For those who have become ever more concerned about America’s growing income inequality, WC-ALL’s March 24^th Learn-at-Lunch will give insight into this crisis. Hear from James B. Steele, co-author of “Discussing America: What Went Wrong? The Crisis Deepens.”

In 1992 James Steele and Donald Barlett, both Philadelphia Inquirer reporters, wrote a series of articles that documented how actions taken by Washington and Wall Street were systematically dismantling America’s middle class. This series was expanded into a book which explained why most Americans were losing ground financially. The original book has been updated, now titled “America: What Went Wrong? The Crisis Deepens.” It shows how the destructive trends previously identified have reached crisis proportions and lays out what must be done to restore the American Dream.

James B. Steele is one of America’s most acclaimed journalists, winning virtually every major national reporting award including two Pulitzer Prizes and two National Magazine Awards for work at The Philadelphia Inquirer, TIME, and Vanity Fair. He and Donald Barlett have co-authored nine books, two of which were New York Times bestsellers. He has taught and lectured at major universities and has appeared on many national news programs to discuss his work.

The Learn-at-Lunch features a buffet lunch served at noon, followed by the presentation by James Steele at Washington College’s Hodson Hall. The fee for members is $25 and for non-members $30. The deadline for reservations is Thursday, March 17.

To make a reservation send a check made out to WC-ALL to 300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, MD 21620.  Contact the WC-ALL office at 410-778-7221 with any questions.

Whether it be Washington College’s storied history, the wonderful liberal arts education it is known for, or all the programs and events it offers to the community, it is regarded amongst Kent County’s residents as something that sets us apart. It is why so many of us enjoy living here, why others are moving here, and why so many young people are proud to have gotten their education here.

The college is now under the leadership of Dr. Mike Sosulski who took over in September 2021. At WC-ALL’s March 3 “Learn-at-Lunch” you will have the opportunity to meet him and get his take on what he has learned about the Washington College community so far. Dr. Sosulski will also share the good news from the past few months and his enthusiasm regarding key plans moving forward.

Mike Sosulski is currently serving as the 31^st President of Washington College. He taught and served as Associate Provost of Kalamazoo College  in Southeast Michigan and then became Provost and Professor of German at

Wofford College in Spartansburg, S.C. before coming here.

A buffet lunch will be served at noon followed by the presentation at Washington College’s Hodson Hall. The fee for members is $25 and for non- members $30. The deadline for reservations is Thursday, February 24.

To make a reservation send a check made out to WC-ALL to 300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, MD 21620.  Contact the WC-ALL office at 410-778-7221 with any questions.

Another year, another variant… WC-ALL is back in action and starting off the New Year by moving our Spring Showcase event online for the health and well-being of our members and instructors. Registrations are rolling in; next week please tune in from the comfort of your own home and hear what the instructors for the spring 2022 semester have in store – as well as updates from the Council Chair, Special Events, and a few words from Washington College President Mike Sosulski. Join us Tuesday, January 11 at 4:00 PM! No RSVP required – the Zoom link will be sent to members on Monday and will also be available on our website.

No changes have been made to the in-person courses for the spring semester – they will go forward as planned at this time. However, please note the cancellation of “Exploring Symmetry” due to a conflict on the instructor’s calendar. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Plan to get comfortable, enjoy a snack and beverage of your choice, and welcome Spring 2022 virtually with WC-ALL! Hope to see you next week, and thanks for your support!

Get ready for Spring and the Joy of Learning by attending the WC-All SHOWCASE on Tuesday, January 11, at 4pm in the Gibson Center for the Arts at Washington College. Spring 2022 Session 1 will take place January 30-March 11.  Session 2 will take place March 20-April 29. As always, the courses will cover a broad range of topics that appeal to a diverse audience. The always popular “Sunday at the Movies” will continue. Other areas of interest include history, science, ecology, art, music, politics, philosophy, genealogy, and health.

The Showcase will provide the opportunity to hear directly from the instructors about what to expect from their courses. Learn about upcoming special events, including excursions and plans for the Learn at Lunch series.

Enjoy mingling with old friends and new over light refreshments as well as the opportunity to chat with the instructors. You may then register for courses that interest you in person or register online at https://www.washcoll.edu/people_departments/offices/wc-all/index.php.

No registration for the Showcase is necessary. If you have questions call the WC-ALL office at 410-778-7221.  And please remember to wear your masks.

WC-ALL is pleased to welcome Dr. RAYMOND VERGNE to the Council.  Born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Raymond currently resides in Easton.  A retired cardiologist, Raymond has taught a number of classes at WC-ALL on a variety of topics, reflecting his interests in music, literature, and history.  This term he is teaching History of the Papacy.  Look for his course in the Spring term entitled Music for the Living and the Dead.  His previous contributions to WC-ALL have included courses on Don Quijote de la Mancha and the Many Faces of Fascism.  Raymond will complete the term of long-time Council member Ed Minch, who passed away in July.

Each year Washington College Academy of Lifelong Learning awards an academic scholarship to one or more promising Washington College undergraduates.  Henceforth, that scholarship will be known as the Ed Minch Scholarship, in memory of WC-ALL’s longtime Curriculum Committee Chair who passed away in July 2021.

Established in May 1999, the scholarship publicly demonstrates the commitment of WC-ALL to Washington College and continuing education through tuition support for undergraduates who are United States citizens and who have demonstrated maturity, focus, and potential contribution to society.  Recipients must demonstrate solid academic performance, proven leadership, and financial need.

The scholarship is a fitting tribute to Ed Minch, who served for many years on the WC-ALL governing Council and chaired the Curriculum Committee, which offers a broad selection of courses to WC-ALL members.  Ed’s commitment to lifelong learning and his mentorship of young people in our community makes the naming of this scholarship in his memory a fitting tribute.

If you would like to get a sense of what is happening to immigrants at the US/Mexican Border, you will want to attend an apolitical presentation at WC-ALL’s November 18th Learn-At-Lunch, the last lunch event for calendar year 2021. Wendy Cronin will present “A Journey to the US/Mexican Border.”  Wendy spent 10 days in December 2019 at a location near Nogales, AZ, where she observed conditions involving food provision, primary healthcare, and schooling on the Mexican side as well as water drops and desert searches for lost migrants on the U.S. side. She also observed a court hearing in Tucson for captured migrants illegally crossing the border. Hear her describe what she saw and experienced.

Ms. Cronin is a retired epidemiologist who worked at the Maryland Department of Health for 26 years focusing on tuberculosis control. She was principal investigator for a national TB Research Consortium funded by the CDC. She spent 15 years working in undeveloped countries, most recently consulting with the World Health Organization and Hopkins University in TB prevention among vulnerable populations. She has taught several courses at WC-ALL focusing primarily on tuberculosis and the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

A buffet lunch will be served at noon followed by the presentation at the Chester River Yacht and Country Club.  The fee for members is $20, for non-members $25. The deadline for reservations is Thursday, November 11, and you must make a reservation and payment in advance.

To make a reservation contact the WC-ALL office at 410-778-7221 and then send a check made out to WC-ALL and mail it to 300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, MD 21620.

Alfred Sikes will offer his latest insights on what America’s political future may look like in the coming months and years at WC-ALL’s Learn At Lunch, Wednesday, September 15.  His discussion on today’s political climate is based on his book, Culture Leads Leaders Follow.

Sikes served as the head of the National Telecommunications Commission under Ronald Reagan and chaired the FCC under George W.H. Bush. Following his government service in Washington he joined the Hearst Corporation to establish a digital business group which concentrated on emerging business models. He currently serves on boards of organizations that concentrate on education, the arts, and the environment. He founded the Reading Excellence and Discovery Foundation that has helped thousands of children attain grade level reading skills. But perhaps he is best known locally for his commentary in The Spy.

A buffet lunch will be served at noon followed by the presentation at the Chester River Yacht and Country Club. Members’ fees are $20. Non-members are $25. The deadline for reservations is Thursday, September 9.

For more information and to make a reservation contact the WC-ALL office at 410-778-7221 and mail a check made out to WC-ALL to 300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, MD 21620.