Learning news, events, day trips, and so much more, join the Lifelong Learning email list. Do this by going to www.Shepherd.edu/lifelonglearning and select “Join the Listserv.”
BECOME A CLASSROOM TECH ASSISTANT
The Shepherd University Lifelong Learning Program is looking for volunteers to be class assistants. Class assistants help the instructors to ensure that announcements are made, attendance is taken, handouts are distributed, and manages classroom technology (Zoom, PowerPoint, YouTube, etc.). Class assistants are essential to the smooth functioning of the Lifelong Learning Program and enjoy the benefit of becoming better acquainted with both instructors and fellow class participants, as well as invitations to special events. If you would like to volunteer to be a class assistant in one or more of your classes, please email Cindy Powers at Lpowers@ shepherd.edu. Thank you for volunteering!
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS
Some of the courses require students to obtain books or material essential to the class. Four Seasons Bookstore is offering our students a 15% discount on most course books. Mention the Shepherd University Lifelong Learning Program to receive a discount.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
Should an extreme weather emergency, power or water failure, or Executive Order from the Governor warrant the closing of offices, events will be canceled for that day. Please look for public notification on the Shepherd website. If this affects an event or course you have registered for, you will be updated via email by the director or course instructors/ assistants.
REFUND POLICY
Refunds are available upon request, with the exception of a 6% administrative fee. For trips and events that involve reservations or pre-ordered materials, refunds may not be possible after a certain date. Please check with the director for details specific to your event.
Course Locations: All in-person courses (unless otherwise noted) take place in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education, 213 N. King Street, Shepherdstown, WV 25443. Courses listed with the classroom “and Zoom” are hybrid, meaning they are held in person, and participants can join the class remotely via Zoom. Please note that the course classrooms are subject to change. Instructor Bios: Check out the Lifelong Learning website to read more about the instructors!
IT’S YOUR LIFE! WHAT’S NEUROSCIENCE GOT TO DO WITH IT?
MONDAYS, SEPTEMBER 14, 21, 28, OCTOBER 5, 12 (5 WEEKS)
INSTRUCTOR: Judith V.T. Wilson
LOCATION: Multipurpose Room (IN-PERSON ONLY)
TIME: 9-10:30 A.M.
COST: $79 or free with the fall subscription; free for SU students and employees
Nowadays we know so much more about our brains due to current neuroscience research and the Internet. This research and brain scans are at our fingertips! All of this has yielded information that has value for not only our daily lives but for better living. We will delve into the research on everything from Alzheimer’s to Zona Incerta.
Our sessions will have an interactive format for open discussions on neuroscience topics of your choice. Each week you can follow your own interest in a different neuroscience topic. The goal is to pique your curiosity and be somewhat enlightened, so you will continue to pursue the latest neuroscience research in the future. No background knowledge is necessary. Just bring your cell phone to Google or delve into the research provided. Come join the fun as we explore together as “armchair neuroscientists” this growing field of neuroscience that affects our lives. This class is capped at 25 people.
RESTORE YOUR SELF; INTRODUCING THE BRIGHT TECHNIQUE FOR SELF-HEALING
MONDAYS, SEPTEMBER 14, 21, 28, OCTOBER 5, 12, 19
INSTRUCTOR: Susan Grace Wisniewski
LOCATION: Room 164 (IN-PERSON ONLY)
TIME: 11 A.M.-12:30 P.M.
COST: $79 or free with the fall subscription; free for SU students and employees
REQUIRED READING: Restore Your Self; Introducing the Breathe in Light Technique: “Bright” by Susan Grace Wisniewski
In this 6-week workshop, you will become familiar with the Bright technique for self-healing. This technique involves using a combination of your intention, your breath, and Divine Light to transform and release emotions and mental states held within you.
This self-healing technique is both easy to learn and simple to use. Once you’ve incorporated the Bright technique into your day, you may see this as your go-to technique that helps you get back into balance, as needed.
Working on the premise that everything you’ve ever experienced in life is still hovering within and around you, this technique helps you to lighten your load, refresh your field, and Restore Your Self.
The Bright technique focuses on transforming and releasing your emotions — fear-anxiety-worry, shocktrauma-stress, hatred-anger-hurt, sadness-grief-sorrow, and numerous others. This technique also aids in releasing and freeing oneself from limiting beliefs and mental states. Books can be purchased from Four Seasons Books or directly from the instructor.
COURSES
BLACK FOLKTALES RETOLD: TONI MORRISON’S SONG OF SOLOMON AND JULIE DASH’S DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST
MONDAYS, SEPTEMBER 14, 21, 28, OCTOBER 5, 12, 19
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Linda Tate
LOCATION: Multipurpose Room and Zoom (Hybrid)
TIME: 3:30-5 P.M.
COST: $79 or free with the fall subscription; free for SU students and employees
REQUIRED READING: Any edition of Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon. Four Seasons will have the Vintage International edition (with an introduction by Tayari Jones). If you buy this version, you will be able to follow along more easily during discussion, but it’s fine if you have another edition.
This course will explore the work of two Black artists – a novelist and a filmmaker – as they retell traditional tales of resistance against enslavement. In her novel Song of Solomon (1977), Nobel Prize author Toni Morrison shares the story of Milkman, a young Black man from a fictionalized Detroit who unwittingly goes on a search for his family roots. And in her film Daughters of the Dust (1991), Julie Dash immerses us in the lush, evocative world of the South Carolina Sea Islands as a Gullah family prepares to migrate to the mainland in search of better economic opportunity. We join the family as it gathers in one last reunion the day before migration. Come find out why Song of Solomon is Linda’s favorite book of all time and why Daughters of the Dust is in her top three films. We will read all of Morrison’s novel (about 350 pages) and watch Dash’s film. This class is capped at 20 people.
BRIGHT SPOTS: EXPANDING AND SHARING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
TUESDAYS, SEPTEMBER 15, 22, 29, OCTOBER 6, 13, 20
INSTRUCTOR: David Black
LOCATION: Multipurpose Room and Zoom (Hybrid)
TIME: 9-10:30 A.M.
COST: $79 or free with the fall subscription; free for SU students and employees
The Urban Institute recently published a report looking at how median family income has changed since 1970, and it wasn’t surprising that states varied in their performance. In this course, we will explore some of the practices that have positively influenced performance, with a focus on West Virginia and comparable states. The intent is for highly interactive video conferencing sessions with practitioners who are making a difference in their communities.
THE JFK ASSASSINATION: NEWLY RELEASED FILES AND LINKS TO THE MURDERS OF MLK, RFK AND MALCOLM X
TUESDAYS, SEPTEMBER 15, 22, 29, OCTOBER 13, 20, 27
INSTRUCTOR: Kent Shaffer
LOCATION: Multipurpose Room and Zoom (Hybrid)
TIME: 11 A.M.-12:30 P.M.
COST: $79 or free with the fall subscription; free for SU students and employees
RECOMMENDED TEXT: JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters (2008) by James W. Douglass
In March 2025, the U.S. government released more than 82,000 pages of files (CIA, FBI) pertaining to the assassination of President Kennedy. The ongoing release process has expanded the collection to more than six million pages since passage of the JFK Assassination Records Act in 1992. What have we learned from these new files? In addition to reviewing the JFK assassination evidence and causes, we will consider why the CIA was reading Lee Harvey Oswald’s personal mail for four years before the assassination, and subsequently released misleading information about the suspect immediately after his arrest. We will also study and compare the assassinations of three other national leaders: Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Robert F. Kennedy, all slain within five years of JFK’s death. Were these murders also purportedly committed by single “lone nut” scapegoats, like Lee Harvey Oswald? Or were other forces involved?
NOTE: There is no class on October 6. The make-up day is October 27.
THE 13.8
BILLION-YEAR HISTORY OF MUSIC: FROM THE BIG BANG TO WHATEVER IS NOW!
TUESDAYS, SEPTEMBER 15, 22, 29, OCTOBER 6, 13 (5 WEEKS)
INSTRUCTOR: David Rampy
LOCATION: Multipurpose Room and Zoom (Hybrid) — but In-person preferred! **See NOTE in the description TIME: 1-3 P.M.
COST: $79 or free with the fall subscription; free for SU students and employees
What is music? Where did it come from? When did it happen? How did it happen? Why did it happen? Why so much music and so many different types? Music was present at the very beginning as the primordial sound wave of the Big Bang and has developed into the symphonies of Mozart and Beethoven, the operas of Verdi and Wagner, and the music of the Beatles, Queen, Led Zeppelin and others. Join me as we jump on board that Big Bang Wave and enjoy the ride through pre-history, the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern, Contemporary, and popular styles that is Music. This class is capped at 25 people.
NOTE: The quality of the materials offered in this class will be much higher in person. However, Zoom participants are welcome.
THE UNITED STATES AND THE MODERN MIDDLE EAST: INTERESTS, ALLIANCES, AND PERSISTENT DILEMMAS
TUESDAYS, SEPTEMBER 15, 22, 29, OCTOBER 6, 13, 20
INSTRUCTOR: Wolfgang Pordzik
LOCATION: Auditorium and Zoom (hybrid)
TIME: 3:30-5 P.M.
COST: $79 or free with the fall subscription; free for SU students and employees
Violence in the Middle East has dominated the news for decades. For U.S. policy makers, the Middle East has presented a recurring set of stark challenges and dilemmas: access to oil, strategic geography, Israel’s security, containment, decolonization, religious fundamentalism, military access, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, regional stability, and human rights. The course will unpack the complexity of U.S. policy in the Middle East by examining the competing interests, assumptions, alliances, and controversies that have shaped American engagement in the region. To understand the historical roots of today’s conflicts, the course will begin with a review of the modern Middle East from 1900 onward. The concluding question will be: Should the U.S. remain engaged in the Middle East, reduce its role, or redesign its strategy?
STORIES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AS TOLD BY TWO MEDICAL DOCTORS
WEDNESDAYS, SEPTEMBER 16, 23, 30, OCTOBER 7, 14, 21
INSTRUCTOR: Richard Casuccio
LOCATION: Multipurpose Room and Zoom (Hybrid)
TIME: 9-10:30 A.M.
COST: $79 or free with the fall subscription; free for SU students and employees
In this anniversary year of the American Revolution, there have been several well-produced documentaries describing the birth of this nation, but a few stories have been overlooked. The Revolution was also a world war fought on the high seas by sailing ships of many types and sizes. Some were the powerful men-o’-war and ships of the line that patrolled the sea lanes, but most were merchantmen and privateers that carried the cargo that financed freedom. We will follow the money, the ocean currents and trade routes that purchased a New World order. These stories will be told by two landlubbers who are also medical doctors: me and a Founding Father, Dr. Benjamin Rush, who intends to make a cameo appearance.
IGNITE: AWAKEN YOUR ENERGY
WEDNESDAYS, SEPTEMBER 23, 30, OCTOBER 7, 14 (4 WEEKS)
INSTRUCTOR: Carol Richmond, Ph.D.
LOCATION: Room 164 and Zoom (hybrid)
TIME: 11 A.M.-12:30 P.M.
COST: $60 or free with the fall subscription; free for SU students and employees
Humanity is in the midst of a historic evolutionary shift: the movement from self-awareness to energy consciousness. And you, the individual, are the key. Energy is a resource that you can cultivate, expand, and direct. It is not about escaping life’s challenges but transforming them. Together, we will explore how energy can guide us on the path of awakening and transformation. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the connection between energy, consciousness, and spirituality. Drawing on scientific research, energy and consciousness studies, yoga, and decades of experience, we will explore the journey of self-awakening, fulfillment of destiny/ purpose, and living a life as a universal spiritual being with deep meaning and connection to all. Whether you are facing personal angst, seeking spiritual awakening, or sensing that something is missing despite outward success, the course offers guidance and community to support your journey, leading you from who you think you are to who you truly are. This class is capped at 15 people.
TRANSFORMING MISERY INTO HOPE: A HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN LABOR MOVEMENT
WEDNESDAYS, SEPTEMBER 16, 23, 30, OCTOBER 7, 14, 21
INSTRUCTOR: Paul Edenfield
LOCATION: Multipurpose Room and Zoom (Hybrid) TIME: 3-4:30 P.M.
COST: $79 or free with the fall subscription; free for SU students and employees
RECOMMENDED TEXT: American Workers, American Unions: The Twentieth and Early Twenty-First Centuries by Robert H. Zieger
In 1877, railroad workers in Martinsburg, West Virginia went on strike over wages. 100,000 workers nationwide would join them — until the railroads, aided by federal troops, violently put down their strike. Industrialization brought massive changes in the lives of workers, generating insecurity alongside abundance. For the next 60 years, workers fought unsuccessfully to broaden prosperity and wrest control over working conditions from companies. Then, with the New Deal’s tailwinds, Mineworkers president John L. Lewis bankrolled union drives in industries like auto and steel. By the 1960s, organized labor played a major role in American politics and economics before entering a period of decline. In this course, we’ll discuss the history of the American labor movement, including the ideologies that motivated (and divided) workers and unions’ involvement in politics and social movements like civil rights. We’ll also consider the role of today’s unions in a time of economic dissatisfaction.
FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE: THE HAMMER OF GODS
THURSDAYS, SEPTEMBER 17, 24, OCTOBER 1, 8, 15, 22
INSTRUCTOR: Frank “Doc” McCluskey, Ph.D.
LOCATION: Multipurpose Room and Zoom (Hybrid)
TIME: 9-10:30 A.M.
COST: $79 or free with the fall subscription; free for SU students and employees
REQUIRED TEXT: The Portable Nietzsche. Translated by Walter Kaufman, Penguin Books IBSN978-0140150629
Nietzsche (1844-1900) saw himself as a prophet of a new age, sent to overthrow twenty-five hundred years of western philosophy. We will follow his intellectual evolution from a mild college professor into the depths of madness. Along the way, we will visit Plato, Lessing, Goethe, Hegel, Wagner, Schopenhauer, and Freud. We will study selections from his works as his thoughts evolved. This class will be challenging. But as Nietzsche himself once wrote “That which does not destroy me makes me stronger.”
WORLD GEOGRAPHY
THURSDAYS, SEPTEMBER 17, 24, OCTOBER 1, 8, 15, 22
INSTRUCTOR: John V Spears
LOCATION: Multipurpose Room (In-person Only)
TIME: 11 A.M.-12:30 P.M.
COST: $79 or free with the fall subscription; free for SU students and employees
At our age we often love to travel, yet so wide is the world that many of us haven’t considered the many wonderful possibilities of our blue marble. This course will take you on a journey of discovering some of the most picturesque, historically and strategically important locations on the globe.
Since geography famously describes the “why of the where,” it gives us a portal to go way beyond the tourist brochures to explore the economy, history and culture of various places, and even take brief looks at geology’s knowledge of the slow-moving foundation beneath.
As always, my courses are heavy on graphics, and if you love maps, you’ll see quite a number, both current and historical. And since we’ve all traveled some, we’ll make some space to describe and share what we’ve seen in person. Pack your curiosity and come along. This class is capped at 22 people.
THE COLORFUL HISTORY OF COLOR
THURSDAYS, SEPTEMBER 17, 24, OCTOBER 1, 8, 15, 22
INSTRUCTOR: Dianne L Roman
LOCATION: Room 164 and Zoom (hybrid) TIME: 1-2:30 P.M.
COST: $79 or free with the fall subscription; free for SU students and employees
REQUIRED TEXT: The Colors of History: How Colors Shaped the World by Gifford Clive
What is your favorite color? What do you really know about it? Does it harbor a dark past? Has it been around for centuries, or is it relatively new? How has it been perceived across cultures and throughout history?
Join me on a fascinating journey through the history of color. From ancient cave paintings to Pantone’s Color of the Year, you’ll discover the rich stories behind the visible spectrum—along with the many theories, meanings, and perspectives that have shaped how we see color today. This class is capped at 25 people.
HINDUISM AND BUDDHISM: AN INTRODUCTION
THURSDAYS, SEPTEMBER 17, 24, OCTOBER 1, 8, 15, 22
INSTRUCTOR: Eric Thompson
LOCATION: Auditorium and Zoom (hybrid) TIME: 3-5 P.M.
COST: $79 or free with the fall subscription; free for SU students and employees
REQUIRED TEXT: The Bhagavad Gita, Easwaran’s Translation; The Dhammapada, Penguin edition
This course will survey the origins, sacred literature, iconic art, core concepts, sample rituals and select myths of the religions we call Hinduism and Buddhism. We will read and discuss one important ancient text from each tradition, and highlight the relationship, the similarities and differences, of these multifarious traditions.
ACTING: BASIC SKILLS
FRIDAYS, SEPTEMBER 18, 25, OCTOBER 2, 9, 16, 23
INSTRUCTOR: The Artfull Codgers
LOCATION: Auditorium (IN-PERSON ONLY)
TIME: 11 A.M.-12:30 P.M.
COST: $79 or free with the fall subscription; free for SU students and employees
In this six-week workshop, which will be led by several members of the Artfull Codgers, we will cover aspects of the craft of acting for the stage: Movement, Voice, Character Development, Script Analysis, Improvisation, and more. Most of each session will be actively engaging in practice. There will be role-playing games, lots of improv, as well as monologue and scene work. Wear flexible and comfortable clothes. To learn more about the Artfull Codgers, check out the Interest Group section of the Lifelong Learning catalog. This class is capped at 10 people.
THE PRINCESS BRIDE: FROM NOVEL TO FILM
FRIDAYS, SEPTEMBER 18, 25, OCTOBER 2, 9, 16, 23
INSTRUCTOR: Pam Clark
LOCATION: Multipurpose Room and Zoom (Hybrid)
TIME: 1-2:30 P.M.
COST: $79 or free with the fall subscription; free for SU students and employees
REQUIRED TEXT: The Princess Bride by William Goldman
If you know that “As you wish” means “I love you” or you always tune into this classic film when channel surfing, this is the class for you. Especially if you want to explore its genesis—a novel by the acclaimed screen writer William Goldman, who also penned Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, All the President’s Men, and Marathon Man.
Various directors had attempted to adapt the book, including François Truffaut and Norman Jewison. But the incomparable Rob Reiner’s version prompted both Siskel and Ebert to give it Two Thumbs Up. Reiner worked closely with Goldman to adapt the book for the screenplay.
In each class we will discuss a little of the novel and watch the matching scenes from the movie. And I will fling myself down the rabbit hole of research to bring you such tidbits as the fact that Cary Elwes (Westley) and Mandy Patinkin (Inigo) learned to fence both left- and right-handed and performed all the fencing in the sword fight scene. To not sign up for this class would be “Inconceivable!” This class is capped at 25 people.
THY WILL BE DONE: LETTERS BETWEEN FOUR FAMILIES IN SHEPHERDSTOWN BEFORE AND AFTER THE CIVIL WAR
FRIDAYS, SEPTEMBER 18, 25, OCTOBER 2, 9, 16, 23
INSTRUCTOR: Jim Surkamp
LOCATION: Auditorium and Zoom (hybrid)
TIME: 9-10:30 A.M.
COST: $79 or free with the fall subscription; free for SU students and employees
Jim Surkamp, Ardyth Gilbertson, and Homer Speaker will weave a compelling, continuous narrative across three 90-minute sessions, using the authentic words of eight close friends and family members who lived through the Civil War. Their firsthand accounts, brought vividly to life through dramatic interpretation, reveal how the conflict reshaped families, destroying homes and, in some heartbreaking cases, claiming lives.
Two additional sessions will feature guided walking tours of Shepherdstown, designed to require minimal walking. Participants will explore newly uncovered, well-documented local stories, along with a few lingering ghost tales.
RACE AND THE AMERICAN EXPERIMENT: FROM THE 17TH CENTURY TO THE CIVIL WAR
FRIDAYS, SEPTEMBER 18, 25, OCTOBER 2, 9, 16, 23
INSTRUCTOR: Michael T Rock
LOCATION: Multipurpose Room and Zoom (Hybrid)
TIME: 3-4:30 P.M.
COST: $79 or free with the fall subscription; free for SU students and employees
REQUIRED TEXT: Edmund S. Morgan (2003) American Slavery, American Freedom. New York: WW Norton and Company.
Beginning in the 17th century and concluding with the emergence of the Republican Party in 1854, white Anglo-Saxon settler colonists in North America developed arguments to justify the creation of a “white man’s republic” that excluded African Americans and Native Americans from “We the People.”
The purpose of this course is to examine how and why a people so committed to ideals of human liberty so thoroughly denied that liberty to enslaved African Americans and dispossessed—and, in many cases, exterminated—Native Americans.
INTEREST GROUPS
Interest groups are an integral part of Shepherd’s Lifelong Learning program, providing opportunities to learn and socialize outside the classroom. Types of groups could include hiking, reading, sewing, dancing, photography, to name a few. We would like to incorporate additional interest groups in the Shepherd University Lifelong Learning Program. If you would like to volunteer to facilitate an interest group, please contact Cindy Powers at Lpowers@shepherd.edu.
ACTIONS FOR HAPPINESS
CONTACT: Carol Richmond carolrichmond@ymail.com
Happiness is what we all want but it often seems difficult to find. We will share what’s good in our lives, our wins, renew our commitment to ourselves, connect with like-minded people, practice 21 keys to happiness, commit to happiness actions, have fun and focus on optimism in the days ahead. Meetings are at 5 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month and can be on Zoom if requested. Please contact Carol Richmond if you are interested or have questions.
READING OLGA TOKARCZUK INTEREST GROUP
CONTACT: Mark Kohut mark.kohut@gmail.com
Olga Tokarczuk. Those who know, know. Mondays at 9 AM over Zoom.
SHERLOCK HOLMES SOCIETY
CONTACT: Frank McCluskey Frankmccluskey11@gmail.com
Around the world, the hundreds of Holmes societies have been beloved for their mix of scholarship with tonguefirmly-in-cheek (as Dorothy Sayers said of her Holmes associations). We hope to meet four times a year for a spirited discussion of Holmes, Victorian literature, and all things London of 1895. We will toast, have a short presentation, and good fellowship.
ARTFULL CODGERS
CONTACT: John Spears
jnsiii125@gmail.com
We are an amateur acting and improv group housed within the Lifelong Learning program. We typically produce one medley of short plays, monologues etc. annually in late February, with proceeds going to a campus charitable organization. We are open to new members, but request that potential actors first take our fall course ACTING: BASIC SKILLS, taught by our current members. We are also open to those who would prefer to work behind the scenes on sets, as a stage manager, etc.
GUITAR INTEREST GROUP
CONTACT: Steve Bartlett
radiobartlett@gmail.com
This is a group for guitarists who enjoy (or think they might enjoy) getting together with others as we strum our way through favorite tunes. We meet every Thursday afternoon at 3:00. The format is simple: we take turns “calling” songs from our list of tunes -- classic rock, folk, pop, etc.-- and we play through them. Lots of laughs, nothing too hard and we learn from each other along the way. If you know the basic major, minor and 7th chords, you’re right with us. We keep our tunes in an app called Songbook Pro, so access to a tablet is useful.
SPECIAL OFFERINGS
FASTEnER OPEN LAB
SEPTEMBER 1 – DECEMBER 10
INSTRUCTOR: Victoria Schilling
LOCATION: FASTEnER Lab
TIME: Open Lab Hours
COST: $266 or $206 with a fall subscription; $206 for SU students and employees
This open lab is for individuals intending to use the FASTEnER Lab to work on a self-directed project over the course of the semester during open lab hours. The instructors will provide support in areas of casting, digital fabrication, woodworking, and metalworking. Lab fees go towards a variety of consumables and maintenance costs for a student to use the lab for the entire semester. Depending on the depth and duration of the project, a participant may be asked to purchase additional consumables for the lab. All registrants for open lab will be required to complete a lab safety overview before using the lab (scheduled individually with the instructor).
FALL SEMESTER OPEN LAB HOURS:
Mondays: 9am-12pm Wednesdays: 9am-12pm
Fridays: 9am-12pm, 1pm-5pm Saturdays: 12pm-5pm
RETIREMENT PLANNING TODAY WORKSHOP
Session I: THURSDAYS, OCTOBER 8 and 15
TIME: 6–9 p.m. OR
Session II: SATURDAYS, OCTOBER 10 and 17
TIME: 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
INSTRUCTOR: Matthew Kradel , CFP(R)
LOCATION: Auditorium of the Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education (213 N. King St.)
COST: $49; Free for Shepherd University employees
Learn how to: manage investment risks, use new tax laws to your advantage, make informed decisions about your company retirement plan, and adjust your estate plan to function properly under the new laws. Money is only one aspect of retirement planning. This course blends financial education with life planning to help you build wealth, align your money with your values, and achieve your retirement lifestyle goals. The goal is to provide high-quality, generic education without any mention of specific financial products or services. Couples may attend together for a single registration fee. Class sizes are limited so register today.
WILD WRITERS RETREAT AT CAPON SPRINGS AND FARM
OCTOBER 12-15
INSTRUCTOR: Denise Kupiszewski
LOCATION: Capon Springs And Farm
COST: $607 for single occupancy; $507 for double occupancy
The retreat offers a getaway for writers at all levels interested in developing their craft and expanding their writing community. In October, the program will provide plenty of personal writing time bookended with a morning workshop led by award-winning authors and after-dinner critique sessions for those interested in giving and receiving feedback on their work. Not only will writers have uninterrupted time to write among supportive fellow writers in a peaceful environment, the low-key mountain resort at Capon Springs and Farm is the perfect location for serious hiking, swimming, golfing, stargazing, fishing, and eating. Don’t forget the enjoyable cocktail hour on the writers’ porch, where lively discussions prevail and close friendships begin. This retreat is capped at 12 people. For double occupancy rates, please list the name of your roommate. Please contact Denise at dehermannbooks@gmail.com for a detailed schedule of the retreat.
SPARK LECTURE SERIES
Lifelong Learning’s weekly lecture series, formerly known as the “Brown Bag Lecture Series,” has grown and evolved—now reimagined as the “Spark Lecture Series.” Reflecting our motto, “Be Curious. Stay Informed. Have Fun.” the series now features lectures twice a week and offers even more opportunities to connect with engaging speakers and varied topics. Most lectures take place after lunch in the auditorium at the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education (213 N. King Street) and are also accessible via Zoom for registered participants. Visit the Shepherd University Lifelong Learning website to learn more about these upcoming speakers!
COST PER LECTURE:* $15; free for fall subscribers, SU students, and employees *Excludes FREE “Confused About Medicare?” Lecture
MAKING SPACE FOR DIFFERENCE: A PATH TO A MORE VIBRANT COMMUNITY
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
SPEAKER: Ashley Horst
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Auditorium (and Zoom)
TIME: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
What does it really mean to create a community where differences aren’t just tolerated, but welcomed—and even considered a strength? In this engaging and thoughtprovoking lecture, we’ll explore how making space for a range of perspectives enriches our shared experiences. Drawing from examples in history, culture, and everyday life, we’ll consider why diverse viewpoints can feel challenging—and why they’re essential for growth, creativity, and deeper understanding. Together, we’ll look at how thriving communities are built on curiosity, openness, and a willingness to engage with one another. Designed to be inviting and accessible, this session includes opportunities for reflection and conversation. Whether you’re eager to expand your perspective or simply curious about how communities thrive, you’ll leave with new insights—and perhaps a few practical ideas—for fostering connections in your own circles.
EXPLOSION OR IMPLOSION? WHAT’S UP (OR DOWN) WITH GLOBAL DEMOGRAPHICS?
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
SPEAKER: Jerry Collins
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Auditorium (and Zoom)
TIME: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Around the time most Lifelong Learners were born, the world’s population was 2.5 billion. Now it is 8.3 billion. For much of our lives, we were warned that the population explosion would be our undoing. Today, however, decades of declining birthrates have shifted concerns from too many people to not enough. Fears of poverty and famine have given way to concerns about having too few young people to support an aging population. The population explosion was
tempered by one-child policies, women’s choices, changing attitudes, and advances in agriculture. As the percentage of older adults continues to rise while the number of young people declines, will society find practical solutions, or will we turn to science fiction-like answers—an army of AIpowered robots running the show? This presentation will be more descriptive than prescriptive, include only a few tables and charts, and allow time for questions and discussion.
SACRED STEPS: WHY WE STILL WALK THE WORLD’S HOLY PATHS
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
SPEAKER: Dina Sorokina
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Auditorium (and Zoom)
TIME: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
In an era of hyper-connectivity and deep social division, millions are turning to an ancient practice: the pilgrimage. Drawing on firsthand experiences from the Camino de Santiago, Japan’s Kumano Kodo and Shikoku pilgrimages, and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, this lecture will explore the modern evolution of the sacred walk. We will examine why these often arduous, long-distance journeys have transitioned from religious rites to a global secular phenomenon. We will also look into the complex economic realities of “sacred tourism” — from revitalizing local communities to the ethics and challenges of over-tourism — and ask what role these ancient paths may play in our high-tech future.
THE ICONIC HILL TOP HOUSE IN HARPERS FERRY AND ITS ENTERPRISING FOUNDERS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
SPEAKER: Lynn Pechuekonis
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Auditorium (and Zoom)
TIME: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Thousands of people across the region fondly remember the Hill Top House in Harpers Ferry, but few know it was founded by African Americans Tom and Lavinia Lovett. They opened
their summer resort hotel in 1890, and despite operating in an era of rampant racism and social segregation, they filled their hotel with a middle- and upper-income White clientele, mainly from the Baltimore-Washington DC metro area. For 35 years under their ownership, the hotel was renowned for its generous hospitality, firstrate restaurant, and breathtaking views of the Potomac River. For the first time ever, the full story of the remarkable Lovett family has been told in a new book by local historian Lynn Pechuekonis: “Among the Mountains: The Lovetts and Their Hill Top House.” She will surprise you with a fascinating slice of Jefferson County history that may upend some long-held stereotypes.
THE FIRST CHRISTIAN NATIONALIST REGIME IN HISTORY AS SEEN THROUGH PAGAN EYES – PART I
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
SPEAKER: Eric Thompson
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Auditorium (and Zoom)
TIME: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
In the fourth century CE, the Roman Empire transitioned from a religiously pluralistic and generally tolerant society to a Catholic Christian totalitarian state over the course of a hard-fought struggle lasting roughly 70 years. In this two-part series, religion scholar Eric Thompson will explore how this transformation unfolded, drawing on the surviving writings of “pagan” intellectuals who witnessed and responded to these changes through orations, letters, and treatises. This lecture offers a lively historical journey through primary sources, told from the perspective of those on the losing side of history.
THE FIRST CHRISTIAN NATIONALIST REGIME IN HISTORY AS SEEN THROUGH PAGAN EYES –PART II
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
SPEAKER: Eric Thompson
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Auditorium (and Zoom)
TIME: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
In the fourth century CE, the Roman Empire transitioned from a religiously pluralistic and generally tolerant society to a Catholic Christian totalitarian state over the course of a hard-fought struggle lasting roughly 70 years. In this two-part series, religion scholar Eric Thompson will explore how this transformation unfolded, drawing on the surviving writings of “pagan” intellectuals who witnessed and responded to these changes through orations, letters, and treatises. This lecture offers a lively historical journey through primary sources, told from the perspective of those on the losing side of history.
WHETHER WE SHOULD FEAR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE OR EMBRACE IT
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5
SPEAKER: Daniel Bennett
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Auditorium (and Zoom)
TIME: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Whether it was the spinning jennies, assembly lines, or the Internet, fear and trepidation has followed the introduction of new technologies. Artificial Intelligence is yet another technology that expands humans’ capabilities, like flying with airplanes or communicating with radio. We will talk about how it works, what are the misuses, and how it can work for us.
A LIFE IN MINE SAFETY: LESSONS FROM THE COAL INDUSTRY
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7
SPEAKER: J. Davitt McAteer
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Auditorium (and Zoom) TIME: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
The focus of this lecture is on Mr. McAteer’s lifelong career in the field of coal mine/occupational health and safety. Motivated by the Farmington Mine Disaster in 1969 he pursued his health and safety work with Ralph Nader, the Miners for Democracy, the United Mine Workers and on to his private work founding the Occupational Safety and Law Center where he engaged in international mine safety work including working with the Black Miners Union in South Africa. Appointed by Bill Clinton to head the Mine Safety and Health Administration he also served as the Solicitor of Labor for two years. Following several tragic mine disasters including Sago, Aracoma Alma and Upper Big Branch, he was tasked to conduct independent investigations as to their causes and include recommendations for improvements in safety.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E. ST. BAND: SPIRITS IN THE NIGHT
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12
SPEAKER: Larry Levinson
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Auditorium (and Zoom)
TIME: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
“It doesn’t really matter what ‘The Boss’ sings about—small-town New Jersey, a woman named Rosalita, or the dissolution of the hardworking middle-class—he’s singing about faith.” —Wade Beardan, Christ X Pop Culture.
“The evening felt, for me, like the kind of church I long for and
sometimes touch: no tidy answers, no insincere lyrics, no vague calls for justice, but rather honesty and specificity and the chance to stand alongside strangers and feel something challenging, beautiful, true,” — Elizabeth Wainwright.
“I cannot promise life everlasting, but I can promise life RIGHT NOW” — Bruce Springsteen.
In this lecture, we will explore how/why many regard The Boss concerts as healing experiences. The lecture offers a brief bio, the E. Street Band’s evolutionary timeline since the 1970s, and an opportunity to share personal stories — both Larry’s and class members.
MONEY, MAYHEM, AND MIGHT: HOW THE CIVIL WAR CHANGED OUR MONEY (AND HOW MONEY CHANGED THE WAR)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14
SPEAKERS: Rick Lank and Rebecca Rush
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Auditorium (and Zoom)
TIME: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
This lecture will examine how the “Ten Tumultuous Years” (18571866) – the Civil War era – changed our money and our banking more than any other period. Foreign money (which was legal tender and circulated freely) was outlawed in 1857; the first paper currency was produced by the federal government (called “greenbacks” and they weren’t backed by silver or gold). The National Bank Act of 1863 created a unified banking system, the phrase “In God We Trust” first appeared on coinage in 1864, and rampant counterfeiting gave rise to the Secret Service in 1865. Huge gold and silver strikes – a boon to the North – caused the authorization of three new branch mints (in Colorado, Nevada and Oregon). The Civil War gave birth to the IRS. And women started working in both the Confederate and the US Treasury Departments.
INDONESIA: THE RISING, UNKNOWN POWER
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19
SPEAKER: Terry Markin
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Auditorium (and Zoom)
TIME: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
No country is more significant yet less understood than Indonesia. Did you know it is the world’s fourth most populous nation, has more Muslims than the entire Arab world, and is the world’s largest archipelago, stretching wider than the continental United States? It also straddles some of the world’s most strategic shipping routes, has no majority ethnic group yet functions as a democracy, and boasts an economy projected by McKinsey to become the world’s seventh largest within the next few years. This lecture will introduce you to this little-known country as it becomes an increasingly important player in the changing international order.
BENEDICT ARNOLD: A TRAGIC HERO
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21
SPEAKER: Blane Ampthor
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Auditorium (and Zoom) TIME: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Most people know Benedict Arnold as the person who betrayed America during the Revolutionary War. More than being a traitor, Arnold was regarded as the best soldier in America. He achieved astounding successes on land and sea, with a naval battle being perhaps his finest performance. Understanding this complex person within the context of the American Revolution is essential to forming an opinion of him and comprehending how he changed the course of the Revolutionary War.
WHEN TREES WERE OLD – HUMANS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE IN THE POTOMAC RIVER WATERSHED
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26
SPEAKER: Jim Cummins
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Auditorium (and Zoom) TIME: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
This presentation is an overview of how changing landscapes, over hundreds of millions of years — but focusing upon 22,000 years ago to present (the times of humans in our area) — have and still do affect the Potomac River, its watershed, and the surrounding areas.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF BOTANY IN AMERICA
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28
SPEAKERS: Claudine Lebeau
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Auditorium (and Zoom) TIME: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
The great American botanical adventure began with frontier fieldwork that expanded the world’s encyclopedic knowledge of plants, from the forests of the Appalachians to the plains and western mountains. This tradition evolved from collecting and naming species into a broader ecological way of thinking—one that examined plants in relation to climate, soil, wildlife, and human impact. This shift helped inspire conservation efforts that influenced environmental policy worldwide. In this lecture, we will explore the legacy of major American contributors, from early plant explorers and taxonomists to naturalists who shaped the national park ideal and modern ecology. In doing so, we will see how their work connects directly to what we do today as hikers and observers: noticing patterns, identifying species, and reading landscapes.
SHEPHERDSTOWN’S LITERARY
GENIUS CAROLINE “DANSKE”
BEDINGER DANDRIDGE (1854-1914)
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2
SPEAKER: Jim Surkamp
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Auditorium (and Zoom)
TIME: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
She authored and published hundreds of authoritative gardening articles, two acclaimed volumes of poetry, and three significant books on the American Revolution. In addition, she penned a series of delightful, satirical essays on “Dawdletown” (Shepherdstown), all while cultivating more than one hundred varieties of roses.
This lecture offers the most comprehensive account of Danske—her life, her siblings and parents, her children, and the famously generous, influential, and eccentric figures who shaped the town for many years. Among them are Serena “Miss Violet” Dandridge, known for her sheep herding and devotion to Swedenborg’s writings, and “Miss Nina” Mitchell, who traveled the world accompanied by her ever-faithful companion, Leon Washington. The program will feature additional guests providing live singing and dramatic readings. All texts will be provided.
CONFUSED ABOUT MEDICARE?
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4
SPEAKERS: Judie Marshall
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Auditorium (In-person Only)
TIME: 1 - 2:30 p.m.
COST: Free to the public
Come learn the Medicare alphabet of parts A, B, C, and D. Detailed descriptions will be discussed for each part, as well as eligibility, and how it applies to you or someone in your family. Handouts will also be available.
COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS
CAFÉ SOCIETY DISCUSSION GROUP
EVERY TUESDAY EXCEPT HOLIDAYS
FACILITATOR: Daniel Bennett
LOCATION: Zoom Only
TIME: 8:30 – 10:00 AM
COST: Free to public
Join the conversation: Email admin@ cafesocietyonline.org
Designed to foster a more informed, engaged, and connected community, Café Society offers lively “coffee shop–style” conversations centered primarily on local and national political issues, while also exploring how these topics intersect with global developments. Discussions often benefit from guest speakers and subject-matter experts, adding depth and perspective to the issues at hand.
Through respectful dialogue and the exchange of diverse viewpoints, participants build media literacy, strengthen civic awareness, and contribute to a more vibrant democratic culture.
CURRENT INTERNATIONAL ISSUES DISCUSSION GROUP
EVERY THURSDAY EXCEPT HOLIDAYS
FACILITATOR: Fred Turco
LOCATION: Zoom Only
TIME: 9–10:30 a.m.
COST: Free to public
Join the conversation: Email Mark.Kohut@gmail.com
This discussion group focuses specifically on current events and issues around the world, providing a forum for participants to share insights and learn from one another in a collaborative setting. Unlike Café Society, this group is participant-driven, with less emphasis on formal presentations and more on shared knowledge and discussion.
Participants are encouraged to come prepared to contribute their understanding of the topics, and optional reading materials will be provided to support and enrich the conversation.
LECTURES AND LIBATIONS
The Lectures and Libations series was first started by Shepherd University prior to the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to bring engaging, faculty-led discussions to a community setting. Now relaunched as part of the Lifelong Learning program in partnership with Shepherd faculty, the series offers accessible, thought-provoking presentations that help strengthen connections between the University and the broader local community.
250 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE: AN EXPLORATION OF THE HISTORY, MEMORY, AND MEANING
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
TIME: 5-7 p.m. LOCATION: Alma Bea
COST: FREE to the public (No Registration Required)
Shepherd University is excited to kick off a new season of “Lectures and Libations” with a panel discussion on the meaning and legacy of America 250 led by Dr. Ben Bankhurst with guests. This July the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Beyond its primary function of stating the end of British rule in the former colonies, the Declaration also served as a statement of principles for the new nation. Generations of Americans have looked to the anniversary of the declaration’s signing and adoption to make sense, in their time and place, of our founding manifesto. The panel brings together historians and public scholars to explore how Americans have remembered, commemorated, and debated the Revolution from the eighteenth century to the present. Panelists will discuss the WV250 initiative, examine the evolving history of Revolutionary commemorations in public institutions and museums, and consider the Revolution’s enduring meaning and legacy. The conversation will address how the nation’s founding continues to shape civic identity, historical memory, and public life today.
THE INTERDISCIPLINARY IMAGINATION: HOW SCHOLARS WRITE, CREATE, AND EXPLORE ACROSS DISCIPLINES
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19
TIME: 5-7 p.m. LOCATION: The Study Hall
COST: FREE to the public (No Registration Required)
Join us for an engaging evening of ideas and conversation at Lectures and Libations, featuring Shepherd University faculty Dr. Matt Kushin, Dr. Jeff Groff, and Dr. Larry Daily (Professor Emeritus). This session explores how scholars extend their work beyond their primary fields into new forms of writing, research, and creative expression.
Through brief, TED-style talks, each speaker will share their own interdisciplinary journey of publishing outside their discipline. Dr. Kushin (communications) will discuss his award-winning novel Beware the Smart Kids and the core lessons on happiness the book teaches, Dr. Groff (natural and physical sciences) will reflect on his experiences that led to writing The Rocinante in Wonderland: A Yellowstone Story, and Dr. Daily (psychology) will explore how the discipline of psychology and his career at Shepherd informed the process of writing high fantasy.
The evening will conclude with a panel discussion and audience Q&A. Open to the Shepherd community and the public, this Lectures and Libations event offers a welcoming space to connect, learn, and explore the possibilities that emerge when curiosity leads beyond disciplinary boundaries.
PRESIDENT’S LECTURE SERIES
Dr. Mary J.C. Hendrix, former president of Shepherd University, created this distinguished lecture series for the campus and community, and it became a cornerstone of the Lifelong Learning Program. The series continues to be a valued collaboration between Lifelong Learning and the Office of the President, and we are pleased to carry this tradition forward as we welcome Shepherd University’s new president, Dr. Cameron B. Wesson.
All lectures, which are free and open to the public, take place in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium. These lectures will also be livestreamed on the Shepherd University Youtube channel.
POLITICS, TRUST, AND THE AMERICAN PUBLIC
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2026
SPEAKER: Hoppy Kercheval
TIME: 6:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Auditorium COST: FREE
Putting “politics” and “trust” in the same sentence can feel like a bit of a stretch. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that just 17 percent of Americans say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right. By comparison, a YouGov poll found that 28 percent of Americans believe Bigfoot exists.
This lack of faith in politics and governing institutions has serious ramifications for the country. There are strong arguments that declining confidence in leadership and institutions is justified, while others point to increasingly toxic political discourse as a key driver of that distrust. Either way, the result is a widening gap between the public and the institutions that govern them.
As President John F. Kennedy once said, “If people lose faith in their government, the result is the same whether or not the loss of confidence is justified.”
So, are our best days behind us? The answer, as always, depends on us. Before we look to political leaders for all the solutions, we should also engage in some self-reflection, study our history, and seriously consider what is necessary to preserve and protect the republic.
CIVIC LEADERSHIP IN A DIVIDED ERA: HOW STATE GOVERNMENTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UNIVERSITIES COULD BUILD SOLUTIONS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2026
SPEAKER: Roger Hanshaw
TIME: 6:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Auditorium COST: FREE
Additional information about this lecture will be available online at www.shepherd.edu/lifelonglearning. While you’re there, explore the the most up-to-date schedule of upcoming Lifelong Learning courses and lectures designed to spark curiosity, encourage conversation, and inspire lifelong learning.
TOURS AND TRAVEL
Day Tours: For updated day trips and to join the Lifelong Learning email list to receive notifications about new offerings, visit the Lifelong Learning website at www.shepherd.edu/lifelonglearning.
TOUR OF SHEPHERDSTOWN’S HISTORIC THOMAS
SHEPHERD GRIST MILL
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
TIME: 2-3:30 p.m.
COST: $35
Step back in time and discover one of Shepherdstown’s most intriguing historic properties with this guided tour of the Thomas Shepherd Grist Mill, led by the current homeowners, Adam and Shannon Thomas. This immersive experience offers a rare opportunity to explore a privately owned historic site, see a demonstration of the 40-foot-tall Fitz Steel Overshot Water Wheel, and gain insight into its architectural features, industrial past, and evolving role within the community. The mill, which dates back to 1738 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, underwent a major structural repair by previous owners in the early 1970s. Shannon and Adam have continued the renovation, weaving together the mill’s structure, character, and stories into a dynamic living space. This tour is ideal for history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and anyone interested in the heritage of the Shepherdstown area.
FALL EQUINOX WITH A HIKE ON SNAVELY TRAIL
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
TIME: 3 - 5 p.m.
LOCATION: Meet at the lower Burnside Bridge parking area
COST: Free
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
Local plant enthusiasts Kathy Bilton and Claudine Lebeau invite you to join them to celebrate the fall equinox with a leisurely hike that explores the Snavely Trail at Antietam National Battlefield. The trail covers a couple of miles through a landscape deep in seasonal transition. We will observe how woody and non-woody plants change color, harbor or shed their fruit, and for the late bloomers, we will still see some flowers. Bring walking sticks, water, snack, binoculars. Registration required.
Free naturalist phone apps we recommend: iNaturalist, Merlin, Seek
CRAFTING FALL PUMPKINS AT DAKOTA GLASS WORKS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29
TIME: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
COST: $149
Join Lifelong Learning for a hands-on day trip to Dakota Glass Works in Wardensville, West Virginia, where participants will explore the art of glassblowing in a guided workshop. Just in time for the fall season, each attendee will create their own unique glass pumpkin under the instruction of skilled artisans — no prior experience required.
In addition to the workshop, there will be time to learn about Farms Works Wonder, Dakota Glass’ broader communityfocused initiative, and to explore the charming local shops and bakery that are part of the project. This all-inclusive experience features round-trip transportation and a provided lunch, making for a relaxed and creative outing. Enjoy the scenic charm of Wardensville while crafting a oneof-a-kind piece. Glass creations will be available for pick-up the following week from the Lifelong Learning offices.
WINTER SOLSTICE HIKE ON SNAVELY TRAIL
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20
TIME: 1 - 3 p.m.
LOCATION: Meet at the lower Burnside Bridge parking area
COST: Free
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
Local plant enthusiasts Kathy Bilton and Claudine Lebeau invite you to join them to celebrate the winter solstice with a hike leisurely exploring the Snavely Trail at Antietam National Battlefield. As we walk, we’ll keep an eye out for plants that hold their green through winter alongside those now deep into dormancy. For those who joined us on the Equinox walk, this will be a wonderful chance to revisit the plants and trees - a lesson in phenology. Dress warmly and bring walking sticks, water, snack, binoculars. This hike is a couple of miles.
Free naturalist phone apps we recommend: iNaturalist, Merlin, Seek
International & National Tours: To access the full brochures and registration forms, please go to the “Tours” section of our website: www.shepherd.edu/lifelonglearning/lifelong-learning-tours
PLEASE NOTE: Shepherd University travel insurance is required for all national and international tours. Collette travel protection plans are also available.
JOURNEY THROUGH NORTHERN VIETNAM
EXPERIENCE NORTHERN VIETNAM: CULTURE, CUISINE, AND CAPTIVATING LANDSCAPES.
JANUARY 28 – FEBRUARY 8, 2027
RESERVATION DEADLINE: Deposit due by June 29, 2026, but spaces are likely still available. Call Collette for updated availability and pricing after 6/29/26 at 1-800-581-8942
DEPARTURE FROM: Washington, D.C.
PRICING (PER PERSON – IF BOOKED BY JUNE 29, 2026):
Double $4,999 | Single $5,899
INCLUDED MEALS: 10 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 8 Dinners
TRAVEL PROTECTION (OPTIONAL): $549
DEPOSIT: $698 per person
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
• Vespa-led Hanoi Food Tour
• Lac Village Home-Hosted Dinner
• Hoa Lu Ancient Capital
• Trang An Grottoes
• Ha Long Bay
• Cua Van Floating Village
For more info and booking: https://groups.gocollette.com/ en-US/link/1408420
SHADES OF IRELAND
DISCOVER IRELAND’S LEGENDS, LANDSCAPES, AND LIVING TRADITIONS.
MARCH 4 – 13, 2027
RESERVATION DEADLINE: Deposit due by September 5, 2026
DEPARTURE FROM: Washington, D.C.
PRICING (PER PERSON – IF BOOKED BY SEPTEMBER 5, 2026): Double $3,999 | Single $4,899 | Triple $3,949
INCLUDED MEALS: 8 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners
DEPOSIT: $698 per person
TRAVEL PROTECTION (OPTIONAL): $549
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
• Dublin
• Irish Dinner and Entertainment
• Blarney Castle
• Ring of Kerry
• Cliffs of Moher
• Castle stay
For more info and booking: https://groups.gocollette.com/ en-US/link/1408439
HIGHLIGHTS OF NORWAY
NORWAY IN FULL SPLENDOR: FJORDS, HISTORY, AND TIMELESS CHARM.
APRIL 23 – MAY 1, 2027
RESERVATION DEADLINE: Deposit due by October 24, 2026
DEPARTURE FROM: Washington, D.C.
PRICING (Per Person – If booked by October 24, 2026): Double - $4,999 | Single - $5,999
INCLUDED MEALS: 7 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners
DEPOSIT: $698
TRAVEL PROTECTION (OPTIONAL): $549
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
• Bergen
• Nordfjord Folk Museum
• Geirangerfjord Cruise
• Loen Skylift
• Stave Church
• Oslo
For more info and booking: https://groups.gocollette.com/ en-US/link/1408438
DISCOVER CANYON COUNTRY FEATURING ARIZONA & UTAH
CANYON COUNTRY’S NATURAL WONDERS: NATIONAL PARKS, SCENIC RIVERS, AND SOUTHWEST LANDSCAPES
MAY 14 – MAY 21, 2027
RESERVATION DEADLINE: Deposit due by November 14, 2026
DEPARTURE FROM: Washington, D.C.
PRICING (Per Person – If booked by November 14, 2026): Double $3,999 | Single $4,999 | Triple $3,949
INCLUDED MEALS: 6 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
DEPOSIT: $698
TRAVEL PROTECTION (OPTIONAL): $469
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
• Grand Canyon National Park
• Sedona red rock country
• Lake Powell
• Rafting at Horseshoe Bend
• Bryce Canyon National Park
• Zion National Park
• Las Vegas Strip
For more info and booking: https://gateway.gocollette. com/link/1409152
DISCOVER SCOTLAND
SCOTLAND UNVEILED: HIGHLANDS, CASTLES, AND LEGENDARY LANDSCAPES
MAY 20 – MAY 29, 2028
RESERVATION DEADLINE: Deposit due by November 21, 2027
DEPARTURE FROM: Washington, D.C.
PRICING (Per Person – If booked by November 21, 2027): Double $5,999 | Single $7,199 | Triple $5,899
INCLUDED MEALS: 8 Breakfasts, 1 Lunches, 6 Dinners
DEPOSIT: $698
TRAVEL PROTECTION (OPTIONAL): $599
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
• Isle of Skye
• Loch Ness Cruise
• Orkney Islands
• Dunrobin Castle
• Edinburgh Castle
• Whisky Tasting
• Sheepdog Demonstration
• Scottish Cooking Experience
For more info and booking: https://groups.gocollette.com/en-US/link/1408128
Lecture Dates
PRESIDENT’S LECTURE
SERIES
September
9/22 Politics, Trust, and the American Public
November
11/5 Civic Leadership in a Divided Era: How State Governments in Partnership with Universities Could Build Solutions
SPARK LECTURES
September
9/14 Making Space for Difference: A Path to a More Vibrant Community 9/16 Explosion or Implosion? What’s Up (Or Down) with Global Demographics?
9/21 Sacred Steps: Why We Still Walk the World’s Holy Paths
9/23 The Iconic Hill Top House in Harpers Ferry and Its Enterprising Founders
9/28 The First Christian Nationalist Regime in History as Seen Through Pagan Eyes – Part I
9/30 The First Christian Nationalist Regime in History as Seen Through Pagan Eyes – Part II
October
10/5 Whether We Should Fear Artificial Intelligence or Embrace IT
10/7 A Life in Mine Safety: Lessons from the Coal Industry
10/12 Bruce Springsteen and the E. St. Band: Spirits in the Night 10/14 Money, Mayhem, and Might: How the Civil War Changed Our Money (And How Money Changed the War)
10/19 Indonesia: The Rising, Unknown Power
10/21 Benedict Arnold: A Tragic Hero
10/26 When Trees Were Old – Humans and Environmental Change in the Potomac River Watershed
O 9/22 - Politics, Trust and the American Public O 11/5 - Civic Leadership in a Divided Era: How State Governments in Partnership with Universities Could Build Solutions
DAY TRIPS
O 9/10 – Thomas Shepherd Grist Mill Tour – $35
O 9/27 – Fall Equinox Hike (Snavely Trail) – Free
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
O 10/29 – Dakota Glass Works Pumpkin Workshop – $149
O 12/20 – Winter Solstice Hike (Snavely Trail) – Free
O Please add me to the mailing list for the Lifelong Learning catalogs.
I plan to use Zoom for courses and lectures: O Always O Never O Sometimes
How did you learn about these Lifelong Learning courses, lectures and trips? (Check all that apply)
O Email O Brochure in mail O Picked up brochure in community
O Newspaper article O Word of mouth O Other___________________
PAYMENT
O I am purchasing a spring subscription. - $195
O I am paying for individual classes and lectures.
# of courses: _________________ x $79 = ______________
# of courses: _________________ x $60 = ______________
# of Spark Lectures: _______ x $15 = ____________
Total for classes and lectures = ______________________
Total for special offerings and day trips = ____________
TOTAL FEE = ______________________
O Check: Make payable to Shepherd University
O Credit Card: To pay by credit card, please use our online registration system on the Lifelong Learning website.
I would like to support the Lifelong Learning Program with my tax-deductible gift for the amount of ______________.
Your gift helps us continue to provide excellent lifelong learning opportunities. Thank you!
O Check: Make payable to Shepherd University Foundation
O Credit Card: To donate using a credit card, please use the donation portal on the Lifelong Learning website.
Mail registration form and payment to: Shepherd University Lifelong Learning Program Office of Continuing Education, Attn: Cindy Powers P.O. Box 5000, Shepherdstown, WV 25443
THANKS
Many thanks to our Shepherd University Lifelong Learning Program volunteer course instructors, lecturers, class assistants, advisory committee, and donors. Our hats are off to those individuals who have generously donated their money, time, and talent in 2026 to the Shepherd University Lifelong Learning Program. Please join me in thanking them:
Heather Addison
Marellen Aherne
Marty Amerikaner, Ph.D.
Blane Ampthor
Stephen & Rebecca Ayraud
Charlotte & Phil Baker-Shenk
Marcele Bartlett
Stephen Bartlett
Daniel Bennett
David Black
David Borchard
James Broomall
William Carrigan
Michelle Casuccio
Richard Casuccio, M.D.*
Sandy Cavalier*
Andy Cavalier
Pam Clark
Jerry Collins
Jim Cummins
Heidi Dobish, Ph.D.*
Paula Donohue
Pat Donohoe
Zachary Dougherty
David & Lauren Duh
Paul Edenfield
Susan Fagan
Melanie Files
Jane Freeman
Carolina & Brent Ford
Patrick & Kaylee Fuller
Daryl Glenney
S am Greene, Ph.D.
Paul Grussendorf
Speaker Roger Hanshaw
D. Scott Hartwig
Bill Hiatt
Donna Hiatt
Laraine Jimenez*
Hoppy Kercheval
Mark Kohut*
Susan & Alan Hankin
Wendell Hawken
*denotes Advisory Committee member
Ashley Horst
Geri Hunt
Jolene Jarrell
Dorothy Jeffries
Laraine Jimenez*
Season Jones
Henry Julius & Jean Lee
Matthew Kradel
Denise Kupiszewski
Robert Kuska & Dorothy Wagner
Rick Lank
Claudine Lebeau*
Kirsten Lee
Gregory & Debbie Leck
Larry Levinson
Joseph Lokant, Ph.D.
Stephen Mallott
Terry Markin
Judith Marshall
J. Davitt McAteer
Frank McCluskey, Ph.D.*
Rhonda McKinnon
William & Lindsay McLaughlin
Amanda Mandzik , Ph.D.
Jeanne Marie McClure
Peggy McKowen
Leslie Miller*
Sytil Murphy, Ph.D.
Rebecca Nachtrieb
Diane Niedzialkowski
Paul Oliver
James Pate, Ph.D.
Lynn Pechuekonis
Faye Pieper
Douglas Poole*
Wolfgang Pordzik*
Glenda Powers
Lucinda Powers
David Rampy
Maylene Reisbig
Carol Richmond, Ph.D.
Lynne Riley
Michael T Rock, Ph.D.
Susan & Eli Roza
Joyce Rudnick
Rebecca Rush
Dianne L. Roman
Mary Ruos
T. Irene Sanders
Rik Scarce
Victoria Schilling
Katharine Schultz
Kent Shaffer
Dan Shelton
Nicole Smith
Raymond Smock
Dina Sorokina
Linda Spatig
John Spears, Ph.D.
Cheryll Statham & Carol Roby
Nancy Stewart
Jim Surkamp
Linda Tate, Ph.D.*
Eric Thompson*
Randall Tremba
Deborah Tucker
Lois & Fred Turco
Barbara Uhler
Sheila & Al Vertino
John Wagner
Robert Warburton, Ph.D.
William White
Carolyn Wilson
Judith V.T. Wilson
Melanie Winter
Susan Grace Wisniewski
Judy Wolf
Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History & Education
