Courses and Lectures
Spring 2026 Important Dates:
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Online catalog: Mid January Printed catalog: Late January To receive a printed catalog in the mail: Please complete this form by January 5, 2026. If you received a fall catalog in the mail, you do not need to fill out this form. |
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Registration opens: February 2 Course Preview: February 3, 4:30pm Brown Bag Lectures begin: March 4 Courses begin: March 16 |
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Spring 2026 Course Schedule: SP26 LL Schedule PDF
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Spring 2026 Brown Bag Lecture Series:
TIME AND LOCATION: All Brown Bag Lectures takes place from 12-1:30 on the designated day in the Multipurpose Room of the Byrd Center for Congressional History & Education
MEETING A DOUBLE BOTTOM LINE: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS (CDFIs)
Wednesday, March 4
SPEAKER: David Black
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Auditorium
TIME: 2:10 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
COST: $15; Free for Spring subscribers and SU students and employees
Credit plays a critical role in the U.S. economy, and over its history various types of formal and informal institutions have been used to broaden financial access. From Benjamin Franklin’s Artisan Fund to the fictional Bailey Building and Loan in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” we’ve celebrated how institutions that combine mission and entrepreneurship can improve society by serving those of limited means. In this discussion, we will explore community development financial institutions (CDFIs), a relatively recent and growing field of regulated and nonprofit institutions dedicated to improving low-income communities.
**PLEASE NOTE: This lecture has an unusual time and location and is not a lunch lecture**
About the Speaker: David Black has been involved with community development finance throughout his professional career. In that time, he’s provided executive leadership to a nonprofit engaged in community finance in Pittsburgh, researched the growth and increasing sophistication of the community development financial institution (CDFI) field while at the Aspen Institute, and contributed to federal policy and practice with respect to CDFIs in the federal government.
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SOCIAL JUSTICE IN APPALACHIA: REFLECTIONS ON THE HIGHLANDER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CENTER
Monday, March 9
SPEAKER: Dr. Linda Tate
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Multipurpose Room (and Zoom)
TIME: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
COST: $15; Free for Spring subscribers and SU students and employees
Strongly influenced by his professor Reinhold Niebuhr, Myles Horton co-founded the Highlander Folk School in Monteagle, Tennessee, in 1932. Originally focused on labor organizing, Highlander went on to play a critical role in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, as it trained activists such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, John Lewis, Ralph Abernathy, and many others. Backlash against its involvement with the Civil Rights Movement led to the school’s closure by the state of Tennessee in 1961. The school was reorganized and moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, where it was rechartered as the Highlander Research and Education Center. Highlander has been in its current home in New Market, Tennessee, since 1971. Horton retired in 1969. One of the subsequent directors was Helen Mathews Lewis, author of Living Social Justice in Appalachia and widely considered to be the “Mother of Appalachian Studies.” Featuring historical background and personal reflections, this lecture will highlight Horton’s philosophy and the Highlander “method,” trace the connection between Highlander and Appalachian studies as a field of study and service, and consider the links between Highlander and the origins of Shepherd University’s Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities.
About the Speaker: Dr. Linda Tate is a former Professor of English at Shepherd University and was named 2003 West Virginia Professor of the Year. Dr. Tate taught American literature, African American literature and culture, Appalachian literature and culture, technical communication, and first-year writing. Dr. Tate team-taught travel courses, including courses on American transcendentalism and the ethnic literature of New York City. She coordinated Shepherd’s year-long “Global Horizons: West Africa” program and led a group of students and community members to Senegal. Her most rewarding accomplishment at Shepherd was cofounding (with Rachael Meads) the Appalachian Heritage Festival and spearheading what became the Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence program. Dr. Tate is the author of two books: A Southern Weave of Women: Fiction of the Contemporary South and Power in the Blood: A Family Narrative. She is working on a new memoir, I Found Love, and It Did Not Leave Me.
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THE HUNDRED YEARS’ WAR
Wednesday, March 11
SPEAKER: Claudine Lebeau
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Multipurpose Room (and Zoom)
TIME: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
COST: $10; Free for Spring subscribers and SU students and employees
In this introductory lecture on Joan of Arc, we will examine the Hundred Years’ War—a period of tumultuous conflict shaped by dynastic claims, territorial rivalries, political slights, and acts of treachery. Over the course of this struggle, England and France evolved from fragmented medieval kingdoms into more centralized territorial monarchies, laying the foundations of the modern state. We will explore key episodes of this epic struggle while considering their shifting historical contexts. This is part I of a two-part series, but you are welcome to attend whether or not you plan to attend part II (“Joan of Arc – The Maid of Orleans”) the following week.
About the Speaker: Claudine Lebeau is a French native residing in Shepherdstown. She became interested in Joan when she realized that Joan is one of the most written-about historical figures of all time. The BnF (Bibliothèque nationale de France) alone catalogues over 20,000 books on Joan of Arc. This does not include articles, dissertations, or works in other languages and libraries worldwide.
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JOAN OF ARC – THE MAID OF ORLEANS
Wednesday, March 18
SPEAKER: Claudine Lebeau
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Multipurpose Room (and Zoom)
TIME: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
COST: $10; Free for Spring subscribers and SU students and employees
Fulfilling a prophecy and guided by visions, she emerged as the pivotal figure of the Hundred Years’ War. Against all odds, she galvanized French troops and ensured that the crown remained with the House of Valois. As we explore Joan’s exceptional contributions and her enduring fascination as a historical figure, we will consider how 19th- and 20th-century historiography has shaped our understanding of her legacy, and how her image has been appropriated for political purposes across the ideological spectrum. This is part II of a two-part series, but you are welcome to attend whether or not you have seen part I (“The Hundred Years War”) the previous week.
About the Speaker: Claudine Lebeau is a French native residing in Shepherdstown. She became interested in Joan when she realized that Joan is one of the most written-about historical figures of all time. The BnF (Bibliothèque nationale de France) alone catalogues over 20,000 books on Joan of Arc. This does not include articles, dissertations, or works in other languages and libraries worldwide.
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THE SOUTHERN CAMPAIGN: WHERE THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR WAS WON
Wednesday, March 25
SPEAKER: Blane Ampthor
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Multipurpose Room (and Zoom)
TIME: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
COST: $15; Free for Spring subscribers and SU students and employees
Revolutionary War battles such as Bunker Hill, Lexington, Trenton and Saratoga are well known. These events took place in the northern colonies and set the tone of fighting early in the war. However, it was in the southern colonies, where the British had essentially conquered Georgia and South Carolina, that the tide of war was turned and where the Revolutionary War was won in a series of battles fought by many interesting people. Join us to learn more about it.
About the Speaker: Blane Ampthor is a retired federal employee with more than 36 years of service. He has had a lifelong interest in history and has read extensively on World War II, the American Revolution and ocean liners. He has taught with several Lifelong Learning Institutes and has instructed with various organizations such as the Loudoun County Public Library system in Virginia, AARP and seniors’ communities. He enjoys visiting sites related to his interests so he can gain a fuller understanding of events.
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THE HISTORY OF HELL
Wednesday, April 1
SPEAKER: Eric Thompson
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Multipurpose Room (and Zoom)
TIME: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
COST: $15; Free for Spring subscribers and SU students and employees
‘Hell’ derives from an Old Norse word for the underworld, which is the destination of most of the dead. In ancient Scandinavian religion, you have to die in battle to go to Valhalla; everyone else goes to Hell. You get there by descending a long stairway into the bowels of the earth where it is always frozen. A snowball has an excellent chance there. Biblical literature and its sources know not of “Hell’ but of Hades, Erebos, Tartaros, She’ol, The Lake of Fire, and Gehenna. Purgatory is an early medieval creation. What is UP with all this? In this lecture, we will outline the evolution of Christian concept(s) of hell, and compare them to other religions’, and discuss the notion posthumous punishments in general.
About the Speaker: Eric Thompson has advanced degrees in Religion-Philosophy, Theology and Biblical Literature, and 38 years’ experience teaching college courses in Comparative Religion, History of Religion, Mythology, Ancient Languages, as well as other subjects. He has authored textbooks and articles on History of Satan, Mythology, Hebrew Bible and Academic Freedom and has been teaching in the Lifelong Learning program since the spring of 2023.
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BATTLE AT GETTYSBURG: WHAT SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS SAW
Wednesday, April 8
SPEAKER: Rik Scarce
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Multipurpose Room (and Zoom)
TIME: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
COST: $15; Free for Spring subscribers and SU students and employees
This July marks the 163rd anniversary of the Civil War’s largest and most costly battle, fought less than fifty miles from Shepherdstown, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Rik Scarce will live-narrate his film, created for this lecture, “Battle at Gettysburg: What Soldiers and Civilians Saw.” It tells the story of the fighting through the eyes of both the soldiers who struggled there and the civilians who lived in and around Gettysburg—the 2,400 residents of that peaceful crossroads community who endured the horror of the Civil War landing at their doorsteps. In their own words, we will hear what happened and how this enormous clash was experienced by combatants and townspeople alike. And when the fighting was over, more than 21,000 wounded were left behind at Gettysburg—Rik will describe what the post-battle scene was like for the scarred soldiers, the distraught townspeople, and those who poured into Gettysburg to lend their labor to healing the wounded.
About the Speaker: Rik Scarce is a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg National Military Park, where he has led more than 100 tours since joining the Guide force in May 2025. Gettysburg Guides must pass what the Wall Street Journal has called “the hardest test in history,” the first of four hurdles to becoming a Guide. Prior to joining the Gettysburg Guide force, Rik was a college professor—in sociology, not history—at Skidmore College, Michigan State, and Montana State. He has delivered Civil War presentations to the APEX Lecture Series at Southern Utah University and the Capital District Civil War Round Table in Albany, NY. Rik is also the producer of two feature-length films, including an Audience Choice award-winning examination of barefoot running and has authored four books and numerous scholarly articles and book chapters. Born in North Carolina, Rik has lived in Virginia, Florida, California, Washington State, and Hawaii, among other states. He now splits his time between Averill Park, New York, and Gettysburg.
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LGBTQIA+: WHY WE NEED THE RAINBOW
Wednesday, April 15
SPEAKER: Season Jones
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Multipurpose Room (and Zoom)
TIME: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
COST: $15; Free for Spring subscribers and SU students and employees
In today’s world, it’s hard to find a safe place where you can feel comfortable asking questions about the LGBTQIA+ community. Maybe you’re wondering why it seems like so many people are now identifying as transgender? What does trans even mean? What does God and the Bible have to say about it? Have you wondered how to help those who are currently under attack? Maybe you have a family member who identifies as queer, and you want to know how best to support them. And what do all those letters in LGBTQIA+ stand for anyway? Here is your chance to find out a little more about who makes up the LGBTQIA+ rainbow and why we enhance the beautiful tapestry of life. Bring your questions. This is a safe space to discuss this topic with curiosity and empathy.
About the Speaker: As a student, Season was afraid to express who she truly was. She hid behind a mask until she met her wife of now 9 years. This inspired her to volunteer in middle and high schools, join Toastmasters, start an LGBTQ+ youth group, and eventually become a nationwide speaker to middle and high school students. With a vision to change the world, she strives to create safe spaces where individuals can break free from societal labels and connect meaningfully with others. Through her work, Season inspires others to live boldly, love openly, and lead with empathy and curiosity.
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ORIGIN OF LIFE: FACT VS. FANTASY
Wednesday, April 22
SPEAKER: Dan Shelton
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Multipurpose Room (and Zoom)
TIME: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
COST: $15; Free for Spring subscribers and SU students and employees
Many people have a fascination with the origin of life on earth, the potential for life on other planets, and the possibility that earth may have been “seeded” with extraterrestrial life. Provocative stories routinely appear in the popular press suggesting that “we are not alone”. But what is fact and what is fantasy. An overview of the last century and a half of research (using a combination of slides, diagrams, and 3D models) will be presented, describing the formation of biological molecules (e.g., amino acids) and polymers (e.g., polypeptides), culminating with the “RNA world” view. After a brief break for discussion, some of the critical steps/pathways required to achieve prokaryotic life as we know it will be reviewed, including carbon fixation, energy production and the genetic code. The sequence of events by which these processes came into existence is currently beyond our scientific understanding. So, is this the stuff of magic, mystery and/or miracle? You decide.
About the Speaker: Dan Shelton received his B.S. in Biology from Florida State University in 1975 and Ph.D. in Microbial Ecology from Michigan State University in 1983. After completing a two-year post-doctoral research program at the University of California-Riverside, he was hired as a Research Microbiologist at the USDA, Agricultural Research Service. Dan subsequently retired from that position in 2017. He has had a career-long fascination with the origin of life on Earth and has had the good fortune to be able to follow the research discoveries made over the past 50 years. But there is still much to be learned. Dan finds the contemplation of how life came into existence endlessly stimulating and fascinating and hopes to share this with you.
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U.S. IMMIGRATION PROGRAM IN CHALLENGING TIMES
Monday, April 27
SPEAKER: Paul Grussendorf
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Multipurpose Room (and Zoom)
TIME: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
COST: $15; Free for Spring subscribers and SU students and employees
Paul Grussendorf will provide a background to the U.S. asylum and refugee programs, how they fit into American immigration law, and how policies under the current administration have changed the landscape, as well as present some ideas for comprehensive reform going forward.
About the Speaker: Paul Grussendorf was director of the Immigration Clinic at George Washington University for a decade. He served as an immigration judge in Philadelphia and San Francisco, was a Refugee Officer with the US program from 2006 to 2011, was a Supervisory Asylum Officer in the Arlington, VA office from 2016 to 2019, and is a consultant to the UN Refugee Agency. His book My Trials: Inside America’s Deportation Factories is a scathing indictment of America’s dysfunctional immigration system.
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THE POETRY OF TANG CHINA
Wednesday, April 29
SPEAKER: Jerry Collins
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Multipurpose Room (and Zoom)
TIME: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
COST: $15; Free for Spring subscribers and SU students and employees
The Tang Dynasty (618 – 907), considered by many historians to be China’s greatest dynasty, is often referred to as “the Golden Age of Chinese Poetry.” It was the time when China’s greatest poets — Li Bai, Wang Wei and Du Fu — wandered the countryside, drank wine, admired the mountains and rivers, howled at the moon and wrote some of China’s best-remembered poems. The class will begin with some general remarks on the reasons for the Tang’s greatness, followed by comments on the nature of the Chinese language and the themes and characteristics of Chinese poetry. Most of the class time will be spent reading and analyzing specific poems provided in class by the instructor. So, after the instructor’s initial comments, the format will be primarily class discussion.
About the speaker: Jerry Collins has taught writing at Syracuse University, as well as writing and Asia Studies for the University of Maryland/Asian Division on American military bases in Japan, Korea, Australia and the Marshall Islands. He also taught American history in the U of Md’s Office of Overseas Programs in Vladivostok, Russia not long after the cold war ended. Jerry received the university’s Presidential Award for exemplary service to the university and the Stanley J. Drazek Teaching Excellence Award.
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INTRODUCTION TO SOUL COLLAGE: CREATING A COMPANION ANIMAL COLLAGE
Monday, May 4
SPEAKER: Paula Donohue and Jeanne Marie McClure
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Multipurpose Room (and Zoom)
TIME: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
COST: $15; Free for Spring subscribers and SU students and employees
Soul Collage is a creative and intuitive act of cutting and pasting images. If you have never tried creating a collage, you will be amazed at what you can learn from this process – it is much more than a craft project. In this lecture you will create a Companion Animal collage. Companion Animals are spirit guides in animal form, valuable allies who can help you navigate through life’s challenges and transitions. Start noticing if a particular animal keeps showing up in your life over and over again.
PLEASE NOTE: This lecture is limited to 15 people. Materials provided for in-house class students.
Zoom-students will need to gather materials to have on hand to be able to create their collage at home during class before start of class if they choose to attend on-line.
Supply List
-Pictures of your Companion Animal taken from magazines, special photos, old calendar
-Scissors
-glue stick
-pencil, pen, note paper
-5 x 8-inch card
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HEALTHY AGING FOR WOMEN OVER AGE 65 – BONE, BRAIN, AND GENITAL HEALTH
Wednesday, May 6
SPEAKER: Carolyn Wilson
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Multipurpose Room (and Zoom)
TIME: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
COST: $15; Free for Spring subscribers and SU students and employees
The median age of menopause in the US is 52.54 years. Many women spend more than 40 percent of their lives in post menopause, and it is important to optimize overall health in these years. I will discuss bone health, including osteopenia and osteoporosis. A review of risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention will be presented. Many women are concerned about cognition, and an update on ways to improve brain health will be reviewed, with a focus on exercise and cognition. Additionally, an area that is often overlooked is genital health. The topic of genitourinary syndrome of menopause will be presented. This includes vaginal atrophy, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections, and vulvar skin conditions such as lichen sclerosis. I will review the pathophysiology of GUSM and treatment options for improved vulvar and vaginal health. There will be time for questions following the presentation.
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CONFUSED ABOUT MEDICARE?
Wednesday, May 13
SPEAKERS: Judie Marshall
LOCATION: Robert C. Byrd Center, Multipurpose Room
TIME: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
COST: Free
Come learn the Medicare alphabet of parts A, B, C, and D. Detailed descriptions will be discussed for each part, eligibility, and how it applies to you or someone in your family. Handouts will also be available.
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