BEMIDJI, Minn. (August 12, 2010) — Bemidji State University’s Optivation venture will sponsor eight Adventures in Lifelong Learning lectures this fall on topics ranging from the glacial geology of north-central Minnesota to nature photography to an examination of China’s emergence as a world power.

The fall lecture series begins Tuesday, Sept. 21 and runs weekly through Tuesday, Nov. 9. The presentations will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. at Optivation’s off-campus facility at 3801 Bemidji Ave. N. in Bemidji.

The organization will also hold an Adventures in Lifelong Learning Fall Conference in collaboration with the Park Rapids Area Headwaters Lifelong Learning Center and the Bagley Area Northern Exposure to Lifelong Learning. This conference will be held Oct. 14-15 and feature speakers Art Lee, professor emeritus of history at Bemidji State University, and Janet Jacobson.

Adventures in Lifelong Learning was formerly known as the Academy of Lifelong Learning. The organization’s board of directors voted unanimously over the summer to transition the branding of the organization away from a formal classroom experience to reflect a less intimidating adult learning style.

Adventures in Lifelong Learning is organized exclusively to provide opportunities for continuing education in the Bemidji area. The program intends to help participants improve critical thinking skills and to appreciate the diversity of human experience through varied and lively discussions.

Fall 2010 Adventures in Lifelong Learning schedule:
Sept. 21: “Why People Don’t Like Music,” Dr. Fulton Gallagher, professor emeritus of music, Bemidji State University.
Sept. 28: “An Introduction to Latin America: Wealth, Poverty, Class,” Dr. M.J. Hrenchir, professor of history, Bemidji State University.
Oct. 5: “Providers Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment: Filling a Gap in the End of Life Care for Patients and Health Care Professionals,” Dr. Bill Dicks, Sanford Clinic, and Mark Papke-Larson, chaplain, North Country Health Services.
Oct. 12: “Glacial Geology of North-Central Minnesota,” Bob Melchoir, professor emeritus of geology, Bemidji State University.
Oct. 14-15: Adventures in Lifelong Learning Fall Conference.
Oct. 19: “Nature Photography: An Excuse to Travel,” Cal Rice, owner, Rice Photography.
Oct. 26: “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: Preserving Our Heritage,” Wanda Hoyum, executive director, Beltrami County Historical Society.
Nov. 2: “How Scary Are Dragons: China’s Reemergence as a World Power,” Robert Ley, professor of economics, Bemidji State University.
Nov. 9: “Coming Home: Veterans in History,” J. Thomas Murphy, professor of history, Bemidji State University.

For more information, contact Optivation at (218) 755-4900 or optivation@bemidjistate.edu.