This page showcases the most-watched recorded lectures from the past several years, highlighting the diverse expertise of our guest speakers and Resident Members⭐️ alike. These presentations stand as a testament to the vibrant intellectual life and spirit of inquiry at the heart of the ASA.
July 28, 2025: “Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Moran – American Landscapes” presented by Martin Randall
Martin Randall examines the lives and paintings of Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Moran on their journeys out West during the 1800’s. Click here
June 23, 2025: “The Culinary Medicine Movement: Academic Approaches” presented by Mari Ricker
Mari Ricker’s presentation explores the growing “Food is Medicine” movement, defining key concepts such as food as medicine and culinary medicine and its relevance to both intergrative and academic medicine. Click here
June 16, 2025: “Pollinators, Pesticides, and Africanized Bees” presented by Monica King
Monica King’s presentation covers the causes of bee colony losses across our nation and ends with her work changing the genetics of Africanized bees. Click here
June 9, 2025: “Bio-Integrated Electronics: Wireless, Battery-Free Platforms for Continuous Health Monitoring” presented by Kevin Kasper
Kevin Kasper will describe the integration of biosymbiotic wearable devices with osseosurface electronics, a new class of implantable bioactive devices for long-term bone health tracking. Click here
June 2, 2025: “Who was Juan Batista de Anza” presented by Alex LaPierre
Alex LaPierre explores the challenges faced by Juan Bautista de Anza as a Spanish frontier soldier in the 1700’s. Click here
May 28, 2025: “Pioneering Jews of Southern Arizona” presented by Lori Shepard
Lori Shepard, Executive Director of the Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center, shares the rich history of Jewish pioneers who impacted and shaped Southern Arizona communities. Click here
May 19, 2025: “TUMAMOC SAGUAROS THROUGH TIME: 117 Years of Saguaro Surveys and the Future(s) of the Saguaro” presented by Peter Breslin
Peter Breslin outlines the importance, life history, ecology and future of Saguaros. Click here
March 31, 2025: Martin Randall–“Gaugin in the South Pacific, the Moon and Sixpence: Visions of Paradise”
For much of his life, the French artist Paul Gauguin searched for an escape from “anything that is artificial and conventional”. He lived in rural France, Martinique, and then the distant South Pacific islands of Tahiti and more remote islands of Martinique. Martin Randall, Docent & Co-Chair of Tucson Art Talks at the Tucson Art Museum, provides images of the astounding art by Gauguin. Click here
March 17, 2025: Jan Taplin–“Gain Independence and Age-With-Grace with in-Home Assistance”
Many people desire to remain in their homes as they age. They have questions concerning the costs of home help if their funds are limited. And what happens if their needs increase with time and might some of that help need to be skilled nursing care? Jan Taplin, co-owner of A+ Elder Care Assistance, provides answers to the increasing number of individuals asking these questions. Click here
December 4, 2024: Brad Lancaster–“Planting the Rain(and other free-on-site waters) to Grow Sustainable Abundance”
This presentation shares patterns and strategies to harvest, integrate, and enliven free local resources–such as rain and stormwaters; sun, wind, and shade; along with soil fertility, wild foods, and community fun–in a way that generates more potential than the sum of their parts. Lancaster is the author of the award-winning Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond. Click here
December 4, 2024: Martin Randall–“Gustav Klimpt: Painter of Gold”
Martin Randall, Docent and co-chair of Tucson Art Talks at Tucson Art Museum. looks at artist Gustav Klimpt’s life and career from his humble beginnings, through his break with the past in helping form the Viennese Secession to his bold and dramatic new painting style that made him famous–the new and exciting world of Symbolism and Art Nouveau. Click here
November 20, 2025: Wally R. Wilson–“Lower Santa Cruz River Basin Groundwater Study–Summary Presentation”
Academy Village and neighboring developments are serviced by a water provider, Spanish Trail Water, which obtained 100 year Assured Water Supply certification in April, 1996. The water is 100% groundwater with only natural recharge of the aquifer by seasonal rains and mountain runoff. Wally Wilson, the Water Resources Manager and team member on the Lower Santa Cruz River Basin Groundwater Study, discusses the nature of our groundwater levels in the Rincon Valley area. Click here
October 23, 2024: Sarah Porter, Denice Smith, Norm Scott–“What is Our Water Source and How is Assured Water Supply Certified? –A Panel Discussion”
A set of questions approached by a panel consisting of Arizonans who study and write policy about the water situation in Arizona. Critical questions are addressed including: “What are the basic principles and hydrology of the aquifer that supplies groundwater for this area?” Panelists: Sarah Porter, Denice Smith, Chris Brooks moderated by Norm Scott. Click here
September 23, 2024: Tony Davis–“Assessing Challenges of Water Resources in Arizona”
Arizona Daily Star environmental reporter, Tony Davis, discusses current water issues based on his extensive analysis of water policy for more than 20 years. The issues include regional growth, groundwater use, transfer of water rights, agricultural water rights, and politics of certification of assure water availability. Click here
September 16, 2024: Eileen Wong–“A Universal Design Perspective on Supporting Communities with Hearing Loss”
Hearing losses in individuals and groups impacts our community and affects not only the individual who has hearing loss, but also those with whom they live and must communicate. Dr. Wong explains where on can go for help, and how support networks can be developed in a community. She also describes approaches to treating hearing loss at the individual level, and how we can shift our thinking about communication. Click here
August 5, 2024: Ruth Gomes–“A Chair Tour of Tucson’s Murals”
When Ruth Gomes moved to Tucson, she organized a shuttle service exploring the various murals that tell important stories about our culture, as well as demonstrating a mastery of the mural art form. She also developed a slide show that she will share during her presentation. She is also an artist, and a teacher of art. Click here
June 10, 2024: Cassandra Warney: “Housing is a Solution to Homelessness: Reentry in NYC, Time County, Beyond”
Our humanity calls us to understand and help solve the individual and collective challenges facing people struggling to survive without safe affordable shelter. Warney is a public policy strategist, and Senior Program Officer, Corporation for Supportive Housing–New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She shares how several cities, backed by robust research, are using ‘Housing First’ as an effective approach to reducing homelessness. Click here
April 10, 2024: Marcia Neugebauer–“What’s Going On in Space? ⭐️
Dr. Marcia Neugebauer, an internationally recognized space physicist and Academy Village resident, explains important developments in space projects–both the scientific research missions, and the benefits and dangers of new technology that is being launched on an almost daily basis. She also describes the incredible proliferation of earth orbiting satellites–and how the dangerous debris in space as well as the number of orbiting satellites could result in collisions. Click here
March 25, 2024: Randolph Nesse–“Why Aging Exists at all, and the Origins of Evolutionary Medicine” ⭐️
Dr. Randolph Nesse discusses his research program that has led to the new field of Evolutionary Medicine, and how these insights can help us understand our own aging. He describes his bringing together of a several fields of psychiatry, psychology and biology to examine our understanding of the process and issues related to aging. Click here
March 18, 2024: Lalitha Madhaven–“Novel regenerative Medicine-based Approaches for Parkinson’s Disease”
Dr. Madhaven, Associate Professor of Neurology, U of A, is working on developing rational therapeutic strategies to tackle aging and age related disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. She explains how she uses induced pluripotent stem cell technology that may be useful in uncovering the mechanisms underlying Parkinson’s Disease. Click here
March 13, 2024: Luke Cole–“The Santa Cruz River: How We Got Here and Where We’re Going”
The Santa Cruz River has sustained humans in this region for over 12,000 years, and is the home of the longest continuous agricultural in the U.S., dating back 4,000 years. Since the 1800’s the Santa Cruz River has been overdrawn, polluted and abandoned. Within the last 15 years, the Santa Cruz has undergone a revitalization. Dr. Luke Cole is the director of the Santa Cruz River program within the Sonoran Institute, and describes the “journey” of the river and the Institute’s efforts to assure that it’s rebirth continues. Click here
February 28, 2024: Jerry Newman–“A Journey Through Central Europe
Dr. Jerry Newman, professor emeritus of History at Kent State University, shares an 18 day journey taken with his wife, Barbara, through Coatia, Slovenia, Austria and Poland. Both taught generalized European history for many years, and their sense of history through experiencing these countries. Click here
January 29, 2024: Craig Nazareth & Alexander Szokoly–“Russo-Ukrainian War: 2024 Outlook”
2024 will bring tactical challenges in Ukraine’s effort to repel Russian advances. I Russia is to achieve its goals, it will have to increase its combat power and mobilizations. This would be highly dependent on western support. Professor Nazareth and Mr. Szokoly will discuss the insight their military experience gives them in predicting the future course of this war. Click here
January 22, 2024: Bob Smith & Brack Brown–“The Evolution of the Coral Reef Mural” ⭐️
This presentation documents the evolution of the large, outdoor, Coral Reef Mural from inspiration to dedication in photos. The mural’s inscription is “Let us cherish and protect the Ocean–Ancient Birthplace of all Life. . .” The entire creation took over two years of a large group of dedicated volunteers. Click here
December 4, 2023: Norm Scott: “Toward a Sustainable and Circular Food and Agricultural System”
No area of human activity is more essential that a sustainable Food and Agricultural System (FAS). Agricultural productivity has been a strong focus during the 20th and 21st centuries. Climate change, conflicts, disruptions and wars globally impact the FAS. Science and technology have been key in generating the past transformation of food and agricultural systems; and this will remain so. A place must be found between local practices, and a concentrated agri-food sector. Professor Emeritus, Norm Scott Cornell University, will discuss these issues for the future of food production. Click here
November 12, 2023: Richard L. Poss: “Leonardo da Vinci: Art and Astronomy in the Florentine Renaissance”
As one of the towering figures of Renaissance painting, Leonardo da Vinci had many other interests. He pursued scientific investigations; and his work contains remnants of Aristotelian physics and scientific endeavors–particularly in his astronomical writings. Dr. Poss, an Associate Professor of Astronomy at the U of A, examines Leonardo’s artistic and scientific endeavors with particular attention to his astronomical writings. Click here
November 6, 2023: Charles Scruggs: “Boats Against the Current”: The Fiction of Edith Wharton and F. Scott Fitzgerald
Professor Emeritus Charles Scruggs discusses the work of Edith Wharton–the first woman to win the pulitzer Award in Fiction and seen as an American Victorian–and F. Scott Fitzgerald, best known for depicting the flamboyance and excess of the Jazz Age. Scruggs describes their works, contrasts these two iconic American authors, and discusses their views of each others’ works. Click here
October 23, 2023: Obama Abdel: “Cardiovascular Prevention & Service”
Dr. Obama Abdel is an interventional cardiologist. In this talk. he explains how he uses his skills to treat complex cardiovascular disease using medications and lifestyle changes–and, when needed, procedural interventions to open blockages that develop in the arteries of the heart, neck, or extremities. He also loves educating patients about how to reduce their risks. Healthy diet, exercise along with no smoking are essential to over cardiovascular health. Click here
October 11, 2023: Diane Ashton & Susan English: “Death and Dying: What to Say, How to Say it, and What Not to Say”
How do you know what to say when you don’t think you have (or know) the appropriate words for a dying person or for those who are grieving? As we know, effective communication is only 10% words, with the remainder being non-verbal both language, gestures, facial expressions and tone of voice. Click here
October 5, 2023: A Panel Discussion: “Perspectives About End of Life Issues”
This panel addresses questions about how an end-of-life support personnel team works cooperatively to be of assistance to the patient, caretaker(s), family, and friends. Questions solicited in the last three lectures will be addressed, as well as new ones. Panel: Sharon Stetz, Dennis Ondrejka, Mary Ganopol, Yvette Brendice; moderated by Diane Ashton and Char Tosi. Click here
October 4, 2023: Yvette Bredice: “End of Life: Doulas”
End-of-life doulas provide a range of non-medical holistic support to the dying person and their loved ones. Yvette Bredice, founder of Tucson End of Life Soulas, discusses the varied roles of an end-of-life doula, gives some examples from her previous cases, an describes who may benefit from the services of a “death doula”. Click here
September 28, 2023: Mary Ganopol: “Medical Aid in Dying”
Mary Ganapol is the Southern Arizona lead for Arizona End of Life Options. She discusses end-of-life options, including medical aid in dying (MAID). MAID is legal in 10 states plus Washington D.C., and numerous bills have been proposed in the AZ legislature since 2003. Surveys indicate that over 60% of the AZ voters who respond favor passing the MAID bill. click here
September 6, 2023: Susanna Eden: “”Tucson Active Management Area: Water Outlook”
Dr. Susanna Eden, currently associated with the U of A’s Water Resources Research Center, focuses on the 1980 Groundwater Management Act and subsequent legislation relating to the rights to use groundwater, including for municipal and domestic consumption. An important aspect of the law was the substitution of Central Arizona Project water for groundwater by water companies such as the Spanish Trail. She discusses recent events that have highlighted problems with the current legal framework. Click here
August 14, 2023: Brandon Strange: “The Impact of Megadrought on Ponderosa Pine Forests in the Southeast U.S.”
Most Southern Arizonans have visited the beautiful Ponderosa forests of Northern Arizona but may not be aware of the effects of the mega draught on these forests. Dr. Brandon Strange, of Watershed Management and Ecohydrology, studies the rings that appear each year in tree trunks that are used as a way of calculating the dates of particular events.He uses these rings and stable isotope biochemistry to examine how forests function and how they are responding to climate change. Click here
July 17, 2023: Cynthia Meier & Joseph McGrath, Co-Founders of The Rogue Theatre
The Rogue Theatre is an intimate 160-seat, small professional theatre located in the heart of Tucson in the Historic ‘Y’. The shape of the stage and the seating arrangement of the audience changes to meet the particular needs of the production. Co-Founders Jo McGrath and Cindy Meier describe the Rogue theatre and present its upcoming season. Click here
July 17, 2023. John Muniz: An Invitation to Atonal Music: Or How I learned to stop Worrying and Love Cluster Chords”
In his second presentation about classical music at Academy Village, John Muniz helps us learn now to listen to and appreciate atonal music. Muniz, Associate Professor of Music theory at the University of Arizona, suggests that order and beauty lie hidden within atonal music, and that even its chaos–when heard correctly–can be sublime. Click here
July 10, 2023: Alex La Pierre: “The First Filibusters: French and Mexican Incursions into Sonora”
Historian Alex La Pierre focusses on the Sonoran incursions made by French and American “filibusters” who made lasting impacts on the heritage of Arizona. The term became “filibusters”, but originally referred to foreign and often stateless mercenaries who sought to carve out territories in Latin America. Alex La Pierre is the co-founder of Borderland, a by-national organization committed to building public understanding of the borderlands (American Southwest and Mexico). Click here
June 26, 2023: Shaku Nair: “Are All Termites Terrible?”
Dr. Shaku Nairn, Extension Entomologist at the University of Arizona, provides an overview of the termites found in Arizona, termite behavior and behavior, pointers regarding early detection and management, myths about termites, and comparison between termites and their lookalikes and a few other wood destroying insects. Click here
June 19, 2023. Janice Jarrett: “How we Learn: Music as a Metaphor”
What can explain the fact that musicians are quantifiably “better” learners? Dr. Jarrett explains how music is like a language and can be as daunting to learn as gaining fluency in another language. Jarrett describes what neuroscientists are now saying about this form of brain activity, and how musicians are better learners than non-musicians. (please excuse the lost few minutes of the lecture). Click here
June 12, 2023: Gary Fenstermacher: “The Humble Postage Stamp”
Gary Fenstermacher, a stamp-collector since 1948, describes the creation and production of modern postage stamps. His collection is contained in more than 60 albums, covering nearly 80 linear feet of shelving. He addresses many questions related to stamps: the paper used, printing methods, how they are formatted, etc. He hopes that viewers will come away with a renewed appreciation for that little piece of paper that permits us to send many types of items across country and around the world. Click here
June 6, 2023: Jennifer Shi: “Hearing Loss and Hearing Aid Technology”
Dr.Jennifer Shi, a clinical Doctor of Audiology, currently practices at Arizona Hearing Specialists in Tucson. She reviews the different types of hearing loss, and how to read an audiogram. She presents some general information on the relationship between hearing loss and balance, as well as best practices in audiology and how it is performed. Click here
May 24, 2023: Adam Block, “Echoes of a Forgotten Sky”
Adam Block is founder of the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter, and a researcher at the Stewart observatory, University of Arizona. In this presentation, Block introduces the art of astrophotography and how to interpret the images we see in this time of advances in sky photography. Block’s work as astronomer has resulted in the discovery of asteroids (one was named in his honor) as well as extra-galactic star streams and supernova. His photography have been published in a number of magazines. Click here
May 17, 2023: Ian MacSpadden, “The Future of Public Television and Radio–Why They are Still Relevant”
Ian MacSpadden is the Chief Technology Officer of the Arizona Public Media. He gives a brief history of radio and television and the technology they have used. He then moves to the area of advancements in the digital age and how they affect public media.He examines the differences between the for-profit and public media and how the public media remain a leader in the development and use of curing edge technologies. By doing so, he indicates that public media will be able to maintain its relevancy and audience. Click here
May 15, 2023: Mary-Frances O’Connor, “The Grieving Brain”
Dr. O’Connor, Associate Professor of Psychology, U of A, a leader in the field of neuroscience, has devoted her entire career to the study the ‘why” of grief and grieving. She talks about grief through the lens of both scientist and griever and discuss the difference between grief–the painful feeling we have when we lose a loved one–and grieving–the process of adapting to our grief over time. Click here
May 3, 2023: Steve Sarper, “The Life and Music of Gustav Mahler”
Gustav Mahler is said to have bridged the musical traditions of the 19th and 20th century, but whose work has been most appreciated since the 1960’s. Steve Sarper presents sections from different compositions of Mahler which show how he used sound and mood to create an impact on his audience. He address why it took so many years for the music world to recognize him as an important composed,, which musicians influenced him, and what it was like to work as a composer. Click here
April 5, 2023: Don E. Swann, “The Saguaro Census at Saguaro National Park”
Don E Swan, a biologist who has worked at Saguaro National Park for over 30 years, and has been a author or co-author on more than 20 scientific papers on the saguaro and other Sonoran Desert plants. He discusses the “citizen science” program that the park does every 10 years to monitor the health of the signature species–the Saguaro. He also who’s how it has changed over the past 80 years, and how it may change in the future. Click here
April 3, 2023: James Lange– “Optimizing Planning to Secure Your Retirement and Preserve Your Estate”
James Lange, a CPA, Attorney, and registered investment advisor, and is the author of 8 books that help protect the financial security of IRA and retirement plan for owners and their families. In this talk, he provides information on the latest techniques for minimizing taxes but also strategies for estate planning and charitable giving. Working within the TIAA system, he explains some helpful strategies, thought to be eliminated but that are still permitted by TIAA. Click here
March 29, 2023: Fred Skinner–“Beethoven in Russia: Music & Politics”
Dr. Fred Skinner’s passion and for Beethoven’s music and expertise in Russian history combine in this intriguing look at the interaction of culture and politics. ‘Beethoven in Russia: Music and Politics’ shows how Beethoven’s music served as a call for action for citizens, and weaponized state propaganda on the great political struggles that shaped modern Russian history. Click here
March 27, 2023: Diana Netherton Part II: Becoming More Hydro-Local–Restoring Desert Landscapes One Yard at a Time”
Diana Netherton retired from a career in Pediatric nursing to sheep farming in Montana, and is now a desert dweller in Academy Village. In this presentation, she examines the strategies to help restore natural health to a landscape through examples of her approach on her .25-acre plot . This involves capturing rain water from roofs, choosing native grasses, and planting pollinators. Click here
March 15, 2023: “Northern Stars, Starry Skies”–Bob Foucault
“Norther Nights, Starry Skies” is a documentary film that celebrates the value of preserving the night sky. Bob Foucault, an Academy Village resident, started his own film company–Aurora Pictures–and produced corporate communication and educational programming for over 30 years. The documentary shown in this presentation was one of many produced by Foucault. Click here to see the opening and Q&A sections of the program that includes a link to the actual documentary.
March 8, 2023: Denice Smith–A Guide to Becoming More Hydro-local: An Intro to Water Harvesting Design
Tucson receives an average annual rainfall of 11″, often as torrential storms that cause flooding and erosion. Dr. Denise Smith, an Academy Village resident and R& D Scientist, provides information on water harvesting steps to reduce our demand on the local aquifer. These steps might incorporate infiltration basins, rainwater tanks, and/or a laundry to landscape approach to meet these needs. Click here
March 6, 2023: Deb Dale–“Bridging Communities: Public Media in Southern Arizona for the next 60 Years and Beyond”
Deb Dale, the Chief Development Officer for Arizona Public Media, provides a history of public media in the U.S. and Southern Arizona over the pst 60 years. She then describes exciting new plans for Arizona Public Media, including a new broadcasting campus at the U of Arizona Tech Park. This activity will be a ‘Next Gen’ building designed to expand public media services, visibility and ease of use to residents of 11 counties throughout Arizona. Click here
March 1, 2023: Guy Knoller: “Third Attempt of Mt. Denali”
With a summit elevation of 20.320 feet above sea level. Mount Denali is the highest mountain peak in North America. It is also one of the most isolated. In order to attempt to climb it, Guy Knoller, an Academy Village resident, had to be flown onto the glazier. Knoller, a retired lawyer and federal attorney climbed mountains all over the world in his spare time. He presents the saga of his attempts at this remarkable mountain in this talk. Click here
February 27, 2023: Michael Orchinik, Moderator: “The Art of Photography, Part 5”
Photographers in Academy Village have taken advantage of the many learning opportunities through museums, photography centers, colleges and artist speakers. They have submitted selected photos to our Arizona Senior Academy Program Coordinator who has compiled their best captures in a slideshow. This presentation will include a discussion of wide-ranging images presented by over a dozen Village photographers. click here
February 1, 2023: Michael Noland: “”Osiris-REx News and the Upcoming OSIRIS-APEX Mission”
As the U of A-led OSIRIS-REx spacecraft returns to earth with a sample of asteroid Bennu, the team is planning its next program–to head to the Asteroid Apophis. Professor Michael Nolan, Deputy Principal Investigator for the OSIRIS-APEX Mission, describes the plans for this next mission. The astroid, once predicted to have a small chance of hitting the earth is no longer the threatening, but it will come close. Click here
Feb. 22, 2022: Joaguim Murieta-Salvidar: “Water and the Nature of the Sonoran Desert”
One of a series of talks sponsored by the Academy Village Sustainability Committee. Dr. Murieta-Salvidar’s talk focusses on present and future water issues in the Sonoran Desert. Click here
Feb 24, 2021: Catlow Shipek: “Rainwater Harvesting for Watershed Health”
One of a series of Lectures sponsored by the Academy Village Sustainability Committee on sustainability issues in the Southwest. Dr. Shipek’s lecture focuses on rainwater harvesting. Click here