Lecture series for adults age 55 and older continues in October

Mural Arts bus tour also offered later in the month

On Oct. 2, Christos Karfakis, a contemporary photo-historian, will send SAGE lecture attendees back in time while presenting “The Evolution of Photography,” from the ever-popular selfie to caves and ancient metallurgy. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. -- Senior Adults Gaining Enrichment (SAGE), an outreach program of Penn State Lehigh Valley for adults age 55 and older, will continue its fall lecture series on Oct. 2

Each SAGE session is held on a Friday and begins with coffee at 10:30 a.m., the featured speaker at 11 a.m., and is followed by lunch at noon. All SAGE lectures are held in room 135 at Penn State Lehigh Valley located at 2809 Saucon Valley Road in Center Valley.

On Oct. 2, Christos Karfakis, a contemporary photo-historian, will send attendees back in time while presenting “The Evolution of Photography,” from the ever-popular selfie to caves and ancient metallurgy. This will be an intergenerational lecture with Penn State Lehigh Valley undergraduate art students in attendance as well. Karfakis will describe how photography came to be so important in people’s daily lives.

Karfakis has amassed a remarkable collection of cameras and images that have enabled him to further study and understand the history of photography. The time spent collecting and studying have enabled Karfakis to map the evolution of photography from its humble beginnings to the advent of social media.

Karfakis is a master on how photography was invented and he relishes the opportunity to reach and inform audiences on how photography impacts daily life in Western culture today. He is a member of The Photographic Historical Society based in Rochester, New York, and he has been a proud and valued member of the Daguerreian Society since 1994.

Other upcoming SAGE lectures include:

  • Nov. 6: "Enacting Racism: Clarence Thomas, Anita Hill, Character and the Constitution" presented by Michele Ramsey, associate professor of communication arts and sciences and women’s studies at Penn State Berks. 
  • Dec. 4: "The Slinky and Other Human Powered Toys" presented by Bob Swaim, retired math teacher-turned-entertainer.

The cost per lecture is $20. Lunch is included. To register, contact Diane McAloon at 610-285-5066 or dmcaloon@psu.edu.

The mission of SAGE is to encourage intellectual and cultural enrichment for seniors, age 55 and older, by providing a stimulating college-level lecture, workshop, and seminar environment through a self-funded, self-directed, and member-driven program.

Upcoming Philadelphia Mural Arts bus tour:

On Saturday, Oct. 24, Penn State Lehigh Valley will offer a bus tour of the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, known as “The World’s Largest Outdoor Art Gallery.” This tour is offered to both SAGE members and to the public. Participants will learn details about the murals, artists and history of the diverse communities that serve as a backdrop to this unique art form.

The bus will depart campus at 8:30 a.m. and leave Philadelphia at 4:30 p.m. The day includes four hours of free time to enjoy the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts ($10 admission), or to tour the local area. The cost is $50 per person, which includes the two-hour tour. For more information, contact Diane McAloon at 610-285-5066 or dmcaloon@psu.edu.

Last Updated September 22, 2015