Fall 2026 Lifelong Learning Courses
Registration is now open for our Fall 2026 Lifelong Learning courses.
Course Fee: $20 per person
Location: Mayborn Museum unless otherwise noted.
A Mayborn Museum Membership is required to register.
If a course reaches capacity, you may add your name to the Waitlist. Waitlisted participants will be contacted in the order requests are received if space becomes available due to a withdrawal.
Texas Ranch Women: Amazing Cattle Queens Throughout Texas History
Instructor: Dr. Rosalie Beck
Dates: Tuesdays, August 25, September 1, 8 & 15
Time: 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
Women have been leading Texas ranching operations since the 1700s. Discover the stories of determined, courageous, and innovative women who shaped the Texas cattle industry—from Rosa María Hinojosa de Ballí in the 1770s to Alice King East in the twentieth century. Explore how Latina leaders, widows, wives, and daughters built lasting ranching legacies.
Canceled: The Science of Gardening in Texas
Instructor: Larry Smith
Dates: Thursdays, August 27, September 3, 10 & 17
Time: 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
Science of Memory
Instructor: Dr. Chuck Weaver
Dates: Tuesdays, September 15, 22 & 29
Time: 1:00–3:00 PM (2-hour class)
Discover how memory works, why it sometimes fails us, and what science tells us about improving memory and recall in everyday life.
Everyday Epiphanies: Flannery O'Connor and Eudora Welty
Instructor: Dr. Darren Middleton
Dates: Thursdays, September 24, October 1, 8 & 15
Time: 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
Explore the writings of two of the American South's most celebrated authors. Through selected short stories and Kathleen Norris's The Quotidian Mysteries, examine how ordinary moments reveal extraordinary meaning and grace.
Quantum Physics for Normal People
Instructor: Dr. Jay Dittmann
Dates: Mondays, September 28, October 5, 12 & 19
Time: 4:30–6:00 PM
Quantum physics without the equations. Learn why probability governs the quantum world, how incredibly small scales change the rules of nature, and why these discoveries matter in everyday life.
Sacred Texts of World Religions
Instructors: Dr. Chris van Gorder & Vance Dunnam Jr.
Dates: Wednesdays, September 30, October 7, 14 & 21
Time: 1:00–2:30 PM
Each week focuses on a different sacred text from Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, exploring their historical context and enduring influence.
Behind the Facade – Part 2 (Off-Site)
Instructor: Nancy Moore
Dates: Wednesdays, October 7, 14, 21 & 28
Time: 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
Enrollment Limited: 29 participants
Go behind the scenes at fascinating locations throughout Waco, including the Cooper House, a local synagogue and temple, the Grand Masonic Lodge Museum, and a local industrial facility. Exact meeting locations will be provided after registration.
Please note that the majority of these off-site locations may present navigational difficulties for individuals with physical disabilities. These sites are not affiliated with Baylor University or the Mayborn Museum and may represent varying degrees of ADA compliance.
WWII Military History
Instructor: Brad Livingstone
Dates: Thursdays, October 8, 15, 22 & 29
Time: 4:30–6:00 PM
Examine the major military campaigns and lasting impact of the Second World War with Baylor's First Gent and military historian Brad Livingstone.
The Archaeology of Jerusalem
Instructor: Dr. Deirdre Fulton
Dates: Tuesdays, October 13, 20 & 27
Time: 10:30 AM–12:30 PM (2-hour class)
Journey through Jerusalem's archaeological history, from the City of David and the Second Temple period to Byzantine and Islamic transformations that continue to shape the city today.
Cybersecurity for You! (Off-Site)
Instructor: Dr. Erika Leal
Dates: Wednesdays, October 28, November 4, 11 & 18
Time: 1:00–2:30 PM
Enrollment Limited: 32 participants
Build practical cybersecurity skills to help you confidently navigate today's digital world. Learn how to recognize online threats, protect personal information, and make safer decisions while using technology.
The Harlem Renaissance
Instructor: Dr. David Smith
Dates: Thursdays, October 29, November 5, 12 & 19
Time: 1:00–2:30 PM
Discover the artists, writers, musicians, and thinkers who transformed American culture during the Harlem Renaissance and examine the movement's lasting influence.
The Clan of Abraham: The Stories of Genesis and the Origin of Hebrew Identity
Instructor: Dr. Lynn Tatum
Dates: Mondays, November 2, 9, 16 & 23
Time: 3:00–4:30 PM
Using archaeology, biblical narratives, anthropology, and historical context, explore the life of Abraham and the origins of Hebrew identity, as well as his enduring significance in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Queen in Her Own Right: Four Queens Regnant Who Shaped British History
Instructor: Dr. Ann McGlashan
Dates: Tuesdays, November 3, 10, 17 & 24
Time: 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
Meet four remarkable women who changed the course of British history: Matilda, Mary Queen of Scots, Elizabeth I, and Queen Anne. Explore their political struggles, leadership, and lasting legacies.
A Mayborn Membership is required for course registration. Learn more about Memberships here.
In the event registration for a course fills up, a waitlist will be available on the website. Waitlisted individuals will be contacted in the order the requests are received, if someone withdraws from the course as a whole.