The Spring semester opens in the winter. Much is to be learned by coming to the Rowley Center for Science and Engineering or turning on your computer screens. The creator of the successful Birds of Orange County lecture series, has organized another set of lectures that will start on January 27 and extend through May 12. Dr. Walter Jahn is constantly trying ways to connect with people so he can share his knowledge. So, why not look around us and learn about wildlife and their roots.

The new series entitled Local Wildlife and their Prehistoric Ancestors, should surely peak the interests of the college community and the community-at-large. Starting on January 27^th with “Microbes: the Origin of Life to the Human Microbiome,” he works his way through many related topics to Human Evolution on April 28^th. Dr. Jahn has also included fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds, and plants. Throughout the lecture series, he connects the Evolution of Life ~ Biology with the History of the Earth ~ Geology.

During the fourteenth talk, he takes attendees on a walk up the “Stairway of Time”

with each step marching through the evolution of life and geologic history.” Participants may go at their own pace under the guidance of the professor.

As an additional offering on the fifteenth week, a post-series “Wildlife Town Hall” is an informal, interactive session when attendees have the opportunity of sharing photographs and stories of their encounters with wildlife. In addition, members of local environmental organizations will be given time to explain the missions of their groups and to answer questions. 

This event series is presented by the Biology Department in collaboration with SUNY Orange’s Cultural Affairs. The general public is invited to partake of this educational offering free of charge.

The whole series is being recorded and captioned and will be offered for future viewing. The in-person location in the Rowley Center for Science and Engineering is room 128. The zoom link is https://sunyorange.zoom.us/j/93429213629

Walter Jahn received his B.S. from Penn State University. He holds an M.S. from Widener University. In addition, he joined the Peace Corps and served as a teacher-trainer for two years. Upon his return, he enrolled in Temple University where he studied neurogenetics in Drosophila and obtained his M.S. and Ph.D. Professor Jahn teaches a wide variety of Biology courses at SUNY Orange. He is a very engaging professor who is well-known for his activities in the community-at-large. He serves as the Bashakill Association’s Nature Watch Co-Director, as well as, leader of diverse nature hikes and presentations at Mamakating Environmental Education Center. He is also on the board of the Orange County Audubon Society.

The Rowley Center for Science and Engineering (RCSE) is located at GPS: 10 East Conkling Avenue, Middletown. Free parking is available at parking lot #1 (GPS: 24 Grandview Ave) next to Orange Hall or the parking garage # 3 (5 East Conkling Ave) across from RCSE.

Questions may be directed to cultural@sunyorange.edu

Also, check the website at www.sunyorange.edu/culturalaffairs.