Wise OWLLS initiative is dedicated to providing a lively and intellectually challenging array of virtual workshops and seminars facilitated throughout the year by faculty, staff, and fellow alumni.
Wise OWLLS come from all walks of life and career paths, and although open to all members of our community, is geared towards retired and semi-retired alumni.
New workshops are always being considered, and many are inspired and welcomed by alumni. There are many avenues for participation, which include joining the committee, teaching a workshop, or attending one of our lecture series.
Commemorating 1776 in 2026
Join your fellow SCSU Alumni for some fun learning!
Join SCSU History Professor Jason Smith in exploring a recent exhibit created and curated by SCSU history students called $chlock2.50: Buying and Selling American Patriotism in 1976 and 2026. The exhibit was inspired by cheap, disposable consumer goods collected during the Bicentennial at SUNY-Buffalo and now archived at Yale's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.
In Spring 2026, in commemoration of America250, Professor Smith and his students collected similar items from the Bicentennial and America250, interpreting and curating them in the context of a different historical moment for the United States but one that nevertheless echoes many of the issues, anxieties, and desires of the 1970s.
This is a great opportunity to explore Buley Library's Special Collections, to see and handle these items, and to reflect upon the ways historical commemoration and consumer culture help us to make sense of our past as well as our present.
Friday, December 4, 2026
11 AM to 12 PM EST
Buley Library Special Collections - SCSU
Previous Events
Sustainable Gardening
June 2, 2026, 3 pm, at SCSU
From Galileo to the Galaxies: A Double Feature Planetarium Experience
November 18, 2025, 3 pm, at SCSU
Online: Traveling Abroad
March 3, 2025, 7 pm
Featuring Speaker: Anthony Tamburri, '71, Italian Scholar/SCSU Alumni, and Lee DeLisle, SCSU's Recreation, Tourism, and Sport Management Professor.
Online: Avoiding Scams
October 14, 2025, 7 pm
Featuring Speaker: CT State Trooper, Michael Grabowski
Active Aging Through Service
June 3, 2025
Hear from a panel discussion on the benefits and opportunities for volunteering in retirement featuring Jackie Downing, Greater New Haven Foundation Senior Director of Grantmaking and Nonprofit Support, and Dennis Velasquez, United Way of Greater New Haven Volunteer Manager.
WISE OWLLs Book Club - “The New Retirement”
April 22, 2025
Our inaugural WISE OWLLs Book Club topic is “The New Retirement,” and we will be reading "The New Retirement: The Ultimate Guide to the Rest of Your Life".
Fierce Aging
February 11, 2025
An engaging and thought-provoking virtual talk on Fierce Aging, where two leading experts, Dr. Catherine (Kathy) Jankowski, and Dr. Tarah Loy-Ashe, share insights on aging with resilience, vitality, and purpose. This session explores the intersection of aging, health, and empowerment, offering a deeper understanding of how individuals can navigate the challenges of aging while maintaining strength and well-being.
I Didn't Grow With a Computer, Why Do I Need to Care About AI?
November 19, 2024
Dr. Jess Gregory guides us through the essentials of AI, why it matters, and how it impacts our personal and professional lives—especially for those who didn't grow up with technology. Discover practical takeaways and learn why AI is a critical skill for everyone, regardless of your background.