Newsletter Volume 13 Issue 1 - September 2026 | | |
Fall Semester Lunch Colloquium Preview
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Monday, September 14, 2026
Elaine Walker – Charles Howard Candler Professor Emerita of Psychology and Neuroscience
“Evolving Perspectives on Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders: Genetics, the Environment and Brain Development.”
For details, see below.
Monday, September 28, 2026
ServiceFest
For details, see below.
Monday, October 12, 2026
William Brown – Senior Lecturer Emeritus of Film and Media
"Creating Digital Images that are Robotically Rendered as Oil Paintings”
Using a robotic painting device developed at M.I.T., my strategy involves testing multiple styles to determine which are best suited to this new technology. I am able to create limitless numbers of “pre-paintings” which I can compare and critically evaluate before committing any to paint.
TUESDAY, October 27, 2026
Dan Reiter – Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Political Science
“Democracy, Peace, and War in the 21st Century"
The Cold War ended in 1989 with a great hope that humanity would turn to democracy, and enter a heavenly city of freedom, prosperity, and most importantly peace. There was also hope not only that democracies were more peaceful, but that when they did fight wars, they were more likely to win, as seemingly evidenced by a number of 1990s conflicts. The first quarter of the new century provides an opportunity to evaluate these claims. Is democracy still a reliable recipe for peace? Are democracies still more likely to win the wars they wage? Has the institution of democracy or the practice of war evolved in the past 25 years such that we should reconsider these hopes? The Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran Wars in particular shed new light on these questions.
Monday, November 16, 2026
Ann Rogers – Professor Emerita in Nursing
“Sleep and Aging: What’s “Normal” and When to Seek Help."
This presentation will present an overview of changes in sleep patterns throughout the lifespan, outline normal aging changes in sleep, identify when you should consult a sleep disorders specialist, and review common interventions for sleep problems experienced by adults over the age of 65.
Monday, November 30, 2026
“BookFest”
Read any good books lately? Might you be willing to recommend one (or more) of those good books to those of us wondering what to read next? We are looking for volunteers to describe books they have enjoyed that others might enjoy, as well. If you’ve got one to discuss, we’ll be happy to allot you five minutes of our BookFest time. If you’ve got two or three, we can schedule you for ten minutes. And of course, you can choose a book or books of any kind at all. If you would like to volunteer, please do so in an email to Ron Gould - rg@emory.edu.
Please supply Ron with the name of the book(s) you’ll be recommending, and let him know if you will need five or ten minutes. We will schedule accordingly. First come, first scheduled, until we run out of time.
Monday, December 7
EUEC Holiday Lunch Colloquium
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Lunch Colloquium with Elaine Walker
Monday, September 14, 2026
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Elaine Walker
Charles Howard Candler Professor Emerita of Psychology and Neuroscience
MONDAY, September 14, 2026
The Luce Center
825 Houston Mill Road -- Room 130
11:30am-1:00pm
“Evolving Perspectives on Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders: Genetics, the Environment and Brain Development.”
For decades, inherited genetic risk and environmental influences dominated conceptualizations of the etiology of psychotic disorders. But advances in genetics and neuroscience have dramatically altered scientific perspectives on the determinants of serious mental illnesses. These research findings have raised questions about the validity of contemporary diagnostic classification systems as well as some long-held assumptions about etiological processes. We now know that both inherited and acquired genetic factors influence risk for psychotic disorders, and that environmental factors influence the expression of genetic risk. Further, the human brain undergoes a protracted and complex developmental course, and these developmental processes are modulated by both genetic and environmental influences. Brain changes that normally ensue during adolescence and young adulthood are especially relevant to serious mental illness and make these sensitive periods for the onset of psychosis. This presentation will summarize the current state of our knowledge about the etiology of psychotic disorders and highlight some recent findings that hold promise for enhancing treatment and future prevention.
About Elaine Walker:
Dr. Walker’s research deals with the etiology of serious mental disorders, particularly schizophrenia and other psychoses. Her research group at Emory has been one of the nine sites in the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study (NAPLS) consortium, a multisite study focused on the predictors and mechanisms of conversion to psychosis in clinical high risk (CHR) individuals. This project involves comprehensive characterization of the behavioral, cognitive and biological manifestations of risk for psychosis, with the goal of enhancing prediction of psychosis onset. The NAPLS study is also intended to shed light on the environmental, genetic, and neurobiological mechanisms that are associated with transition to psychosis in youth at CHR. Other projects are focused on cognitive dysfunctions (CAPR – Computerized Assessment of Psychosis Risk) and enhancing the measurement of negative symptoms in youth at CHR for psychosis. Dr. Walker is also involved in investigations of vulnerability to psychoses conferred by genetic mutations, including 22q11 and 3q29 deletion syndromes (DS), which are associated with significantly elevated risk for a broad range of psychiatric syndromes, including psychosis. Dr. Walker is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Science and a Fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She is also the recipient of the Cuttino Award for Mentorship and the Scholar-Teacher award from Emory University, the Cattell Lifetime Contribution Award from the Association for Psychological Science, the Joseph Zubin Life-time Contribution Research Award from the Society for Research in Psychopathology, and the Gralnick Award from the American Psychological Foundation.
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Lunch Colloquium with Matthew Sag
Monday, June 29, 2026
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Lunch Colloquium - ServiceFest
Monday, September 28, 2026
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EUEC ServiceFest
MONDAY, September 28, 2026
The Luce Center
825 Houston Mill Road -- Room 130
11:30am-1:00pm
Now that we are retired, we have time for the things we truly care about. Time to do the things that make us happy. That can be travel or it can even be something simple like finally getting a chance to work around the house. Retirement can also provide a chance to do something for someone else, such as volunteer for Emeritus College committees, or work for a dog rescue, a museum, a church, or some other organization like MedShare. ServiceFest is a chance to promote your favorite cause, help spread the word, and maybe convince others to join you in helping someone.
| | Athens Pizza Meet / Greet / Eat! | | Emeritus College Director, Kristy Martyn and former Director, Ann Rogers at Athens Pizza. | | |
Athens Pizza Meet / Greet / Eat!
Saturday, September 19, 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!
| | Emeritus College Walking Group | | MedShare Volunteer Opportunity | | |
If you’d like to join this group, we are volunteering the second Thursday afternoon of each month. Upcoming sessions: September 10, October 8, and November 12, 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.
| | Emeritus members Anna Leo, and Marianne Skeen, (front center) and friends, after packing boxes at MedShare | | | | |
Jag Sheth
Charles H. Kellstadt Chaired Professor of Business
After 35 years of service, Jag Sheth is set to retire. To read an excellent article about Jag and his contributions to Emory and the community, please click here.
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Timothy Albrecht
Professor Emeritus of Music
Since retiring in September 2022, I have been writing and self-publishing books on Bach's keyboard compositions. Now I have just submitted my manuscript entitled Bach's Art of Fugue: Reflections from the Keyboard.
Amazon KDF will publish this next month, making it again available to readers in both paperback and digital format. This will be my eighth book — and surely final! -- completed as Emory Emeritus Professor:
Exploring the Magic of Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier I & II: Short Notes for Performers & Listeners (2022)
Exploring the Magic: Short Notes on the Bach-Busoni Chaconne (2022)
More J.S. Bach Magic! Exploring the Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue BWV 903 (2023)
Bach’s Keyboard Partitas: Not His First Rodeo (2024)
Hearing with Your Eyes: A Musician Reflects on Twele Favorite Paintings (2025)
Mining for Gold: Bach’s Goldberg Variations (2025)
Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier II: Keyboard Reflections (2026)
Bach’s Art of Fugue: Reflections from the Keyboard (2026)
Best wishes and continued success in all you do,
Timothy Albrecht
Emeritus Professor of Music and Emory University Organist
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New members are the lifeblood of any organization.
Please make a special effort to welcome them to the EUEC!
Hope Haynes Bussenius
Clinical Associate Professor - Neil Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Roderick Gilkey
Professor in the Practice of Organization and Management, Goizueta Business School, and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Cindy Powell
Associate Professor - Neil Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, and Morehouse School of Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Division
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James T. Laney
Emory University President Emeritus
Dr. James Thomas Laney (Jim) died at home early Thursday morning, August 13th, 2026, beside his beloved wife, Berta Radford. He was 98.
President Laney will be remembered as one of our university’s most transformative leaders.
To view an article published by Emory University please click here.
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Bruce Ribner
Professor Emeritus of Medicine
Bruce passed away on July 19, 2026
Bruce worked as a hospital epidemiologist in Houston, Asheville, and Charleston before moving to Atlanta in 2000 to work at Emory University. While at Emory University, Bruce conceived of, formed, wrote the policies for, and became the Medical Director of the Serious Communicable Disease Unit. The most exciting moment of his career occurred when the unit admitted four Ebola patients in 2014. The unit performed superbly, with all four patients surviving, and consequently he was asked to give the plenary speech at the annual meeting of the Infectious Disease Society of America in October of that year. Professor Ribner retired from Emory University in 2021.
To view an obituary please click the link below:
https://www.jewishfuneralcare.com/obituary/Bruce-Ribner
| | Some Upcoming Events at Emory in September 2026 | | |
Emory Cinematheque Free Movies in September:
September 2 at 7:30 p.m. in White Hall 208
She's Gotta Have It -- 2017 | Digital
Created by Spike Lee
Introduced by Dr. Beretta Smith-Shomade
The film She’s Gotta Have It introduces the world to filmmaker Spike Lee. Shot on a budget of $175,000 in 12 days, the film has grossed over $8 million. It opened in New York City on August 8, 1986 with Island Pictures, 40 years ago. Shot in black and white, primarily to keep cost down, it is set in late 1980s Brooklyn and positioned to tell a story of Nola Darling (Tracy Camilla Johns) as an independent and forward-thinking young, Black woman and her concurrent sexual relationships with three different men.
September 9 at 7:30 p.m. in white Hall 208
School Daze -- 1988 | Run time : 121 min. | 35mm
Directed by spike Lee
Introduced by Dr. Beretta Smith-Shomade and Actor/Dancer Kyme Hersi-Salid
Coming off the success of She’s Gotta Have It, Spike Lee wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the film School Daze in 1988. The film visualizes life at a fictional, historically Black college, Mission College, one modeled after his alma mater Morehouse College and the other schools of the Atlanta University Center. During this homecoming week, Lee’s musical illuminates concerns being grappled with in 1980s Black collegiate culture surrounding class, color stratification, and pledging at an HBCU.
The film stars Laurence Fishburne, Giancarlo Esposito, Tisha Campell, and Kyme Hersi-Sallid. There will be a talk back after the screening with actor Kyme Hersi-Sallid who stars as Rachel in the film.
September 16 at 7:30 p.m. in White Hall 208
Do The Right Thing -- 1989 | Run Time: 120 min | DCP
Directed by Spike Lee
Introduced by Dr. Miriam Petty (Northwestern University)
Do the Right Thing is one of Spike Lee’s most powerful films and addresses the lasting impact of racist ideology on African-American and larger U.S. communities, especially within communities where many people must live together. Lee battled with Paramount over the budget and script—issues that were not resolved. He finally ended up getting a deal with Universal Studios along with final cut approval—something he felt committed to having based on the marketing fiasco with School Daze. Do the Right Thing is Lee’s first union film—meaning, the first time he would use a union crew. With some wrangling, he secured a number of African-Americans into the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union, most of whom had been formerly excluded.
September 23 at 7:30 p.m. in White Hall 208
Jungle Fever -- 1991 | Run Time: 132 min. | DCP
Directed by Spike Lee
Introduced by Dr. Mikal Gaines (Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences)
Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever explores interracial coupling (specifically the black-white version of it), the devastation of drug use in Black communities, class status both within and outside of race, and gender roles. The film opens with a tribute to Yusef Hawkins, a young Black teen murdered in 1989.
Jungle Fever stars Spike Lee, Wesley Snipes, Annabella Sciorra, Samuel L. Jackson, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, John Tuturro, and introduces Halle Berry in her debut feature film role. Jungle Fever will be introduced by film scholar Dr. Mikail Gaines of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences-Boston, and he will lead the Q & A.
September 30 at 7:30 p.m. in White Hall 208
Malcolm X -- 1992 | Run Time: 202 min | DCP
Directed by Spike Lee
Introduced by Dr. Charlene Regester (University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill)
Spike Lee’s Malcolm X came out in 1992 with Warner Bros. The film is based on the 1964 book, The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley, which was published one year before Malcolm X’s assassination. In the film, audiences see Malcolm X through various points of his varied, short life: as Malcolm Little, Malcolm X, and El- Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.
Coming in just shy of 3 1/2 hours, Lee interprets Malcolm X’s motivations as grounded in his background, transitions, and his faith. Denzel Washington was nominated for an Oscar in his portrayal of Malcolm X. Alongside him, the film stars Angela Bassett, Al Freeman, Jr., Delroy Lindo, and Lee himself. Film historian Dr. Charlene Regester of the University of North Carolina will introduce the film and entertain questions afterwards.
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Sunday FUNday: Dancing Deities
September 6, 2026
12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Ackerman Hall
How can still images appear to move? One-way artists create visual movement in a motionless work is to show figures mid-action, as we see in the statue of Krishna in the Asian Gallery; his lifted leg and outstretched arms capture a sense of celebration.
Visit the galleries and find examples of movement and rhythm through dancing deities, strolling figures, and mischievous animals, then experiment with one of the earliest forms of animation by creating your own zoetrope—a spinning device that makes drawings appear to move. Visitors can design dancing figures, leaping animals, or swirling patterns!
Sunday FUNday is a free drop-in program for all families and includes admission to the galleries. Supplies available on a first come, first served basis.
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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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And......we're back! Hope you enjoyed your month of August and recognized (and maybe even had a chance to visit) our spot from the July exploration.
Probably my favorite place on campus to meditate, enjoy nature, and get away from everything is just a short walk from the Luce Center-- Hahn Woods, 880 Houston Mill Road.
The area is named for T. Marshall Hahn, Jr. who was an Emory trustee and CEO of Georgia-Pacific. He served as chair of the Emory Board of Trustees' Investment Committee and was a member of the Executive Committee until his elevation to emeritus status at age 70 in 1997.
This 4.7-acre preserve was reclaimed from a landfill with the help of Georgia-Pacific, which wanted to honor its retiring CEO. It is part of a 60-acre parcel acquired by Emory University in 1960 along with the Houston Mill House.
To get to the spot I've photographed, enter the parking area off Houston Mill Road, take the set of stairs down from the parking area and follow the mostly level trail along the creek. It's a beautiful place to visit especially in spring and fall.
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Where to next?
Let's revisit somewhere, or should I say, something, we looked at years ago (actually our first spot when I created this column). This piece of campus art represents the unofficial mascot of Emory.
See if you can figure out where this is -- and do you know this famous Emory character's name?
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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).
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