Upcoming Courses

Once feared to be in its final days, professional baseball is now thriving in Beloit under new ownership, with a new downtown stadium and a curious new name. Bob Villarreal, a veteran since the team’s days as the Snappers, has seen it all firsthand. He has unique insights into how Beloit’s Sky Carp were “hatched” and continue to flourish.

While the legislative landscape in Wisconsin has been shaken up by redistricting, the 2025-2026 Legislative Session has still seen partisanship take center stage as state legislative leadership navigates narrowed majorities, President Trump returns to the White House, and Republicans in Congress use their new majorities to reshape the federal budget. Senator Spreitzer will review the 2025-2026 legislative session so far, including the state budget, major legislative initiatives, and his advocacy on behalf of the 15th senate district. The senator will provide his perspective on the ways that the changes at the federal level have impacted state governance and policy.

John will discuss the checks and balances in the U.S. constitution, including the separation of powers, and how they are supposed to work and how they may be falling short in practice.

Mr. Combs will present the history of the Beloit YMCA Boys Choir. He will be speaking on the choir’s beginnings in the downtown YMCA, including the many travels of the choir, the directors and chaperones, along with the many travels of the choir. Through photos and songs, he’ll discuss the pop bottle pickups along with newspaper pickups and candy sales to fund the trips.

Women have distinguished themselves throughout history in the military across all branches, often balancing professional demands with family responsibilities, navigating gender biases and proving their leadership in high pressure environments. As U.S. Army Nurse Officers, the presenters are honored to share insights into the vital role women play in the military, highlighting their experiences, accomplishments, and unique challenges. Their stories reflect resilience and adaptability, and the presenters hope to foster a greater appreciation for the services and sacrifices of women in uniform.

Experience what it might feel like to live with dementia and navigate the world. Dementia Live is an experiential, evidence-informed program that immerses participants into the world of dementia. In learning about altered abilities and environmental modifications, the audience will gain a firsthand look into the challenges facing someone with a dementia diagnosis. After the short break, Karen will talk about current research and medications now available and on the horizon related to dementia diagnosis, care, and treatment before opening up discussion.

Dr. Karne will discuss the evolution of surgery and the transition of surgery from open to laparoscopic to robotic. The talk will outline some of the advantages of robotic surgery and what it means for the future of healthcare. He will discuss how robotic surgery is not only better for patients having surgery, but also better for the surgeons performing it.

Do you get calls, emails, or texts asking for personal information and are unsure what’s legit? You’re not alone! Moucha and Griffin are here to ensure your financial safety. During this session we’ll explain the different ways scammers try to steal people’s information, common tricks they use, and what to look out for. Most importantly, we’ll teach people simple steps they can take to keep their money and sensitive information safe.

STE, also known as Stainless Tank & Equipment, LLC, manufactures stainless steel tank trailers that are used for transporting a wide variety of bulk liquids, including milk, liquid sugar and liquid chocolate, cooking oils, as well as non-hazardous and hazardous chemicals. STE has been owned by Hendricks Holding Company, Inc. since 2006. It was founded by Ken and Diane Hendricks and is rooted in Beloit, WI.

Many academics and journalists have recently reported that some people in China have responded to recent actions of the Trump administration not in confusion, as in Europe and elsewhere, but with the reaction that the Trump era is similar to Mao’s Cultural Revolution of 1966-76. Prof. Rapp will examine the causes and nature of the Cultural Revolution and its continuing legacy in modern China, before opening discussion on the similarities and differences between China and the U.S.