ICLRU-Institute For Continued Learning at RU

10/08/2025

Our recent session on “Avoiding Financial Fraud” contained a number of specific recommendations, including:

1. Choose strong passwords that are unique to each website. Use 2-step verification for financial websites.

2. Some scammers will know your social security number and your mother’s maiden name. Ask your bank to include enhanced security like a verbal password on your accounts.

3. Limit the number of credit cards and lower card limits to what you actually need.

4. Due to data breaches, most of our key information is on the dark web, consider placing a free fraud alert at the three credit bureaus. You can temporarily remove the credit freeze if you are applying for a new loan.

5. Many of us receive “free offers” from Walgreens, Costco, Amazon and other reputable firms. There are significant risks even opening these emails. It’s best to delete them outright.

6. If you use your smartphone for financial transactions and lose it, a scammer can have a field day. It is much safer to do financial transactions at home via a computer and secure WIFI

Send a message to learn more

09/21/2025

In October, Joan Reisen is leading a 4-part series titled "Humans on the Move". It will follow the trail of the eastward migration of homo sapiens out of Africa looking for new food supplies and greener pastures.

09/21/2025

On September 25, Mike and Marilyn Glass will lead their 150th ICL class session, dating back to July 2020. Their fall lineup includes studes of Mark Twain, Richard Rogers and a two-part series on the histoy of Britain. Hats off to Mike and Marilyn.

09/02/2025

ICL members gathered at the Ice Cream social to catch up and explore the fall offerings.

08/13/2025

Our fall classes begin on September 16th with a great line-up. Some of the high-lights include:
* Women Artists of the Impressionist Era
* Exploring Art in different techniques and forms.
* Reviving the Joy of Travel.
* Exploring the work of female inventors
* Avoiding Financial Fraud
* Turning Points in American History
* America's Overlooked Regions: The U.S. Territories
* Vested Interests vs. Outsiders
For details, check out

08/05/2025

Today History Professor Joyce Haworth gave a presentation and led a decision on the "Trail of Tears"; the 1838 forced removal of 16,000 Cherokee from Georgia to Oklahoma as part of the Indian Removal Act of 1830. There are many different aspects of the story, including the deaths during and after shortly after the march to Oklahoma.
One intriguing part of the story is that the US Supreme Court ruled in the Cherokee favor and stated that the Cherokee Nation was a distinct community in its own territory and that Georgia had no right to the land. President Andrew Jackson signaled that he would not abide by the Court's ruling and sent in the US Army to begin the removal. The Supreme Court decision was ignored - an unconstitutional act went forward with broad public support.
Professor Haworth pointed out that Thomas Jefferson worried about the delicate balance between majority rule and the protection of minority rights within a democracy.

08/03/2025

On August 6th Anita Brandes shares the story of the earth's magnetic Field. Life on earth, as we know it, is only possible because Earth has a magnetic feild that protects us from solar wind.

08/03/2025

ICL members love to travel. Members have recently returned from adventures in Japan, New Zealand, Western Norway, and camping in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.

08/03/2025

Professor Sid Siddarth recently shared a wonderful presentation on the complexities of India, the world's largest democracy. Most Americans know only snippits about India, and much of that is wrong. We as asking Sid to return in the Spring.

07/22/2025

ICLers are active in the NW Suburban area. Some members volunteer at Feed My Starving Children and others give lectures are local senior centers.