WKU News

Caption: Kentucky Chief Justice John D. Minton Jr. and Dr. Todd R. Cheever will be the first two speakers in the "An Evening With" program.

WKU will offer a unique evening program featuring interviews with prominent thought leaders and experts. An Evening With is a new program offered through a partnership with the Society for Lifelong Learning at WKU (SLL) and the WKU Alumni Association.

“SLL is known for offering interesting, intellectually-stimulating learning programs. An Evening With is an excellent addition, offering a unique and exciting opportunity for people of all ages who have a passion for learning,” said Dr. Cindy Ehresman, Lifelong Learning program manager.

The program format will include brief remarks from the featured guest, followed by a moderator-led interview. Audience members will then have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session. Participants will also enjoy dessert and coffee prior to the event.

Larry Gildersleeve, a WKU alumnus, global entrepreneur and local author, will moderate the programs.

“I am honored to moderate these discussions with such high-caliber thought leaders,” Gildersleeve said. “These interesting discussions will provide a unique opportunity for our community to engage with prominent leaders in a casual, intimate setting, and I believe the entire community will benefit.”

Gildersleeve said the goal of this program is to provide a platform for citizens of southcentral Kentucky to engage with experts from a variety of fields – and to spotlight the type of high-quality educational opportunities available through the SLL.

The first discussion will take place during WKU Homecoming Week and feature WKU alumnus Chief Justice of Kentucky John D. Minton Jr. who will engage in a candid discussion about the most pressing issues facing our state and our nation. Minton was a member of the Kentucky Supreme Court from 2006-2014 and was elected Chief Justice for three consecutive terms by his fellow justices. The event will take place at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Augenstein Alumni Center, 292 Alumni Ave. on the WKU Bowling Green Campus.

A second program will be Nov. 14, featuring Dr. Todd R. Cheever, a WKU alumnus, UK faculty member and administrator and the first associate dean of the new UK College of Medicine-Bowling Green Campus. Dr. Cheever will share information about the new medical school and discuss one of the greatest threats to communities around the nation: the opioid epidemic.

These programs are free, but space is limited. Reservations are required. To RSVP for the Chief Justice Minton program on Oct. 11, visit wku.edu/sll/aew.php. For additional information about the Society for Lifelong Learning at WKU, visit wku.edu/sll.

The Society for Lifelong Learning was founded in 2014. It is a member driven organization dedicated to offering a wide range of high quality, intellectually stimulating, non-credit educational programs and experiences for ages 50 and over who have a love for learning.

Contact: Dr. Cindy Ehresman, (270) 745-1910 or cindy.ehresman@wku.edu