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Illinois State University’s lifelong learning opportunities, which include Academy of Seniors and Mornings with the Professors, will start in September and continue through January. Sponsored by the Senior Professionals of Illinois State University and affiliated with the Elderhostel Institute Network, most classes will be held in the Illinois State University Alumni Center at 1101 N. Main St. in Normal.

Academy of Seniors offers four classes, and the speakers and their topics include:

• Discover the Symphony Orchestra – Richard Haglund, music director for the Erato Chamber Orchestra – Sept. 15, 16, 19 & 21 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• The United States and Latin America: Friends, Clients or Just Neighbors? – Michael Weis, History professor from Illinois Wesleyan University – Oct. 4, 11, 18 & 25 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• The Earth Through Time – Tasha Dunn, Geology assistant professor from Illinois State – Nov. 1, 3, 8 & 10 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• The Jasmine Revolution: Arab Spring in the Making – Ky Ajayi, Politics and Government assistant professor from Illinois State – Jan. 5, 12, 19 & 26 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The Mornings with the Professors are scheduled for five Fridays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., and speakers and their topics include:

• Laugh Louder, Live Longer: The Healing Power of Humor and Laughter – The Rev. Tom Neufer Emswiler, retired United Methodist minister – Sept. 30
• Collecting Evidence – A Coroner’s Perspective – Beth Kimmerling, McLean County coroner – Oct. 7
• Cell Wars: How Your Body Fights Infection and What Can Go Wrong – Biological Sciences professor Laura Vogel from Illinois State – Oct. 21
• Let’s Discuss Aging Gracefully – Steve Wannemacher, president and CEO of Heritage Enterprises – Oct. 28
• Architecture from the Bayou to Bloomington – Russel Francois, architect from Francois Associates Architects, LLC – Nov. 4

The fall Academy of Seniors will offer one classroom journey:

• Sustainable Farm Tour – Terra Brockman, author of The Seasons on Henry’s Farm – Sept. 1, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

This year’s Homecoming Academy, which is free and open to the public, will feature The Old Main Project: The Archaeology and Oral History of ISU’s First Building – James Skibo and Gina Hunter, co-directors of the project and faculty members in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Illinois State University, along with Strange but True Stories of the Civil War – Mike Lockett, educator/storyteller and author – Oct. 15 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the Illinois State University Alumni Center.

The cost for Mornings with the Professors is $45 for all five sessions or $15 for individual sessions and may be paid at the door. The Academy classes are $45 for all four sessions. Registration details and further information are available from Conference Services by telephone at (309) 438-2160 or (800) 877-1478, or by visiting the website at www.seniorprofessionals.ilstu.edu.