Learn the history behind current events.

At the end of the Cold War, many around the world felt that aggressive territorial conquests between advanced states and great power rivalry were things of the past. Yet Russia shocked the world in February 2022 with its brazen and brutal invasion of Ukraine, sparking the largest general war in Europe since 1945. Join COCC history professor Murray Godfrey where he will discuss the history of Ukraine and its place in the history of Europe, the 20th century World Wars, the Cold War, and now possibly the new Cold War of the 21st century in the context of this latest conflict.

Murray A. Godfrey is Associate Professor of History at Community College, where he has taught since 2012. He received a Master of Arts degree in History from Texas State University, specializing in the history of Early America, Native American military history, and the political economy of Colonial America. Prior to coming to Central Oregon, Murray previously taught for Austin Community College in Austin, TX and Alamo Community College District in San Antonio, TX. Mr. Godfrey served in the U.S. Army from 2002-2008. As part of that service he was deployed to Kosovo as part of Operation Joint Guardian, where he served alongside Ukrainian soldiers.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Oregon (OLLI-UO) in Central Oregon invites community members to participate in our Friday Talks in partnership with the Deschutes Public Library. OLLI-UO is an intellectual and social community of engaged adult learners, connecting members to university faculty and professionals in respective fields. A six-month or yearlong membership allows participation in a variety of lectures, courses, peer-led study and discussion groups, educational tours, field trips, and social events.


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