Special Events and Lectures

So many opportunities for learning pop up every week that you almost have to check the university events calendar daily to be sure you haven’t missed anything.  Most events are free and open to the public. A campus map will help you find locations and parking options.

Lectures

Annual Fall Lecture
Date: Monday, October 26, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Wake Forest University, Porter Byrum Welcome Center
Cost: Free and Open to the Public

Pro Humanitate and the Odyssey: this lecture will appeal to the Odyssey as an example of the power and necessity of (good) stories to form, inform, and reform humans and culture. Dr. Sloan will explore a few highlights from the Odyssey, but also what Odysseus and other characters from Greek Mythology might teach us about the role of “thought” and “knowledge” as they pertain to the mission of Wake Forest and higher-ed in general.

Michael C. Sloan, Phd, Professor and Department Chair, Classics
Professor Sloan currently holds the F.M. Kirby Family Faculty Fellowship at Wake Forest University. He graduated from Baylor University with a double major in Classics and Economics.  He then received a Masters in Classical Literature and another Masters in Theology before receiving his PhD in Classics at St Andrews University in Scotland.  He has published widely in his field, including articles on authors such as Aristotle, Augustine, Cicero, Homer, Horace, Erasmus, Euripides, Orosius and others. Dr. Sloan is an active advocate for the Humanities and Liberal Arts.

Directions:

Porter B. Byrum Welcome Center, located on the Wake Forest University campus. When you enter the campus from the Reynolda Road entrance, take your first right after the gate house and follow the signs to the lecture. The lecture is free and open to the community.

---

Special Events-

Lifelong Learning Evening Course @ WFU Lam Museum

Contact Mimi Komos, or (336) 758-5232 for more information.

Light snacks will be provided. Food and Drinks are welcome in the museum classroom.

This class is an introduction to the visual arts of Africa with an emphasis on how these works relate to global exchanges, movements, and diasporas. Every class features authentic artworks from the WFU Lam Museum of Anthropology collections for close-up inspection. Class topics include how artworks are produced within specific cultural traditions (Yoruba, Kuba, Zulu, Maasai, etc.) as well as how common themes are spread across mediums and materials (sculpture in wood, beadwork, ceramics, textiles, etc.). In addition to visual analysis, this course connects objects to their histories by exploring deep history and archaeology, the influence of African art elsewhere in the world, and the changing social context for art today.

Dr. Andrew Gurstelle is a museum anthropologist and archaeologist. He is the Academic Director of the Timothy S. Y. Lam Museum of Anthropology where he helps students learn to conduct anthropological research and curate exhibits.

---

Seeking active readers to meet once a month for 4 months via zoom. This is not your traditional book club! Inspired by my 22 year old who finds this type reading exchange a rewarding experience, a great place to share, stay connected with friends and learn about new books to read. No pre-assigned reading.

Is there a fee?  No. Everyone welcome!

How to join?  Please email Mimi Komos at  or call 336-758-5232 to receive zoom link. Please request in advance.

September 1, 2026- Starting prompt: What book surprised you? Were you skeptical to read it but enjoyed it? Were you excited to read something but disappointed?

October 6, 2026- Starting prompt: Let’s get ready for Halloween. What are your favorite spooky, scary, gothic or horror books?

November 3, 2026- Starting prompt:TBD

December 1, 2026- Starting prompt:TBD

---