Untitled design (4).png
In partnership with the Lake Oswego Public Library and Key Bank, the Senior Scholar Program offers free, engaging academic classes designed especially for older adults. Explore topics in history, humanities, science, and technology while connecting with peers and nurturing a lifelong love of learning. Space is limited—registration is required.
- Location: LO Adult Community Center
- Cost: Free for all participants
- Registration Required: Call (503) 635-3758
- Early registration is encouraged due to limited seating.
Upcoming Fall 2026 Lectures
The Neurobiology of Awe: Reshaping the Aging Brain
Thursday, September 10 • 10–11:30 a.m.
Location: LO Adult Community Center
Presented by Dr. Lynne Shinto, Professor of Neurology at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)
Uncover the transformative power of wonder and its tangible biological impacts. Dr. Lynne Shinto walks us through how intentional, everyday moments of awe physically reshape the neural architecture of the aging brain. Discover the fascinating science behind how experiencing wonder sparks fresh neural pathways, lowers cellular inflammation, and actively stimulates cognitive vitality to keep our minds sharp and resilient.
About the Instructor:
Dr. Lynne Shinto is a Professor of Neurology at OHSU, focusing on neurological health, brain longevity, and integrative medical approaches to cognitive well-being.
Course ID: 34834 – Free
Chinese Cowboys of the American West: A Forgotten Legacy
Tuesday, October 6 • 10–11:30 a.m.
Location: LO Adult Community Center
Presented by Dale Hom, Author and Historical Researcher
Step onto the rugged, untamed frontier to uncover a vital yet frequently overlooked chapter of American heritage. Through meticulous historical research and vibrant archival illustrations, author Dale Hom brings the deeply impactful legacy of Chinese cowboys to life. Explore how these resilient individuals shaped the ranching industries and livestock traditions of the 19th-century American West despite structural and cultural hurdles.
About the Instructor:
Dale Hom is a dedicated author and researcher who specializes in unearthing and preserving marginalized histories and cultural narratives of the early American West.
Course ID: 34829 – Free
Linguistic Archaeology: The Story of Chinook Jargon
Thursday, November 5 • 10–11:30 a.m.
Location: LO Adult Community Center
Presented by David Douglas Robertson, PhD, Linguist and Historian
Unlock the profound linguistic history hidden within the early Pacific Northwest landscape. Dr. David Douglas Robertson guides us through a fascinating linguistic deep dive into Chinook Jargon, the historic trade language that blended Indigenous and European tongues. Learn how this unique hybrid form of communication served as a cultural bridge and vital economic lifeline that fundamentally shaped the early communities of the Willamette Valley.
About the Instructor:
Dr. David Douglas Robertson is an expert linguist and leading authority on Pacific Northwest languages, specializing in the historical preservation of regional dialects.
Course ID: 34830 – Free
The Carbon Footprint of the Cloud: Data, AI, and the Environment
Thursday, December 3 • 10–11:30 a.m.
Location: LO Adult Community Center
Presented by Dr. Christof Teuscher, Professor at Portland State University (PSU)
Look behind the digital curtain of our hyper-connected lives. PSU Professor Dr. Christof Teuscher reveals the immense, often invisible environmental impact of the massive data centers and straining power grids that fuel our daily internet use and the current AI boom. This talk breaks down the physical resource realities of modern technology and offers practical frameworks for practicing sustainable digital stewardship in our personal lives.
About the Instructor:
Dr. Christof Teuscher is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at PSU, researching next-generation computing architectures and the intersection of technology and sustainability.
Course ID: 34892 – Free
Program Highlights
- Diverse Course Offerings: Explore wide-ranging topics that stimulate curiosity and broaden understanding.
- Engaging Learning Environment: Lectures encourage thoughtful discussion and shared insights.
- Community Connection: Build relationships with fellow lifelong learners.
- Expert Instructors: Courses are taught by accomplished university scholars.
- Supports Cognitive Health & Well-Being: Lifelong learning promotes curiosity, connection, and mental vitality.
Registration Details
- Cost: Free for all participants
- Registration Required: Call (503) 635-3758
- Early registration is encouraged due to limited seating.
Past Talks
Explore recordings, resources, and summaries from previous Senior Scholar presentations:
Spring/Summer 2026 Lectures
- Who Tells the Story? (June 18, 2026)
Presented by Dr. David G. Lewis, Oregon State University. Discover how Native histories are researched and reconstructed through federal archives. Highlights the importance of Indigenous perspectives and representation in reshaping historical narratives.
OSU Faculty Profile | PSU Profile | NDN History Research Website - The Global Rise of Authoritarianism (May 12, 2026)
Presented by Dr. Lindsay J. Benstead, Portland State University. Discover the global forces shaping democracy today, including democratic backsliding, election interference, and the rise of authoritarian leaders worldwide.
PSU Faculty Profile | Wilson Center Profile - Social Media & Society (June 9, 2026)
Presented by Donna Z. Davis, Ph.D., University of Oregon. Explore how social media has transformed relationships, civic life, and community, highlighting isolation, algorithm-driven polarization, and structural platform decline.
UO Faculty Profile | Oregon Reality Lab - CANCELLED - Protest in America (March 17, 2026)
Presented by Dr. Patricia A. Schechter, Portland State University. An planned in-depth conversation about the history of protest movements, civic engagement, and social activism within the United States.
PSU Faculty Profile
Archive Links