Planning and decision making are integral functions of any large-scale enterprise and are especially central to military operations. Errors in these functions have led to disaster in battles over history. Two pivotal American victories – the battles of Gettysburg in the Civil War and Midway in World War II in the Pacific – reflect parallel errors made by General Robert E. Lee and Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto in planning and decision making that led to defeat. Their errors both prior to and during battle offer compelling lessons on the critical necessity of observing the fundamental principles of operational planning and decision making.

Planning and decision making are integral functions of any large-scale enterprise and are especially central to military operations. Errors in these functions have led to disaster in battles over history.  Two pivotal American victories – the battles of Gettysburg in the Civil War and Midway in World War II in the Pacific – reflect parallel errors made by General Robert E. Lee and Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto in planning and decision making that led to defeat. Their errors both prior to and during battle offer compelling lessons on the critical necessity of observing the fundamental principles of operational planning and decision making. 

By the year 500, the Roman Empire had crumbled in Western Europe, replaced by a group of Germanic Kingdoms -- constantly in flux; often at war.  Italy became a battleground, as Gothic kings and Byzantine Emperors struggled for control of the peninsula.  At the same time, scholars and clerics strove to preserve what they could of Greco-Roman philosophy in an atmosphere of instability and intellectual decay.  In this session, we will explore this tumultuous time in Italian history, a time when the foundations of Medieval culture take shape.

By the year 500, the Roman Empire had crumbled in Western Europe, replaced by a group of Germanic Kingdoms -- constantly in flux; often at war.  Italy became a battleground, as Gothic kings and Byzantine Emperors struggled for control of the peninsula.  At the same time, scholars and clerics strove to preserve what they could of Greco-Roman philosophy in an atmosphere of instability and intellectual decay.  In this session, we will explore this tumultuous time in Italian history, a time when the foundations of Medieval culture take shape.

The Readers of ClarkLindsey and their pianist present “A Responsibility to Awe”: In Praise of Rebecca Elson, Astronomer and Poet.

Rebecca Elson (1960-1999) was an astronomer and poet born in Canada. As a child, she worked with her father, a geologist, taking notes and helping with experiments. She entered Smith College at age 16 intending to study biology but became fascinated with astronomy and graduated cum laude. She later earned a master’s degree in physics from the University of British Columbia and a PhD from University of Cambridge, where she received an Isaac Newton Studentship. Her research focused on globular clusters and the life cycle of stars. She worked at the Institute for Advanced Study, the Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, and Cambridge’s Institute of Astronomy, where she helped analyze the first Hubble Space Telescope data. She and her team published over 70 research papers. Throughout her life she also wrote poetry. After her death, her family and friends published her writing in the book A Responsibility to Awe, which includes poems, essays, and reflections on life, family, astronomy, love, and death.

The Readers of ClarkLindsey began as a small group of people who enjoyed reading poetry, talking and learning how to read aloud for performance. Since that time, with a core group of 12 people, they have created seven shows and performed nine times.  The Readers are also blessed to have talented musicians - some are residents at ClarkLindsey, some are doctoral students from the University of Illinois music programs. 

Registration will open to OLLI members on Wednesday, July 29, at 9 AM (CT)

Join us for a day trip to experience Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey at the IMAX theatre at the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis, IN, on Monday, August 17, 2026. Nolan's Odyssey is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand-new IMAX film technology. The film brings Homer's foundational saga to IMAX for the first time. The film will begin at 11:00 AM (ET)/ 10:00 AM (CT) and last for 172 minutes. On the return trip to Champaign, we will stop at Opa! restaurant in Avon, IN to eat a late lunch.

Registration for this OLLI day trip includes charter bus transportation to and from and a ticket for a designated seat at ISM's IMAX theatre to view The Odyssey. Lunch at Opa! is not included in the registration fee.