Scholars for Life!
Speaker Series
& Virtual Movie Club!
Overview
CCSU faculty and guest speakers bring their passions and knowledge to our Scholars For Life! Speaker series! We are offering our talks on campus again, and if you are not ready to visit us in person we are also streaming the talks! We are offering a hot buffet lunch or dinner before the talk too. It’s a great way to visit with old friends and make new friends. Everyone is welcoming! Just let us know if it’s your first time here and we’ll take care of you!
How it Works
For our virtual talks, we will be using Zoom. When you register you will receive information on how to access the talk.
For our in-person talks, you will receive information on the location of our talks.
Previous Talks
Our Scholars For Life! Speaker Series sessions are recorded. The talks will stay on our website for 30 days, and you can request a link during that time to watch a talk you may have missed.
Contact
Upcoming Scholars For Life! Speaker Series
“The Baby Boomers: Past, Present and Future with Professor Stephen Armstrong”
Professor Stephen Armstrong
07/22/2026
5:00 pm
Password:
The baby boom generation has had a tremendous impact on American society from the 1950s all the way to the present day. This presentation will provide a history of the baby boom generation and their experiences in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. We will analyze the impact that this generation has had on American history and culture. Baby boomers are still changing American society today: these changes will be discussed. Also, we will analyze criticisms that some in generations after the boomers have made about the actions and attitudes of the baby boom generation. During this presentation members of the baby boom generation will be asked to reflect on their own memories of experiences they have had. You do not have to be a baby boomer to attend!
“2000 Years of Verbs: What We Do with the English Language with Dr. Matthew Ciscel”
Dr. Matthew Ciscel
08/04/2026
5:00 pm
Password:
In this lecture and workshop, we will explore the role, form, and grammar of verbs across the recorded history of the English language. After a brief overview of the key stages and markers of change in English, we will look at some texts in Contemporary, Early Modern, Middle, and Old English to compare the forms and functions of verbs. Participants will get in on the action by completing some fun (and challenging) worksheets in groups at their tables.
Born in Houston, raised in Memphis, nomadic until lured into academic service at Central in 2002, Professor Ciscel (which rhymes with whistle) reveals as a linguist. But what is his true character? More professionally: PhD in Linguistics from the University of South Carolina, Columbia. MA and BA in German, plus substantial experience teaching English abroad. His research focuses on language policy, multilingualism, and instructed second language acquisition. Publications include several articles and book chapters, plus a book entitled, "The Language of the Moldovans."
“Geographies of Coffee: From Jumping Beans to Devil’s Brew to Addiction with Dr. Cynthia Pope-Portelinha”
Dr. Cynthia Pope-Portelinha
09/16/2026
5:00 pm
Password:
Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages around the world. While it is a luxury good in the United States (although some of us think of it as a necessity!), cultivating coffee is a livelihood for millions of people around the world. This presentation will highlight how geographers view the coffee industry globally, with a focus on the lands and people who grow this commodity. This presentation features coffee tasting and food pairings, but you do not have to drink coffee to enjoy the talk.
Thanks to our Sponsors
More Life, Leisure & Community Courses
EVENTS
