PLATO Weekly Update

October 20, 2026

CURRICULUM

FALL COURSES
Have a question about a Fall Course? Find everything you need to know on the Fall Course Schedule webpage.

WINTER COURSES
Interested in offering a course for the Winter Term? Course submissions are due by mid-November because Winter Course registration will open on Tuesday, December 8 and most will begin the week of January 4, 2027. Learn how to propose your course here and find information about how to offer in-person, online, and hybrid courses here. 

EVENTS

LECTURES

THIS WEEK! Equity for All: CLIMB USA’S Movement to Promote Democratic Capitalism as an Economic Empowerment Framework on Thursday, October 22 at 1:30pm with Robert Wynn, CLIMB USA Founder and President. In his lecture, Mr. Wynn will outline how CLIMB USA’s Launchpad Program provides a viable pathway for youth, families, and communities to collectively build wealth and thrive within the capitalist framework. Registration is not required and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

NEXT MONTH! Join us on Thursday, November 12 from 1:30-3pm to learn about the 175-year history of Camp Randall. Guest presenter Bob Block will trace its remarkable history from its beginnings as a Civil War training camp to its place as one of college football’s most iconic stadiums. Registration is not required and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

VIRTUAL LECTURE

NEXT WEEK! Enjoy a Virtual Lecture with local journalist and author Perry Hibner for Centennial Revisited: An Oral History of the Epic TV Miniseries. The miniseries follows the fictional history of Centennial, Colorado from 1795 to the 1970s and is based on the 1974 novel by James Michener. Mr. Hibner will also discuss his writing process. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link and guests are welcome. Learn more and register here. 

NOON ZOOM

NEXT MONTH! Analyzing the Election Results with Joy Cardin and Barry Burden, Professor of Political Science at UW-Madison, on Thursday, November 5, from 12:00-1:00pm via Zoom. Learn more and register here.

SAVE THE DATE! The Data Center Debate in Wisconsin on Tuesday, December 1 from 12pm - 1:00pm. This Noon Zoom, facilitated by Terry Shelton, will feature two speakers from the Wisconsin Policy Forum: President Jason Steinand Senior Research Associate Tyler Byrnes who will share information from their latest reports. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link and guests are welcome. Learn more, find links to their reports, and register here. 

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PAST RECORDINGS
Visit the Past Recordings webpage to explore past lectures and course sessions on a variety of interesting subjects presented by PLATO members and special guest presenters, including the recent outstanding lecture Forgiveness as a Way of Improving Well-Being with Dr. Robert Enright.

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FIELD TRIPS

NOTE: Going forward, mail-in registration is discontinued – all PLATO field trips will require online registration.

SOLD OUT! The Fearless Science Tour on Tuesday, November 10 at 10:00am at the Morgridge Institute for Research is full. Learn more and join the waitlist here.

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BREAKFAST & COFFEE GATHERINGS + A LUNCH HOUR MEET-UP
These social events offer members and their guests social opportunities to share conversation over coffee or breakfast and lunch options.

THIS WEEK! Fourth Friday Coffee at the Rotunda Café on October 23 rom 9:30-11:30am. Learn more and RSVP here.