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The Kingsport Alliance for Continued Learning (KACL) will offer its spring classes from March 12 – April 18, focusing on a variety of subjects from science, world history and social studies to world travel and the arts. 

This six-week series of non-credit courses, presented in partnership with East Tennessee State University at Kingsport, is open to anyone. There are no homework assignments, grades or tests. Classes will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m.-noon in room 130 at the Kingsport Center for Higher Education (KCHE), 300 W. Market St. The cost to participate is $30 and covers most KACL spring courses. Some events, such as field trips and special series, require additional fees. 

A few highlights of the spring series include “The Complicated History of JFK,” led by Daryl Carter, professor of history, associate dean for community relations and outreach, and director of the Black American Studies Program at ETSU; “Community Outpatient Addiction Services” by Chad Duncan, Frontier Health Tennessee Adult Outpatient Addiction Services division director; “Life of Honey Bees” by Dan Chase, local beekeeper; “Macedonia’s Secrets from a Volunteer Archeologist” by frequent KACL speaker Lisa Rolen; “Drug Trafficking in Our Region” by Jeff Cassidy, sheriff of Sullivan County; “Photographic Journey of France” by Rick Currie, retired attorney and avid photographer; and “The History of Lost Cove, North Carolina” by Christy Smith, the 2023 North Carolina Society of Historians Book of Excellence Award Winner and Appalachian studies lecturer at King University. 

The spring offerings include a field trip to Brights Zoo and a special series called “Great Decisions,” which deals with current topics of international interest. These include “Mideast Realignment,” “Climate Technology and Competition,” “Science Across Borders,” “NATO’s Future,” “Understanding Indonesia” and “Pandemic Preparedness.” This series, co-sponsored by the Friends of the Kingsport Public Library, will take place on Wednesdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m. 

The KACL was established in 1993 with ETSU at Kingsport to provide adults, regardless of educational background or age, opportunities to attend stimulating courses, lectures and special events.  

Classes will be offered in person and virtually via Zoom. Individuals may attend one class free of charge.

To pay the membership fee and register or for more information, including a full list of spring 2024 classes, call (423) 354-5200 or visit kingsportlearning.org.   

For disability accommodations, call the ETSU at Kingsport Downtown office at 423-354-5200.