2024-25 LIFE@Lynchburg Annual Membership. Sessions begin Sept. 11.

Fall 2024 LIFE@Lynchburg semester membership. Sessions run Sept. 11 - Nov. 20

Presented by Dr. Woody Greenberg '06 HAA, Dick Whitehead, and Bar Delk. As we mark the 55th anniversary of Hurricane Camille making landfall in the U.S., Dr. Woody Greenberg, Dick Whitehead, and Bar Delk will give a comprehensive look at the storm's devastation and lasting impact on Nelson County through stories, photos, and videos.

Presented by Rev. Roger Dowdy '70. Roger’s LIFE@Lynchburg presentation will focus on “Peacebuilding Intersections” through the Arts, Artists, and Spirituality.

Presented by Jay Brooks. Old City Cemetery Museums and Arboretum Executive Director Jay Brooks will give a presentation on the history of the Old City Cemetery, its current programming, and what the future holds for this Lynchburg landmark.

Presented by Ted Delaney, Carolyn Eubank '67, and Heidi Koring '09 HAA. This presentation will focus on the members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) who settled in this area in large numbers in the mid-eighteenth century.

Presented by Marjette Upshur. "How to sell a City” from a homegrown Economic Development & Tourism Director: This session will provide an overview of the strategy and tools used to market and promote the City, attract and retain businesses and visitors, and engage existing and new residents, thereby boosting the local economy and enhancing the City’s overall appeal.

Presented by Dr. David Richards The 2024 election cycle has had a lot of drama already at the national and local level, including a bruising primary season and court cases that ended up with guilty verdicts. What will all of this mean for the November elections? Will there be issues that will drive people to the polls or will dissatisfaction with the choices keep them away? Join Assistant Professor of Political Science David Richards as he unpacks the 2024 election season.

Presented by Perry Payne Millner ‘86 and Peter Leonard Opera on the James (OOTJ) presents a program of selections from its fall residency of Tyler Young Artists (YAPS), and a preview of its upcoming production of Puccini’s masterpiece, “La Boheme,” November 8th and 10th at Lynchburg’s HIstoric Academy Theatre.

Presented by Dr. Ed Polloway ‘00 HAA, ‘18 DEd A comprehensive look at the history of the infamous Lynchburg Training School, including the working papers of Dr. Dave Smith and case studies and histories provided by residents of the Training Center.

Presented by April Cheek-Messier. Through period photos and individual stories of service and sacrifice, participants will discover more about the training and preparation for D-Day, how it changed the world and our region, and its continued impact today. The session will conclude with how a group of WWII veterans themselves spearheaded the making of a monument to preserve the history they helped make.

Presented by Dr. Steve Smith ‘88, ‘93 MEd The development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) began in the 1950s, but the deep learning revolution only started in 2012, and the rise of models like ChatGPT-4 is less than 18 months old. To understand the exponential growth in the size and capability of these powerful tools, we need to compare and contrast them with their precursors and differentiate between classic AI, machine learning, and our modern Generative Pre-trained Transformers. The field of AI holds tremendous promise, with advancements in machine vision and natural language processing allowing for almost limitless medical, scientific, and consumer applications. However, it’s equally important to consider the risks posed by AI development, from misuse by malicious actors to unintended consequences.

All 2024-25 session recordings will be shared weekly via emailed link.

All fall 2024 session recordings will be shared weekly via emailed link.

Seven-year membership to LIFE@Lynchburg

Lifetime membership for LIFE@Lynchburg (must be 55+ to register for lifetime membership)