Many consider Abraham Lincoln to be America's greatest president, but his life, his beliefs and his actions still provoke questions and debate even today. This seminar will take a close look at the life and times of the 16th president, utilizing the voluminous body of research and writing about him. How did his humble origins in the western borderland between North and South, together with the unusual qualities of personal character and insight that many came to see in him, lead to a life of profound significance for America and for the world?

Moderator Paul Cooper presents a firsthand account of his service as an Air Force airlift commander deployed to the Middle East for seven months during Operation Desert Storm (1990–1991). Originally mobilized for what was expected to be a 30-day mission, Cooper will discuss the challenges of extended deployment for reservists, the unique experiences of military chaplains, and daily life in a tent city. The seminar also explores flying missions through oil fires and entering Kuwait City, offering participants a vivid veteran’s perspective on service in the desert.

America's History Museums began modestly before the Civil War but flourished after the American Centennial Celebration in Philadelphia in 1876. Along the way they refined what they collected and how they interpreted those objects to their visitors. Today they are by far the largest subcategory of museums, much more numerous than museums of art, science and natural history. And they have moved from almost religious worship of the founding fathers to careful professional storytelling and the tackling of issue and ideas embedded in the American story. Now instead of static displays of "cabinets of curiosities", museums use artifacts large and small, common and rare, as well as audio, video, graphics, and live interpreters to tell tales of life in the past.

Adopted at the age of three and a half, Angie Hoschouer Berghuis reminisces about her earliest childhood memories including time spent at Shawen Acres as one of the last group of children to live at that facility; her foster parents’ home where she recalls a red tractor and a purple room; and her drive to find her biological parents as a teenager and adult. Angie will share with you the harsh realities of her childhood circumstances and how she came to find both of her biological parents.

Through modern archeology today we have gained new knowledge that greatly expands our perspective on the ancient world. We'll look at six case studies: Schliemann at Troy (1870); Evans at Knossos (1900); Carter at King Tut's tomb (1923); the Gnostic Gospels at Nag Hammadi (1945); the Dead Sea Scrolls at Qumran (1947); and Connolly's reinterpretation of the Parthenon Frieze (2014).

Discover long-lost cities, explore towering pyramids, and peer into ancient tombs. Experience an archaeological adventure designed to answer core questions from the discipline. How do archaeologists know where to search? What is the proper way to excavate? How are sites dated? What information do artifacts reveal? We'll meet charismatic people, learn the tools of the trade, and wrestle with the ethics of studying past cultures. Our travels take us to exotic places like ancient Mesoamerica, imperial China, and the Nile Valley. Finally, we'll arrive back in Ohio to uncover our own region’s fascinating history.

Moderator Allan Howey presents a comprehensive survey of Gettysburg, the costliest battle of the American Civil War. This two-hour seminar examines the broader campaign leading up to the battle, the key events on each of the three days of fighting, and the immediate aftermath. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of strategic/tactical decisions, personalities, casualties, and the battle's lasting significance.

Breaking Open the Sin of Racism is an 8-part video series by scholars at the University of Dayton and Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School. The video series and discussion guide are prepared for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for use by faith-organizations. The series begins with a macro global and historical examination of race and racism. Then progresses to a micro examination of the interpersonal impact of race and racism. Mary Beth plans to provide ample time for small and large group sharing during this seminar. Mary Beth has moderated this seminar at St. Charles Borromeo Church and in Spring 2025 at UDOLLI.

Charles Kettering was so near-sighted that he had difficulty reading; as he once remarked, “I thought a lot.” And he thought about big ideas. Hired by Dayton’s NCR in 1904, Kettering electrified the cash register, earning one of the earliest among his 186 patents. His most significant invention was the automotive self-starter, which replaced the hazardous hand-crank starter. A Dayton resident, he served as General Motors’ Vice President for Research from 1920 to 1947. During that time, he helped develop fast-drying automotive paint, high-octane gasoline, air-conditioning, the diesel locomotive, and much more. He became a national spokesman for science and technology and appeared on the cover of Time magazine in 1933. His guiding belief: “Believe and act like it is impossible to fail.”

Explore the intersection of Dayton's history and the shadowy world of George Koval, the American-born Soviet spy codenamed "Delmar," who infiltrated the Manhattan Project and altered the course of the nuclear arms race. The two-hour seminar will unravels Koval’s life as a Soviet spy in Dayton, the programs that he accessed, and his escape to Russia. We will discuss his hidden motivations to commit espionage and his profound but largely covert impact on the United States' post-World War II spy hunts.

The last half of the 19th Century witnessed rapid change in the Frontier West. The pony express, stage coach, transcontinental railroad and telegraph enabled settlers in Oregon and the California mining camps to be connected to the East. As the buffalo slowly disappeared from the Great Plains this 'Great American Desert' was quickly filled with cattle ranchers and homesteaders that were looking for new opportunities. The nomadic life of the Native Americans was curtailed as Geronimo, Sitting Bull, and Chief Joseph were inspirational leaders at the end of this age. The new cities of Denver, Seattle, Cheyenne and others grew out of the frontier wilderness.

Moderator Bill Schuerman explores the rise of monumental cathedrals, basilicas, and abbeys as civilization re-emerged in medieval Europe. These extraordinary structures reflect centuries of faith, ambition, artistic achievement, and engineering ingenuity. The seminar examines why these buildings were constructed, the religious, civic, and cultural purposes they served, and how they were designed to endure across generations. Participants will gain insight into the historical context, architectural innovations, and human vision that shaped some of Europe’s most enduring and awe-inspiring landmarks.

Genealogy is a fascinating field that goes far beyond simply recording names and dates, constructing family trees, or searching for records online. It is deeply rooted in people, history, stories, and memories. Genealogy does not require extensive ancestral information to begin; rather, it is an open invitation to learn about yourself, your family, your community, and history as a whole.

Participants will visit and tour six historic and architecturally significant houses of worship in the Dayton area, with one site visited each week. Hosts at each church or temple will share insights into the building’s history, architectural features, interior artwork and statuary, and the cultural or ethnic heritage of the original congregation, as well as the composition of the community today. Where appropriate, clergy or staff may also discuss notable historical figures associated with the site and reflect on current challenges facing their faith community.

The Dayton Foundation, the region's largest community foundation, has been helping you help others locally and around the world since 1921. We will discuss how we provide unmatched services, resources, support and counsel to help individuals achieve their charitable giving goals. We'll touch on how we assist non-profits by funding important initiatives and offer our expertise to help them operate more effectively and how we're helping to build a better community by identifying important issues and bringing together people and organizations who can solve them.

Nearly every poll of presidential scholars ranks Franklin D. Roosevelt among the top five American presidents—most often in the top three. This two-hour Zoom seminar examines why FDR commands such enduring respect. The discussion begins with the idea that presidential greatness is forged through extraordinary challenges, placing Roosevelt alongside George Washington and Abraham Lincoln at pivotal moments in U.S. history. The first hour explores FDR’s background and the personal and political trials that prepared him to lead the nation through the Great Depression. The second hour focuses on his final two terms, as he guided the United States and its allies through World War II. The seminar concludes with a balanced assessment of Roosevelt’s achievements, limitations, and lasting legacy.

Are you perplexed by the seemingly ever evolving and expanding acronym: LGBTQIA+? What do all those letters stand for, and why are some hospitals and doctors’ offices now asking about this? What’s the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity? Are sex and gender the same thing, or is there a difference? Is there really a “gay lifestyle” or culture? And why is there such a focus on people who are Transgender in today’s political climate?

In this seminar, all these questions will be addressed, and more. LGBTQ+ historical and cultural issues will be explored, and issues related to implicit biases and stereotypes will be examined. We will also examine US public policy, past and present, and its effects on people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or Intersex. Participants are encouraged to ask questions and engage in healthy discussions.

Participants will tour the Michael and Debbie Carter Center for American History at Sinclair Community College and explore Our American Journey, an immersive exhibit dedicated to telling underrepresented stories of Black history in the United States. Through artifacts, multimedia displays, and curated narratives, the Center highlights the experiences, contributions, and resilience of African Americans from the era of enslavement through the civil rights movement and beyond. This guided experience invites participants to engage with historical stories that may be unfamiliar, offering new perspectives on the nation’s past and its ongoing journey toward equity and justice.

For 65 years, American Peace Corps volunteers have ventured forth and devoted two or more years of their lives to developing countries around the world. This seminar will feature several guest speakers telling their stories of service, travel, adventure, heartache, and success. There will be new speakers, mostly from new countries other than those explored in spring of 2025. Count on hearing moving tales of human connections that changed the volunteers´ lives and have enriched our country as well.

Participants will read and discuss Right Thing, Right Now by Ryan Holiday, a thought-provoking exploration of justice as the foundation of a virtuous life. Drawing on Stoic philosophy, Holiday argues that courage, wisdom, and self-discipline begin with a commitment to doing what is right—especially when it is difficult. Through compelling stories of historical figures such as Marcus Aurelius, Florence Nightingale, Gandhi, Jimmy Carter, and Frederick Douglass, the book examines the power of integrity, honesty, and moral conviction. Each session will focus on several chapters, encouraging reflection and discussion on how these timeless principles can be applied to personal life and the challenges of the modern world.

This six -session seminar explores the history and impact of mental health institutions. Through a series of documentary viewings and discussions, participants will examine how society has defined and responded to mental illness, from the rise of asylums to the transition toward community-based care. The seminar highlights the experiences of those who lived and worked within institutional settings and considers how cultural attitudes, policy decisions, and treatment practices have shaped mental health care over time. Each session encourages critical thinking about the balance between care and control, the ethics of institutional treatment, and how the legacy of these systems continues to influence modern mental health approaches.

It took over 70 years of political activism for women in the United States to obtain the legal right to vote. As one historian has noted, this was one of the longest, most successful and most radical challenges ever posed to the American system of electoral politics. How did the suffragists achieve this victory, what obstacles did they face, what have been the impacts of the female vote, and what is the current status of the women's vote? These are some of the topics to be covered in this seminar.