Special to the
Opelika Observer
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Auburn University (OLLI at Auburn) will host its lecture series entitled “Wisdom Wednesday’s” on Jan. 30 and Feb. 6 from 2:30-4 p.m. at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art which is located at 901 S. College St. in Auburn.
OLLI members, guests and friends are all invited to learn more about OLLI at Auburn course offerings, social engagements and initiatives.
On Jan. 30 David Newton will provide OLLI at Auburn with a presentation entitled “The Economic Impact of Climate Change.”
Newton, a Mississippi native, attended the University of Mississippi where he received B.B.A., B.S., M.B.A., and Ph.D. degrees. Following military service and education at the University of Mississippi, he taught at the University of Houston and came to Auburn University in 1974. At Auburn, he served as Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Care Systems, as Director of Continuing Education, and as Assistant Dean of the School of Pharmacy. He retired in August of 1995 and continues to live in Auburn.
Newton’s interest in government came into focus when he returned to Ole Miss in the fall of 1962, along with James Meredith, the first African-American to attend Ole Miss. The events that followed made him much more aware of social justice, of the importance of citizen action, and of fair, honest and open government. In addition, his interest in conservation and the environment began during the countless hours spent along the bayous and in the woods near the home of his youth in northwest Mississippi. In retirement, he and his late wife Raye traveled extensively, visiting all seven continents, concentrating on natural history.
Newton is a member of several national, state, and local environmental organizations, and has been a volunteer activist for all of them and in leadership positions for some. For 11 years, on behalf of the Alabama Water Watch program at Auburn, he performed monthly chemical tests of the water in Saugahatchee Creek in North Auburn. For several years, he chaired the legislative committee of Sierra Club’s Alabama Chapter. He has also organized numerous classes on the environment for OLLI.
He organized his first of several OLLI classes on climate change in spring 2008.
On Feb. 6, author Steve Flowers will discuss his book “Of Goats and Governors” with OLLI members and guests, exploring Alabama politics-past and present.
Flowers, a Troy native, was a page in the Alabama Legislature at age 12 and worked at the capitol throughout high school. At the University of Alabama, he served in the Student Senate and graduated in 1974 with a degree in political science and history. At age 30, he was elected State Representative from Pike County. He was re-elected four times and retired in 1998 with a perfect attendance record for 16 consecutive years.
His House colleagues honored him as outstanding freshman member in 1982, most ethical member in 1988, and most outstanding member in 1992.
In 2002, Flowers began writing on Alabama politics. Today, his weekly column appears in more than 60 newspapers. In addition, his weekly radio show on Alabama politics is heard statewide on Alabama Public Radio, and he is the political analyst for the University of Alabama Radio and TV Network.
Flowers has also analyzed Alabama politics for state, national, and international television audiences on CBS, PBS, ABC and the British Broadcasting Network.
OLLI at Auburn offers academic not for credit programs for adults aged 50 years or older through program sites at Auburn University, AUM in Montgomery and the Chambers County Public Library in Valley.
Membership includes several benefits such as participation in social engagements, our lecture series, day trips, and other programming initiatives.
OLLI at Auburn is a program of the Office of the Vice President for University Outreach at Auburn University. OLLI administrative offices and select classes are located at the historic Sunny Slope property which is located at 1031 S. College St. in Auburn.
For more information regarding this event or if you would like to assist the organization as a volunteer faculty member, volunteer service assistant, or sponsor, call Ileeia A. Cobb, Ph.D., OLLI Director, at 334-844-3105, email olli@auburn.edu , or visit www.olliatauburn.org.