Since 1970, the Donovan Forum Series has offered educational and entertaining presentations on Thursdays every Fall and Spring. These forums are free and open to the public, although registration prior to each forum is required.
Fall 2024 Donovan Forums
Donovan Forums this semester will be held at the Lexington Senior Center. The limit is 80 attendees in-person. Please be sure to register in advance to reserve an in-person spot. You can also register to attend remotely via Zoom. Zoom links will be sent to the Zoom roster the Wednesday afternoon before the Forum each week. You can also contact the office if you are registered but did not receive/lost the link.
OLLI Membership not required to attend Donovan Forums, but you must have an account created on our registration website. You can refer to these guides on how to create an account and register for courses, Forums, and events: https://olli.uky.edu/uky/course/course.aspx?catId=12
Click here to register for Donovan Forums (once you find the Forum you want to register for, click directly on the title of that forum, then register for either "(In Person)" or "(Zoom Only)")
Fall 2024 Dates: September 12 - December 5
September 12
Living the American Dream
Dr. John Huang, Author,
Sports Reporter and Columnist
Nolan Group Media
September 19
Lifelong Learning at the Carnegie Center & Reading Kentucky Writers
Jennifer Hester Mattox, Executive Director
Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning
September 26
Lexington Freedom Train
Yvonne Giles, Local Historian
Lexington Freedom Train: The Lewis and Harriet Hayden Story
October 3
Forgetfulness: Normal Aging, or Something Else?
Dr. Erin Abner, Professor of Epidemiology and Environmental Health
University of Kentucky
October 10
Pretend the Ball is Named Jim Crow: The Story of Josh Gibson
Dorian Hairston, English Teacher
Fayette County Public Schools
October 17
Serving The 76th KY House District for 34 Years
Representative Ruth Ann Palumbo
Legislator
October 24
Protect Yourself Against Scams with the Better Business Bureau
Heather Clary, Community & Media Relations Coordinator
Better Business Bureau, serving Greater KY and South Central IN
October 31
There’s Nothin’ Scary About It! Getting & Staying Healthy with Pickleball
Dan Stone, PhD, Treasurer & Board Member,
Larry Roberts, Pickleball Player, and
Shana Harris, Director of Pickleball Operations at YMCA
Kentucky Pickleball Association & YMCA of Central Kentucky
November 7
Wine Production in Kentucky
Jeffrey Wheeler, Enology Extension Specialist
University of Kentucky
November 14
Women Veterans and Their Needs
Ms. Phyllis Abbott, Executive Director
Lady Veterans Connect
November 21
The Importance of Sleep for Health and Longevity
Dr. Lauren Whitehurst, Assistant Professor
University of Kentucky
November 28
Thanksgiving Day
No Forum Presentation
December 5 (in-person only)
Holiday Concert
George Ely, President
Young at Heart Big Band
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