We're excited to share the online version of our catalog with you here. For a quick glance at the class schedule by month, please visit the Classes and Events page.
AT THE WFMA AT MSU TEXAS
We are thrilled to announce the Grand Opening of the Lifelong Learning Center at our new facility, the Wichita Falls Museum of Art at 2 Eureka Circle! Join us for lunch from 11am-1pm to celebrate, discover, and inspire as we embark on a journey of learning and growth. The Lifelong Learning Center is dedicated to fostering a love for learning at every stage of life. Our program offers a wide range of courses and programs designed to inspire curiosity, enhance skills, and enrich lives. This is a perfect opportunity to explore our offerings, meet our passionate staff, and discover how the Lifelong Learning Center can support your educational journey. Whether you’re looking to learn new information or engage with a community of like-minded individuals, we have something for you.
BOOK CLUB
Do you love books? Are you often looking for people with whom to discuss literature? You might want to consider joining the LLC Book Club. We choose specific books to read at the beginning of the semester and then meet to discuss the book we have agreed upon for the month. This club is very informal. We meet the first Wednesday of each month to give our opinions, likes, and dislikes. We try to learn a little about the author and their motivation for writing. ANYONE can come. There is no sign-up or pre-qualification other than having read the book, and we are pretty lenient even about that!
VALUES OVER POLITICS
If given a page of questions and told to write a brief answer beneath each question, while each person’s answers might be different to one extent or another, you can be certain that each individual’s responses would be influenced by their personal values. It’s those values that often determine our political identity. Do our elected officials genuinely represent those values? How do we know? Let’s discuss it.
Presenter: David Farabee is a native of Wichita Falls, and served 6 terms in the Texas House of Representatives. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Midwestern State University and began his career as an insurance agent at 20 years of age. He is associated with Gallagher Insurance in Wichita Falls and has professional designations of LUTCF and Chartered Life Underwriter. Before his public service in the Texas House, Representative Farabee served as the At-Large Member of the Wichita Falls City Council from 1989-1993. Representative Farabee's prior community service includes serving as Chairman of the Small Business Council for the Wichita Falls Board of Commerce and Industry, Chairman of Friends of Hospice Wichita Falls, Chairman of Child Care Incorporated of Wichita Falls and Chairman of the Board of the Helen Farabee Regional MHMR Centers. Other community service includes serving on the Board of Directors for First Step Inc., Budget and Allocations Committee for the Wichita Falls United Way, and the Steering Committee of the Clean Rivers Program for the Brazos River Basin. Rep. Farabee is also an active Member in the Wichita Falls Optimist Club and a Member in the First United Methodist Church. Since retiring from the Texas Legislature, he served on and chaired the boards of The Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce, the Boy Scouts of America, and the United Way. Representative Farabee continues his family heritage with his dedication to public service. He is the second son of former State Senator, and former Vice-Chancellor and General Counsel for the University of Texas System, Ray Farabee and the late Helen Farabee, known statewide for her work with Texas' mental health laws and health care reform. David’s wife Terri, is an RN and teaches Nursing for MSU Texas. They have three children, Worth, Nancy and Russell.
ARTICLE V CONVENTION OF STATES PROJECT
The Article V Convention of States Project is a nation-wide, non-partisan, grassroots effort to call for a convention of states for the purpose of proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution to address three big problems in Washington, DC: the debt and spending crisis, the overreach of the federal government, and the negative effects of career politicians. It is little remembered that there are two methods outlined in Article V of the U.S. Constitution on how to propose amendments--only one method has been used to pass the 27 amendments currently ratified. Nineteen States, including Texas, have passed the resolution calling for a convention of states for the purpose of proposing amendments, which is the lawful and constitutional solution to restoring federalism and self-governance. The Constitution (i.e., Article V) is the answer to address these consequential issues and this is the state-centric process America’s Founders designed when they included Article V in the original Constitution. This discussion will present an update on this movement in Texas and nation-wide, inform how a convention would work, and address some potential safeguards and risks with the process.
Presenter: Paul Coraccio is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran and an adjunct instructor of government with North Central Texas College. He is the president of Home Educators Around Texoma (H.E.A.T.), which is a local homeschooling support group whose purpose is to encourage, inform, and support area homeschooling families. Paul is a Constitutional Coach with Patriot Academy and is the Convention of States Action (COSA) District Captain for Texas House District 69, educating and advocating for state legislatures to invoke their constitutional authority under Article V of the U.S. Constitution.
PEACE THROUGH COMPETITION: A BREIF HISTORY OF THE “OLYMPIC SPIRIT”
In this presentation I will discuss Pierre de Coubertin's goal of creating world peace through the modern Olympics. He wanted to bring the world together through a global competition in hopes that people would see that there is more that unites nations than divides them. However, the Olympics did not do what Coubertin hoped and the world was rocked by Two World Wars and a lengthy Cold War. In this presentation I will discuss the promise of the Olympics, how the promises came up short, and what good the Olympics actually perform.
Presenter: Brandon Blakeslee was born in Dallas, Texas but grew up abroad in Africa, South America, and Europe. He double majored in History and Spanish at Calvin University in Grand Rapids Michigan and then got his PhD from the University of Texas in Arlington. His research focuses on state formation and the creation of national identity in the first half of the twentieth century focusing on mass spectacle like sporting events. He is also interested and currently researching on public health campaigns in Colombia during the 1920's and 1930's.
In our new book, I and my coauthors, Kirk Randazzo (University of South Carolina) and Reggie Sheehan (National Science Foundation) evaluate whether or not the “haves” come out ahead in courts. We analyze over 15,000 decisions from 1970-2000 of the high courts of Australia, Canada, Great Britain, India, the Philippines and South Africa. The decades-long timeframe allows us to control for the political, legal and economic contexts across our countries. While our results confirm that the “haves” experience some advantages in the legal system, we also find a more complex picture than prior theory asserts. We find that repeat players like the government, and businesses and associations that hire larger legal teams, are more likely to succeed as previous scholars predict, but we also find various “legal niches” across the dockets of these high courts where the “have nots” prevail. We are not suggesting that decisions are driven without consideration of the facts and the law, but we do argue that judges are political actors and are cognizant of their pivotal role in the rule of law.
Presenter: Stacia Haynie, Ph.D., began her tenure as the 13th president of Midwestern State University on August 1, 2023. She is a native of nearby Henrietta, Texas, and earned two degrees from Midwestern State University – a bachelor’s degree in theatre and a master’s degree in political science. She received a Ph.D. in political science from the University of North Texas. As an accomplished scholar and leader in higher education with 33 years of service to Louisiana State University, Dr. Haynie rose in the academic ranks to full professor and retired from the institution as the J.W. Annison Jr. Family Alumni Professor. Dr. Haynie served LSU in numerous administrative roles including Department Chair, Associate and Interim Dean of the Graduate School, Vice Provost for Academics and Planning, Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Executive Vice President & Provost. Dr. Haynie studies judicial politics with special emphasis on comparative appellate court decision-making. She has particular expertise in the legal systems of South Africa, the Philippines and India. Her studies also include analyses of United States Supreme Court decision-making and civil trial court decisions in U.S. state courts. Dr. Haynie’s book, Judging in Black and White: Decision Making in the South African Appellate Division, 1950-1990, explores the decisions of judges during the apartheid era of South Africa. Her studies also include analyses of civil trial court decisions in U.S. state courts. Her most recent book with the University of Virginia Press, Does Privilege Prevail: Litigation in High Courts across the Globe, explores the decision-making of the high courts of Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, the Philippines and South Africa from 1970-2000 analyzing who wins and why. Dr. Haynie teaches courses in Judicial Politics, American Constitutional Law, Comparative Judicial Politics and American Public Law.
Throughout her career, Dr. Haynie has been devoted to providing students with the best possible educational opportunities and supporting them throughout their education to graduation. She credits Midwestern State University for providing the academic foundation she needed to pursue her goals. She has returned to MSU Texas to lead the institution into its second century.
POLICING TO PROSECUTION:
A LOOK BACK INTO INVESTIGATIONS EFFECTING WICHITA FALLS
We will take look back at some of the cases investigated by the native Wichitan and MSU graduate, Tye Davis. We will learn about the crimes, the investigations, the outcomes, and the effect on the community.
Presenter: Tye Davis is the Chief Investigator for the Wichita County District Attorney’s Office. He is a certified Texas Peace Officer and has been since 2003. He has a Master’s degree in Public Administration, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, and possess a Master Peace Officer Certificate. He was a Police Officer for the Wichita Falls Police Department for approximately 17 years. He spent 13 years assigned to the Special Operations Division to include the Organized Crime Unit, Tactical Unit, Gang Task Force, and SWAT. During this time, he was dually assigned as a Task Force Officer to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Safe Street Task Force targeting violent criminals. He has assisted the FBI, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Homeland Security (HSI), and The United States Postal Service (USPS) with long term narcotic investigations that resulted in numerous arrests, convictions, and sizable seizures. He currently oversees the investigative units of the Wichita County DA., which include court investigations and the Drug Enforcement Division.
There is enormous variation in whiskies across the world. Bourbon is a uniquely American whiskey and Scotch is uniquely Scottish. This course will focus on the history of bourbon and scotch, how they are made, and where each of them stand in the contemporary world whiskey market. It will conclude with a tasting of several different types of bourbon and scotch and a discussion of what makes each of these whiskies different and enjoyable.
Presenter: Dr. Jeremy Duff is an associate professor of Political Science. He has been teaching at MSU Texas for 16 years. He earned a bachelors in Political Science at Texas A&M University and a masters and Ph.D. in Political Science from Michigan State University. Since 2016, he has been in charge of SACSCOC Accreditation at MSU. He has also served on the Board of Commissioners for the City of Burkburnett. Dr. Duff and his wife Tracy reside in Burkburnett with their two children, Lydia and Ryan.
Presenter: Steve Sosland is excited to work with the leaders at all the universities in the Texas Tech System to grow the capacity and capability of the lives we touch by integrating a positive sustainable values culture and development programs for all team members. Kelly, my wife of 38 years, and I have two daughters. Rachel is a urologist, specializing in reconstructive surgery in Austin who gratefully brought Bob into our lives. Shepard arrived in March and brought more love to our family. Rebekah is an aerospace system engineer and program manager for NASA’s Perseverance Rover looking for evidence of past life on Mars. Bekah and Gordon are incredible parents of our five-year old grandson, Milo and three-year old granddaughter Luna whose daily goal is to be humble and kind. Kelly’s passion is traveling the United States to help build homes for Habitat for Humanity’s Care-a-Vanners group. Their love fills my cup.
This is an interactive workshop, of four classes, that will help you to learn some basic vocabulary and grammar structures in Spanish; however, the main point is for you to enjoy, have fun, and interact as much as possible with your peers in a non-judgmental atmosphere. Some of the media-learning tools we will use are singing, drawing, and games; so get ready to have a good time!
Presenter: Dr. Claudia Montoya did her Bachelor’s degree at the Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla in Mexico. She taught Spanish at the High School and Middle School levels in Puebla, Mexico, for eight years, and the was admitted to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to do her PhD. There she was a Graduate Teaching Assistant for six years. After completing her doctoral studies, she started to work at Midwestern State University in 2002. In total, she has about 36 years of experience in the teaching field. She has numerous presentations and conference presentations in the areas of Latin American Literature, culture, and general language. Her most recent publication is a book chapter titled: ‘Language, an Inextricable part of who you are’, published in coordination with the University of West Virginia.
What does it mean to be connected to yourself? Why is connecting with yourself important? How do you know if you are disconnected? During this engaging, experiential presentation, you will learn the answers to these questions. You will evaluate the wellness wheel and identify your strengths and areas for improvement. Strategies for checking in with yourself and self-care will be explored, such as grounding techniques, meditation, and self-talk.
Presenter: Dr. Wendy Helmcamp is currently an Assistant Professor within the Clinical Mental Health graduate program at Midwestern State University. She received her Ph.D. from Texas Tech University in Counselor Education and Supervision. Dr. Helmcamp has presented and published on topics including mental health issues in schools, non-suicidal self-injury, self-care, and online learning. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S) and a certified school counselor in the state of Texas. She is passionate about advocating for children and adolescents to receive the social emotional support they need in schools.
Here are stories about women who looked toward a life of fame and fortune and those who did the jobs they saw before them. Surprisingly, the results were often the same: They breached one horizon and opened another. They paved the way for other women to step through and continue to build on the progress they made. Women have significantly impacted Wichita County, contributing to its arts, culture, government, education, business, and family life. Their stories are hidden in the organizations they started, the projects they accomplished, and within their families. This book is an attempt to honor these remarkable women and to tell their stories
Presenter: In 2010, Becky Gellner Trammell walked into the Museum of North Texas History looking for Lita Watson at the Wichita County Archives. She didn’t realize at the time she would still be there over fourteen years later, serving on the Board of the Museum of North Texas History and as the marker chair of the Wichita County Historical Commission. Becky and Lita Watson worked on a re-publication of the book, Pioneers Remember. Elizabeth Hawley and Becky have co-edited two books, Historical Markers of Wichita County and Women of Wichita County, Texas – Stories About Remarkable Women. Becky is a graduate of Midwestern State University, the University of North Texas, and the University of Texas at Tyler.
Philology is the study of Historical Language; that is, how languages describe historical events based upon variations in story and modifications of written symbols over time. The historian weaves together a story line connecting the discovered archaeological and anthropological evidence. This history is not fact, it is a conjecture which logically connects facts. Philology seeks to connect timelines associated with the written language and variations of that language through time. Only in the last few decades have discoveries of written ideas around the world indicated just how substantial this process can be in helping the Historian. In this course, language and story will be examined from early stone carvings and cuneiform writing to more advanced Semitic and Non-Semitic writing from the extant manuscripts written before the common era (B.C.). The student will examine the narrative as well as the connections that language makes with the past in addition to being exposed to supporting artifacts both in the Americas and abroad.
Presenter: Randal Hallford is a PhD (OSU) and an Associate Professor of Chemical Physics MSU for the last 20 years at Midwestern State University. He holds degrees in Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics and holds a Professional Broadcast Engineers License. He has 37 years of research in condensed matter physics and chemistry as well as ancient languages and history. He has published numerous articles and books in chemistry and on the philology of Semitic languages, in addition to over 40 scientific journal publications in chemistry and physics.
We will discuss Dr. Lodge's translation of Leo Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Ilyich. Please purchase and read the novella beforehand. It is available on Kindle or in hard copy at Amazon.
The Death of Ivan Ilyich chronicles the memories and thoughts of a sick man during his final weeks of life. Tolstoy questions the meaning of life and the attitude of society toward life and death in this classic work.
Presenter: Dr. Lodge has two doctorates from Columbia University in Russian Literature and Czech Literature. She has been teaching World Literature and Humanities at MSU for twelve years, and she is also a prodigious translator from Russian and Czech. She is currently working on her sixth volume for Broadview Press's selection of seminal Russian literary texts.
Last semester, we talked about Adolf Hitler’s military career in the context of the Great War, and the cataclysmic, unexpected loss that Germany suffered on the Western Front. Despite a brief segue commemorating the 100th anniversary of 1924’s Beer Hall Putsch, we left him in November, 1918 as a deeply disillusioned and tear-gassed soldier pondering his future. This semester, we will examine the social unrest that resulted from the Versailles Treaty, Hitler’s role in establishing and eventually leading the Nazi movement, his authorship of Mein Kampf while imprisoned, and his turn to legalized political activity in the new and deeply divided Weimar Republic. We will talk about the increasing appeal of National Socialism in demoralized, angry Germany, the ruinous inflation that destroyed the livelihoods and holdings of millions of citizens, the surge of vicious anti-Semitism and its origins in the eugenics movement, the Berlin Olympics, the Anschluss with Austria and the fateful Munich Pact. We left Joseph Stalin in 1905 following his escape from exile in Siberia. This semester, we will look at the Russo-Japanese War, the October Revolution of 1905, the divergence of the Menshevik and Bolshevik movements in the Russian Social Democratic Party, and Stalin’s deepening alliance with Lenin. We will also examine World War I on the Eastern Front, its cataclysmic effect on Russia, the downfall of the Romanov dynasty, the brief provisional government of Alexander Kerensky, the rise to power of the Communist Party, the Russian Civil War, the untimely death of Lenin, and Stalin’s subsequent accession to absolute power. We will also look at the Holodomor (the Communist-inflicted famine in Ukraine), Stalin’s purges of other leading Communists, and his own cataclysmic family life. This semester’s class will culminate with the Ribbentrop-Molotov Treaty of 1939, in which the commencement of World War II found Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union joined together as allies.
Presenter: Dr. Dave Hartman has a B.A. in History from Lynchburg College, a Master of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt University, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Lexington Theological Seminary. He also has over forty years of parish ministry, where he addressed religious issues on both a pastoral and scholarly basis. Hartman attained six hours of accredited post-doctoral work at the University of Oxford in the summer of 2012. He has been published in a variety of religious journals. Dave Hartman is the former Coordinator of the MSU Lifelong Learning Center.
This lecture focuses on the trend of conspiracism in political debates in the United States, with some references to Europe and the Middle East. What makes an explanation a conspiracy theory? Are conspiracy theories by definition wrong? Is one particular political ideology, like left or right, more susceptible to conspiracy theories? What is the history of conspiracy theories in the United States? Moreover, the lecture explores other questions such as who are the main actors in conspiracy theories in the United States and what are the effects of conspiracism on political institutions and political participation in democracies? By going beyond the pejorative use of the term ‘conspiracy theory,’ the lecture examines the political processes in the United States.
Presenter: Mohsen Jalali is an Assistant Professor of political science at MSU Texas. His research focuses on politics and conspiracy theories. He conducted over 16 months of field research in Afghanistan from 2017 to 2019. Currently, he is working on a book project titled Politics is Conspiracy: Everyday Political Conversations in Afghanistan.
The Christian orthodox canon did not come ready made after the ministry of Jesus. It developed over hundreds of years as many diverse views and beliefs were considered by churches and church councils with the word heresy tossed around freely. The charge of heresy was principally levelled at the Gnostics, a mysterious band of “Christians” who had very different views from the proto-orthodox church fathers who began to formalize the Christian canon. The Gnostics left a scant written record. Most that was known came from the church fathers who opposed them, until December, 1945, at Nag Hammadi, Egypt, where a whole new perspective on early Christianity was unearthed.
Presenter: David Wolverton was a member of the founding council of the MSU-LLC and continues to be active in its development. In addition, he has undertaken several teaching assignments, including The Discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, The Documentary Hypothesis of the Hebrew Bible, The Origins of Superheroes, and The Epic of Gilgamesh. He holds two degrees from the University of Texas, neither of which has anything to do with the LLC topics he has taught.
PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO CLASS SCHEDULED ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1 AT 1:30PM
FROM REALITY TO REEL: AMERICAN FRONTIER MYTH IN HISTORY & WESTERN CINEMA
The Frontier Myth is a central theme in American history, portraying the Western frontier as a land of opportunity, rugged individualism, and a force that shaped the unique American character. The myth emphasizes the frontier as a place where hardy individuals could escape social constraints, find wealth, and reinvent themselves. This narrative often depicts the westward expansion as a force of progress and civilization against a backdrop of wilderness and Native American societies. The myth profoundly influenced how Americans viewed their country’s history, their own potential, and the complexities of westward expansion. It permeates popular culture – shaping literature, art, and especially the Western film genre. In this session, we will delve into the historical context of the Frontier Myth and then later analyze how two iconic Westerns – High Noon and Shane – both embrace and subtly challenge this enduring narrative. One copy of each film is available in the LLC Library for short loan.
Presenter: Steve Tucker, an actual native-born Wichitan, began and ended his formal college experiences at Midwestern. After starting his academic journey here, he embarked on a whirlwind tour of seven other universities, collecting transcripts like souvenirs. This educational odyssey resulted in two Master’s degrees and enough credit hours to qualify for multiple majors. Steve subscribes to the philosophy of “knowledge is power,” but with a healthy dose of “why pick one area of expertise when you can be vaguely familiar with everything?”
In a series of two lectures, Sue P. King will address the origins of the Bible. How did these books and only these become the sacred texts for Christians? The twists and turns of the process hold intrigue for any historian and insight and understanding for Christians. The events that prompted the writing of the manuscripts and the circumstances that prompted the religious leaders to confer official recognition on them as sacred scripture will be brought to life, creating a big picture that will form a coherent and remarkable picture of the Bible’s emergence.
Presenter: Sue P. King is an MSU alumnus, holds an M. Div. degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, was a pastor in a mainline Christian denomination, and has chaplaincy experience in a major trauma hospital. She has eighteen years of corporate experience as a computer programmer. She lived in the Middle East for more than two years in a country with a predominantly Muslim population, enjoying unique opportunities for cross-cultural experiences and faith formation. She is the author of Questions from the Pews: Theological Narratives in Reply.
There was a recent survey of millennials asking them what their most important life goals were, and over 80 percent said that a major life goal for them was to get rich. Another 50 percent of those same young adults said that another major life goal was to become famous. We are constantly told to lean in to work, to push harder and achieve more. We’re given the impression that these are the things that we need to go after in order to have a good life. The modern society has created numerous “successful” pictures that people should follow. Those pictures are most impossible to get for many individuals. If you were going to invest now in your future best self where would you put your time and your energy? This course will conclude with an interactive discussion of current directions for the topic and will explore many aspects of human development and life experiences that are related to what make you have a good life, as well as reviewing the results of the longest study of adult life over 75 years by the Harvard Study of Adult Development. We may experience some of a falling tide of life, and the course will discuss what is “fluid intelligence” and “crystallized intelligence” (Brook, 2022), and how these two types of intelligences can potentially discover your greatest potential and find success, and happiness in your adulthood.
Presenter: Dr. SuHua Huang received a Ph.D. in Reading Education from the University of Oklahoma and worked in an international school for ten years in Taiwan. Various working, teaching, and research experiences have been valuable to her throughout her higher education career and fostered her development as a global-minded researcher, educator, evaluator, and visionary thinker.
PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO CLASS SCHEDULED ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10 AT 10AM
High Noon embraces with the enduring Frontier Myth, both celebrating its power and exposing its contradictions. Marshal Will Kane initially seems like the quintessential Western hero – resolute and self-sacrificing. However, his inner struggles with fear and doubt add a layer of complexity that challenges the traditional image of the fearless frontiersman. Join us for a thematic and cinematic exploration of this iconic film! We'll discuss how High Noon upholds and subverts the Frontier Myth, the symbolism of time and setting within the film, and Kane’s complex heroism. To get the most out of the session, each participate is encouraged to watch High Noon beforehand. If that's not possible, reading a detailed summary can be helpful. A copy of the film is available for short-term loan at the LLC Library.
Presenter: Steve Tucker, an actual native-born Wichitan, began and ended his formal college experiences at Midwestern. After starting his academic journey here, he embarked on a whirlwind tour of seven other universities, collecting transcripts like souvenirs. This educational odyssey resulted in two Master’s degrees and enough credit hours to qualify for multiple majors. Steve subscribes to the philosophy of “knowledge is power,” but with a healthy dose of “why pick one area of expertise when you can be vaguely familiar with everything?”
Wichita Falls is on the percipis of growth; where are we heading and what will it take for us to become a vibrant economic center of North Texas.
Presenter: Ron Kitchens is the best-selling author of Community Capitalism and Uniquely You, a serial entrepreneur, and the President / Managing Partner of the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce. Fast Company Magazine and the International Development Council have recognized him as a Global Innovator. Outside and INC Magazines as well as the Wall Street Journal have featured Ron and his organizations as one of the Best Places to Work in America. Ron has spoken on four continents and 43 states and provinces on leadership, the economy and high-performance teams. When not working, Ron and his wife Lyn enjoy Red Dirt music, quail hunting and travel.
The American West. A land of vast landscapes, rugged heroes, and enduring myths. In Shane, a mythic gunslinger emerges from the wilderness to shield a homesteading family, but his heroic facade hides a shadowy past. This session will delve into the allure of the lone hero, the struggle to tame the untamed frontier, and the hidden flaws beneath the romanticized ideals of the Wild West. Each participate is encouraged to watch Shane in advance. A detailed summary is a good alternative. A copy of the film is available for short-term loan at the LLC Library.
Presenter: Steve Tucker, an actual native-born Wichitan, began and ended his formal college experiences at Midwestern. After starting his academic journey here, he embarked on a whirlwind tour of seven other universities, collecting transcripts like souvenirs. This educational odyssey resulted in two Master’s degrees and enough credit hours to qualify for multiple majors. Steve subscribes to the philosophy of “knowledge is power,” but with a healthy dose of “why pick one area of expertise when you can be vaguely familiar with everything?”
In this talk I'll take a look at a range of artwork, including my own, to explore how artists use depth perception cues to describe space and surprise the viewer. Artists manipulate the viewer's perception of depth for different purposes. They might depict reality the way a viewer expects to see it. Or they might violate the viewer's expectations and create something new and surprising. We'll look at paintings, sculpture, installations, and videos for examples of how artists have challenged our perceptions.
Presenter: Shirley Steel is an Austin-based artist, originally from Wichita Falls. (Yea, Coyotes!) In the '80's, she was working as a scientist in speech research at Bell Laboratories in New Jersey when she began to wonder if she could combine her love for art with her enthusiasm for technology. Some of the earliest work in computer graphics was done at Bell Labs, and she knew some of the graphics pioneers. In the '90's, she went to art school in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts). Art school piqued her interest in issues of visual perception, as there are a number of ordinary perceptual cues that are particularly challenging for her. Now, in her art practice, she paints in traditional media (sometimes), writes her own computer code for prints (usually), and most recently has been producing computer videos.
Local attorney Boyd Richie tells of the improbable journey of a fifteen-year-old boy (who had never flown on an airplane) who became a U.S. Senate page, dated a President’s daughter who, along with her mother, Lady Bird Johnson, attended S. H. Rider’s first graduation, worked for Bobby Baker in the U.S. Senate Democratic Cloakroom, and wound up testifying before a U.S. Senate Investigating Committee. An Intimate glimpse of a slice of early 1960’s history and politics.
Presenter: Boyd is married to Betty Richie. He has practiced law in North Texas for over 50 years and began his political journey at 10 years of age handing out literature for Ralph Yarborough. Boyd became the Texas Democratic Party Chairman in 2006 and served three terms. Boyd and Betty both graduated from MSU. Boyd currently manages the Loncar Lyon Jenkins firm in Wichita Falls. He previously served as the 90th District Attorney, Young County Attorney, and a Dallas County Magistrate Judge.
PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO CLASS SCHEDULED ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24 AT 10AM
Bob Gamber reminisces about flying with the 174th Assault Helicopter Company in Vietnam. He titles these stories as “Nothing Impossible.” It was a new day, same (or similar) “stuff.” No day was exactly the same as the last but they were remarkable similar. They had sixteen slicks and six gunships supporting four infantry battalions and their support troops in a 250 square mile area along the South China Sea (and still no beach!).
Presenter: Bob Gamber tried to sit quietly in the back corner of the LLC, but since his presentation on Major John Duffy, many of you now talk to him, but he is getting used to it! Born and raised in New Jersey near Philadelphia (I know—I’m sorry), he was happily working as an assistant buyer at Gimbel Brothers when he was drafted. He was certain he’d hate the Army. He went through OCS at Ft. Sill and flight school in Mineral Wells and Savannah. To his surprise, the Army wasn’t that bad so he stayed for 23 years.
Whether your loved one needs care in their home, a hospital, another facility, or our Inpatient Care Center, Hospice of Wichita Falls provides a compassionate way to care for your loved ones. Hospice of Wichita Falls has been providing outstanding care for families since 1985. We understand coping with a terminal illness presents many challenges, which is why our supportive team at Hospice of Wichita Falls is prepared to meet those challenges and to provide the quality care needed for patients and their families.
Presenter: Jake Truette is the Director of Development for Hospice of Wichita Falls. In 2010, Jake entered the world of development/philanthropy with the American Cancer Society, working in various development and leadership roles at the community, state, and national levels. Jake joined HOWF in 2017 as Capital Campaign Manager, overseeing the planning, fundraising, and coordination of a campaign to raise funding to build a new inpatient center and make renovations and additions to the Main Campus on Johnson Rd. Following the conclusion of a successful capital campaign in 2019, Jake became the Director of Development and Facilities for HOWF and expansion project manager, overseeing the construction of Hospice of Wichita Falls’ Main Campus renovations, additions, and 24-bed inpatient Care Center. Today, in his role as Director of Development, Jake is responsible for all aspects of HOWF fundraising and donor stewardship events and initiatives, including the Tree of Lights, Friends of Hospice Golf Benefit, HOWF’s Luminary Society (planned and legacy giving program), and grant funding and special gifts and campaigns. Jake is also an active member of AHP (Association for Healthcare Philanthropy). Jake also served as Mayor of his hometown, Archer City, TX, from 2022 until May '24, where he, his wife, and their twin fourteen-year-old sons live.
An hour’s drive to our north, the Wichita Mountains present a topographically exciting departure from the gently rolling topography of our region. Sometimes referred to as “fossil mountains,” the Wichitas are ancient landforms that are re-emerging after 250 million years of burial beneath the red sediments of southern Oklahoma. But the rocks within the mountains speak to an even older setting – a rich volcanic environment hosted within a rift valley, last active 530 million years ago. In this Lifelong Learning course, we’ll examine this exquisite example of our planet’s dynamic nature and discover a rich history written in rock. The course will explore the volcanic province that formed the rocks of the Wichita Mountains, the processes that led to their initial deep burial by marine sedimentation, their uplift to form the ancient mountain range, their subsequent shallow internment under continental sediments, and their slow and continuing return to the surface.
Presenter: Dr. Jonathan Price is the Prothro Distinguished Professor of Geological Science and Chair of the Kimbell School of Geosciences. Following a geologically-enriched childhood in Oregon that included witnessing the 1980 eruption of Mount Saint Helens, Price completed his undergraduate and master’s degrees at Baylor, and his Ph.D. at Oklahoma. He completed post-doctoral work at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, continuing there as a research scientist before joining the faculty at Midwestern. He teaches courses in general science, minerals, rocks, water, and instrumentation. His work focuses on high-temperature geochemistry, largely applied to magmatic processes seen in volcanoes and their sources. He and his students engage projects in Brazil, Oregon, and Texas, as well as the Wichita Mountains.
The field trip to the mountains will survey its diverse rocks and examine evidence of the powerful geologic processes that shaped them. We’ll explore attributes of its volcanic origins, its sedimentary cover, and the evolution of its landforms. This trip will involve minimal walking (a few 10s of feet from the van), and we will be eating lunch early at Meers Store and Restaurant.
This lecture is a brief examination of 20 years of war in Afghanistan. The United States invaded Afghanistan in 2001, right after the September 11 terrorist attacks, and toppled the Taliban government in a matter of weeks. Then it began the project of building a democratic state in its place. The war on terror in Afghanistan turned into a massive state-building project and a lengthy conflict. The project in Afghanistan ended with the collapse of the Afghanistan Republic in 2021 after a hasty US withdrawal. Why did the U.S.-built state collapse so fast? What went wrong for the U.S. in its intervention in Afghanistan?
Presenter: Mohsen Jalali is an Assistant Professor of political science at MSU Texas. His research focuses on politics and conspiracy theories. He conducted over 16 months of field research in Afghanistan from 2017 to 2019. Currently, he is working on a book project titled Politics is Conspiracy: Everyday Political Conversations in Afghanistan.
PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO CLASS SCHEDULED ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 AT 10AM
THE KENNEDY FAMILY--TRAGEDIES OR CURSE: A SAFETY ANALYSIS OF THE PLANE CRASH THAT KILLED JFK JR, KENNEDY’S WIFE, CAROLYN BESSETTE, AND SISTER-IN-LAW, LAUREN BASSETTE
Every family experiences tragedies in life but when your name is Kennedy and your “tragedies” continually happen year after year and decade after decade; you start to wonder if your family is cursed? This class will look at one of these tragedies; the death of John F. Kennedy Jr on July 16, 1999. Kennedy, his wife Carolyn Bessette and sister-in-law Lauren Bessette, perished when the light aircraft he was piloting crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. The circumstances and events leading up to the crash will be examined to ultimately reveal the findings and causes of this tragic accident.
Presenter: Bill Smith has 37 years of aviation experience in safety management and accident investigation, education, and instruction. He was assigned as Chief of Safety for two major USAF bases with extensive experience in management of safety programs, investigations and reporting on flight, ground and weapons mishaps. He has over 5,000 hours total flight time in civilian and military aircraft to include the T-37, T-38, A-10, F-16, L-39 and multiple small aircraft. Bill is currently working as a T-38C simulator and academic instructor at Sheppard AFB and civilian flight instructor at Kickapoo Airport.
In 2000, a group of dedicated people met with the objective of preserving the heritage of North Texas, and the Museum of North Texas History was born. The Lindemann Building was originally the operations center for a bank, and over the years, volunteers made modifications to utilize the space for a museum. One of our exhibit halls is the Ralph O. Harvey, Jr. Exhibit Hall. Ralph Harvey was a civic leader and true philanthropist, and he manifested a passion for the history of North Texas. He conducted a great deal of research, and he supported many historical organizations, including the Museum of North Texas History. Our other large exhibit hall is Heritage Hall, and we have 15 other display rooms and spaces. Our Permanent Collections and other temporary exhibits ensure there is a lot to see all year round. Jeremy Davis, the new director, has a passion for history and loves the many stories he has come across on his quest for historical memorabilia.
From the early cattle ranches and farms to the coming of the railroad and the discovery of oil in our area, Archer and Clay Counties have a colorful and rich history of contribution to the life of North Texas. This session will explore a few of the many tales (true and maybe not so much) and individuals that contributed The presenter is fifth-generation Archer County and sixth-generation Clay County and works with his family to preserve their longtime heritage in our area, including a special love for cowboy poetry and song.
Presenter: Dr. J. Robert Parkey, MD MTS HMDC is a geriatrician and palliative medicine physician and rancher. He received his doctorate in medicine from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and his Master of Theological Studies from the University of Dallas in Irving.
This is a talk exploring the lives of a British and an American travelers, Edith O'Shaughnessy and Rose E. King, who spent some time in Mexico during the Mexican Revolution. Their lives are fascinating because the offer you a window and a perspective uncommon in the times of the Revolution, that of a foreign woman in Mexico. Also, it’s interesting to contrast the experiences of both women, one, the wife of a diplomat with a comfortable life during difficult times, and the other one the widow of a business man who navigates by herself, with her two children, a very dangerous time in History.
Presenter: Dr. Claudia Montoya did her Bachelor’s degree at the Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla in Mexico. She taught Spanish at the High School and Middle School levels in Puebla, Mexico, for eight years, and the was admitted to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to do her PhD. There she was a Graduate Teaching Assistant for six years. After completing her doctoral studies, she started to work at Midwestern State University in 2002. In total, she has about 36 years of experience in the teaching field. She has numerous presentations and conference presentations in the areas of Latin American Literature, culture, and general language. Her most recent publication is a book chapter titled: ‘Language, an Inextricable part of who you are’, published in coordination with the University of West Virginia.
PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO CLASS SCHEDULED ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 AT 10AM
BIRDS IN ART
This presentation will share real-world information about birds and how to identify them, and connect with the works on display as part of the Birds in Art exhibition at the WFMA. We will talk about how the birds are represented in artwork from the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum’s annual Birds in Art show, and why birds remain popular subjects for painting, drawing, and sculpture.
Presenter: Dr. Marcy Brown Marsden is Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Midwestern State University (MSU Texas). She previously served as a dean of the McCoy College of Science, Mathematics and Engineering at MSU Texas. As a field biologist, she has worked in partnership with local, state, and national organizations at the interface between science and society, with applications toward birds and conservation in Alaska, on Alcatraz Island, in Costa Rica, and worked with the rare nonphotosynthetic orchid Hexalectris in Texas. She has consulted for museums and nature centers, including the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, and Dallas Museum of Art.
MRO in aviation stands for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul. It encompasses all activities and services necessary to ensure that aircraft remain airworthy and operate efficiently and safely. The MRO industry is critical for airline operations. MRO services can be provided by the airlines themselves (in-house MRO) or by specialized third-party companies (outsourced MRO). The industry is highly regulated, with stringent standards and certifications required to ensure safety and compliance with aviation authorities.
Presenter: Val De Jesus is the Operations Manager at Pratt and Whitney Canada Component Repair, located in Wichita Falls, Texas. He is originally from the beautiful Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico and relocated from south Texas to Wichita Falls in 2017 where he still lives to this day. He has been married to his wife Maira for 16 years and have two beautiful children, Valentina, a sophomore at Memorial High School and Azael, a freshman at Midwestern State University (MSU). He attends Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish and his faith is anchored in Mark 9:23, “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Before joining Pratt and Whitney, he held various Engineering and Operations roles with General Electric Aviation in McAllen, Texas.
Presenter: Anthony K. Louis is the Engineering Manager at Pratt and Whitney Canada Component Repair, located in Wichita Falls, Texas. He is from the beautiful Caribbean Island of St. Lucia and migrated to Wichita Falls in 1995 where he still lives to this day. He has been married to his wife Renee for 21 years and have two beautiful children, William, a senior at the University of North Texas and Melania, a freshman at Midwestern State University. He attends New Harvest Church of Wichita Falls where he served as the youth minister and the Assistant Pastor. Before joining Pratt and Whitney, he was a high school teacher for two years at Corinth Secondary School in St. Lucia, where he coached Volleyball and taught Physics and Mathematics.
Bob shares the last of his funny (?) Vietnam stories. These are the final ones he remembers that are appropriate for mixed company and don’t end with “…but you had to be there!”
Connor again? (only 3 times). Are those headlights? Frisky? Come find out what’s so funny and have a laugh or two on us!
Presenter: Bob Gamber tried to sit quietly in the back corner of the LLC, but since his presentation on Major John Duffy, many of you now talk to him, but he is getting used to it! Born and raised in New Jersey near Philadelphia (I know—I’m sorry), he was happily working as an assistant buyer at Gimbel Brothers when he was drafted. He was certain he’d hate the Army. He went through OCS at Ft. Sill and flight school in Mineral Wells and Savannah. To his surprise, the Army wasn’t that bad so he stayed for 23 years.
Captain Bovenkerk regularly flies with student pilots in a 2-seat trainer aircraft and instructs the basics of military flying, navigation, and formation procedures in the T-6A Texan II. When he isn’t training pilots as an instructor, his job title within the 80 Flying Training Wing is “Deputy Director of A3S”. Explanation: He works on the Wing Commander’s Staff supporting the operations and scheduling of their fleet of aircraft and flight simulators.
Presenter: Captain James Bovenkerk is the Deputy Director, A3S, 80th Flying Training Wing, Sheppard AFB, Texas. The wing consists of more than 1,300 military, civilian and contract personnel, and has over 200 military aircraft. Capt Bovenkerk supports the operations and scheduling of 55,000 sorties and 66,000 hours annually for the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) program. ENJJPT is the world’s only internationally manned and managed undergraduate pilot training program, in which 14 NATO nations participate: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. Capt Bovenkerk commissioned as a distinguished graduate from Texas A&M University in 2020. He graduated from ENJJPT in 2022 and was assigned as a First Assignment Instructor Pilot flying the T-6A Texan II. As a rated pilot, Capt Bovenkerk has more than 550 flight hours.
This presentation is about looking at social and ethical issues pertaining to technology. We will discuss the ways in which ubiquitous computing technology poses ethical questions, moral problems and dilemmas. Topics critically important to information and communication technology, such as privacy, intellectual property, and professional ethics, will be discussed through case studies.
Presenter: Lopamudra Roychoudhuri holds a PhD degree in Computer Science from DePaul University, Chicago, IL. Some of her research interests are in the areas of Computer and Network Security, Computer Networking, Machine Learning, Data Mining and Database Management. She has been teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels for over twenty years. This is her third year at Midwestern State University. She also has fourteen years of experience in the IT industry, where she designed and administered large databases for Fortune 500 clients, and programmed on many platforms. She is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and a member of the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)².