Upcoming Courses

Ken Regez is best known locally for his 26-year career as a talk show host on Janesville radio. He has also appeared in theatrical productions at Beloit College, Janesville Little Theatre, and regional dinner theaters. But his real love is as a film collector and historian of vintage 16mm motion pictures. For the SLU Kick-off, Ken will share prints of comic movies from his collection, including a rarely seen Laurel and Hardy film from 1929, an Our Gang episode from 1938, a rarely-screened WWII comic film shown historically only to our fighting troops, and a cult-favorite cult cartoon from the 1960s.

Many scholars believe that Ben Franklin is the greatest American of all time. From a challenging childhood, he emerged as a Renaissance Man with significant achievements in science, political thought, writing, medicine, printing, and the list continues. We will watch portions of Ken Burns’s film, Ben Franklin. Join us as we explore this fascinating man!

This class will examine the power of writing on and around China’s sacred mountains. The class title reflects both the hundreds of stone inscriptions on those mountains and Rob’s writing about them. Having returned from China just days before this class, LaFleur will share photographs, details from his time on the peaks, and his personal challenges in completing a book manuscript about this mountain research.

In this memorable presentation, Ms. Freyr will tell us about her unique job as a Flavorist, where the worlds of science and cooking collide. Experience flavors in a whole new way and see what it takes to be a part of one of the most impactful careers in the world. It’s never too late to play with your food!

The Medicare Scholar program provides timely information about updates to the Medicare program, legal changes, benefits, different types of insurance coverage, and more. Each seminar includes a visual presentation, handouts on the topic covered and time for questions & answers at the end. The seminar will cover Original Medicare Parts A & B and what services they do and do not cover, as well as Medicare Supplements, Part D prescription drug coverage and Medicare Advantage.

Learn about the new offerings in over-the-counter hearing aids, prescription fit hearing aids, and other new items on the market targeting adults with hearing loss. Dr. Crays-Smith will help you navigate the advertising terms, the promises, and the differences between the different models that all promise to be “the best.” Participants will learn how to understand their insurance benefits, how to not get taken advantage of by internet sellers, and how to get the best hearing aids for your money. Class participants should bring their questions—we are here to help.

Amelia Earhart was a world-renowned pilot who became the first woman to fly the Atlantic and the first person to fly solo across the Pacific from Hawaii to California. But most people know her today as the famous aviatrix who never completed her around-the-world trip in 1937. What happened to Amelia and her navigator Fred Noonan on that fateful leg of her last flight? Was she simply lost at sea? Was she captured by the Japanese? Was she a spy? Join us for this presentation as we examine her Last Flight and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance in the South Pacific just before World War II with the Japanese.

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.

Homelessness is on the rise in the nation, the state of Wisconsin, and Rock County. We will explore some of the reasons for this complex and stubborn issue by taking a close look at a local solution. Family Services Next Step Family Resilience Center is located in the former Royce Elementary School, providing 18 apartments for families with children plus holistic, supportive services. We will share how this two generation trauma-informed model gets at the root causes of homelessness and helps families move toward their goals and self-sufficiency.

Dr. Townshend will present a discussion on the treatment of Cataracts and Macular Degeneration. This is a very important topic for seniors who want to maintain healthy vision.

The science of happiness has received much attention in the last 30 years. In this slide-illustrated presentation, Professor White will attempt to answer three questions. First, what determines an individual’s level of happiness? Second, why are some countries consistently happier than others? Third, how can we be happier (or less unhappy)?

Most people are unaware that Wisconsin had POW (Prisoners of War) camps during WWII and are surprised to learn that there were 39 of them having a total of approximately 20,000 POWs. This presentation will give an overview of U.S. POW camps and Wisconsin POW camps. This presentation tells interesting stories of those who may have lived in a community that had a POW camp, those who worked side by side with POWs, and those who were once prisoners in a POW camp.

Greg will show films from the 2025 Film Festival and also some of the films that are being looked at for the 2026 Festival. Terrific shows!

Sherlock Holmes is one of the most famous literary characters in the world; one astute critic has called the Holmes stories “fairy tales for adults.” Does this explain Sherlock’s success as a literary character? Also famous is another detective: Inspector Morse, born of Colin Dexter’s novels but not fully realized until John Thaw played Morse on TV. What can Morse tell us about Holmes, and what can Holmes tell us about Morse?

This series about the depiction of journalism in the movies continues with an encore showing of the 1952 film noir “Deadline—U.S.A.” It stars Humphrey Bogart as a crusading newspaper editor who exposes a gangster’s crimes while trying to prevent his paper from going out of business. It also stars Ethel Barrymore and Kim Hunter.

Skelly will explore facts about Lincoln’s background and frequently asked questions about him. He will also discuss some interesting books written about him.

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.

Baby Boomers have lived through many decades of development and change: from rotary phones to smart phones, quaint downtowns to malls to Amazon, traditional patterns of life to a very diverse society, and the end of the Industrial Age to the Age of Information. Join us as we reflect on many of the changes that we have witnessed over the course of our lifetime.

Airport Director Aimee Scrima and the talented team at Propel Forward team up to regale us with “Flying High Stories.” Discover the inner workings and variety of ventures and activities at Rock County’s standout airport and the vibrant community that keeps it soaring.

“Doctors and the Draft,” 1940-1973. The first peacetime draft in the history of the United States was passed into law by Congress in 1940. Doctors was one of the occupations signaled out by the government as a “High Priority.” Join Dr. Gold to learn a bit of history and personal anecdotes from a volunteer before he was drafted. The usual fee will be waived for anyone bringing his “draft card.”

It is known in its time as the crime of the century – the infamous kidnapping and murder of the infant son of Charles A. Lindbergh in 1932. Nearly a century after Bruno Richard Hauptmann died in the electric chair, questions that even then troubled many have become more persistent. At the time, many individuals were not convinced of Hauptmann’s guilt. In the decades since, only more theories and speculations have arisen. This presentation will review the facts of the case, the manhunt for the perpetrators, and the arrest, trial, conviction, and execution of Hauptmann. Learn how Lindbergh’s actions could be considered an obstruction of justice. We will discover how recent authors have all come to a similar conclusion: the real killer may have gotten away with it.

Dr. Kramer and Monica Kramer will take a brief journey through the history of vaccines, discuss how vaccines impact individual and public health, and review current recommendations for vaccines for adults over 65. The talk will also highlight the practical benefits of staying vaccinated, such as reduced risk of hospitalization, greater independence, and improved quality of life for seniors.

Mr. Ruffini will highlight the vital role that Visit Beloit plays in driving tourism and economic growth in the Beloit, Wisconsin region. He will discuss the organization’s strategic marketing initiatives, community partnerships, and event planning efforts that attract visitors, support local businesses, and enhance the area’s cultural and recreational appeal. Through compelling data and success stories, Ruffini will illustrate how tourism serves as a powerful catalyst for regional development and community pride.

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.

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.

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.

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.