Fall 2020 Seminars - olli.utexas.edu

UT OLLI Fall 2020 Catalog

Monday – Friday

September 28 – November 6, 2020

The University of Texas at Austin Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

2405 Robert Dedman Drive Austin, TX 78712

512.471.3124

Registration Begins: Monday, September 14, 2020

www.olli.utexas.edu

http://www.olli.utexas.edu/

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OVERVIEW

Welcome to UT OLLI Online!

A day of programming may consist 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: Sept. 28 – Nov. 06 pages 3-6

Lecture listing

• Week 1: Sept. 28 – Oct. 02 Pages 7-8

• Week 2: Oct. 05 – Oct. 09 Pages 9-10




• Week 6: Nov. 02 – Nov. 06 Pages 17-18

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Fall 2020 Seminars

MONDAYS

9:30AM – 10:40AM

Shale, Oil and Gas: Pros and Cons CE21001I

Development of shale oil & gas has changed global energy trends and brought economic benefits and environmental challenges to the US. We will show how we got where we are today and speculate where we will go in the future, especially in light of recent events, e.g. changes in demand from Covid-19 and changes in supply driven by market competition from Russia and Saudi Arabia (OPEC).

Dr. Mark Houston is a retired geoscientist, 30+ years in international E&P service companies, Asst. Prof at Rutgers and research scientist at UT. PhD.-geophysics Rice, MA-oceanography Johns Hopkins, AB-physics Cornell University.

11:10AM – 12:20PM

Astronomical Anticipation: The Coming Age of Giant Telescopes CE21001E

Learn about telescopes and why in particular the two with which the University of Texas is most involved (the Giant Magellan Telescope or GMT and the James Webb Space Telescope or JWST) will best even the Hubble Space Telescope. A true appreciation of these forthcoming results requires knowing some astronomy! This seminar will also highlight the profound impact GMT and JWST will have on: stars, solar systems, galaxies, and cosmology. Dr. Benedict will make guesses as to the contribution these new telescopes will make on a subject of deep interest to all; life elsewhere in the Universe.

Dr. 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.

1:00PM – 2:10PM

What does it mean to be alive?

CE21001Y

No previous background on biology and chemistry necessary! Fundamental concepts will be illustrated and explored in this virtual multimedia course in six one-hour sessions which includes the following topics: What does it mean to be alive?; The machines of life part 1 and 2; The processes of life I part 1 and 2; and SARS-CoV-2: an introduction to the virus and the immune response to it

Dr. William “Bill” Sofer had a 38 year long academic research and teaching career in the field of molecular genetics, first at Johns Hopkins and then at Rutgers. He is currently retired.

2:40PM – 3:50PM

Russian History: World War II to Present

CE21001N

Examination of events following Soviet victory in WWII, the Cold War and final demise of the Soviet Union: starting with The Great Patriotic War, the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and the Final Act.

Anthony Triola is a retired military intelligence officer and instructor in Russian and military history. He taught Russian History and Military History at the Regional Intelligence Training Facility, RAF Molesworth, England 2009-12. He also served 33 months in combat: 6months Operation Desert Storm, 27months Operation Iraqi Freedom.

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Fall 2020 Seminars

TUESDAYS

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

WEDNESDAYS

9:30AM – 10:40AM

Earliest People of Texas: The Gault Site

CE21005A

Many of our old hypotheses regarding the peopling of our North American continent have not stood the test of time nor new evidence. One site in particular has given us a wealth of new information—the Gault Archaeological Site in Florence, Texas, just north of Austin. This exciting, active source continues to provide important evidence, helping us to understand our earliest North American human habitation.

Dr. Clark Wernecke is the Executive Director of the Gault School of Archaeological Research as well as Project Director of the Prehistory Research Project and Adjunct Faculty at Texas State University.

11:10AM – 12:20PM

Austin Music Powerhouses CE21005D

Austin has been a leader in the world of cultural music for over one hundred years. From traveling bands and touring musicians in the early 1900's grew a community that supports its local performing arts organizations enthusiastically.

This seminar will showcase individuals and organizations who have made, and continue to make, major contributions to Austin music.

Multi-Speaker Series.

Introduced by Bob Buckalew who has been involved in a variety of Austin music venues for over thirty years, and will speak to the history and evolution of Austin from a fledgling participant into a nationally recognized leader in the musical arts.

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

Our National Parks: Preserving America's Legacy

CE21005F

This seminar provides an overview of our national parks, current threats to our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places, and how we can all work together to protect and preserve these special places and stories of America for present and future generations.

Cary Dupuy, Texas Regional Director for the National Parks Conservation Association, works to engage new advocates for national parks and grow initiatives to support the 18 national park sites in Texas and Oklahoma.

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Fall 2020 Seminars

THURSDAYS

9:30AM – 10:40AM

11:10AM – 12:20PM

No scheduled, reoccurring seminars.

Please see the Lecture listing for different presentations each Thursday morning at 9:30AM and 11:10AM.

1:00PM – 2:10PM

Building America: Conquest, Commerce and Consequences

CE21006B

In this seminar, we'll explore stuff we missed in high school American History, and especially that America is a work in progress-- one that we'll explore in these six classes:

1. Getting Started— Colonies to revolution and independence.

2. Expanding Nation— We’re on our own… how do we establish

ourselves?

3. Sea to Shining Sea— Slavery, Trail of Tears, expansion Sea to

Sea & slippery slope toward civil war.

4. Post Civil War/Manifest Destiny— How to unwind from

slavery and Civil War. How and why of “Jim Crow”. What to

do about the Indian Territory?

5. Building a World Power— Binding the continent together

with infrastructure, worldwide trade, building a growing

society.

6. Expanding Beyond Borders—European-style colonialism.

Todd Clayton was in the US Navy as an officer qualified in nuclear powered submarines. Todd has an MBA from the Harvard Business School, a BS Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University, and 30 years of executive marketing experience in the high-tech industry in computers and communications. He and his wife Patti have been sailors most of their lives.

2:40PM – 3:50PM

WWII in Six Easy Lessons - Part 2

CE21006C

A continuation of the previous UT OLLI Spring 2020 session’s seminar “WWII in Six Easy Lessions” in which an in-depth look at the course of World War II was taken: from the Nazi rise to power in 1933 to Germany’s surrender in 1945, this will be a look at World War II in the Pacific Theater. Topics include:

- The Origins of the War ending in the attack on Pearl Harbor

- American Retreat. From Pearl Harbor to Japan’s Maximum

Expansion

- American Advance. From Victory at Guadalcanal to Japanese

Surrender

- Americans Who Lead the Way to Victory in the Pacific

- Spy Vs Spy

Richard Brook has a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada as well an MBA from SMU in Dallas. While traveling to Europe and Asia on business, he began visiting the locations of various battle fields where relatives of his had fought during World War I and World War II. These interests have since expanded, resulting in a wealth of research and visits to hundreds of museums and war-related sites in Europe and around the World.

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Fall 2020 Seminars

FRIDAYS

9:30AM – 10:40AM

What You Don't Know about Down Below: Urology Issues

CE21004A

A lively and informative seminar on the pelvic floor and what happens when down below gets out of whack. The seminar will cover causes, symptoms and non-surgical interventions with weekly topics that include: anatomy and physiology; urinary leakage; vulvovaginal and prostate infections; bowel dysfunction; pelvic pain; and sexual dysfunction.

Dr. Sara Sauder holds a doctorate in Physical Therapy. She specializes in pelvic floor dysfunction and teaches and mentors pelvic floor physical therapists throughout the country. Sara co-owns Alcove Education, a continuing education company.

11:10AM – 12:20PM

Ballet Austin: The Role of Art/Dance In and Beyond the Times of Crisis CE21004D

As we come together this fall from an unprecedented six months of disruptive change (brought on by global pandemic), what is the role that art plays in moving us forward? How is art created, and how do producing artists capture today’s concerns, sharing them with us through a lens of current context?

Image logo from https://balletaustin.org/

Multi-Speaker Series.

Seminar directed by Ms. Cookie Ruiz who has more than 30 years’ experience in strategic planning, program development and non-profit fundraising. In 1996 she joined Ballet Austin as development director, became general manager in 1997 and executive director in 1999.

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

The German Influence on Texas

CE21004D

The significant German immigration of the 19th century left a distinctive mark on the state of Texas in lifestyles, architecture, business, music, education. The German noblemen’s society or Adelsverein attempted to establish a new Germany within Texas with organized emigration and by purchasing land or securing land grants from the Republic of Texas. Six speakers will provide insight into the significant contributions made by this immigrant group as they transitioned into becoming Americans while maintaining their cultural identity and heritage.

Image copyright https://www.crossed-

flag-pins.com

Multi-Speaker Series. Seminar directed by Karen Haschke, a descendent of the earliest immigrants to the TX Hill Country in the first migration. She brings a unique perspective to the central TX history as a member of the Gillespie Country Historical Society and the German Texan Historical Society based at the German Free School on 10th St. in Austin for which she coordinates the Sunday Afternoon Speaker Series.

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Fall 2020 Lectures: Week 1 (September 28th - October 2nd)

Tuesday, September 29th, 2020

9:30AM – 10:40AM

Texas, Mexico, and the Rio Grande River: A Boundary That Wasn’t

Was the Rio Grande really the border? Or even a boundary? And if there was any border, where was it? To answer these and other questions, one might start by asking how many times the Alamo fell....

Jack Woodville London is a native of the Panhandle, graduate of the University of Texas at Austin Law School (law specialty in product liability law, particularly aviation crashes), and author of the novel FRENCH LETTERS & VIRGINIA'S WAR.

Coordinator: Willie Chapman

11:10AM – 12:20PM

The Value of Courage: Lessons from Enron

After discovering Enron’s "off-the-book arrangements," Ms. Watkins sounded the alarm that marked the beginning of the end for the corporate giant. The process of getting to the truth wasn’t easy…but the hardest part was the aftermath.

Sherron Watkins, former Vice President of Enron Corporation, alerted then chairman Ken Lay in August 2001 to accounting irregularities within the company. Sherron received national acclaim for her courageous actions. In 2002 shared Times Person of the Year calling it “The Year of the Whistleblower”.

Coordinator: Bonnie Kelly

1:00PM – 2:10PM

"Oh, Say Can You See..." Symbolism's Role in Forming Individual/Institutional Identity

In the aftermath of George Floyd's death there has been a resurgence of the debate concerning symbols, monuments and the way our national story is told. We will explore what happens when these symbols are challenged, dismissed or confused with other forms of religious symbolism.

Dr. James Puglisi is an educator and Trainer in cultural and religious diversity, committed to building workforce and institutional equity. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Allegheny College in Anthropology of Religions, holds an M.A. in Higher Education from Geneva College, an M.A. in Applied Theology from Wheeling Jesuit University, and his Doctor of Ministry is from Catholic Theological Union in the area of Practical Theology.

Coordinator: Beth Moreno

2:40PM – 3:50PM

No programming scheduled at this time.

Wednesday, September 30th, 2020

1:00PM – 2:10PM

Birds and Life (Hammer Memorial Lecture)

Birds have a special way of captivating human attention. What is it about birds that so interests people? How can an interest in birds transform lives? Life-long birder, Victor Emanuel, will provide clues to understanding the link between birds, humans, and the search for connection to nature.

Victor Emanuel is a birder of great renown in Texas and the world. He has traveled to all the continents, with his areas of concentration being Texas, Arizona, Mexico, Panama, and Peru. He has received numerous awards including from the American Birding Association and the Cornell Ornithology Lab.

Coordinator: Diane Jones

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Thursday, October 1st, 2020

9:30AM – 10:40AM

Disinformation Strategies in Social Media

This presentation addresses disinformation strategies, focusing particularly on the Russian interference in election-related activities. It will highlight social media messages and why they may be effective.

Dr. Sharon Strover is the Philip G. Warner Regents Professor in Communication and former Chair of the Radio-TV-Film Department at the University of Texas, where she teaches communications and telecommunications courses and directs the Technology and Information Policy Institute. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and PhD in 1982 from Stanford University. Her research on disinformation examines Russian interference and other interference strategies on social media platforms.

Coordinator: Lance Vinson

11:10AM – 12:20PM

Getting Involved with Seedling Mentors

Seedling provides research-driven, school-based mentoring for youth challenged by parental incarceration. Volunteer mentors are matched with a student for one school year and provide one-on-one support and friendship to help foster resiliency.

Erica Flores, Recruitment Coordinator at Seedling, joined the program in the fall of 2018. She has over a decade of nonprofit management experience and has been working in youth education since she taught preschool while attaining her BS from the University of Texas. Following graduation, Erica moved to Los Angeles where she earned her MA in Communications Management from the University of Southern California. It was during this time that she began to focus her efforts on social justice and community work.

Coordinator: Mary Pat Bolton

Friday, October 2nd, 2020

1:00PM – 2:10PM

Digital Propaganda, Disinformation, and the 2020 U.S. Election

This talk explores the rise of “geo-propaganda” and “encrypted-propaganda”—the ways in which powerful political actors are leveraging digital geo-location tools and encrypted messaging apps, respectively, during the 2020 U.S. election as mechanisms for new types of digital politicking. Who is using these tools and how? What policies exist to combat such uses and where is new regulation needed? Dr. Woolley will access ongoing research from the Propaganda Research Team at UT Austin’s Center for Media Engagement to address these, and other, pressing questions.

Dr. Samuel Woolley is a writer, researcher and professor with a focus on emerging media technologies and propaganda. He holds a PhD from the University of Washington-Seattle, an MA from the Claremont Graduate University, and a BA from the University of San Diego. He’s currently an assistant professor in the School of Journalism at the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas-Austin. He a Knight Faculty Fellow and the Program Director of propaganda research at the Center for Media Engagement (CME) at UT.

Coordinator: John M. Hughes

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Fall 2020 Lectures: Week 2 (October 5th – 9th)

Tuesday, October 6th, 2020

9:30AM – 10:40AM

Reel Politics: Portraying American Politics on Film

Political documentarian Paul Stekler discusses his approach to making films about politics, including clips on contemporary Texas politics, political history back in 1968 and his personal connection to Molly Ivins and Ann Richards.

Dr. Paul Stekler, an internationally recognized documentary producer, is chair of the Radio-TV-Film Dept., U.T. Austin since 2010. He has a doctorate in American politics (Harvard ’82) and previously came to UT in 1997 to reorganize that department’s film production program, which is now one of the top ten programs in the country.

Coordinator: Greg Bolton

11:10AM – 12:20PM

People-Centric Smart Cities through Digital Innovations Talk includes definition of a smart city, examples of digital solutions from a variety of smart cities, explanation of problems being addressed and examples of problems resulting from lack of citizen engagement. Discussion follows about computer, business, data ethics, and social responsibility.

Dr. Rebecca Hammons is an associate professor in the Center for Information and Communication Sciences, a technology master’s program at Ball State University. She received her Ed.D. and M.A. from Ball State University and her B.A. from Michigan State University.

Coordinator: Sharon Lamb

1:00PM – 2:10PM

Just Estimates, Some Good, Some Bad: Evaluating Surveys During the 2020 Election Faced with an ever-increasing number of polls, this talk will focus on how to evaluate the quality, and in turn, the likely accuracy, of public opinion polling in 2020 and beyond.

Dr. Joshua Blank is the Research Director of the Texas Politics Project. He is a native of New York City, with a bachelor's degree in political science from Boston University; and a Ph.D. in government from the University of Texas at Austin.

Coordinator: Beth Moreno

2:40PM – 3:50PM

Global Threats and Concerns: Inman's View of the World As prior Director of the National Security Agency and Deputy Director of Central Intelligence, Admiral Inman has keen insights into current global threats and concerns. He will take us on a virtual tour of the world, highlighting current affairs in global hot spots.

Admiral Bobby R. Inman is the Lyndon B. Johnson Centennial Chair in National Policy at the LBJ School and former Director of the National Security Agency. He served in the US Navy from 1951-1982.

Coordinator: Ed Kurtzer

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Wednesday, October 7th, 2020

1:00PM – 2:10PM

The 1965 Immigration Act and Contemporary Challenges in Policy and Enforcement

From a historical perspective of immigration in the US, discuss the current immigration crisis and future immigration concerns, practices, and realities.

Dr. Madeline Hsu is professor of history at UT Austin, and former director of the Center for Asian American Studies. She has received awards for her monographs from the Association for Asian American Studies, the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations, and the Immigration and Ethnic History Society.

Coordinator: Bill Banowsky

Thursday, October 8th, 2020

9:30AM – 10:40AM

Building of the Texas Capital Vietnam Veteran Monument

A Vietnam Veteran, he initiated an effort beginning in 2003 to raise funds for the construction of a monument on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol to honor Texans who served in the armed forces of the United States during the Vietnam War. It was dedicated on March 29, 2014.

Mr. Robert A. Floyd lobbied before the Texas Legislature and the U.S. Congress for 46 years, retiring on June 15, 2019. He served as the CEO of two statewide trade associations.

Coordinator: Willie Chapman

11:10AM – 12:20PM

Project Connect: Learn all about it! It’s on the ballot November 3rd!

On November 3, Austin residents will have the opportunity to vote on Project Connect, CapMetro’s transformational transit system expansion plan. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn more about Project Connect as Program Officer Dave Couch walks us through the plan.

Dave Couch joined Capital Metro in 2018 to oversee and implement Project Connect. Dave has overseen a number of high profile multi-billion-dollar public transportation projects, from system expansions in Washington, D.C. and Houston along with the Caltrain Modernization Program in the San Francisco area.

Coordinator: Bonnie Kelly

Friday, October 9th, 2020

1:00PM – 2:10PM

COVID-19 Diagnostics

Assays for the COVID-19 virus (both seriological and PCR) and assays for the antibodies (IgG & IgM) that are produced by the human body following infection are important tools to managing the pandemic and the reopening of our businesses and lives.

Dr. R. Nick Bryan is the chair of the Depart of Diagnostic Medicine for the UT Dell Medical School. He oversees diagnostic activities for the school, encompassing the traditional areas of laboratory medicine, pathology and radiology. Dr. Bryan earned his MD and PhD degrees from the UTMB, Galveston.

Coordinator: Eric Ramberg

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Fall 2020 Lectures: Week 3 (October 12th – 16th)


9:30AM – 10:40AM

CASA of Travis County: Speaking Up for Children in the Foster Care System

Learn how CASA of Travis County educates and empowers diverse community volunteers who ensure that each child's needs remain a priority in an overburdened child welfare system.

Laura Wolf has been the CEO at CASA of Travis County since September 2007. This $6 million non-profit organization with 70 professional staff and nearly 800 volunteers annually serves over 2000 abused and neglected children.

Coordinator: Lorraine Brolle

11:10AM – 12:20PM

The Future of Newspapers (Is There One?) A discussion of the critical juncture now faced by newspapers as news gathering and how news is delivered morphs into whatever is next.

Ken Herman writes a popular column for the Austin-American Statesman on a variety of topics of interest, usually with a humorous twist.

Coordinator: Grace Jones

1:00PM – 2:10PM

No Labels: an optimistic problem-solving community that counters hyper-partisanship Join us for this unique opportunity to hear No Labels: an American political organization whose mission is to combat partisan dysfunction in politics and "usher in a new era of focused problem solving in American politics”. Experience the pragmatic, the hope for our common future, and a bipartisan approach to governing.

Multi-speaker panel, more info TBD.

Coordinator: Elizabeth Gregowicz

2:40PM – 3:50PM

What Just Happened? COVID-19 Impacts by Urology Austin Providers and Executives

COVID-19: Urology Austin (UA) provides keen insights from “lock-down to start-back-up” what happened during the COVID-19 pandemic, including what happened, how medical providers and their supportive executives determined how to respond, and the many issues and impacts; then, now and for the future.

Dr. Sara Sauder holds a doctorate in Physical Therapy. She specializes in pelvic floor dysfunction and teaches and mentors pelvic floor physical therapists throughout the country. Sara co-owns Alcove Education, a continuing education company.


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1:00PM – 2:10PM

Austin PBS: Moving Forward to the New Normal

After 50+ years on the UT Campus, KLRU, Austin's PBS station, is moving to a new home at ACC's Highland Campus. Bill will provide a look into the future of KLRU and PBS.

Bill Stotesbery has been CEO and General Manager of KLRU-TV, the PBS station serving Austin and Central Texas, since 2004. Before joining KLRU, Bill had a 25-year career in marketing, sales, public relations, and public affairs, primarily for technology companies.

Coordinator: Martha Christie


9:30AM – 10:40AM

Classical Music in the Modern Society in Russia and the US

Ms. Gilmson will discuss her upbringing and formation as a musician and include a brief description of the system of training in the Soviet Union. She will describe her experiences as a musician in the United States both as a performer and a pedagogue. This will be followed by a performance of piano selections by Bach and Shostakovich.

Sophia Gilmson is a Russian-born pianist, pedagogue, and life-long J.S. Bach’s devotee. She graduated cum laude from the famed St. Petersburg Leningrad Conservatory where she studied with the eminent Russian pianist, Vitaly Margulis.

Coordinator: Connie Hritz

11:10AM – 12:20PM

Lasers from the Sky and the Global Early Anthropocene from the Maya Tropical Forest This lecture explores what we have learned from recent Lidar and excavations about the origins of ancient Maya and Olmec civilizations and what they tell us about the deep imprint on Nature of the ancient Mesoamerican and other tropical civilizations.

Professor Tim Beach holds a Centennial Chair and directs the Soils and Geoarchaeology Labs at UT Austin. His research ranges from soil profiles to watersheds and from the Pleistocene to the present, especially in the Maya and Mediterranean worlds. He has published hundreds of articles and won many awards.

Coordinator: Joan Lewis


1:00PM – 2:10PM

Austin: Hip, Aging, Innovative

Austin is the coolest city in the US, as well as the fastest aging city in the US. A cadre are helping Austin to become age-friendly with innovation, motivation and strategy. This panel will include Age-Friendly Austin's Program Coordinator and Exec Directors from AustinUP and Capital City Village.

These entities are at the forefront of Austin's efforts to expand our ability to have a thriving inter-generational community where people of all ages are engaged and supported throughout their lives.

The panel will further explain Austin's efforts to become Austin's virtual community of committed seniors aging in place.

Tommi Ferguson is Executive Director of the Capital City Village, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Austin seniors age well at home.

Teresa Ferguson has served as AustinUP’s executive director since 2015. She built a career in marketing and public relations while working at state associations, technology firms & law firms.

Tabitha Taylor is the City of Austin’s Age-Friendly Program Coordinator. Tabitha oversees the Age- Friendly Action Plan in order to create a supportive, welcoming and vibrant environment for older adults.

Coordinator: Marilyn Heath

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Lectures: Week 4 (October 19th – 23rd)


9:30AM – 10:40AM

“The Story Behind the Legal Aid Lawyer”

Mel was engaged in a number of major legal cases, some of which went to the U.S. Supreme Court, and made legal history having a significant impact on the lives of millions. This book contains the stories of the people involved and how these cases came about.

Mel Eichelbaum graduated with a JD Degree from The University of Texas Law School. In the late 1960’s & early 1970’s he was an attorney with Bexar County Legal Aid. He is now an Attorney Emeritus and a published author.

Coordinator: Sandy E. Schwartz

11:10AM – 12:20PM

QDX Health ID Passport to Safety from Covid-19 Pivoting nanotechnology from identifying and mitigating counterfeit products to identifying, authenticating, and providing end to end solutions for testing Covid-19 and mitigating the spread of the virus.

As adjunct professor, Dr. Les Paull taught finance and entrepreneurial studies at U.T. Austin Graduate School of Business. For 35 years he has focused on M&A’s and startups. Presently he is partner and director of Global Business development for Quantum Material Corp.

Coordinator: Roz Stephenson

1:00PM – 2:10PM

The Distracted Brain: A Conversation about Attention and Memory TBD

Dr. Jarrod Lewis-Peacock has a Ph.D. in Psychology at the U of Wisconsin-Madison. He joined the Psychology Department at UT in 2013 where he leads a Cognitive Neuroscience research lab studying cognitive & neural correlates of memory & attention.

Coordinator: TBD

2:40PM – 3:50PM

The Spectrum of Specters: From the Belief in Ghosts to Ghost Quieting “The Spectrum of Specters: from the Belief in Ghosts to Ghost Quieting” is an analysis of 39 interviews done with people who believe they’ve had encounters with ghosts. The work explores how people make sense of their encounters, how they are treated by those with whom they share the stories and how the experiences may have affected their lives.”

Michael Hirsch


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Wednesday, October 21st, 2020

1:00PM – 2:10PM

Couch Potato Investing

Scott will present the pros and cons of hiring a financial advisor to manage your retirement portfolio. He will present an alternative to stock picking called "Couch Potato Investing", which advocates the use of index funds over managed funds or stock picking.

Scott Burns is the pen name for Robert Burns, a syndicated newspaper columnist and author who has covered personal finance and investments for half a century. He is best known for creating the "Couch Potato Portfolio" investment strategy, advocating the use of index funds.

Coordinator: Charlene Cooley

Thursday, October 22nd, 2020

9:30AM – 10:40AM

The Lack of Public Healthcare in the United States and the COVID 19 Revelations

While the United States healthcare system is flawed in general, its impact on African Americans, Hispanics, and poor people is catastrophic, to say the least.

Nelson Linder has been President of the Austin branch of the NAACP since 2000. He has worked extensively on police brutality, educational equity, and economic empowerment and has been interviewed by CNN, BET, the Washington Post, and many local media outlets.

Coordinator: Judi Nudelman

11:10AM – 12:20PM

Whalecome to studying the ocean …in Arizona

Join Dr. Rolsky as he discusses his path to studying plastic pollution in the ocean. Plastic use is skyrocketing & lesser known is the impact of microplastics on surrounding ecosystems. Explore the problem through research done within ecosystems & species around the world. What can you do to help?

Charlie Rolsky is Director of Science, North America, for Plastic Oceans International. He serves as the host of Breaking It Down, a new YouTube series from Plastic Oceans in which he simplifies science in fun and engaging way. He also conducts research at the Arizona State University (ASU) Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering where he works on marine and aquatic plastic pollution.

Coordinator: Harvey Wohlwend

Friday, October 23rd, 2020

1:00PM – 2:10PM

The Real History--Good, Bad, Inspiring, and Ugly--of the Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers have been in existence for nearly 200 years. Their history includes many examples of heroism and bravery. But the Rangers also committed atrocities, oppressed civil rights, and unleashed a reign of terror on the border.

Doug Swanson is a veteran investigative reporter and editor. He is on the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh in the Department of English, teaching writing. He previously was an investigative reporter for the Dallas Morning News for many years.

Coordinator: Donald F. Ugent

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Lectures: Week 5 (October 26th – 30th, 2020)


9:30AM – 10:40AM

Austin Film Society - Milestones in Support of Our Local Film Culture The Austin Film Society has evolved from film appreciation to comprehensive support of the motion picture community. Founded in 1985 by acclaimed director Richard Linklater, AFS promotes the development of film production by utilizing the behind-the-scenes talent that exists in Central Texas.

Maximiliano Benitez makes films and other media about civics, technology, and the arts. His work goes behind the scenes of powerful movements, and documents progress in the humanities and sciences. In addition to filmmaking, he has been trained as an entrepreneur and educator.

Coordinator: Greg Bolton

11:10AM – 12:20PM

Exploring new branches on the tree of life “My research employs genomic approaches to study new microbial branches on the tree of life. From this we have uncovered new insights into the origin of eukaryotes (plant and animals) and have dramatically expanded the biodiversity of life on the planet.”

Brett Baker is an assistant professor at the Marine Science Institute, University of Texas at Austin. His research leverages genomics and computational approaches to understand the biodiversity, ecology, and evolution of marine microbes. He has a B.S. and M.S. from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.

Coordinator: Joan Lewis

1:00PM – 2:10PM

Biscuits, the Dole, and Nodding Donkeys: Texas Political History 1929 Through the 19 This lecture emphasizes the highs and lows of Texas politics during the Dan Moody, Ross Sterling, and “Ma” Ferguson governorships, as they strove to give the people what they wanted (“biscuits”), while resisting federal aid (“the dole”) in a State economy fueled by pump jacks (“nodding donkeys”).

Rachel Ozanne first came to the University of Texas at Austin in 2002, where she received her BA in Plan II and History in 2006, entered the history graduate program at UT in 2007, and received her Ph.D. in U.S. history from UT in May 2013. In addition to her work as a lecturer at UT Austin, she works as a freelance writer and editor.

Coordinator: Steve Fogel


1:00PM – 2:10PM

Public Opinion in Texas and the 2020 Presidential Elections A look at the issues and attitudes shaping Texas voters in the 2020 national elections based on data from the University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll and other Texas data.

Dr. James Henson directs the Texas Politics Project and teaches in the UT Department of Government. Since 2008, he has co-directed the University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. He earned his M.A. and Ph.D. from UT Austin.

Coordinator: Diane Jones

Fall 2020 Seminars

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9:30AM – 10:40AM

American Cartoonists: "On the Front Lines" The presentation explores the early works and wartime editorial cartoons of American cartoonists including Walt Disney, Dr. Seuss, Milton Caniff, Bill Mauldin, Dave Breger and Reg Manning.

Mr. Gregg Philipson is a retired executive in identification and authentication security software industry for U.S. Federal State and foreign law enforcement agencies. Originally from Utica, NY, Mr. Philipson holds a BS degree in Science and Finance from the University of Buffalo.

Coordinator: Michael Edmunds

11:10AM – 12:20PM

Israel, Ancient to Modern Times, And the Current State of Palestine Relations

Ancient Israel, the Jewish immigration of the last 150 years, and the current state of Israel-Palestine relations.

Dr. Paul Edgar, Associate Director of the Clements Center, UT-Austin, has a PhD in Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures, is a Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.), U.S. Army, with numerous overseas deployments, and studies the historical origins of diplomacy, war, and strategy in pre-classical antiquity.

Coordinator: Donald Baldovin


1:00PM – 2:10PM

Building the Beloved Community: The Struggle for Black Dignity and Citizenship

Now, in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death and in the midst of our current health and economic crises, we have a generational opportunity to eradicate institutional racism and to build what Dr. King called a “beloved community”.

Dr. Peniel Joseph holds a joint professorship appointment at the LBJ School of Public Affairs and the History Department in the College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas at Austin. He is also the founding director of the LBJ School's Center for the Study of Race and Democracy (CSRD).

Coordinator: Jane Swanson

of 18

Fall 2020 Lectures: Week 6 (November 2nd – 6th)

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020

9:30AM – 10:40AM

Strategies & Practices for Navigating the Chronic Stress of Covid-19

The Covid-19 pandemic is creating a wave of stress & anxiety in our community which can compromise our immune systems. This interactive session will offer practical ideas that we can share with family and friends as we strive to get through this challenging time together.

Karen Ranus is Executive Director of the Central TX affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Central Texas). She is a 2020 Frank McBee Fellow, a nationally recognized Schwab Local Hero, & often shares her own family's story of navigating mental illness in an effort to dispel myths.

Coordinator: Lorraine Brolle

11:10AM – 12:20PM

Higher Educational Access and Success Trellis Company assists students realize their college and career dreams. They help students plan and prepare for college, learn basics of money management, and repay student loans.

Bryan Ashton is a vice president for Trellis Company. He is from Pittsburgh and is a graduate of Ohio State University--Fisher College of Business. While at OSU he was assistant director of student life and wellness center.

Coordinator: Ken Rochlen

1:00PM – 2:10PM

Brands's First Law of History

Brands's First Law of History is that there are no laws of history. Humans aren't atoms; history is harder than physics. But there are patterns. And these patterns reflect fundamental characteristics of humans, and fundamental challenges all societies face.

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: Ed Kurtzer

2:40PM – 3:50PM

No programming scheduled at this time.


1:00PM – 2:10PM

BEEP Baseball Beep baseball is for the blind and visually impaired. The Executive Director of the Austin Blackhawks Beep Baseball Team (nine-time World Champions and have finished in the top three teams 14 times in the last 29 attempts) will present how the game started, how players are selected, and how the game is played.

Rusty Reames has been involved with beep baseball since 1978 in Austin, Texas. In 1993, she co-founded Sports Vision 20/20, a 501(c)3 non-profit which supports Athletics for the Blind. Due to her efforts with the blind, an eight-year history of volunteerism at Hospice Austin’s Christopher House and 20 years of activism with the recovery community, she was awarded the 2010 Senior Volunteer of the Year.

Coordinator: Charlene Cooley

Fall 2020 Seminars

of 18


9:30AM – 10:40AM

COVID Killing Engine

“Our concept uses a motored (no combustion) diesel engine to incinerate airborne COVID-19. We determine the time-temperature thresholds to inactivate COVID-19. This provides a thermal strategy for sterilization of aerosol viruses. Our goal is to rapidly treat large volumes of indoor air.”

Dr. Chris Rylander received his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and his B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, from The UT Austin. After beginning his academic career at Virginia Tech in 2007, he joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UT-Austin in 2014 as an Associate Professor.

Coordinator: Ron Panton

11:10AM – 12:20PM

Milton Notes on Shakespeare: New findings uncovered after nearly four centuries

A recent discovery held at the Free Library of Philadelphia, appears to be John Milton’s notes/annotations in a copy of Shakespeare’s first folio. What more proof is needed to claim this as a fundamental addition to the material knowledge of English Literature?

Dr. John Rumrich is listed in The Alcalde, 2020 Texas Ten, May edition. He teaches Shakespeare, Milton, Early Modern English literature, and detective fiction. he has been named an honored scholar of the Milton Society of America and subsequently served as that organization’s president.

Coordinator: Connie Hritz


1:00PM – 2:10PM

Hill Country Oasis: A Texas Entrepreneur and Environmentalist and a 5000 acre ranch

Pam will discuss her first book, “My Stories, All True: J. David Bamberger on Life as an Entrepreneur and a Conservationist,” which is due in August 2020. Pam will also discuss some of her highs and not-as-highs as she’s challenged herself in the name of journalism, adventure and fitness.

Adventure journalist Pam LeBlanc grew up in Austin and attended Texas A&M University, where she earned a degree in agricultural journalism. She joined the staff of the Austin American-Statesman in 1998 and during a nearly 21-year career at the Statesman, she launched the weekly Fit City column.

Coordinator: Joan Lava

Fall 2020 Seminars - olli.utexas.edu

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