Wednesdays | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Sunny Slope, 1031 S College Street, Auburn
Free and open to the public
Bring your lunch and join us for these informative, casual lunchtime talks designed to engage the community and provide insights into a wide range of topics from experts and fellow OLLI members.
June 3 – Mollie Waters
Historic Cemeteries of Alabama Book Talk and Signing
June 17 – Kathryn Braund
Bartram’s Travels: A Naturalists View of the American South
July 8 – Mark Thornton
Gold and Years: A Short History of Money in America
July 22 – Joe Giambrone
Infection, Immunity and How Vaccines Work
June 3 – Historic Resting Places of Alabama Book Talk and Signing
Discover the stories behind Alabama’s past at an engaging author talk featuring Mollie Smith Waters and her book Historic Resting Places of Alabama: Cemeteries and Graveyards Around the State. Drawing from her exploration of cemeteries in every county, Waters brings to life the surprising history, symbolism, architecture, and personal stories found in these often-overlooked spaces—revealing how they preserve the rich and diverse heritage of the state. From mountain towns to coastal communities, this fascinating program invites you to see cemeteries not just as places of remembrance, but as windows into Alabama’s cultural and historical landscape.
Known online as “That Cemetery Lady,” Mollie Smith Waters is a college instructor at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in Greenville, Alabama, where she teaches American literature, composition, public speaking, theater, and humanities.
June 17 – Bartram’s Travels: A Naturalists View of the American South
Join historian Kathryn Braund for an engaging exploration of William Bartram’s remarkable travels through the American South in the 1770s. A pioneering naturalist, artist, and writer, Bartram journeyed more than 2,000 miles through the Southeast—documenting the region’s diverse landscapes, plant and animal life, and the cultures of Native American nations, including significant time spent in what is now Alabama. His vivid observations, later published in Travels, remain an essential record of the South’s environmental and cultural history. This talk brings Bartram’s journey to life, tracing his route through Creek country and highlighting the lasting impact of his work on our understanding of the region.
Dr. Kathryn H. Braund is Hollifield Professor of Southern History Emerita at Auburn University. She has authored and edited numerous books relating to the Creek Indians including Deerskins and Duffels: The Creek Indian Trade with Anglo-America, 1685–1815. She has published influential articles on the Creek Nation and the American South along with editing and annotating the works of eighteenth-century writers William Bartram, James Adair and Bernard Romans.
July 8 – Gold and Years: A Short History of Money in America
Economist Mark Thornton covers the major historical developments of money in the United States from the nation’s founding to today with special reference to Auburn. Drawing on his expertise in economic history, Thornton traces how systems based on gold and other forms of “sound money” have shaped American economic development, policy decisions, and financial stability over time. This accessible talk offers valuable insight into how changes in currency—from early coinage to modern systems—continue to influence the economy and everyday life.
Dr. Mark Thornton is a Senior Fellow at the Mises Institute and was the Peterson-Luddy Chair in Austrian Economics from 2021-2023. He is an economist specializing in economic history and the theory of money. He has served as a member of the graduate faculties of Auburn University and Columbus State University where he was awarded the University Research Award in 2002. He has also taught economics at Auburn University at Montgomery and Trinity University in Texas. Mark served as Assistant Superintendent of Banking and economic adviser to Governor Fob James of Alabama (1997-1999). He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and received his PhD in economics from Auburn University. Thornton is the author or editor of numerous books, including The Economics of Prohibition and The Skyscraper Curse, and has contributed widely to scholarly journals and public policy discussions. He hosts two podcasts, Minor Issues and Unanimity.
July 22 – Infection, Immunity and How Vaccines Work
Drawing on decades of experience in microbiology and disease research, Dr. Giambrone explains how viruses spread, how the body’s immune system responds, and how vaccines are developed to prevent illness and reduce its severity. Using real-world examples from both animal and human health, this talk offers a clear, science-based look at how vaccination protects individuals and communities, and why it remains one of the most important tools for controlling infectious disease.
Dr. Joseph Giambrone is Professor Emeritus of Poultry Science at Auburn University, with a joint appointment in veterinary pathobiology, and holds a Ph.D. in medical microbiology from the University of Georgia. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he has conducted extensive research on infectious diseases, immunity, and vaccine development, contributing to advances in disease detection, surveillance, and prevention. Dr. Giambrone has published widely and is internationally recognized for his work in virology and vaccine strategies.
Past Presentations
Kevin Moore - Unbounded Hope: Adaptable Housing for Selma
Paul Duffy - Law Enforcement Use of Force Issues
Celestria Hill - Empowering Communities: Common Power in Selma
Miriam Wyman - Real-World Sustainability: Auburn Capstone Projects
OLLI Writers - Writing Our Lives...One Sentence at a Time
Anna Ruth Gatlin & Georges Fares - Art Across Time: The Chigi Palace Project
