MSUTexas Lifelong Learning Center

07/20/2026

The MSU Lifelong Learning Center Fall 2026 schedule is now online at

The Lifelong Learning Center's catalog is updated each semester and contains key information about classes, schedule, and membership.

04/21/2026

WFMA WORKSHOP #3 PAPER-MACHE PART 3

Presenter: Jennifer McLarty

Wednesday, April 22 at 1:30 pm

Join us for three creative afternoons of sculpting, shaping, and painting your own paper-mache masterpiece! Over three consecutive Wednesdays, you’ll learn step-by-step how to build an animal sculpture from start to finish.

Week 1: Build the form and begin layering starchy paper
Week 2: Add shape, detail, and personality with more paper-mache
Week 3: Bring your creation to life with paint and finishing touches
Choose your favorite animal as inspiration and let your imagination run wild! All materials provided — just bring your enthusiasm and a sense of fun.

04/16/2026

THE CLAUSTROPHOBIC GENIUS OF REAR WINDOW

Presenter: Steve Tucker

Date/Time: Tuesday, April 21 at 1:30 pm

Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 masterpiece, Rear Window, is not merely a thriller; it is a masterclass in restricted filmmaking fueled by deep paranoia. The film's entire, claustrophobic experience is a testament to Hitchcock's cinematic genius, unfolding exclusively from the perspective of the confined protagonist, L.B. "Jeff" Jefferies. This cinematic analysis explores how Hitchcock transforms the act of looking into a thrilling mystery and an ethical dilemma through incredibly tight cinematography and meticulous mise-en-scène.

To fully appreciate the suspense, watch Rear Window before the session or better yet, attend the watch party at the LLC at 10:00 am!

04/16/2026

MOVIE WATCH PARTY: ALFRED HITCHCOCK’S REAR WINDOW

Date/Time: Tuesday, April 21 at 10 am

Join us for an entertaining and thought-provoking day with Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller, Rear Window. The event begins with a watch party of the film, followed by our own Steve Tucker with his film appreciation class at 1:30 pm. This will be an engaging experience for both longtime fans and newcomers to the film.

04/16/2026

UNDERSTANDING PHYSICAL THERAPY: TREATMENTS, SPECIALTIES, AND PATIENT GOALS

Presenter: Dillon Mezzacappa and Elizabeth Mezzacappa

Date/Time: Monday, April 20 at 1:30 pm

*Please note the day of this class*

This presentation will cover common reasons individuals may be referred to a Physical Therapist. It will explore the various types of patients who benefit from PT, as well as treatments typically used in an orthopedic setting. The session will also explain what pelvic floor physical therapy is, what conditions it addresses, and what the treatment involves. Additionally, it will review typical durations of PT services for common scenarios and the different locations and specialties within physical therapy that patients may encounter. Finally, the presentation will discuss the overall goals of physical therapy and the intended outcomes following discharge.

04/15/2026

NAT’S HATS: STORIES AND LEGACY FROM WICHITA FALLS’ ICONIC COW LOT
Presenter: Becky Trammell
Date/Time: Thursday, April 16 at 1:30 pm
For over 50 years, Nat Fleming’s “The Cow Lot” was the place in Wichita Falls to buy your western wear. When you bought a hat from Nat, you could leave your old hat to be attached to the wall of The Cow Lot. Over 500 hats eventually adorned the walls. When Nat retired, the hats found a new home at the Museum of North Texas History, where they formed an exhibit entitled Heritage Hall. Over 300 hats are displayed in Heritage Hall. In 2022, Becky Trammell began chronicling the stories of many of the hat owners, with a special focus on North Texas and Southern Oklahoma. The stories, over 100, were compiled in a book titled Stories From Nat Fleming’s Hat Collection: Nat’s Hats which came out in 2025.

04/15/2026

STORIES: LIVING THEM, TELLING THEM, WRITING THEM

Presenter: Katie Crosbie Holland
Date/Time: Thursday, April 16 at 10 am
This class is a substitute for Janes Spears Carnes class listed in the catalog.
Have you ever thought about the ways we influence and shape each other’s stories? In “Stories: Living Them, Telling Them, Writing Them,” Katie Crosbie Holland will speak of her affinity for stories – sparked by her grandpa’s deeply held belief that everyone has a story worth sharing. She will also tell her favorite personal story, about how a sitting U.S. president and his father (who was also a former U.S. president!) took the time to make an impact on her as an ordinary college student. It’s a heartwarming story not about politics, but about the way kindness can make a difference. Katie will discuss the art of storytelling in broadcast journalism and will share the way dreams came full circle with the publication of a children’s book. She hopes you’ll leave her presentation feeling optimistic about the ways we can impact one another’s stories.

04/13/2026

WELBORN 2R RANCH: FROM PASTURE TO PLATE

Presenter: DeeAnn Littlefield, Chris Welborn, and Shane Crafton

Date/Time: Tuesday, April 14 at 10 am-5 pm

*This is a presentation and field trip*

This program offers a firsthand look at Texas ranching, conservation, and premium beef. The day begins at Midwestern State University with DeeAnn Littlefield, Ranch Environmental Director, who will share how Wellborn 2R Ranch protects land and wildlife through sustainable practices.

Participants will then travel toward Clay County, stopping in Henrietta for lunch at Open Table with Chef Evette Slaggle, featuring dishes prepared with Wellborn 2R beef and insights into cooking techniques that highlight its flavor and quality.

At Wellborn 2R Ranch, owner Chris Wellborn will welcome the group. Head Rancher Shane Crafton will lead an educational session on the different types of beef cuts, explaining how ranch practices influence flavor and tenderness. DeeAnn Littlefield will continue with a guided tour of the pastures and cattle operations, highlighting animal care, land stewardship, and traditions behind producing all‑natural Texas beef.

This experience blends education, culinary enjoyment, and authentic ranch culture, offering participants a deeper appreciation for the pride, tradition, and conservation values behind every cut of Wellborn 2R beef.

Presenter: DeeAnn Littlefield, Ranch Environmental Director, brings over 20 years of experience in communications and conservation. She serves as a Public Affairs Specialist with USDA–NRCS and leads environmental education at Wellborn 2R Ranch. DeeAnn specializes in land stewardship and sustainable ranching, helping audiences understand how responsible practices protect natural resources. At Wellborn, she connects visitors to the ranch’s values of sustainability and stewardship, guiding tours that highlight animal care, pasture management, and conservation. Her approachable style and expertise make her an engaging educator, ensuring participants leave with a greater appreciation for how conservation supports premium Texas beef.

Presenter: Since acquiring Wellborn 2R Ranch in 2004, Chris Wellborn, Owner, Welborn 2R Ranch, has built it into a premier producer of all‑natural, pasture‑raised beef. Rooted in Clay County’s ranching heritage, Chris emphasizes sustainable practices, animal welfare, and community partnerships. His leadership blends tradition with innovation, expanding the ranch’s reach through direct‑to‑consumer sales and the Wellborn 2R Steakhouse in Wichita Falls. Chris is committed to preserving the ranch’s legacy while positioning it for future growth, ensuring Wellborn 2R remains a trusted name in Texas ranching and a proud steward of the land.

Presenter: As Head Rancher, Shane Crafton oversees daily operations at Wellborn 2R Ranch, including cattle care, pasture management, and beef production. With deep roots in Texas ranching, Shane embodies tradition while applying modern practices that prioritize animal health and land stewardship. He is known for his hands‑on approach and ability to connect with visitors. Shane educates audiences about the different types of beef cuts, explaining how ranch practices and careful finishing contribute to flavor and quality. His leadership ensures every cut reflects the ranch’s values of quality, tradition, and Texas pride.

04/08/2026

EXPLORING CLAY AND FIBER: THE ART OF MICHAEL OBRANOVICH AND CLAUDIA CROWE-OBRANOVICH

Presenter: Michael Obranovich and Claudia Crowe-Obranovich

Date/Time: Thursday, April 9 at both 10 am and 1:30 pm

Join ceramic artist Michael T. Obranovich, Jr., and fiber artist Claudia Crowe-Obranovich for an engaging presentation on their creative journeys and artistic processes. Michael, a distinguished ceramicist with over four decades of experience, will share insights from his nationally exhibited work and his extensive career as an educator and workshop leader. Claudia, a fiber artist inspired by the textures and forms of the natural world, will discuss her innovative weaving and textile practices, blending traditional and contemporary techniques to create one-of-a-kind pieces. Attendees will gain a behind-the-scenes look at the materials, methods, and inspirations that shape their work, as well as the intersections of craftsmanship, creativity, and personal expression in ceramic and fiber arts.

Presenter: Michael T. Obranovich, Jr. is a distinguished ceramic artist and educator with a career spanning more than four decades. He holds an M.F.A. and M.A. from the University of Dallas and a B.S.E. from Midwestern State University, as well as a Texas State Teachers Certificate. Obranovich’s work has been featured in numerous exhibitions nationwide, including the Brodnax Christmas Show (Dallas), Texas Pottery Clay Festival (Gruene), Cedar Creek Gallery National Teapot Show (North Carolina), and “Two Peas Outta the Pod” at the Dallas Visual Arts Center. His ceramics have also appeared in invitational shows at the Edith Baker Gallery and the D’Art Visual Center, as well as at the Southwestern Bell Museum, the Denver Art Museum, and galleries in Dallas, San Diego, and New Jersey. A dedicated educator, Obranovich has taught as an adjunct professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas and Taos and has presented workshops and lectures across the United States and Canada, including the Alberta Potters Symposium. He has conducted residencies, led workshops from British Columbia to Vermont, and contributed to arts education organizations on both local and national levels. Committed to craftsmanship and artistic exploration, Michael Obranovich continues to inspire students, colleagues, and collectors through his work in ceramic arts.

Presenter: Claudia Crowe-Obranovich is a fiber artist whose work is inspired by the textures and forms of the natural world. Initially self-taught, she later studied clothing and textile design at Texas Tech University and continued advanced work in weaving and design at North Texas State University. Working full-time in her studio, Claudia creates one-of-a-kind woven pieces and accessories using materials such as raffia, linen, and handmade papers. Her work blends traditional and contemporary techniques—both on and off the loom—and is exhibited in galleries and art shows throughout the region. She also completes commissioned pieces for architects and designers. Claudia’s art reflects her interest in material exploration, personal expression, and the transformative qualities of fiber.

04/06/2026

WFMA WORKSHOP #3 PAPER-MACHE PART 1

Presenter: Jennifer McLarty

Date/Time: Wednesday, April 8 at 1:30 pm; Wednesday, April 15 at 1:30 pm; Wednesday, April 22 at 1:30 pm

Join us for three creative afternoons of sculpting, shaping, and painting your own paper-mache masterpiece! Over three consecutive Wednesdays, you’ll learn step-by-step how to build an animal sculpture from start to finish.

Week 1: Build the form and begin layering starchy paper
Week 2: Add shape, detail, and personality with more paper-mache
Week 3: Bring your creation to life with paint and finishing touches
Choose your favorite animal as inspiration and let your imagination run wild! All materials provided — just bring your enthusiasm and a sense of fun.