PLATO Weekly Update

 February 27, 2024

CURRICULUM

SPECIAL EVENTS

LECTURES
NEXT MONTH! Join us for A Fireside Chat with Mike Leckrone on Tuesday, March 12 from 1:30-3pm. Mike Leckrone will tell stories of his time as Former UW Marching Band Director from 1975-2019, and share his passion for supporting youth and adult performing and visual arts programs. This presentation will take place in the Auditorium / Arts Center at Oakwood Village University Woods Campus where Mike will be will be joined by Joe Koss in a fireside chat format. Registration is not required and parking is free – learn more here!

NEXT WEEK! Second Friday Breakfast – enjoy coffee, breakfast snacks, and conversation on Friday, March 8, from 9:30 – 11:30am at Lakeside St. Coffee House. Seating is on both the main floor and downstairs levels. You will need to climb a flight of steps in order to be seated on the downstairs level. Bring a friend – guests are welcome! Learn more and RSVP here.

THEATER TRIP
SAVE THE DATE! Mark your calendar for Sunday, May 5 for a matinee performance of Nina Simone: Four Women at The Milwaukee Rep. Stay tuned for details!

THE AGORA
PLATO's Literary & Fine Arts Journal,
celebrating members’ creativity and diversity of thought

Published biannually, The Agora is created by PLATO members and published for members and the community through a juried selection process. The Agora, Volume 8, is available for download on The Agora webpage.

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS
Select from a range of topics and formats 
for your mid-winter reading, viewing, or listening pleasure,
curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee. 

DID YOU KNOW? for February 27 – March 11, 2024

Did you know there is a Crash Course on Black History? This online course is taught by Dr. Clint Smith, author of How the Word is Passed, last year's UW Big Read book. There are 51 episodes. Find a link to the Crash Course Black American History Preview on PLATO's Social Justice webpage in the Did You Know Section. 

Visit the Social Justice page for more about Dr. Clint Smith's Crash Course,
and past DID YOU KNOW? features.

DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable historic events and contributions made by non-mainstream individuals you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).

PLATO Weekly Update

 February 20, 2024

CURRICULUM

SPECIAL EVENTS

THIS WEEK! Fourth Friday Coffee on February 23 from 9:30 – 11:30am at the Rotunda Café. Enjoy a cuppa your favorite morning beverage and lively conversation with fellow PLATO members. Learn more and RSVP here.

THEATER TRIP
LAST CALL – Registration deadline is tomorrow, Wednesday, February 21! Join us on Wednesday, March 27 for a matinee performance of The Chosen at the Milwaukee Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse Theater. One of the most beloved novels of the 20th century comes to life in this captivating portrayal of faith, family, and friendship. Learn more and register here.

LECTURES
SAVE THE DATE! Mark your calendar for Tuesday, March 12 from 1:30-3pm at Oakwood Village University Woods Campus for an entertaining stroll down memory lane with Michael Leckrone, the University of Wisconsin Director of Bands from 1975-2019. More details coming soon!

Explore recorded PLATO Lectures on a variety of interesting subjects.

THE AGORA
PLATO's Literary & Fine Arts Journal,
celebrating members’ creativity and diversity of thought

Published biannually, The Agora is created by PLATO members and published for members and the community through a juried selection process. The Agora, Volume 8, is available for download on The Agora webpage.

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS
Select from a range of topics and formats 
for your mid-winter reading, viewing, or listening pleasure,
curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee. 

DID YOU KNOW? for February 13 – 26, 2024

Dr. Philip Emeagwali, born in 1954 in Nigeria, invented the world's fastest computer which performs computations at 3.1 billion calculations per second. Also known as the “Bill Gates of Africa", Dr. Emeagwali applied principles of biomimicry to achieve this accomplishment – specifically studying the work habits of bees as they constructed honeycomb. In 1989, he utilized 65,000 processors to build this computer!

Visit the Social Justice page for more about Dr. Philip Emeagwali,
and past DID YOU KNOW? features.

DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable historic events and contributions made by non-mainstream individuals you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).

PLATO Weekly Update

February 13, 2024

CURRICULUM

SPECIAL EVENTS

THEATER TRIP

Join us on Wednesday, March 27 for a matinee performance of The Chosen at the Milwaukee Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse Theater. One of the most beloved novels of the 20th century comes to life in this captivating portrayal of faith, family, and friendship. Registration deadline is Wednesday, February 21! Learn more and register here.

LECTURES
Keep abreast of timely topics with recorded PLATO Lectures offered by PLATO members and special guest presenters.

COFFEE GATHERING
NEXT WEEK! Fourth Friday Coffee on February 23 from 9:30 – 11:30am at the Rotunda Café. Enjoy a cuppa your favorite morning beverage and lively conversation with fellow PLATO members. Learn more and RSVP here.

THE AGORA
PLATO's Literary & Fine Arts Journal,
celebrating members’ creativity and diversity of thought

Published biannually, The Agora is created by PLATO members and published for members and the community through a juried selection process. The Agora, Volume 8, is available for download on The Agora webpage.

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS
Select from a range of topics and formats 
for your mid-winter reading, viewing, or listening pleasure,
curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee. 

DID YOU KNOW? for February 12 – 236 2024

Dr. Philip Emeagwali, born in 1954 in Nigeria, invented the world's fastest computer which performs computations at 3.1 billion calculations per second. Also known as the “Bill Gates of Africa", Dr. Emeagwali applied principles of biomimicry to achieve this accomplishment – specifically studying the work habits of bees as they constructed honeycomb. In 1989, he utilized 65,000 processors to build this computer!

Visit the Social Justice page for more about Dr. Philip Emeagwali,
and past DID YOU KNOW? features.

DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable historic events and contributions made by non-mainstream individuals you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).

PLATO Weekly Update 

February 6, 2024

CURRICULUM

SPECIAL EVENTS

BREAKFAST GATHERING
THIS WEEK! Second Friday Breakfast – enjoy coffee, breakfast snacks, and conversation on Friday, February 9, from 9:30 – 11:30am at Lakeside St. Coffee House. Seating is on both the main floor and downstairs levels. You will need to climb a flight of steps in order to be seated on the downstairs level. Bring a friend – guests are welcome! Learn more and RSVP here.

THEATER TRIP
Join us on Wednesday, March 27 for a matinee performance of The Chosen at the Milwaukee Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse Theater. One of the most beloved novels of the 20th century comes to life in this captivating portrayal of faith, family, and friendship. Registration deadline is Wednesday, February 21! Learn more and register here.

LECTURES
Discover something new through recorded PLATO Lectures.

A SPECIAL (EVENTS) OPPORTUNITY
PLATO is a voluntary organization and relies on its volunteers to be successful. We have a great opportunity for one of our members to take on an important role to help PLATO meet its goals for adult learning and teaching. PLATO is seeking an enterprising individual to lead as Chair for our very important Special Events Committee (SEC) currently made up of very committed members. The primary role of the Chair is:

· To coordinate the various events, such as lectures, walks, theater trips, currently being organized by different team leaders. 

· To host bi-monthly SEC meetings;

· To represent the SEC as the Board member at the bi-monthly Board meetings and update the Board on SEC events;

The Chair is not required to organize events, but to help coordinate.  

We hope you will consider joining us to lead this group. If interested or if you have suggestions, please send an email to info@platomadison.org with the subject line "SEC Chairperson" by Friday, February 16.

THE AGORA
PLATO's Literary & Fine Arts Journal,
celebrating members’ creativity and diversity of thought

Published biannually, The Agora is created by PLATO members and published for members and the community through a juried selection process. The Agora, Volume 8, is available for download on The Agora webpage.

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS
Select from a range of topics and formats 
for your mid-winter reading, viewing, or listening pleasure,
curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee. 

DID YOU KNOW? for January 30 – February 12, 2024

Maj. Gen. Marcia Anderson, U.S. Army Reserve, was the first African-American woman to achieve the rank of major general on October 1, 2011 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Maj. Gen. Anderson had previously served as the clerk of Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Wisconsin, located in Madison, Wisconsin. She retired from the military in 2016 after 37 years of service.

Visit the Social Justice page for more about Maj. Gen. Marcia Anderson
and past DID YOU KNOW? features.

DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable historic events and contributions made by non-mainstream individuals you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).

PLATO Weekly Update

 January 30, 2024

CURRICULUM

SPECIAL EVENTS

Join us on Wednesday, March 27 for a matinee performance of The Chosen at the Milwaukee Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse Theater. One of the most beloved novels of the 20th century comes to life in this captivating portrayal of faith, family, and friendship. Learn more and register here.

BREAKFAST GATHERING
NEXT WEEK! Second Friday Breakfast – enjoy coffee, breakfast snacks, and conversation on Friday, February 9, from 9:30 – 11:30am at Lakeside St. Coffee House. Seating is on both the main floor and downstairs levels. You will need to climb a flight of steps in order to be seated on the downstairs level. Bring a friend – guests are welcome! Learn more and RSVP here.

LECTURES
Catch up on timely topics with recorded PLATO Lectures.

A SPECIAL (EVENTS) OPPORTUNITY
PLATO is a voluntary organization and relies on its volunteers to be successful. We have a great opportunity for one of our members to take on an important role to help PLATO meet its goals for adult learning and teaching. PLATO is seeking an enterprising individual to lead as Chair for our very important Special Events Committee (SEC) currently made up of very committed members. The primary role of the Chair is:

· To coordinate the various events, such as lectures, walks, theater trips, currently being organized by different team leaders. 

· To host bi-monthly SEC meetings;

· To represent the SEC as the Board member at the bi-monthly Board meetings and update the Board on SEC events;

The Chair is not required to organize events, but to help coordinate.  

We hope you will consider joining us to lead this group. If interested or if you have suggestions, please send an email to info@platomadison.org with the subject line "SEC Chairperson" by Friday, February 16.

THE AGORA
PLATO's Literary & Fine Arts Journal,
celebrating members’ creativity and diversity of thought

Published biannually, The Agora is created by PLATO members and published for members and the community through a juried selection process. The Agora, Volume 8, is available for download on The Agora webpage.

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS
Select from a range of topics and formats 
for your winter reading, viewing, or listening pleasure,
curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee. 

DID YOU KNOW? for January 30 – February 12, 2024

Maj. Gen. Marcia Anderson, U.S. Army Reserve, was the first African-American woman to achieve the rank of major general on October 1, 2011 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Maj. Gen. Anderson had previously served as the clerk of Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Wisconsin, located in Madison, Wisconsin. She retired from the military in 2016 after 37 years of service.

Visit the Social Justice page for more about Maj. Gen. Marcia Anderson
and past DID YOU KNOW? features.

DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable historic events and contributions made by non-mainstream individuals you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).

PLATO Weekly Update

 January 23, 2024

CURRICULUM

SPECIAL EVENTS

Join us on Wednesday, March 27 for a matinee performance of The Chosen at the Milwaukee Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse Theater. One of the most beloved novels of the 20th century comes to life in this captivating portrayal of faith, family, and friendship. Learn more and register here.

COFFEE GATHERING
THIS WEEK! Fourth Friday Coffee resumes on January 26 from 9:30 – 11:30am at the Rotunda Café on Madison's near east side. They may not have breakfast snacks so we are temporarily calling it a "coffee" instead of a "breakfast". Learn more and RSVP here.

LECTURES
THIS WEEK! On Friday, January 26 at 1pm there will be a virtual screening of Atomic Hope, hosted by Richard Steeves from the PLATO course Pathways to a Sustainable Planet. This Irish documentary follows pro-nuclear activists who believe in the urgency of re-addressing nuclear power to avoid catastrophic climate change. There will be a discussion after the screening. View the trailer here. RSVP by Friday, January 26 at 9am by sending an email to info@platomadison.org – the screening link and login details will be sent via email later that morning.

Enjoy recorded PLATO Lectures from the convenience and comfort of home.

THE AGORA
PLATO's Literary & Fine Arts Journal,
celebrating members’ creativity and diversity of thought

Published biannually, The Agora is created by PLATO members and published for members and the community through a juried selection process. The Agora, Volume 8, is available for download on The Agora webpage.

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS
Select from a range of topics and formats 
for your winter reading, viewing, or listening pleasure,
curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee. 

DID YOU KNOW? for January 16 – 29, 2024

Lewis Latimer (1848-1928), the youngest son born to parents who had escaped from slavery just six years before his birth, was a talented African-American inventor. Latimer worked in Thomas Edison’s lab and designed several light bulb improvements. He also made significant inventions in the areas of air conditioning and railroad cars.

Visit the Social Justice page for more about Lewis Latimer
and past DID YOU KNOW? features.

DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable historic events and contributions made by non-mainstream individuals you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).

PLATO Weekly Update

 January 16, 2024

CURRICULUM

SPRING COURSES
NEXT WEEK! Registration for Spring Courses opens on Tuesday, January 23. Most Spring Courses will begin the week of February 19.

FRIENDLY REMINDER 
COVID-19 protocols are specific to each host site and subject to change. Please review these protocols which are always available in the Curriculum Showcase. Also, keep an eye out for messages from your Course Coordinator for possible updates during the session of the course. 

SPECIAL EVENTS

NEXT WEEK! Fourth Friday Coffee resumes on January 26 from 9:30 – 11:30am at the Rotunda Café on Madison's near east side. They may not have breakfast snacks so we are temporarily calling it a "coffee" instead of a "breakfast". Learn more and RSVP here.

LECTURES
NEW! On Friday, January 26 at 1pm there will be a virtual screening of Atomic Hope, hosted by Richard Steeves from the PLATO course Pathways to a Sustainable Planet. This Irish documentary follows pro-nuclear activists who believe in the urgency of re-addressing nuclear power to avoid catastrophic climate change. There will be a discussion after the screening. View the trailer here. Find screening details in next Tuesday's Weekly Update.

Explore many interesting subjects offered as recorded PLATO Lectures brought to you by fellow PLATO members and their special guest presenters.

THEATER TRIP
Join us on Wednesday, March 27 for a matinee performance of The Chosen at the Milwaukee Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse Theater. One of the most beloved novels of the 20th century comes to life in this captivating portrayal of faith, family, and friendship. Learn more and register here.

THE AGORA
PLATO's Literary & Fine Arts Journal,
celebrating members’ creativity and diversity of thought

Published biannually, The Agora is created by PLATO members and published for members and the community through a juried selection process. The Agora, Volume 8, is available for download on The Agora webpage.

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS
Select from a range of topics and formats 
for your winter reading, viewing, or listening pleasure,
curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee. 

DID YOU KNOW? for January 16 – 29, 2024

Lewis Latimer (1848-1928), the youngest son born to parents who had escaped from slavery just six years before his birth, was a talented African-American inventor. Latimer worked in Thomas Edison’s lab and designed several light bulb improvements. He also made significant inventions in the areas of air conditioning and railroad cars.

Visit the Social Justice page for more about Lewis Latimer
and past DID YOU KNOW? features.

PLATO Weekly Update

 January 9, 2024

CURRICULUM

WINTER COURSES
NEW! Most Winter Courses begin this week! Some Courses still have openings –find the Winter 2024 Course Schedule on the Courses webpage and contact the course coordinator to register.

SPRING COURSES
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Registration for Spring Courses will open on Tuesday, January 23. Most Spring Courses will begin the week of February 19.

FRIENDLY REMINDER 
COVID-19 protocols are specific to each host site and subject to change. Please take a moment to review these protocols which are always available in the Curriculum Showcase.  

SPECIAL EVENTS

NEW! Join us on Wednesday, March 27 for a matinee performance of The Chosen at the Milwaukee Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse Theater. One of the most beloved novels of the 20th century comes to life in this captivating portrayal of faith, family, and friendship. Learn more and register here.

BREAKFAST GATHERING
THIS WEEK! Second Friday Breakfast – enjoy coffee, breakfast snacks, and conversation on Friday, January 12 from 9:30 – 11:30am at Lakeside St. Coffee House. Seating is on both the main floor and downstairs levels. You will need to climb a flight of steps in order to be seated on the downstairs level. Bring a friend – guests are welcome! Learn more and RSVP here.

COFFEE GATHERING
Fourth Friday Coffee resumes on January 26 from 9:30 – 11:30am at the Rotunda Café. They may or may not have food so we are temporarily calling it a "coffee" instead of a "breakfast". Learn more and RSVP here.

LECTURES
Get up to speed on a variety of timely topics with recorded PLATO Lectures.

THE AGORA
PLATO's Literary & Fine Arts Journal,
celebrating members’ creativity and diversity of thought

Published biannually, The Agora is created by PLATO members and published for members and the community through a juried selection process. The Agora, Volume 8, is available for download on The Agora webpage.

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS
Select from a range of topics and formats 
for your winter reading, viewing, or listening pleasure,
curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee. 

DID YOU KNOW? for January 2 – 15, 2024  

Sheila Crump Johnson (Born on January 25, 1949) is the first African-American woman to become a billionaire. In addition to co-founding Black Entertainment Television (BET) and serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Salamander Hotels and Resorts, Johnson is also the first African-American woman to be an owner or partner in three professional sports franchises: the Washington Capitals (NHL), the Washington Wizards (NBA), and the Washington Mystics (WNBA).

Visit the Social Justice page for more about Sheila Crump Johnson
or past DID YOU KNOW? features.

DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable historic events and contributions made by non-mainstream individuals you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).

PLATO Weekly Update

 January 2, 2024

CURRICULUM

WINTER COURSES
NEXT WEEK! Most Winter Courses begin the week of January 8. There are still openings in some classes – find the Winter 2024 Course Schedule on the Courses webpage. Simply contact the course coordinator to register for any course you are interested in attending.

SPRING COURSES
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Registration for Spring Courses will open on Tuesday, January 23. Most Spring Courses will begin the week of February 19.

SPECIAL EVENTS

THEATER TRIP
SAVE THE DATE! Wednesday, March 27, 2024 – Join us for a matinee performance of The Chosen at the Milwaukee Rep. Stay tuned for details!

BREAKFAST GATHERING
NEXT WEEK! Second Friday Breakfast – enjoy coffee, breakfast snacks, and conversation on Friday, January 12 from 9:30 – 11:30am at Lakeside St. Coffee House. Seating is on both the main floor and downstairs levels. You will need to climb a flight of steps in order to be seated on the downstairs level. Bring a friend – guests are welcome! Learn more and RSVP here.

COFFEE GATHERING
Fourth Friday Coffee resumes on January 26 from 9:30 – 11:30am at the Rotunda Café. They may or may not have food so we are temporarily calling it a "coffee" instead of a "breakfast". Learn more and RSVP here.

LECTURES
Check out recorded PLATO Lectures featuring members and special guest presenters on a wide variety of topics from the cozy comfort of home.

THE AGORA
PLATO's Literary & Fine Arts Journal,
celebrating members’ creativity and diversity of thought

Published biannually, The Agora is created by PLATO members and published for members and the community through a juried selection process. The Agora, Volume 8, is available for download on The Agora webpage.

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS
Select from a range of topics and formats 
for your winter reading, viewing, or listening pleasure,
curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee. 

DID YOU KNOW? for January 2 – 15, 2024  

Sheila Crump Johnson (Born on January 25, 1949) is the first African-American woman to become a billionaire. In addition to co-founding Black Entertainment Television (BET) and serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Salamander Hotels and Resorts, Johnson is also the first African-American woman to be an owner or partner in three professional sports franchises: the Washington Capitals (NHL), the Washington Wizards (NBA), and the Washington Mystics (WNBA).

Visit the Social Justice page for more about Sheila Crump Johnson
or past DID YOU KNOW? features.

DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable historic events and contributions made by non-mainstream individuals you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).

PLATO Weekly Update

 December 19, 2023

CURRICULUM

WINTER COURSES
The Winter 2024 Course Schedule is available on the Courses webpage and registration is open – there are eight courses to choose from with in-person, virtual and hybrid options. Simply contact the course coordinator for any course you are interested in attending. Most Winter Courses will begin the week of January 8. 

CANCELLATION 
The Winter Film History course has been cancelled, but will resume in the Spring session with a new coordinator.

SPECIAL EVENTS

SAVE THE DATE!
Wednesday, March 27, 2024 – Join us for a matinee performance of The Chosen at the Milwaukee Rep. More details coming soon.

BREAKFAST GATHERING
NEXT MONTH! Second Friday Breakfast – enjoy coffee, breakfast snacks, and conversation on Friday, January 12 from 9:30 – 11:30am at Lakeside St. Coffee House. Seating is on both the main floor and downstairs levels. You will need to climb a flight of steps in order to be seated on the downstairs level. Feel free to bring a guest! Learn more and RSVP here.

NOTE: Fourth Friday Breakfasts are on hiatus until January 26, 2024.

LECTURES
Explore recorded PLATO Lectures featuring members and their special guest presenters on a wide variety of interesting and important topics.

PLATO EDUCATION FUND ANNUAL GIVING
Many thanks to those who have already donated!

'TIS THE SEASON TO GIVE... please consider contributing to PLATO's Education Fund if you are in a position to share. This fund provides scholarships for returning adult students at UW-Madison, and supports the UW/DCS Badger Ready program, the Odyssey Project, and four additional local community programs. Learn more about this year's scholarship recipients and local community programsand how to donate online or mail. 

THE AGORA
PLATO's Literary & Fine Arts Journal,
celebrating members’ creativity and diversity of thought

Published biannually, The Agora is created by PLATO members and published for members and the community through a juried selection process. The Agora, Volume 8, is available for download on The Agora webpage.

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS
Select from a range of topics and formats 
for your reading, viewing, or listening pleasure,
curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee. 

DID YOU KNOW? for December 12, 2023  – January 1, 2024 

Ynes Mexia (May 24, 1870 – July 12, 1938) was a Mexican-American botanical collector and explorer who collected 145,000 plant species – an incredible number – especially because she began collecting while in her mid-50’s! Mexia's discoveries continue to impact researchers today and her work can be viewed in many museums and universities. 

Visit the Social Justice page for more about Ynes Mexia
or past DID YOU KNOW? features.

DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable historic events and contributions made by non-mainstream individuals you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).