Community University at West Liberty
For Lifelong Learning
Offering stimulating learning opportunities for everyone age 50 and over!
This fall, enroll in the Community University at West Liberty and take part in a classroom of like-minded adults interested in the sheer joy of learning! Community University offers enthusiast volunteer presenters and courses shaped by YOUR interests!
Classes are conveniently scheduled during the day at the WLU Highlands Center (except courses104, 105, 111 and 114). There are no entrance requirements, grades or tests — just a love of learning!
It’s easy to sign up! Fill out the registration form and return it with your tuition of $25, entitling you to enroll in as many courses as you wish during the fall term. (Please register for courses taught in a series of sessions, even though you may not be able to attend all.)
Courses & Instructors:
101 Remarkable Women: Stories of Wheeling Women Who Made a Difference, Jeanne Finstein, Ed.D. and Judi Hendrickson
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 10-11:30 a.m.
Across the span of Wheeling's history, several women have stood out as leaders in their professions, community activists, or survivors of circumstances beyond their control. This presentation will focus on the stories of a few of those women, the roles they played and the legacies they have left.
Presenters’ backgrounds: Wheeling historians for many years, Jeanne Finstein and Judi Hendrickson are authors of “Walking Pleasant Valley” and are experts on local history and the people who were a large part of it. Members of the Friends of Wheeling and other area history organizations, these two experts offer a vintage glimpse of our community in a fun way.
102 Movies with Art, Art Barbeau, Ph.D.
Eight Sessions: Wednesday, Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and Nov. 5, 12, 19, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Join Art in watching the clash of the titans; Hepburn vs. Hepburn, Katherine against Audrey. See two iconic actresses in some of their best roles.
Presenter’s background:Art Barbeau is a Professor Emeritusat West Liberty University where he taught history and anthropology for 43 years. This is the fifth film course that Art has presented at the Community University.
103 How to Win at Social Tennis in Your Later Years, Bill Blair
Wednesday, Oct. 1, 1:30-3:00 p.m.
WSTA (Winning Social Tennis for Adults) is a system of playing tennis designed with seniors in mind. Learn the tricks of the game that let you play more often with a whole lot less pain—tricks of the game that will let you win more and ache less. If you knew where 80 to 85% of all shots are going to be – wouldn’t that give you an advantage? Come learn how to discover this trick and many others. If you belong to the Advil generation – then this course is for you.
Presenter’s background: Bill Blair is 74 and has been playing tennis for over 40 years. He has been teaching tennis for the last 15 years and has been a professional tennis instructor for the last 5 years. He is the author of the WSTA system of tennis. Bill is also the president of the local organization – OVTA (Ohio Valley Tennis Academy).
104 Tour of the Underground Railroad Museum, 121 High Street, Flushing, OH, John S. Mattox
Thursday, Oct. 2, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
The Underground Railroad Museum features an extensive collection of publications, books, memorabilia and other articles. The exhibits portray what is known about slavery and the Underground Railroad in Ohio and features an understanding of the culture in the 1800s.
Presenter’s background: John S. Mattox is the curator of the Underground Railroad Museum. He attended Houston Tillitson College in Austin, TX majoring in sociology and psychology. John served in the US Air Force from 1959 to 1965. He is active in numerous community organizations.
105 Eastern Woodland Indians, Part 2,Travis Henline
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2-3:30 p.m. (Presented at West Virginia Independence Hall, 16th & Market Streets)
An overview of the Native peoples of the Eastern Woodlands, from 1800 to present day, this coursewill examine oral histories, ethnographic studies, primary sources and other materials.Culture as a primary factor in American Indian historical actions and decisions will be discussed.Learn about language, art,spirituality, cultural preservation, revitalization and more!
Presenter’s background:Travis Henline has a Master’s in History from West Virginia University and is West Virginia Independence Hall site manager.Also an adjunct instructor for WVU’s Native American Studies, hehas served as Coordinator of American Indian Initiative for Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
106 The Grand Old Lady of Main Street, Kate Quinn
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1:30-3 p.m.
The history of the Capitol Theatre, one of the country’s most beautiful theatres that was saved by preservationists and the City of Wheeling. The Capitol is the largest theatre in West Virginia and is a landmark building in downtown Wheeling. The photos for this PowerPoint presentation are stunningly beautiful.
Presenter’s background: Kate Quinn, freelance writer, researcher and former teacher, has been giving presentations to Wheeling groups for over 10 years. Kate is a WV History Hero, Vice President of the Friends of Wheeling and is a member of the Wheeling Hall of Fame Board and WV Sesquicentennial Committee
107 The Men Who Built Wheeling, Kate Quinn
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 1:30-3 p.m.
Five architects are responsible for the finest and most elegant of Wheeling’s structures from the longest to the tallest in the state. These architects created the most enduring icons of buildings the city has ever seen. The life stories are interesting as is their individual works that are shown in this PowerPoint presentation.
Presenter’s background: See course 106.
108 Natural Gas Infrastructure: The Essential Link to Natural Gas Development, Helen Humphreys
Thursday, Oct. 9, 1:30-3 p.m.
West Virginia is experiencing a natural gas boom. Drilling equipment is emblematic of natural gas development. The infrastructure of pipelines and processing facilities is necessary to move the gas from wells so it can be processed and moved to markets across the country to warm homes, power industry and to be used as raw material for products we use every day. Learn why energy infrastructure is so important, some of the challenges we face in constructing infrastructure and how the Marcellus and Utica have changed the pulse of energy in America.
Presenter’s background: Helen Humphreys has handled community relations for Williams in the Marcellus Shale Play since Nov. 2010. Williams is a leading infrastructure company operating in the US for over 100 years.Helen has worked with residents, business leaders, community groups, regulatory agency officials and elected officials to demonstrate the benefits brought by the natural gas industry and to address concerns these stakeholders may have.
109 Trash or Treasure: How to Tell Everyday Objects from Valuable Assets (and learn what to do with them), Amelia Jeffers
Thursday, Oct. 16, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Learn the factors necessary to value antiques and family heirlooms. Amelia will teach the concepts of "good, better, best" among many categories and suggest strategies for shopping at auction, estate sales and antique shops. Each student is encouraged to bring one item to be appraised so they mayapply newly learned lessons.This class will be limited to the first 60 registrants.
Presenter’s background: Amelia Jeffers is President of Garth’s Auctioneers & Appraisers in Delaware, Ohio. With experiences ranging from professional consigning to business marketing to real estate sales, Amelia dons many hats at Garth’s. During her 15 years at the auction house, she has skillfully managed every aspect of the business, particularly those related to design and marketing.
110 2nd Amendment Gun Rights, Dan Baker
Friday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
New issueshave arisen since we last presented this class, fall of 2013. Adecision by the U.S. Supreme Court to not hear a case will be discussed. This case would have allowed them to rule on whether the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms extends to places outside the home.Another topic in the news is the Gun lobby's response to "smart guns."These handguns are shooter sensitive -- allowing the shooter to arm the gun with a PIN or fingerprint scan, and preventing unwanted users from discharging thehandgun.Apparently the NRA sees this smart gun technology as a threat to 2nd Amendment Gun Rights.
Presenter’s background: Dan Baker is an attorney and retired from Marathon Oil Company, where he was Senior Counsel for Environment and Real Estate, and United States Steel Corporation, where Dan was Senior General Attorney for Real Estate and Environment. He was Marine Corps JAG, active duty 1974-1979 and Reserves 1979-1991. He tried over 500 criminal cases, predominately felonies, some as defense counsel and some as a federal prosecutor. Dan has taught environmental law as an Adjunct Professor.
111 Vermiculture: Worms are the Easiest and Most Useful Pet You’ll Ever Own! , Robin Lee
Monday, Oct. 20, 1:30-3:30 p.m.(Presented at the Schrader Environmental Education Center in Oglebay Park)
In this hands-on biology class, participants will build their own compact vermiculture (internal composting) bin and discover how easy it is to keep it functioning. Discover how to make "compost tea" for house plants or rich humus for a true garden. A comparison of internal and external compost bins, their purposes and their critters will also be explained, observed and explored. Get in on the "ground level" of this important, life sustaining, recycling project.
Presenter's Background: Robin Lee teaches at the Oglebay Institute’s Schrader Environmental Education Center. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Estuarine Biology, Bachelor's in Archaeology/Anthropology, a Master's in Communication, and holds a WV teaching certificate. Robin volunteers with the Boy Scouts of America and is a participant in reducing Nature Deficit Disorder in children through supporting family and young child events that facilitate Leaving No Child Inside.
112 Stories of the Confederate Black Soldier, Wilkes Kinney
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 1:30-3 p.m.
Learn how African Americans participated as Confederate Soldiers through a unique perspective. Course will include period dress, pictures, artifacts and video.
Presenter’s background: Wilkes Kinney is a graduate of Bluefield State College and Saint Paul College’s Wharton University School of Business. Wilkes has been involved in Civil War research since 1977. He is an independent health care consultant.
113 Diet and Exercise for the Challenging Years, Elaine Blasko
Thursday, Oct. 23, 10-11:30 a.m.
This class will provide basic information on diet and physical activity. Participants will be encouraged to design and maintain a daily program that will enable the individual to get the most out of the years ahead.
Presenter’s background: Elaine Blasko is a Professor Emeritus at West Liberty University whereshe taught anatomy, physiology, health education, nutrition, fitness and stress management.
114 Tour of The National Imperial Glass Museum, 3200 Belmont Street, Bellaire, OH
Thursday, Oct. 23, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
For over 80 years, the people of the Imperial Glass Corporation in Bellaire, Ohio produced some of the most elegant hand-crafted glassware this country has known. Highly prized and collected today the popularity of Imperial glassware, then and now, is based on the creative artistry and craftsmanship of those people, the quality of the glass itself and the diversity in the styles of glassware lines offered.This tour will provide an additional insight into Imperial’s history, including some of the people who played a significant role in creating such beautiful glassware.
115 Preparing Your Estate Plan, Daniel Young
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 1:30-3:00 p.m.
This class is designed to help people better understand the basics of estate planning so they can consider the options that make the most sense for their specific situations. Topics covered will include account registration, beneficiary designation, wills, trusts, tax information, life insurance and transfer on death (TOD).
Presenter’s background: Daniel Young is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Wheeling. He received a Bachelor’s in Finance from Virginia Tech. Daniel is an active member of the community serving on the board of directors of the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Wheeling, Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce and Marshall County Chamber of Commerce.
116 The White Rose (die Weiße Rose) and Resistance in Nazi Germany, Adam Oberlin, Ph.D. and Isabel Ranner
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
The White Rose was a non-violent resistance group in Nazi Germany led by students at the University of Munich. Active from 1942 to 1943, the White Rose movement ended with the imprisonment and execution of its members by the Nazis. Adam Oberlin will discuss the history of the student group and their efforts. As a German native, Isabel Ranner will address the White Rose’s legacy in present-day Germany and its impact on young Germans in shaping their identity. In conjunction with a traveling White Rose exhibit at WJU (from Nov. 2-14), this class is part of a series of events in Wheeling held in collaboration with Classrooms Without Borders, an educational, experiential organization for educators and students based in Pittsburgh, with a branch in Wheeling.
Presenters’ backgrounds: Adam Oberlin holds a Ph.D. in Germanic Linguistics and Medieval Studies from the University of Minnesota and has studied at the University of Munich. He teaches world languages at The Linsly School and is a postdoctoral fellow for University of Bergen in Norway. This past summer, Adam participated in a Classrooms Without Borders study seminar to Poland, focused on the Holocaust.Isabel Ranner holds a Master’s in Philosophy from Duquesne University, aMaster’s in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh andshe also attended the Munich School of Philosophy. Isabel is the International Program Assistant for Classrooms Without Borders.
117 Heroes and Legends of the Upper Ohio Valley, Earl Nicodemus
Thursday, Nov. 6, 1:30-3 p.m.
Enjoy the stories of some of the early residents of the Upper Ohio Valley as portrayed in the American storytelling tradition. The written histories of our region clearly include some folklore in telling the stories of the people from our local history. Instead of debunking those folktales, this class will embrace them. The adventures of John, James, and Samuel Brady will begin the session. Participants will find out why there are locations in three states named after Captain Samuel Brady and hear about some of the other local Revolutionary War heroes. The last portion of the session will retell the story of the Curtis family and the 12th WV regiment during the Civil War. Put on your pioneer clothes and join the fun!
Presenter’s background: Earl Nicodemus served for 10 years as the chairman of the Department of Professional Education at West Liberty University and has more than 40 years of higher education experience in the field of instructional technology.
118 The Early Frontier History of the Wheeling Area, Joe Roxby
Friday, Nov. 14, 10 -11:30 a.m.
Learn about Wheeling’s early years from 1769-1795. This period includes the founding of Wheeling to the end of the eastern Indian Wars.
Presenter’s background: Joe Roxby has written and lectured extensively on early Wheeling and co-authored a book on the subject. He was past coordinator of Fort Henry Days held annually at Oglebay Park. Joe is a graduate of WLU with a Bachelor’s in History.
Questions? Please contact Vice President for Community EngagementJeff Knierim at 304.336.8301 or via e-mail: or Dean of the School for Professional Studies Dr. Tom Michaud at 304.217.2800 Ext. #2 or via e-mail: .
Community University Web Site:
westliberty.edu/community-university
Community University at West Liberty
WLU Highlands Center (located across from the Marquee Cinemas)
355 Wharton Circle, Suite 200
Triadelphia, WV 26059
Community University at West Liberty – Fall 2014 Registration Form
Name______
Address______
City______State_____ Zip Code______
Telephone______E-mail______
Circle the number/s that correspond to the course/s that you wish to attend:
101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118
Please clip and return registration form along with a $25 check payable to West LibertyUniversity to:
West Liberty University
208 University Drive
College Union Box 109
West Liberty, WV 26074