Lunch & Learn Lectures
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
If you're 50 or better you are invited!
Lunch and Learn lectures are wonderful opportunities to experience a sampling of what the Osher program offers, firsthand and for FREE! This special lecture series is open to the general public, as part of our service to the community.
All six lectures will be held live via Zoom Webinar each term, fall, winter, and spring (no summer lectures). Most lectures are recorded (with the speaker's permission) and kept in our archives for re-watching or later viewing after the live session ends.
We also host an in-person Watch Party each term at our building at 540 Arapeen Drive, broadcasting the six Zoom sessions live, from 12 PM to 1 PM for those who would like the option to gather in person and watch the Zoom Event together.
Grab your brown bag lunch, invite a friend, and join us--online or in person at the Watch Party--to enjoy these informative, interesting, engaging and free lectures.
Our huge thanks to longtime Osher volunteer Sandy Clark, who donates her time and energy to creating these sessions each term for fellow Osher members. Thank you, Sandy!
Salt Lake County Zoo Arts and Parks Most webinars are recorded and made available on our website for later viewing. Free Lunch & Learns are supported by ZAP.
Did you miss a lecture or hope to watch one again? View our archives.
Winter 2026 Lunch and Learn Lecture Series
How to Participate in the America250 Celebration!
January 21, 2026, 12:00-1:00 pm
By Ronald Fox, Co-Chair of Utah America250, Former Director in the Office of Presidential Advance for Six U.S. Presidents, and Author
This presentation will outline planned events for the America250 celebrations. We will highlight opportunities to participate and discuss events being held across the country. Mr. Fox will also speak about American history and Utah's history.
Type 2 Diabetes: Causes, Prevention, and Management
January 28, 2026, 12:00-1:00 pm
By Sarah Zou, MPH, RDN, CDCES, Clinical Dietitian, University of Utah
This presentation serves as an introduction to type 2 diabetes, including a review of the underlying physiological cause, risk factors, prevention strategies, and lifestyle management.
100 Women Who Care: Small Donation, Large Impact!
February 4, 2026, 12:00-1:00 pm
By Lisa Evans, Member, Community Activist, Musician, and Singer Songwriter
This presentation will explore the history of 100 Women Who Care, a charity group started by a woman named Karen Dunnigan in Jackson, Michigan. There are now 700 chapters, or giving circles, called 100 Women Who Care located across the US and Canada. Today, Lisa Evans, the woman responsible for bringing this charity to Salt Lake City in 2014, will discuss the efficient, high-impact way their group raises thousands of dollars in one hour, four times a year, and what happens at their meetings. Their average collective donation, made together to benefit one chosen group, is $25,000. Lisa will share some heart-warming experiences the group has had that make them love serving our community and how they appreciate the way service unites us all in community. She will also compare the donations made by 100 Women Who Care to donations to other well-known donors and philanthropists in Salt Lake City and Utah.
FBI Salt Lake Outreach Program
February 11, 2026, 12:00-1:00 pm
By Muhammad Khan, FBI Community Outreach Specialist, Salt Lake City Division
The presentation will provide a baseline overview of the FBI's role as a federal law enforcement agency, an overview to the Salt Lake City Division, and details about the FBI's Community Outreach Program. Presentation will further highlight details about the role of community outreach in the FBI and efforts to mitigate evolving threats impacting the community to include concerns with cyber, fraud, hate crimes, etc.
Unearthing Alta: The Lost Stories of a Mining Boomtown
February 18, 2026, 12:00-1:00 pm
By Ian Wright, Utah's Public Archaeologist, State Historic Preservation Office
Recently, the mining ghost town of Alta, Utah, was excavated for the first time after a construction project uncovered thousands of artifacts that hadn’t seen daylight in more than 150 years. The State Historic Preservation Office partnered with the U.S. Forest Service to document the site and recover as many artifacts as possible before winter storms shut down access. This presentation explores the remarkable history of a once-booming mining town through the objects its residents left behind and the stories those artifacts still have to tell.
Lessons Learned in a Blessed Life of Sharing Utah and American Stories
February 25, 2026, 12:00-1:00 pm
By Craig Wirth, ABC Channel 4 Feature Reporter
Craig Wirth has been blessed to discover that the history of Utah (and America in general) is the history not just of buildings, cities, or places (although they are cool), but of people...and what those people have done in daily life. Some stories are amazing feats, some humorous, but most are just someone doing something unique or being that rare person who actually does follow their dream. Craig’s dream was to meet them, observe them, and be the lucky guy who gets to tell their stories.
Bernard Osher set up the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute to be member-led and volunteer-driven. We would appreciate any suggestions for future topics of interest to you for Lunch and Learn Lectures. We especially appreciate recommendations of speakers who could present topics for us in future terms. Thank you for your participation and support!
