UT OLLI Spring 2021 Catalog

UT OLLI Spring 2021 Catalog March 29 – May 7, 2021 The University of Texas at Austin Osher Lifelong Learning Institute 2405 Robert Dedman Drive Austin, TX 78712 512.471.3124

Online Registration Begins: Friday, March 19, 2021

www.olli.utexas.edu

OVERVIEW Welcome to UT OLLI Online!

A day of programming consists up to four (4) webinars per day during the following timeslots: 1) 9:30AM - 10:40AM 2) 11:10AM - 12:20PM 3) 1:00PM - 2:10PM 4) 2:40PM - 3:50PM

Seminar listing •

Week 1-6: March 29 – May 07

Lecture listing • Week 1: March 30 – April 02

Pages 3-6

Pages 7-8

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Week 2: April 06 – 09

Pages 9-10

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Week 3: April 13 – 16

Pages 11-12

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Week 4: April 20 – 23

Pages 13-15

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Week 5: April 27 – 30

Pages 16-17

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Week 6: May 04 – 07

Pages 18-19

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Spring 2021 Seminars MONDAYS (begins Mar. 29th) 9:30AM – 10:40AM

Sandy Kress has a long career in law, politics, and education at the State and Federal government levels. Over the past ten years he has studied, written, and taught on religious matters, especially interpreting ancient texts and wisdom.

Wisdom Sayings, Part II CE21003B This seminar will focus on the best wisdom sayings from the Talmud, an ancient text from the beginning of the Common Era, to help instruct us all - irrespective of faith - in how to live a good life.

11:10AM – 12:20PM

G. Fritz Benedict, Senior Research Scientist at the McDonald Observatory, has been on the Hubble Telescope team in a variety of roles, publishing over 40 papers detailing his results.

Extraterrestrial Life CE21003D In this seminar participants will explore the probability of life elsewhere under the tutelage of a retired UT astronomer and senior research scientist.

1:00PM – 2:10PM

Multiple Speakers:

The Art of Medicine: What Does Bioethics and Health Humanities Bring to Medicine

• Wk1: Dr. Lisa Campo-Engelstein

• Wk2: Dr. Anne Hudson Jones • Wk3: Dr. Jeff Farroni • Wk4: Dr. Bryanna Moore • Wk5: Dr. Elise Smith • Wk6: Dr. Bill Winslade

CE21003H This seminar will explore some of the key topics within the field of bioethics and health humanities such as human experimentation, patient autonomy, new technologies, and medical education.

2:40PM – 3:50PM Multiple Speakers

On the Road to Social Justice: Looking Back, Looking Toward, Moving Forward CE21003L In this seminar, six Huston-Tillotson professors will share their expertise so that we can examine aspects of history, literature, and culture in a quest to promote racial healing and social justice.

Image source: https://htu.edu/

• Wk1: Dr. Alaine Hutson • Wk2: Dr. Julie Hudson • Wk3: Tommy Mouton • Wk4: Dr. Tamar Brown • Wk5: Jennine “DOC” Krueger • Wk6: Dr. Andrea Holman

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Spring 2021 Seminars TUESDAYS No scheduled, reoccurring seminar throughout Tuesdays this session. Please see the Lecture listing, pages 7-18.

WEDNESDAYS 9:30AM – 10:40AM No scheduled, reoccurring seminar during this timeslot.

11:10AM – 12:20PM

Puzzles, Problems, and Paradoxes CE21011D A look at some of the most baffling and engaging puzzles, problems and paradoxes that have attracted the attention of thinkers in the past. Some of these have been solved and some have not.

Marshall Missner, Ph.D., is a professor emeritus from the University of WisconsinOshkosh, where he taught philosophy for 38 years.

1:00PM – 2:10PM No scheduled, reoccurring seminar.

Please see the Lecture listing for a different presentation each Wednesday at 1:00PM.

2:40PM – 3:50PM

Community and Economic Development CE21011B The course will provide an overview of the forces affecting economic development strategies, information on successful and unsuccessful approaches, and an ability to better understand current thinking in urban and rural economic development.

Steven Pedigo is a professor of practice at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin and the director of the LBJ Urban Lab.

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Spring 2021 Seminars THURSDAYS 9:30AM – 12:20PM No scheduled, reoccurring seminars.

Please see the Lecture listing for different presentations on most Thursday mornings at 9:30AM & 11:10AM

1:00PM – 2:10PM

Inspired by Art: Traditional and Non-traditional Uses of Art to Impact Society CE21008A Each academic unit in the Texas State College of Fine Arts & Communication has a top 15 national ranking for their undergraduate program. The success is rooted in having faculty who are Artist-Teachers w/research addressing realworld issues that directly inform their work in the classroom.

Multiple Speakers: • • • • • •

Wk1: Dr. John Fleming Wk2: Dr. Lynn Brinckmeyer Wk3: Prof. Jason Reed Wk4: Prof. Kaysie Seitz Wk5: Prof. Hank Hehmsoth Wk6: Dr. Charles Ney Image source: https://www.txstate.edu/

2:40PM – 3:50PM

Genetics and Individuality in Health and Diseases CE21008C

Dr. David Threadgill is the Director of the Texas A&M Institute for Genome Sciences and Society at Texas A&M University.

The focus of this seminar is on genetics and its importance on medical advances and to understanding the differential susceptibility to disease and response to life style interventions.

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Spring 2021 Seminars FRIDAYS 9:30AM – 10:40AM

Ken Cauthern is a retired psychotherapist, which has nothing to do with his interest in horror movies. He is also a member of the Writers Guild West and a former scriptwriter and national radio producer, which vaguely has something to do with his interest.

Reel Horror: The History of Horror from Dracula to Get Out CE21012C A fun behind-the-scenes peek at the great horror films. We will pull back the curtain on the stars, directors and wizards of make-up and special effects which gave us our best scares.

11:10AM – 12:20PM

Multiple Speakers:

Integrated Biology: Understanding the Ecology, Evolution and Behavior of Species

• • • • • •

CE21012E This seminar will explore understanding the ecology, evolution, behavior of species through field studies by graduated students and postdoctoral fellows in Integrated Biology.

Wk1: Dr. Shana Caro Wk2: Dr. Emlyn Resetarits Wk3: Dr. Chase Smith Wk4: Aaron Rhodes Wk5: Dr. Megan O’Connell Wk6: Dr. Tom Devitt

Image source: Department of Integrative Biology at The University of Texas at Austin Twitter icon @texas_IB

1:00PM – 3:50PM No scheduled, reoccurring seminars.

Please see the Lecture listing for a different presentation each Wednesday at 1:00PM.

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Spring 2021 Lectures: Week 1 (March 30th – February 2nd) Tuesday, March 30, 2021 9:30AM – 10:40AM

China's Approach to National Security Under Xi Jinping China has pursued a new national security strategy focused on the connection between internal and external security and a more proactive approach to preventing risks to the Chinese party-state. This has major implications for both domestic and foreign policies in China and for US-China relations.

Dr. Sheena Chestnut Greitens is associate professor at the LBJ School at UT Austin and is affiliated with the Strauss Center and the Clements Center for National Security. Her work focuses on East Asia, democracy & dictatorship, and American national security policy.

Coordinator: Lorraine Broll

11:10AM – 12:20PM

Restless and Relentless: Wes Jackson and the Search for Sustainability Wes Jackson is known as a founder of the sustainable agriculture movement for his work on perennial grains and Natural Systems Agriculture at The Land Institute.

Dr. Jensen explains how Jackson’s ecological and historical analyses is crucial to understanding the multiple, cascading crises we face.

Dr. Robert Jensen is a professor in the School of Journalism at The University of Texas at Austin and a board member of the Third Coast Activist Resource Center.

Coordinator: Harvey Wohlwend

2:40PM – 3:50PM

A Reporter's Notebook on Covering the Immigration Beat A reporter’s notebook of what it’s been like to cover, on the front lines, the immigration beat under Donald Trump and how that is changing in a Joe Biden administration.

A discussion of being a fact-based journalist (of 40 years) in an era of disinformation and "everybody has their own facts."

John Burnett is a Correspondent for National Public Radio and is based in Austin. He earned a BA in Journalism from UT in 1978 and became a NPR Correspondent in 1986. John covers the Mexican border, Latin America and the Caribbean. He has twice received the DuPont Award for coverage on the war in Iraq. He is a native Texan.

Coordinator: Woodie Jones

Wednesday, March 31, 2021 1:00PM – 2:10PM

Texas All-Stars: Make Native Plants a Part of Your Life Who doesn't love Texas wildflowers in the spring? Have you wondered how to grow beautiful native plants in your own garden? Join us as we learn how to bring this beauty into our own environment.

Andrea DeLong-Amaya is the Director of Horticulture at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. She writes for a variety of publications and teaches classes in native plant horticulture. She received a bachelor's degree in Geography from UT Austin.

Coordinator: Linda Ritzen

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Thursday, April 1, 2021 9:30AM – 10:40AM

“WELL!!!” Jack Benny struggles his way from radio to television How one of radio’s most successful personalities took on a budding new medium, transitioning his program from audio-based comedy to one of television’s most memorable visual acts.

11:10AM – 12:20PM

Engineering New Medicines to treat Infectious Diseases In this talk, you will learn about new antibody therapies: what they are, how they are developed and why they may radically change approaches to treating and preventing infectious diseases.

Kathryn Fuller-Seeley, Ph.D. is an award-winning author of numerous books and articles on American film, radio and TV history. She teaches undergraduate and graduate comedy, media, and film and broadcasting history at The University of Texas, Austin.

Coordinator: Gregory Bolton

Dr. Jennifer Maynard has been a Professor of Chemical Engineering at UT Austin since 2007, after earning her undergraduate degree at Stanford and doctoral degree and UT Austin, followed by post-doctoral studies at Stanford. Her research efforts focus on development of biologics to treat infectious diseases.

Coordinator: Joan Lewis

Friday, April 2, 2021 1:00PM – 2:10PM

A Culinary History of the United States This lecture will explore the last 150 years of American food history.

Professor Allen Pietrobon is an Assistant Professor of Global Affairs at Trinity Washington University. He specializes in 20th-Century American history and U.S. Foreign Policy. Since 2011, he has also served as an Assistant Director of Research at the Nuclear Studies Institute.

Coordinator: Donald Ugent

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Spring 2021 Lectures: Week 2 (April 6th – 9th) Tuesday, April 6, 2021 9:30AM – 10:40AM

The Zealot and the Emancipator John Brown and Abraham Lincoln agreed that slavery was wrong, but they disagreed vehemently on what to do about it. Brands tells their story, and what came of it.

H.W. Brands is an American historian. He holds the Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History at The University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his Ph.D. in history in 1985.

He has authored 30 books on U.S. history. His works have twice been selected as finalists for the Pulitzer Prize.

Coordinator: Michael Edmonds

Image source: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group (http://knopfdoubleday.com/)

11:10AM – 12:20PM

A Double-Edged Sword: The Ethical Implications of Technological Progress The 21st century will bring a level of technological change unseen in history. Our approach to the key ethical questions surrounding this change will be instrumental in determining whether technology will be a force for positive or negative change.

Alex Gabbi is a Lecturer in Marketing and International Business at The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business. Alex is a regular paid speaker on the topics of business model and market disruption, technology trends, and entrepreneurship.

Coordinator: Kapil Jain

1:00PM – 2:10PM

Current Texas/Mexico Border Issues This discussion will consider policies towards asylum seekers arriving at the southern border in a time of presidential transition. A number of exclusionary measures have been deployed at the border in recent years, ranging from prolonged detention of asylum seekers in for-profit detention centers

Dr. Denise Gilman teaches and codirects the Immigration Clinic after having joined the clinical faculty at the UT Law School in 2007. She has written and practiced extensively in the international human rights and immigrants' rights fields.

Coordinator: Woodie Jones

2:40PM – 3:50PM

Lessons from Marketing of Global Brands - Local Connections of Universal Truths Insight into Universal Human Truths-What successful stewardship of global brands taught our speaker about discovering what unites us across cultures, and not just the challenges of our differences.

Rob Malcolm has a 45-year career as practitioner, lecturer, and consultant on global marketing and management including stints at Diageo, P&G, BCG, Wharton, and the McCombs School of Business. He has lived in 4 countries and worked on more than 100 brands.

Coordinator: Kapil Jain

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Wednesday, April 7, 2021 1:00PM – 2:10PM

The National Debt and Deficit The Concord Coalition will present nonpartisan information and perspectives about national debt. They are a grassroots organization dedicated to educating the public about federal budget issues and their consequences for the future. The Concord Coalition was founded in 1992.

Phil Smith is the National Field Director for The Concord Coalition. He has more than two decades of experience there conducting countless seminars, congressional and presidential town hall meetings and public policy initiatives. He also works closely with the media.

Tori Gorman is the Policy Director of the Concord Coalition. She joined the organization after a sixteen-year career on Capitol Hill where she held director level positions advising senior members of the budget, appropriations and tax writing committees in the House and Senate.

Coordinator: Charlene Cooley

Thursday, April 8, 2021 9:30AM – 10:40AM

The 7th Thirteen: Thoughts on Growing Old Lee Walker shares how a talk he gave to Nike executives and the restoration of a medieval castle in Italy helped inspire his writing life.

11:10AM – 12:20PM

Understanding a Changing Racial Reality We will explore concepts in the ongoing American racial reckoning-white fragility, white supremacy and antiracism which have recently become part of the mainstream dialogue.

Lee Walker teaches civic and community engagement at UT Austin. The first president of Dell Computer, Lee has also served as chairman of Capital Metro and was a founding board member of LiveStrong. A former Austinite of the Year, Lee is working on his second book.

Coordinator: Harvey Wohlwend

Joshua Frank founded "The Learning Nexus" in 2017 after working as an educator for twentyeight years. He has designed and taught adult education courses on race and equity in the Boston area. He is now opening a family organization called Equity Intersection which will offer courses in April 2021.

Coordinator: Judi Nudelman

Friday, April 9, 2021 1:00PM – 2:10PM

Fifty Years Later What Geologically Is So Valuable on the Moon and Mars?

Dr. William A. Ambrose is a (retired) Senior Research Scientist at the Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin, where he holds a Master of Arts degree in geological sciences.

Coordinator: Marilyn Heath

Future success in exploration and human habitation of space, including the moon, Mars and outer solar system, will depend on space missions and settlements becoming more selfsustaining on a longer-term basis. How can they harness extraterrestrial energy and resources in order to accomplish this?

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Spring 2021 Lectures: Week 3 (April 13th – 16th) Tuesday, April 13, 2021 9:30AM – 10:40AM

The Story of Our Home as Told by a Galactic Archeologist Dr. Hawkins will describe how he uses our Milky Way as a laboratory for galaxy formation and evolution, and other tools to explore our galaxy's future.

11:10AM – 12:20PM

The Wonderful World of Violins Learn about the elements & evolution of an instrument that has brought enjoyment to millions. A concert violinist shares his knowledge of the violin, viola, cello & double bass. Hear of the history, sound quality, & legendary masters & their techniques. Examples to be performed by Mr. Reid.

2:40PM – 3:50PM

How Emerging Technologies are Changing the US Army The Army is harnessing emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, data enabled systems and robotics with great potential impact. How these cutting-edge technologies might change warfare, one of our most human endeavors, has implications at tactical, strategic and national levels.

Dr. Keith Hawkins is an assistant professor of astronomy at UT Austin.

He studies Galactic Archaeology using stellar spectroscopy as his primary astrophysical tool.

Coordinator: Joan Lewis

Robert Reid is a concert violinist who began playing at the age of three. He has performed with symphony orchestras in Dallas, TX, Rochester, NY, and numerous cities throughout the Lone Star State.

Coordinator: Gregory Bolton

Colonel Robert Wisham is the program director for Project Convergence, the Army's largest effort to bring AI and data-enabled systems to tactical reality. Has led AFC outreach to research universities and private industry.

Combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan along with an Advise and Assist mission in Ukraine.

Coordinator: Beth Moreno

Wednesday, April 14, 2021 1:00PM – 2:10PM

A Tour of the History and Future of America's National Parks Take a virtual tour of our national parks with the National Parks Conservation Association to learn the history of these parks, explore their diverse natural and cultural treasures, and discover opportunities to ensure a bright future for these special places.

As Texas Regional Director for the National Parks Conservation Association, Mrs. Cary Dupuy works to connect people, communities and businesses in supporting their national parks.

Coordinator: Anita Knight

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Thursday, April 15, 2021 9:30AM – 10:40AM

North America Oil and Natural Gas Interdependency North American Oil and Natural Gas Trade Balance Highlights, Including Energy Policy and Environmental Regulations.

11:10AM – 12:20PM

Only Hope: My Mother and the Holocaust Brought to Light Before she passed away in 1974, Felicia Lubliner wrote about her captivity in Polish ghettos and two Nazi concentration camps, Auschwitz and Gross-Rosen. Her son will share excerpts from “Only Hope: A Survivor’s Stories of the Holocaust” and shed light on and his mother’s experiences.

Jorge Pinon is Director, Latin America and Caribbean Energy and Environmental Program, Center for International Energy and Environmental Policy in the Jackson School of Geosciences, UT Austin.

Coordinator: Donald Baldovin

Dr. Irv Lubliner of Ashland retired from Southern Oregon University in 2014. After teaching mathematics for almost 40 years, he determined it was time to do something else. That something else was to resurrect his mother’s words and the hope that carried her through Auschwitz during the last years.

Coordinator: Susan Holland

Friday, April 16, 2020 1:00PM – 2:10PM

National Geographic Photography After a 10-year career in technology, Greg made a significant life change. In 2004 he traveled around the world for exploration and self-assessment with a camera in his hand. Greg will talk to us about that trip and destinations and assignments for National Geographic.

Creative and founding member of Austin Center for Photography Greg Davis's work strikes to the very core of the human experience.

It is his belief that as our world shrinks, cultures and belief systems will continue to be drawn closer to each other. Greg is a Founding Member of the Austin Center for Photography and is currently being represented by National Geographic Creative.

Coordinator: Don Ugent

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Spring 2021 Lectures: Week 4 (April 20th – 23rd) Tuesday, April 20, 2021 9:30AM – 10:40AM

Life is short - Don’t Make it Shorter with Distracted Driving Distracted driving takes your attention away from the road and in a split second you could ruin your future, injure or kill others, & tear a hole in the heart of everyone you love.

Distractions are shown to compromise the safety of the driver, passengers, pedestrians, & people in other vehicles.

Image source: https://www.txdot.gov/

Sue Flores is a Traffic Safety Specialist for TX Dept of Transportation with over 20 years of service with state government in contract mgmt., unemployment tax, subsidy program, & traffic safety. She has Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from TX State & Master of Public Administration.

Brett Reichart Traffic Safety Specialist TxDOT, Austin District & retired law enforcement. Thirty years’ professional experience in law enforcement and education as a practitioner, instructor, promoting law enforcement programming & in the educational field secondary and post-secondary context in IN, TX, & NC. Coordinator: Harvey Wohlwend

11:10AM – 12:20PM

Tracking Hate, Combating Bias, Building Inclusive Space ADL Austin works to handle complaints of discrimination, racism, and anti-Semitism, to monitor extremists & domestic terrorists & to fight hatred in all its forms. Come learn how ADL Austin is challenging bigotry and prejudice in our area.

Renee Lafair is the Director of the ADL Austin. Renee works to build a community that values diversity, equity & dignity for all, working with over 300 Central TX schools on the No Place for Hate initiative & convening the Austin/Travis County Hate Crimes Task Force with the City Council & the DA's office.

Jillian Bontke is Education Director at ADL Austin and coordinates all Central Texas education programs offering antibias learning experiences for student and adult learners. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor & is passionate about helping people explore their own bias & helping them become allies.

Coordinator: Lorraine Broll

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Tuesday, April 20, 2021 (cont.)

1:00PM – 2:10PM

Central Health and Its Funding, Disparity Studies, County Health and Wellness Centers

Motivated by his commitment to community and public service, Mike Geeslin began his appointment as the President and CEO of Central Health, the Travis County Healthcare District, in May 2017.

Coordinator: Woodie Jones

2:40PM – 3:50PM

Building Military Partnerships in Latin America and the Caribbean A perspective on how military partnerships strengthen our long-standing relationships with our allies and partners and reduce security threats to the homeland.

Colonel Michael Gomez is currently a Fellow of the US Army War College. Previously deployed to Panama, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Has served most recently as Chief of Special Operations at Homestead Air Reserve Base.

Military education includes Airborne School, Ranger School, Special Forces Engineering, Jumpmaster and Sapper Leader.

Coordinator: Beth Moreno

Wednesday, April 21, 2021 1:00PM – 2:10PM

When the Speechless Speak – Homeless Self-Advocacy and Liminal Citizenship This talk will focus on “grassroots homeless advocates” --those experiencing homelessness. We will explore their significance within the advocacy field and their challenges in bringing their perspectives into the public discourse. To do so, we will discuss different advocacy outlets.

Inbal Leibovits is a doctoral student in the Communication Studies department. She studies homelessness, marginalization, advocacy, deliberation, and citizenship.

Coordinator: Diane Jones

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Thursday, April 22, 2021 9:30AM – 10:40AM

Methane: A serious climate problem with achievable solutions?

Methane emissions from the oil and gas (O&G) supply chain can cause climate change but can be costeffectively reduced by policies like frequent leak detection. Learn how the Environmental Defense Fund’s research and advocacy have led to reduction in emissions over the last decade.

11:10AM – 12:20PM

What’s to Become of Movie Theaters?

In the aftermath of COVID, will we be seeing the demise of the big movie screen? “Dinner and a movie” dates?

Blockbusters in 3D with heart thumping sound? How will the cinematic theatre we grew up with survive - and will we recognize it if it does?

David Lyon works on EDF’s ground-breaking series of studies to quantify methane emissions from the natural gas value chain. His efforts include analyzing emissions data and researching technologies and policies to reduce natural gas leakage and minimize the climate impacts of natural gas development.

Coordinator: Joan Lewis

Shelli Taylor spent almost 20 years as an executive at Starbucks, where she was instrumental in the company’s expansion in China.

Most recently, she served as the president of United Planet Fitness Partners, where she oversaw 169 facilities across the country.

Coordinator: Connie Hritz

Friday, April 23, 2021 1:00PM – 2:10PM

America's Entanglement in Afghanistan An author, film consultant, and op-ed writer, Bearden will use his 30 years of experience as a CIA officer serving in Europe, Middle East, China, and head of Covert Action in Afghanistan in the 80's, to comment on our country’s 40year involvement with Afghanistan, 1979-2021.

Milton Bearden retired from the Central Intelligence Agency in 1994, after thirty years in the CIA’s clandestine services where he rose through the ranks to become one of CIA’s most senior officers.

His early career was split between German speaking Europe and Hong Kong; during the early 1980’s he moved to Africa to serve as CIA Chief in Nigeria and later in Khartoum.

Coordinator: Joan Lava

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Spring 2021 Lectures: Week 5 (April 27th - 30th) Tuesday, April 27, 2021 9:30AM – 10:40AM

The Real Goodwill: Transforming Generations “I didn’t know that!” How Goodwill Central Texas is providing people the resources and skills to become self and family-sufficient, breaking the cycle of generational poverty

Traci Berry is the Chief Learning & Engagement Officer, Goodwill Central Texas Superintendent, at the Goodwill Excel Center. Traci is responsible for engaging the community with the mission and business of Goodwill Central Texas.

Coordinator: Bonnie Kelly

11:10AM – 12:20PM

The National Popular Vote by 2024: What It Is and What It Isn't The electoral college will be discussed in view of "the one person/one vote" basis of our American democracy. The National Popular Vote will then be explained as an alternative way of the electoral college that makes it more clearly adhere to "all votes are equal".

Dr. Ruth Fagan-Wilen has been in social work practice in San Antonio and Austin for 35 years, and taught at the University of Texas Steve Hicks School of Social Work from 1997-2015.

Her specialty is clinical social work from a family-systems perspective, and she has a private therapy practice in Austin.

Coordinator: Sandy Schwartz

Wednesday, April 28, 2021 1:00PM – 2:10PM

Austin's Master Plan: As the city grows, what is the plan and are we sticking to it?

There is a comprehensive plan for Austin's growth. Where did it come from, what are its driving principles and who keeps the plan on track?

Matt Dugan is a Division Manager in the City's Housing and Planning Department. Matt worked on the staff team to create Imagine Austin, the city’s first comprehensive plan in 30 years, and is now working on implementing it. He takes a comprehensive approach to developing plans and codes by analyzing economic, social and infrastructure issues regarding the built and natural environments.

Coordinator: Zach Ryall

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Thursday, April 29, 2021 9:30AM – 10:40AM

When "Just Trust Me" Doesn't Work: The Value of Good Communications One does not have to be a PR expert to see that the past few years have been divisive, with communications being at the root of the problems. We'll drill down on this issue and what can be done to fix it.

Ms. Elizabeth Christian, a 1975 graduate of UT Austin, is CEO of Elizabeth Christian Public Relations, an agency she founded 26 years ago. She is a co-chair of the LBJ Foundation, on the board of the Austin Chamber, and a past president of the Austin Area Research Organization.

Coordinator: Randy Chapman

11:10AM – 12:20PM

The story of a freeze-drying business on the rocky road of Austin’s hot food market.

Plan it, Cook it, Sell it. How hard can it be? Well, about 90% of startups fail, but Austin is one hot market! Hear about the “Epic'' inspiration and journey of one woman's small, freeze drying food business specializing in allergy-aware snacks and entrees rooted right here in the heart of Texas.

Ms. Cindy Schlanger is committed to making life easier for those of us with multiple food allergies. To that end, she founded Cyns Free Foods with the goal of making more healthy, tasty, allergy-aware snack & entrée options that are easy to take on the go. She can be reached at Cynthia@CynsFreefoods.com.

Coordinator: Harvey Wohlwend

Friday, April 30, 2021 1:00PM – 2:10PM

The Wild World of Energy The energy world is volatile, made evermore wild, and partisan, with COVID-19. We will take a non-partisan romp through many questions frequently debated with great passion, if not always great knowledge.

Dr. Scott Tinker is director of the Bureau of Economic Geology, the State Geologist of Texas, and a professor holding the Allday Endowed Chair at The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Tinker founded the non-profit Switch Energy Alliance, dedicated to inspiring an energy educated future.

Coordinator: Don Cooper

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Spring 2021 Lectures: Week 6 (May 4th – 7th) Tuesday, May 4, 2021 9:30AM – 10:40AM

Attitudes on Aging in Central Texas Rob Faubion, Marketing & Communications Director for AGE of Central Texas, will share research data on how the Central Texas community perceives aging and caregiving, along with information on the programs and resources available through AGE of Central Texas.

Rob Faubion assisted CTX nonprofit organizations for over 30 years helping shape strategic plans, marketing & outreach, client services & media relations. He is on the Board for LifePark Center Taylor, serves on the Aging Advisory Council of the Capital Area Council of Governments & the Buda Senior Task Force.

Coordinator: Harvey Wohlwend

11:10AM – 12:20PM

A Search for Life in the Universe Since the beginning of time, humanity has asked the question "are we alone in the Universe"? In this talk, we will bring together our knowledge of astronomy, biology, and chemistry to explore the possibility of finding life within our Solar System and on planets orbiting other stars.

1:00PM – 2:10PM

England and France and the First World Fairs An illustrated look at the origins, reception, and contrasting reputations of the 1850s' two great international fairs.

Dr. Vahé Peroomian has 25 years of research experience in space, specializing in geomagnetic storms and their societal impacts, with funding from NASA and NSF, and has been teaching physics and astronomy for over 20 years. He is also an avid photographer and an author of physics textbooks.

Coordinator: Joan Lewis

Karen Pope, Ph.D. in the History of Art (The University of Texas, 1981), is a specialist in the modern art of Europe and America.

Coordinator: Mollie Tower

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Thursday, May 6, 2021 9:30AM – 10:40AM

2020 A Business Year Like No Other: A Retrospective Three local Austin Business women tell their stories of survival in the year of COVID, social unrest and pivoting to new business streams.

Michele Schwartz is the founder and OG of Makin’ Memories Travel, a boutique travel company that specializes in creating life long memories through the experience of travel.

Prior to opening the Cupcake Bar in 2007, Lori Schneider spent 15 years in the catering and event industry, and culinary training from Le Cordon Bleu.

She received degrees from Texas A&M University in Nutrition and food science.

Leslie Lasora has over 15 years’ experience in the Events Industry as the General Manager of Crave Catering. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from UT Austin.

Coordinator: LAMP Curriculum Committee

Friday, May 7, 2021 1:00PM – 2:10PM

"Where We Come From"Discussion of Prof Casares' Novel About Immigrants' Experiences This will be an interactive discussion of Professor Casares' novel about a Mexican-American family that reluctantly becomes involved in smuggling immigrants into the United States.

Professor Oscar Carares is the author of "Brownsville", a collection of stories that was an American Library Association Notable Book, and the novels "Amigoland" and "Where We Come From". Originally from Brownsville, he now lives in Austin and teaches creative writing at The University of Texas at Austin.

Coordinator: UT OLLI Diversity Committee

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