Elderscholar Lecture Series
Fall 2024: September 10 - October 9 (Tuesdays & Wednesdays)
All classes begin at 12:00 p.m. EST
TUESDAY LECTURES
September 10
"D-Day +80 Years: Why the Great Invasion Still Matters"
John Long '89, Director of Education at the National D-Day Memorial, Contributing Columnist for the Roanoke Times, and past adjunct history professor.
Topic: American History
September 17
"Three Colorful Presidential Elections"
Dr. John Selby, Retired Roanoke College Professor of History
Topic: Colorful Presidential Elections
September 24
"Hemp, Marijuana, and Cannabis, Oh My: Bringing Education to Virginia"
Dr. DorothyBelle Poli, Roanoke College Professor of Biology and Doc Ray Fowler, Scholar in Residence at Roanoke College
Topic: Deep dive into the world of Cannabis and learn about the new Roanoke College Cannabis Studies Program
October 1
"From Crustacean Physiology to the Medical Clinic: Students’ Adventures in Independent Study at Roanoke College"
Dr. Darwin Jorgensen, Retired Roanoke College Professor of Biology
Topic: The importance of independent studies and how it leads to a plethora of professional careers beyond Roanoke College
October 8
"On-Air to Online: Radio Then and Now"
Richard Mattioni, WRKE Station Manager and Student Advisor at Roanoke College
Topic: Evolution of Radio and Roanoke College's WRKE History
WEDNESDAY LECTURES
September 11
"Making the Spaghetti Stick: Lessons Learned Through Efforts to Advance Health Equity in Roanoke, VA"
Dr. Liz Ackley, Professor, Dept. of Health and Human Performance and Director of the Center for Community Health Innovation at Roanoke College
Topic: Overview of the history and activities of Roanoke College’s Center for Community Health Innovation, highlighting the critical role of citizen engagement in health-promoting policy and infrastructure change in Roanoke, Virginia
September 18
"Planning for Economic Development"
Doug Blount, Assistant County Administrator for the County of Roanoke
Topic: Economic development, place making and Explore Park
September 25
"A Treasure For History Lovers"
Mary Page Greene, Author
Topic: A family's experience during WWII based on letters with cartoons from the war front
October 2
"Building Community One Nail at a Time"
Jessie Griffin, Director of the Center for Civic Engagement and Adjunct Lecturer at Roanoke College
Topic: Roanoke College's R House Project
October 9
"Public Art and Its Role in Southwest Virginia"
Jonathan Murrill, Muralist
Topic: Importance of art in the community
Inclement weather and cancellation policies are active during on-campus programming.
In the event of inclement weather, please call the weather hotline (540) 375-7777 or Community Programs at 540-375-2323 after 8 a.m. the day of the class to verify if the program will run as scheduled.
If the College is closed or closing early, there will be no Elderscholar program that day. If the College is under a delayed opening, or operating on a normal schedule, Elderscholar MAY BE CANCELED in order to protect the safety of the Elderscholars. If the program is canceled due to weather, Community Programs will make every effort to reschedule at a later date.
If the scheduled presenter is not available at a later date, an alternate lecture will be provided.