Skidmore Encore Faculty Lecture Series Returns to Skidmore College this Fall  

The popular Skidmore Encore faculty lecture series returns to the Arthur Zankel Music Center at Skidmore College this fall, welcoming participants from across the Capital Region for another season of engaging talks from Skidmore faculty. The 2026 program will run on Tuesdays from Sept. 29 through Nov. 10, with weekly lectures across a variety of disciplines.  

  Since its founding in 1980, Skidmore Encore has offered intellectually stimulating presentations for adult learners, spotlighting timely and wide-ranging topics in a two-lecture-per-day format. Registration is open to all community members ages 55 and older, and a full schedule of faculty speakers and topics is now available on the Skidmore Encore website.  

 Past participants have described the program as “life changing,” “informative and enlightening,” “diverse, informative, and stimulating,” and “a gem in our backyard.” 

Topics for the 2026 series include “Protecting Native Pollinators,” “Insights into the Human Brain: What 50 Years of Alzheimer’s Research Has Taught Us,” “Current Joys Versus Future Fears: Saving Practices to Ease Worry,” “What to Expect in the 2026 Midterm Elections,” “Is Music Really a Universal Language?” and more. Lectures begin at 10:15 a.m. each Tuesday with two 45-minute presentations, each followed by a 10-minute Q&A session.  

Online registration opens at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1. A live registration link will be posted at that time on the Skidmore Encore registration website. Those wishing to receive registration information via email may fill out the contact form on the site. Early registration is recommended, as space is limited.  

The cost to participate is $210 per person. Full payment is required at the time of online registration. Scholarships are available for those with an annual income below $28,000. Complete details on eligibility and scholarship requests are available on the program website.  

 Complimentary coffee, tea, and scones will be served in the Zankel lobby from 9:15 to 10 a.m. each Tuesday prior to the first lecture.  

  Additional details about parking, accessibility, a la carte lunch options, and transportation options are available on the Encore website.