BEMIDJI, Minn. (Feb. 22, 2011) — Dr. John Annexstad, former professor at Bemidji State University, will talk about Antarctica to kick off Optivation’s Adventures in Lifelong Learning lecture series for Spring 2011.

The lecture series begins Tuesday, March 1, with Annexstad’s lecture and runs weekly through Tuesday, April 19. The presentations will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. at Optivation’s off-campus facility at 3801 Bemidji Ave. N. in Bemidji.

Annexstad’s presentation will focus on his 21 visits to Antarctica, including 10 scientific expeditions searching for meteorites as a representative of NASA and 11 visits as a lecturer on a cruise ship. The presentation will also feature photographs from Annexstad’s visits.

Annexstad’s presentation is sponsored in part by Cruise Masters of Bemidji.

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.

Spring 2011 Adventures in Lifelong Learning schedule:
March 1: “Antarctica: A Personal View,” Dr. John Annexstad, retired Bemidji State University professor.
March 8: “Pain Management for Middle Age / ‘Old’ People,” Dr. Williams Dicks, Sanford Health Center.
March 15: “Gender, Bullying and Harrassment in School,” Pauline Winge, social worker, Bemidji Middle School.
March 22: “Intergenerational and Lifelong Learning, and What BSU/NTC is Doing to Promote It,” Dr. Richard Hanson, president, Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College.
March 29: “Poor Farm,” Cecilia McKeig, Beltrami County Historical Society.
April 5: “Honey Bees: ‘Honey! Bees in the Garden’,” John Arneson and Les Hiltz, beekeepers.
April 12: “BiCAP Programming,” a panel presentation led by Deb Allison, BiCAP executive director.
April 19, “Camp Rabideau – Future and Present,” Dan Evans, director, U.S. Forest Service.

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

About Optivation
Optivation is an off-campus venture operated jointly by Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College designed to increase collaboration between the University, the college, and the business and technology sectors of the northwest Minnesota region. Staffed by veteran business and entrepreneurial professionals, Optivation delivers targeted training and education systems to help organizations succeed in a changing world. Through its affiliations with the University and the technical college, Optivation is able to tap into an unparalleled network of people and technology across the state of Minnesota.
For more information, visit Optivation at http://www.optivation.org.