Newsletter Volume 12 Issue 11 - June 2026 | | |
Lunch Colloquium with Ron Gould
Monday, June 1, 2026
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Ron Gould
Goodrich C. White Professor Emeritus of Mathematics
MONDAY, June 1, 2026
The Luce Center
825 Houston Mill Road -- Room 130
11:30am-1:00pm
“Smart Math or Smart Con Game – You Decide”
In this talk I will outline several situations where knowing the mathematics involved would probably prevent a person from participating. This includes a stock swindle, and several carnival games. The mathematics involved will be at a high school level, and that is not a con.
About Ron Gould:
Ron received a BS in mathematics from SUNY Fredonia, an MS in Computer Science from Western Michigan University, and a PhD in mathematics from Western Michigan University. He came to Emory in 1979 as an Assistant Professor and rose through the ranks, becoming Professor in 1990 and retiring in 2016. He has received numerous honors, including the Emory Williams Teaching Award, alumni awards from both SUNY Fredonia and Western Michigan University, and a Heilbrun Fellowship. He has published over 180 articles in scientific journals as well as several books and book chapters. He has directed 28 PhD and 26 Masters students.
If you would like more information about Ron, you can visit his personal website by clicking here.
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EUEC Awards and Honors Reception
Monday, June 15, 2026
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EUEC Awards and Honors Reception
MONDAY, June 15, 2026
The Luce Center
825 Houston Mill Road -- Room 130
11:30am-1:00pm
Please join us (In-person or via Zoom), for our annual celebration of EUEC members who will be honored with a Faculty Award of Distinction and Distinguished Service Awards for contributions they have made through scholarly work and service in the years since their retirement.
Also presented at this event will be this year’s recipients of the Bianchi-Bugge Award administered by the Emeritus College, and Heilbrun Fellowships, offered to support emeriti who are continuing research and scholarship in retirement; the grants, administered by the Emory College of Arts and Sciences, are funded by a generous contribution from the family of Professor of Psychology Alfred B. Heilbrun, Jr.
2026 Recipients:
Emeritus College Award of Distinction
Rick Doner
Goodrich C. White Professor Emeritus of Political Science
Emeritus College Distinguished Service Award
Gray Crouse
Professor Emeritus of Biology
Bianchi-Bugge Research Awards
Rosemary Magee, Director Emerita, Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library
Roger Rochat
Professor Emeritus of Global Health and Epidemiology
Heilbrun Distinguished Emeritus Fellowships
(Sponsored and Presented by the School of Arts and Sciences)
Harvey Klehr
Andrew W. Mellon Professor Emeritus of Political Science
Bruce Knauft
Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor Emeritus of Anthropology
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Lunch Colloquium with Matthew Sag
Monday, June 29, 2026
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Matthew Sag
Jonas Robitscher Professor of Law in Artificial Intelligence,
Machine Learning and Data Science
MONDAY, June 29, 2026
The Luce Center
825 Houston Mill Road -- Room 130
11:30am-1:00pm
“Being Human in the Loop: understanding and using generative AI"
In this presentation, Professor Sag will explain the fundamentals of generative AI for a general audience and how to apply that understanding to using modern AI tools effectively and knowing when not to use them. The talk lays out six practical principles for being a "good cyborg," starting with the right mental model, moving through what these systems reliably do well and where they predictably fail, and culminating in concrete strategies for getting more interesting, more honest, and more original results. Along the way, it tackles the ethics of AI-assisted writing, the implicit representations we make when we put words on a page, and why reading widely matters more than ever in an age when polished prose has become a commodity. Whether you are an enthusiastic adopter or a skeptic, this talk will give you a clearer framework for working with AI without surrendering the critical thinking that makes your work worth reading.
About Matthew Sag:
Matthew Sag is the Jonas Robitscher Professor of Law in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Data Science at Emory University Law School. Professor Sag is the founder of the Legal Scholars Roundtable on Artificial Intelligence, and he is a world-leading expert on the intersection of copyright law and text data mining, machine learning, and generative AI. He is also a sought after speaker on the broader implications of generative AI and its use as a legal technology. In July 2023, he testified to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Intellectual Property in relation to copyright and Generative AI and his research is published in leading journals such as Nature and Science, California Law Review, Emory Law Journal, Georgetown Law Journal, Northwestern Law Review, Notre Dame Law Review, and the Vanderbilt Law Review. He teaches courses on copyright law, Law & AI, and Property and plays with his dogs and runs marathons in his spare time.
| | Athens Pizza Meet / Greet / Eat! | | |
Athens Pizza Meet / Greet / Eat!
Saturday, June 20, 2026 -- Noon
1341 Clairmont Road
Decatur, GA 30033
Join us to relax and enjoy talking and eating with old and new friends. This is an opportunity to get out of the house, buy yourself a nice lunch, meet other Emeritus members, and have a little fun. Significant others are always welcome!
| | Program of Interest -- The Falling Class | | |
THE FALLING CLASS
Powered by Atlanta Judo Midtown
Do you know how to fall without getting severely injured? The Falling Class can teach you how!
The Falling Class is a skill-based training program that teaches active adults over 55 how to fall safely. Using progressive, science-based techniques adapted from judo and stunt training, the program demystifies the mechanics of falling through low-impact, game-based activities.
For over 30 years, Atlanta Judo Midtown has taught hundreds of students how to play judo and fall safely. The Falling Class combines proven safe-falling techniques with strength and balance training, all rooted in the core principles of judo.
For more information and a schedule of the class sessions, please click here.
Emeritus member, Marianne Skeen, alerted us to and shared this about the class:
The class is designed for people over the age of 55 and differs from the normal "fall prevention" kinds of classes. When a friend first mentioned this program to me, I was highly skeptical of a class that involved intentional falling, but I decided to attend a free introductory workshop out of curiosity. I had no desire to participate in actual falls! But, amazingly, after listening to the rationale for learning how to fall safely and realizing all my previous falling prevention measures failed, I found myself trying to fall safely in the “padded room,” Shortly after beginning the series of classes, I actually experienced a fall on a tricky slope while hiking. I think the fall could have had far more serious consequences had I not learned to protect my head and other vulnerable body parts by falling more safely.
The class is taught at Atlanta Judo Midtown off Cheshire Bridge Rd. They are now offering free introductory classes on the last Friday of every month. I think if some of the emeritus college members attend the introductory classes, they might be willing to try it like I did.
| | Emeritus College Walking Group | | |
If you’d like to get in the habit of walking on a regular basis, please join us at 9:30 on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at the trailhead of Mason Mill Park, 1400 Mason Mill Road, Decatur, GA 30033.
There are numerous parks with walking trails in the area e.g., Hahn Woods, Lullwater Park, W.D. Thomson Park, Frazier-Rowe Park, Briarlake Forest Park, and Mason Mill, which offers miles of paved and boardwalk trails and plenty of free parking.
If interested in joining us on June 11 or in the future, please contact Ann E. Rogers (ann.e.rogers@emory.edu).
| | MedShare Volunteer Opportunity | | |
If you’d like to join this group, we are volunteering the second Thursday afternoon of each month. Upcoming sessions: June 11, July 9 and August 13, 2026 . Registration on the MedShare web site is required.
To register:
Visit the MedShare event registration page at: https://www.cervistech.com/acts/console.php?console_id=0319&console_type=event&ht=1&res_code=EmoryEmeritus
Click the "Sign Up" button for your event and enter your email and first name. If you don't have a MedShare volunteer account, you'll be prompted to create one.
Select the listed event and click “Register."
For registration issues, questions or information about carpooling, please contact Marianne Skeen, marskeen@comcast.net.
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Please join us in congratulating Emeritus College members who have
recently been appointed emeritus titles:
Angelika Bammer - Professor Emerita of Comparative Literature, effective August 31, 2026
James Galt -- Professor Emeritus of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, effective May 14, 2026
Ellen Hess -- Professor Emerita of Pharmocology and Chemical Biology, effective August 1, 2026
Barbara Ladd -- Professor Emerita of English, effective August 31, 2026
Judith Miller -- Associate Professor Emerita of History, effective August 31, 2026
Michael Prietula -- Professor Emeritus in Information Systems & Operations Management, effective September 1, 2026
Jagdish Sheth -- Charles H. Kellstadt Chair Emeritus of Marketing, effective September 1, 2026
Sharon Strocchia -- Professor Emerita of History, effective August 31, 2026
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New members are the lifeblood of any organization.
Please make a special effort to welcome them to the EUEC!
Larry Anderson
Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics
Patricia Bauer
Asa Griggs Candler Professor Emerita of Psychology
Matthew Bernstein
Goodrich C. White Professor Emeritus of Film and Media
Jean Campbell
Professor Emerita of Art History
Kathleen Campbell
Associate Teaching Professor Emerita of Biology
Maria Carrion
Professor Emerita of Religion and Comparative Literature
Martha Clabby
Associate Professor Emerita of Pediatrics
Kevin Corrigan
Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor Emeritus of Interdisciplinary Humanities
Brian Dyer
Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor Emeritus of Chemistry
Eldon Geisert
Professor Emeritus of Ophthalmology
Elena Glazov-Corrigan
Professor Emerita of Russian and East Asian Languages and Cultures
Lance Gunderson
Professor Emeritus of Environmental Sciences
Frank Keller
Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics
Lisa Macklin
University Librarian Emerita
Edward Phillips
Associate Professor Emeritus of Historical Theology and Christian Worship
Mark Risjord
Professor Emeritus of Philosophy
Philippe Rochat
Professor Emeritus of Psychology
Lawrence Scahill
Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics
Harold Simon
Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine
Jose Soria
Associate Teaching Professor Emeritus of Chemistry
Karen Stolley
Professor Emerita of Spanish
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Joe Hardison
Professor Emeritus of Internal Medicine
Dr. Joseph Ellsworth "Joe" Hardison died on May 15, 2026 in Stone Mountain, Georgia at the age of 90. Joe was born May 29, 1935 in Asheville, North Carolina to Hubert Ellsworth and Mary Virginia (Beale) Hardison. He spent his earliest years in Black Mountain with his parents before moving to Raleigh where his family welcomed his younger sister Nancy. Joe spoke often of his early years in North Carolina, recalling everything from day-to-day memories such as the family outhouse freezing during winter, to major historical events such as hearing the announcement of the attack on Pearl Harbor on the radio. The Hardisons later moved to Smyrna, outside of Atlanta, where Joe graduated from the newly opened Campbell High School in 1952. Joe's extracurricular activities in high school, paired with his other hobbies outside of school, were an early indication that he would be a lifelong jack of all trades. At school, Joe was a member of the Glee Club, a pitcher on the baseball team, and president of his senior class. He also participated in Campbell's senior play, and remembered even 70 years later that he messed up his lines. Outside of school, Joe was an avid reader, an animal lover, and a cane pole fisherman.
Joe attended West Georgia College (now University of West Georgia) for his associates degree. Joe spoke at the commencement ceremony where Dr. Jake Ward, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Emory University, was in attendance. Dr. Ward was impressed with Joe and invited him to attend Emory to complete his bachelor's degree in biology and then attend medical school, and Joe graciously accepted. Joe received his biology degree in 1956 and his medical degree in 1960, and then stayed at Emory to complete his medical residency in the Emory/VA Hospital program. In 1966, Joe was appointed Chief of Medicine at the Atlanta VA Hospital. For more reflection on Joe's professional career, read this writeup from Emory's Chair of the Department of Medicine, Dr. Carlos del Rio.
It was also during Joe's residency that he met his beloved wife and soulmate, Rebecca "Becky" Hatcher. They met at a hospital Christmas party that Becky attended with her mother, a nurse. Joe asked permission to give Becky a ride home, and the rest was history. When Joe had to travel to Norway to serve as a medic in the US Air Force, Becky joined the US Foreign Service as an excuse to follow him to Europe. They returned to the US married in the fall of 1963. Soon thereafter they welcomed their first daughter, Virginia (Ginnie), followed by Cindy and finally Kimberley (Kim) in the years to come.
When not at work or spending time with his family, you could find Joe eating at Evan's Fine Foods and Matthews Cafeteria, running the Peachtree Road Race, playing tennis and later golf, or wandering estate sales looking for treasures.
Throughout Joe's life, none held a larger place in his heart than his family, which always included his beloved pets. Though he worked hard, he always had time for his children, grandchildren, and extended family. Perhaps the only thing he loved more than being Daddy, though, was being Da to his three grandchildren, Ellie, Augie, and David. Spending time with Joe meant that you were bound to learn something, whether it be about golf, animals, or how to diagnose a news broadcaster with a thyroid condition by looking at their throat while they spoke.
Joe was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Becky, and his oldest daughter, Ginnie. He is survived by his sister Nancy Burroughs of Rock Hill, South Carolina, daughters Cindy and Kim (Mark Ahlfinger), and his three grandchildren, Ellie, Augie, and David McQuaig, all of Atlanta. He is also survived by many extended family members, and generations of doctors who continue to benefit from his decades of teaching.
A celebration of Joe's life will be held in the sanctuary at Glenn Memorial UMC on the Emory University Campus in Atlanta on Saturday, May 30th, 2026 at 11am with a reception to follow in the Ward Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Smoky Mountain Service Dogs.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/joe-hardison-obituary?id=61540855
| | Some Upcoming Events at Emory in June 2026 | | |
Diabetes Virtual Support Group
Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 6 – 6:45pm EDT
Emory Healthcare is partnering with Diabetes You Can Win Foundation, Inc. to provide complimentary virtual support to anyone living with diabetes, caring for someone with diabetes, or working to prevent diabetes.
Anyone is invited to participate and may join at any time!
The complimentary, virtual support calls are held the second Tuesday of every month from 6-6:45 PM.
Registration / R.S.V.P. link events.blackthorn.io…
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Miscellaneous Monthly: Rose Library's Open House Series - Sports History
Rose Library, 10th floor of Woodruff Library building
Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 1 – 3pm EDT
Have you ever wanted to see items from Rose Library's collections but not known how? Or maybe you don't even know what you'd like to see, just that you would like to see something cool and old!
If this describes you, you're in luck! This Summer, Rose Library is continuing "Miscellaneous Monthly", our monthly open house series. Every third Tuesday of the month, you can stop by the 10th floor of Woodruff Library between 1pm and 3pm to view a selection of archival items. No appointment needed! Each month will have a different theme, so be sure to come by every month to see it all! Join us on June 16th to view archival materials related to sports history, as well as to talk with a curator of Emory Libraries' "Footwork" exhibit!
This open house is free and open to the public. For our non-Emory visitors, the closest paid parking is in the Fishburne Parking Deck with access from Fishburne Drive (not North Decatur Rd). For more information about parking, please visit the Emory Transportation website: transportation.emory.edu…
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International Euphonium and Tuba Festival Concert
Schwartz Center for Performing Arts: Emerson Concert Hall | 1700 North Decatur Rd.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 7:30pm EDT
Saturday, June 20, 2026, 7:30pm EDT
Free Event/No Ticket Required
The evening's concert features International Euphonium Tuba (IET) Festival Participant Ensembles and the Georgia Brass Band.
For the past 23 years, the International Euphonium Tuba Festival has hosted more than 150 performers from around the globe at Emory University for a week of concerts, master classes, lessons, camaraderie, and workshops! Experience a different kind of heavy metal music with performers from Norway, England, Switzerland, the US, South America, and more. Audiences are invited to enjoy a tour-de-force of sound with free public concerts at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17— featuring the Georgia Brass Band—and 7:30 p.m on Saturday, June 20—the closing gala concert featuring more than 150 participant performers partnering with the beautiful Jaeckel Organ!
These free concerts bring an amazing variety of music to the Schwartz Center stage through the virtuosity of the tuba and euphonium.
Recommended parking for Schwartz Center events is the Fishburne Parking Deck.
Additional visitor parking information is also listed here.
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Details and other information, as well as additional campus events, can be found on the Emory Events Calendar.
If you'd like to share an event/program of interest before the next newsletter
please contact Dianne Becht Dianne.becht@emory.edu
| | Exploring the Campus with Dianne | |
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The beautiful patterns in the handrails viewed last month can be found at the entrance of Alumni Memorial University Center (AMUC), 630 Means Drive. This entrance faces Clifton Road and the anatomy section for the School of Medicine building.
The AMUC has an interesting history. Built in 1950 to honor members of the community the university lost at war, the AMUC was the original Atlanta campus’ student union. In 1985 the building was partially enclosed by the newly built Dobbs University Center. Several years ago, the AMUC was returned to its original status as a standalone building after the completion of the new Student Center.
For more information and history on the building please click here.
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For our next exploration, let's take a look at one of my favorite works of art on campus. The piece (or should I say, pieces?) is huge. It's not painted on wood or canvas...and it is not located at the
M C Carlos Museum.
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Where will you find this on the Emory campus?
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Emory University Emeritus College
The Luce Center
825 Houston Mill Road NE Room 206
Atlanta, GA 30329
http://www.emory.edu/emeritus
Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Inquiries should be directed to the Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Bldg, Atlanta, GA 30322.
Telephone: 404-727-9867 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).
Should you need this document in an alternate format, or require a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Department of Accessibility Services at 404-727-9877 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).
Please note that one week's advance notice is preferred.
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