PLATO upcoming events

Lecture – The Power of Art in History (September 24, 2026)

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 18:30:00 GMT

The Power of Art in History

Thursday, September 24 from 1:30-3:00 p.m.

In-Person at Oakwood Village University Woods

Arts & Education Center

6205 Mineral Point Road

Registration is Not Required

FREE PARKING

Professor Alan Garfield has a long history of interest in and study of art history, including how art has impacted and reflected history, both ancient and more contemporary. He has also studied pieces of art considered masterpieces with a focus on how and why they have been given that designation. In his lecture he will share slides of art and point out why many are considered masterpieces in the world of art history.

Professor Alan Garfield, Emeritus, was Chair of the Digital Art and Design Department at the University of Dubuque, in Dubuque, Iowa USA. His formal education is eclectic including earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa, a master’s degree from State University of New York-Binghamton, and completing post graduate work at Wadham College, Oxford. As an art historian, his publications are also diverse, including papers on 2D and 3D animation algorithms, images in contemporary politics, 19th century French philosophies, Holocaust studies, Beat Generation poetry, and challenges in higher education. He recently chaired AI conferences in Cambridge University, Oxford University and Hull University. He now lives in Madison with his wife, Phyllis. They moved to Madison to grandparent their six-year-old and four-year-old grandsons. Because of their travels, they speak several languages (including Irish) and spend summers in Donegal, Ireland.

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Transportation Options:

Bicycle: Bike racks are available

Bus: The BRT Route A bus runs every 15 minutes and stops in front of Oakwood at the Island/Mineral Point station.

Car:

Use the Island Drive entrance at 6205 Mineral Point Road.
Veer left and follow the drive to the 2nd driveway with sign “Heritage Oaks Parking Garage.”
Turn right into driveway.
Press the buzzer and the Oakwood desk attendant will buzz you in. There are 70 parking stalls. Park in any visitor or non-reserved stall. Take the elevator up one floor to the main entrance, turn right and walk through the mail box area into the lobby. Ask at the desk for directions to the Performing Arts Center.
When you exit the underground parking, the garage door opens automatically.
_________________________

Questions? Contact lecture organizer Barbara Drake at barbaradrake21@gmail.com

Noon Zoom - Talking About the Measles Outbreak, Vaccine Controversies and Other Public Health Concerns with Dr. Patrick Remington (October 01, 2026)

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Talking About the Measles Outbreak, Vaccine Controversies and Other Public Health Concerns with Dr. Patrick Remington

Thursday, October 1, 2026

12pm - 1:00pm

Online via Zoom

Registration is required

Members can register a guest

Join retired WPR talk show host Joy Cardin and Dr. Patrick Remington for a Noon Zoom discussion about the measles outbreak, vaccine controversies and other public health concerns on Thursday, October 1 from 12:00 - 1:00.

Public health issues are increasingly at the center of national conversation—and sometimes controversy. Join us for an informative discussion of the recent measles outbreak, the continuing debate over vaccines, and other important public health concerns. We’ll explore what we know, what remains uncertain, and how public health officials, researchers, and the public can navigate conflicting information and make informed decisions. Bring your questions and join the conversation about some of the health issues affecting our communities today.

Noon Zooms are a new PLATO Madison offering available to members. These occasional virtual discussions will feature a host and guest expert discussing an issue in the news with the opportunity for attendees to join in the discussion. The offering is free, but you need to register to receive the Zoom link.

Patrick Remington, MD, MPH is Professor Emeritus at the School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison. After practicing public health for 15 years at the CDC and Wisconsin Division of Public Health, Dr. Remington joined the UW, where he directed the Population Health Institute, Master of Public Health Program, and the Preventive Medicine Residency Program, and served at Associate Dean for Public Health.

His research focuses on developing methods to measure the health of communities and use this information to mobilize action toward community health and health equity. He earned his MD from UW; and completed an Internal Medicine Internship at the Virginia Mason in Seattle, the Epidemic Intelligence Service and Preventive Medicine Residency at the CDC, and an MPH degree from the University of Minnesota. He has authored or co-authored over 300 publications and taught courses on public health to undergraduate, medical, and public health students.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE ZOOM LINK TO ATTEND. PLEASE REGISTER BEFORE THE EVENT STARTS. ORAL AND WRITTEN QUESTIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED DURING THE EVENT.

As this event is online, you can use your computer or smartphone to listen to the conversation and then add your voice to the conversation during the "Question & Comment" time.

If you do not have a computer or smartphone you can also use your regular phone to dial a phone number and listen in.

Questions? Contact lecture organizer, Joy Cardin at cardinjoy@gmail.com

Lecture – Forgiveness as a Way of Improving Well-Being (October 08, 2026)

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 18:30:00 GMT

Thursday, October 8 from 1:30-3:00 p.m.

In-Person at Oakwood Village University Woods

Arts & Education Center

6205 Mineral Point Road

Registration is Not Required

FREE PARKING

What if one of the greatest gifts you could give yourself—and others—is forgiveness? Join Dr. Robert Enright, a world-renowned University of Wisconsin–Madison professor and pioneer in the science of forgiveness, for an inspiring and uplifting presentation on how forgiveness can bring greater peace, hope, and healing to our lives. Drawing on decades of research and real-life experiences from around the world, Dr. Enright will share how forgiveness can strengthen relationships, ease emotional burdens, improve well-being, and even help heal divided communities. Whether you're facing a personal challenge, looking for ways to enrich your relationships, or simply curious about the power of forgiveness, you'll leave with fresh insights, practical ideas, and a deeper appreciation for how forgiveness can make a meaningful difference in your own life—and in our world.

Dr. Robert Enright holds the Aristotelian Professorship in Forgiveness Science within the Department of Educational Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, is a licensed psychologist, and founder of the International Forgiveness Institute, a non- profit organization dedicated to disseminating knowledge about forgiveness and community renewal through forgiveness. He was the first to publish an empirically based journal article on the topic of person-to-person forgiveness in 1989. For his innovative research on forgiveness, he received in 2022 what the American Psychological Association calls “psychology’s highest awards,” the APF Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology.

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Transportation Options:

Bicycle: Bike racks are available

Bus: The BRT Route A bus runs every 15 minutes and stops in front of Oakwood at the Island/Mineral Point station.

Car:

Use the Island Drive entrance at 6205 Mineral Point Road.
Veer left and follow the drive to the 2nd driveway with sign “Heritage Oaks Parking Garage.”
Turn right into driveway.
Press the buzzer and the Oakwood desk attendant will buzz you in. There are 70 parking stalls. Park in any visitor or non-reserved stall. Take the elevator up one floor to the main entrance, turn right and walk through the mail box area into the lobby. Ask at the desk for directions to the Performing Arts Center.
When you exit the underground parking, the garage door opens automatically.
_________________________

Questions? Contact lecture organizer Barbara Drake at barbaradrake21@gmail.com

Lecture – Equity for All: CLIMB USA’S Movement to Promote Democratic Capitalism as an Economic Empowerment Framework (October 22, 2026)

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 18:30:00 GMT

Equity for All: CLIMB USA’S Movement to Promote Democratic Capitalism as an Economic Empowerment Framework

Thursday, October 22 from 1:30-3:00 p.m.

In-Person at Oakwood Village University Woods

Arts & Education Center

6205 Mineral Point Road

Registration is Not Required

FREE PARKING

CLIMB is an acronym for “Communities Learning to Invest and Mobilize for Business.” This nonprofit organization is committed to helping youth, families and communities attain financial literacy, investment education, leadership skills, and capital markets engagement. CLIMB USA works to inspire individuals to build generational wealth and long-term economic stability.

In his lecture, Robert Wynn will outline the key tenets of democratic capitalism and explain how CLIMB USA’s Launchpad Program provides a viable pathway for youth, families, and communities to collectively build wealth and thrive within the capitalist framework

Robert Wynn is the founder and president of CLIMB USA. Prior to opening his own businesses, Mr. Wynn was the financial Education Officer for the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. In that capacity he created a number of ground-breaking financial programs including the statewide network of Money Conferences, the Millionaires Club, the Finance and Investment Challenge Bowl and the Intelligent Arts Showcase. Mr. Wynn also produced the first ever “Governor’s Summit on Venture Capital” which helped to enhance the private equity infrastructure in Wisconsin.

In April 2026, Mr. Wynn was awarded the Wealth Liberator Award. This award is given to individuals who have committed their lives to helping people economically through financial education, economic empowerment, investment awareness, and access.

Mr. Wynn earned his undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina where he was a Morehead Scholar, and his law degree from the University of Michigan. He is a former board member of BetterInvesting and a former member of the Federal Reserve’s Consumer Advisory Council. Until recently he served on the board of directors of the North Carolina General Alumni Association and American Players Theater.

________________________________________

Transportation Options:

Bicycle: Bike racks are available

Bus: The BRT Route A bus runs every 15 minutes and stops in front of Oakwood at the Island/Mineral Point station.

Car:

Use the Island Drive entrance at 6205 Mineral Point Road.
Veer left and follow the drive to the 2nd driveway with sign “Heritage Oaks Parking Garage.”
Turn right into driveway.
Press the buzzer and the Oakwood desk attendant will buzz you in. There are 70 parking stalls. Park in any visitor or non-reserved stall. Take the elevator up one floor to the main entrance, turn right and walk through the mail box area into the lobby. Ask at the desk for directions to the Performing Arts Center.
When you exit the underground parking, the garage door opens automatically.
_________________________

Questions? Contact lecture organizer Barbara Drake at barbaradrake21@gmail.com

Lecture – Camp Randall: From the Civil War to “On Wisconsin!” (November 05, 2026)

Thu, 05 Nov 2026 19:30:00 GMT

Thursday, November 5 from 1:30-3:00 p.m.

In-Person at Oakwood Village University Woods

Arts & Education Center

6205 Mineral Point Road

Registration is Not Required

FREE PARKING

Bob Block's lecture features his presentation on the 175-year history of Camp Randall, one of the nation’s most iconic football stadiums. He will trace its remarkable history from its beginnings as a Civil War training camp to its place as one of college football’s most iconic stadiums. The audience will learn why Camp Randall remains a lasting symbol of Wisconsin’s history, resilience and pride!

A resident of Oregon, Wisconsin, Bob spent 34 years with the Wisconsin Crime Laboratory in Madison, retiring as head of the Drug Identification Unit. Over the course of his career, he testified as an expert witness 500 times. Today, Bob channels that same commitment into his work as a public historian. He brings decades of expertise and a deep passion for Wisconsin history to his presentations. As a member of the Oregon Historical Society, he has developed a collection of twelve engaging presentations on significant Wisconsin and American historical events, people and places. His programs are known for their strong research foundation, compelling storytelling, and accessible style.

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Transportation Options:

Bicycle: Bike racks are available

Bus: The BRT Route A bus runs every 15 minutes and stops in front of Oakwood at the Island/Mineral Point station.

Car:

Use the Island Drive entrance at 6205 Mineral Point Road.
Veer left and follow the drive to the 2nd driveway with sign “Heritage Oaks Parking Garage.”
Turn right into driveway.
Press the buzzer and the Oakwood desk attendant will buzz you in. There are 70 parking stalls. Park in any visitor or non-reserved stall. Take the elevator up one floor to the main entrance, turn right and walk through the mail box area into the lobby. Ask at the desk for directions to the Performing Arts Center.
When you exit the underground parking, the garage door opens automatically.
_________________________

Questions? Contact lecture organizer Barbara Drake at barbaradrake21@gmail.com

Lecture – My Father’s World War II (November 19, 2026)

Thu, 19 Nov 2026 19:30:00 GMT

Thursday, November 19 from 1:30-3:00 p.m.

In-Person at Oakwood Village University Woods

Arts & Education Center

6205 Mineral Point Road

Registration is Not Required

FREE PARKING

About 16 million Americans served in the military in World War II; only 31,000 of them are still alive, so the voices that can tell us about their experiences are fast disappearing. Rebecca’s late father, David Warner, served in the Army in Europe during the war. He left photographs, letters, and memoirs along with his Eisenhower jacket and other possessions. During her lecture she will share brief selections from his writing and play a video recorded interview in which he describes the event that had the greatest impact on him in his own words. His stories describe unique situations with interesting details, and they have themes in common with letters and diaries published by many other veterans. Her lecture will remind many in the audience of parents and relatives who served our country in World War II.

Dr. Rebecca Warner earned her bachelor’s degree from Carnegie Mellon in Social Relations and a PhD from Harvard in Social Psychology. She was a professor at the University of New Hampshire until she retired in 2017. She has published journal articles in statistics and psychology, statistics textbooks, an edited collection of her father’s writing, and two historical novels. After moving to Madison in 2025, she joined PLATO and Attic Angel. As a recent arrival in Madison, she is looking forward to learning more about Wisconsin!

________________________________________

Transportation Options:

Bicycle: Bike racks are available

Bus: The BRT Route A bus runs every 15 minutes and stops in front of Oakwood at the Island/Mineral Point station.

Car:

Use the Island Drive entrance at 6205 Mineral Point Road.
Veer left and follow the drive to the 2nd driveway with sign “Heritage Oaks Parking Garage.”
Turn right into driveway.
Press the buzzer and the Oakwood desk attendant will buzz you in. There are 70 parking stalls. Park in any visitor or non-reserved stall. Take the elevator up one floor to the main entrance, turn right and walk through the mail box area into the lobby. Ask at the desk for directions to the Performing Arts Center.
When you exit the underground parking, the garage door opens automatically.
_________________________

Questions? Contact lecture organizer Barbara Drake at barbaradrake21@gmail.com