Senior College Events   

Enjoy a 90 minute guided tour showcasing exhibits, botanical gardens, outdoor sculptures, antique automobiles, a historic carousel, and a variety of historical and artistic treasures. Come see the fabulous hydrangeas in the Hydrangea Display Garden and North American Hydrangea Test Garden during the 11th annual Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival! 

The Heritage Gardens does have complimentary transportation available for visitors with mobility challenges and can be accessed at fixed stops throughout the grounds. Lunch will follow at the nearby Sagamore Inn.

Fee: $80 per person

Includes a guided tour and lunch at the nearby Sagamore Inn.

Lunch includes salad and your choice of either:

• Chicken Parmigiana with Pasta
• Baked/Broiled Stuffed Local Haddock with Mashed Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables

Dessert: Fresh Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies

RSVP by: July 9, 2025

No refunds after: July 9, 2025

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking; comfortable footwear is recommended. Transportation is on your own.

Join Dr. Jessica Birthisel for an exploration of how attitudes, perceptions and practices related to gender identity have evolved over the past 50 years. Inspired by her own work as a feminist media scholar, her teaching experience in the areas of gender studies and media literacy, as well as recent cultural conversations around gender, sexuality, and identity, Dr. Birthisel will discuss both historical and modern influences that have shaped evolving understandings of gender identity and sexuality, including a historical timeline of media texts (shows, films, etc.) and emerging academic concepts that have informed public conversations around these topics. Bring your curiosity and an open mind as we consider how the notion of identity as "socially constructed" has altered and expanded many concepts that were once thought to be binary.

Step inside BSU’s incredible globe and discover a unique two-story, portable classroom that showcases the Earth's continents, islands, oceans, waterways, landforms, and tectonic plate boundaries. During this engaging program, you’ll explore the world from an inverted perspective as you are guided through the continents, pointing out fascinating landmarks, mountain ranges, oceans, and other physical features. With fun facts and interesting tidbits along the way, this interactive tour will make geography come alive, creating an unforgettable learning experience.

In this session, you will have the opportunity to meet our instructors and learn more about what you can expect to learn in their Senior College course. This session will be recorded and later posted on our YouTube channel.

J.R.R. Tolkien is known worldwide as the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, this talk will explore how his early life and his academic career as a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University influenced his writing. It will examine how Tolkien’s knowledge and love of the language and material culture Anglo-Saxon England and early medieval Europe informed and lent a linguistic and visual richness to his works. He will also explore how Tolkien’s Romanticism and conception of good and evil were drawn from his own life experiences.

Join us for an informative session on mastering Zoom to make the most out of your Senior College experience. Learn the platform’s etiquette, best practices, and discover the "bells and whistles" such as breakout rooms, and using creative backgrounds and filters that can enhance your experience. Whether you’re a novice or looking to up your game, this event will help you use Zoom successfully and make your virtual learning more enjoyable. Led by Jennifer Reid, Director of Professional, Corporate, & Community Education and Brendan Harvey, Assistant Director, Online Program Support Center.

Join us for a timely and engaging session on how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing colleges and universities today. We'll take a look at how these new technologies are being used in classrooms and behind the scenes, and how educators are responding—some with excitement, others with concern. You'll hear real examples of how AI is helping students and faculty, as well as some of the challenges it's creating. We’ll talk about important questions like: How can AI be used in ways that support learning and academic honesty? What are the risks and benefits? And finally, you will learn how BSU is striving to find a healthy balance between using new technology and keeping traditional educational values strong. This session is perfect for anyone curious about how education is evolving in the age of AI—and what it means for students, faculty, and lifelong learners alike.