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Tue 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM; starting 3/3/2026, ending 3/3/2026

Cyert Hall, Osher Room B

This presentation will cover the life of legendary McKeesport Aviator Helen Richey from her birth until her death in 1947. Helen was a pioneer in the aviation field, holding multiple records throughout her career for midair refueling, endurance, altitude, and speed. She teamed with Amelia Earhart in a cross-country race and came in 5th. She was a member of the famed Ninety-Nines and an ATA Girl flying for the British during World War II. She was the first female airline pilot in the United States, the first woman to be licensed as an aviation instructor, and many other notable achievements.    

Tue 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM; starting 2/24/2026, ending 2/24/2026

Cyert Hall, Osher Room A

For the beginner to advanced foreign language lover, come discover a gold mine of tools, apps, websites, inspiration and strategies to enjoy self-study for years to come. This class will offer plenty of ideas and support to spark confidence and help you determine your passion for learning and advancing a new language.   You don’t necessarily need an expensive or long-term course commitment to leap ahead in language study, but this class will also address ideas for success in a structured setting. We will also have suggestions to prepare for Osher at Â鶹´å’s upcoming trip to Portugal with Collette Tours!

Wed 10:15 AM - 12:15 PM; 2 sessions; starting 2/25/2026, ending 3/4/2026

Online, zoom

After World War II, change across many sectors of society was linear – that is, predictable. We anticipated the future with confidence – investing in a home or, as a company, investing in new plants and long-term commitment to workers. Now we live in a world in which change in critical areas is much less predictable, in which more outcomes are possible, and we are less able to anticipate what is likely to happen next. Driven by technology, climate change and demography, many core assumptions about how the world works are coming undone, and we face rough times as we relearn how things work and make profound adjustments in how individuals and institutions try to meet the demands of this new era. Focusing on cases – automobiles, education and agriculture for example – the course examines where we have come from, and where we may be heading.

Tue 12:45 PM - 2:45 PM; starting 2/24/2026, ending 2/24/2026

Cyert Hall, Osher Room B

This class will present an overview of some of the greatest environmental challenges facing western Pennsylvania: Climate Change, Invasive Species/Biodiversity Loss, Insect decline and Deer, as well as what each means to us. Some people hear about environmental challenges and throw their arms in the air because there is ''nothing that I can do.'' This is simply not the case! The course will cover a wide range of very practical things that everyone can do to help reduce the extent and impact of each of these challenges regardless of whether you are a large landowner, or live in a house with a small yard, or a city apartment. Not all ideas apply to everyone, but everyone will be able to implement many of them. We all have an important role to play in protecting the future for our children & grandchildren. Come learn some ideas to do your part!

Wed 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM; 7 sessions; starting 3/11/2026, ending 4/22/2026

Cyert Hall, Osher Room A

For over 70 years, the Foreign Policy Association, an independent, nonpartisan, and non-governmental organization has published Great Decisions. It gives an inspiring example of the role citizens can play in discovering, discussing, and deciding how some of the world's greatest challenges can be met. Global challenges have increasingly become domestic challenges, with events in the remotest parts of the world affecting our lives in a myriad of ways. There is more movement across national boundaries than ever before – of people, money, information, ideas, images, and much more. Great Decisions takes you beyond the headlines by providing a look at the most significant and far-reaching challenges facing the world today.

Please read:  Course members are asked to purchase the briefing book Great Decisions from the Foreign Policy Assn online. for $35.00.

Wed 12:45 PM - 2:15 PM; 2 sessions; starting 2/25/2026, ending 3/4/2026

Online, zoom

This one-day class will describe my experiences teaching American Politics at Korea University in Seoul in the summer of 2006. In order to do that, I first had to learn about Korean history and politics: how did the country develop so rapidly after WWII? How did the military dictatorship give way to democracy? What are the parallels with American politics? How does the Cuban missile crisis compare with the ongoing nuclear threats from North Korea? How is Korea dealing with problems of corruption and declining birth rates? This overview will summarize what I learned about these topics from my students and Korean colleagues.      

Fri 10:15 AM - 12:15 PM; starting 4/24/2026, ending 4/24/2026

Community Site, Bradford Meeting House

This was the rallying cry for the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794, the first test of the power of the federal government under the new U.S. Constitution, when the unpopular excise tax levied against frontier farmers incited them to violent protest. The morning session is a lecture providing an overview of this insurrection and to establish historical context. The afternoon session is a site visit to the Bradford House Museum, where participants will tour the beautifully restored and appointed National Historic Landmark home of Whiskey Rebellion leader David Bradford, and the Whiskey Rebellion Education & Visitor Center, where visitors will walk through an illustrated timeline of events and period displays. Knowledgeable docents, in period attire, will provide additional insight as well as answer questions. All sites are located on South Main Street, Washington PA.   

Mon 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM; 1 Session; starting 3/2/2026

Community Site, City Theatre

This course is a behind-the-scenes look at City Theatre Company. City Theatre Company is a mid-size regional theatre in Pittsburgh that is committed to producing five bold, contemporary plays every year. The course will focus on a particular aspect of theater production and provide an in-depth look into our creative process. Students will meet a member of the creative team and participate in a Q&A. 

Tue 10:15 AM - 12:15 PM; 2 sessions starting 3/10/2026, ending 3/24/2026

Cyert Hall, Olmsted Activity Room

Are you curious about green burial? Join us for a fun and enlightening course exploring the world of green burial and how eco-friendly approaches to end-of-life choices benefit our planet and those who inhabit it. In week one, we’ll delve into the history of burial traditions and funeral customs, uncovering how practices have evolved over time. In week two, we’ll focus on end-of-life planning, offering tools to help you envision your last wishes and create a meaningful ceremony. In week three, we’ll visit Pennsylvania’s first and only exclusively green cemetery, Penn Forest Natural Burial Park located in Verona. Enjoy a guided walking tour, meet members of the Penn Forest community, and see how green burial harmonizes with nature’s cycles of life and renewal. This thought-provoking course provides the opportunity to reflect on our finite lives and break the taboo of discussing death and dying in a supportive, open environment.