Middle East expert Samih Baalbaki will be the featured speaker for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute's (OLLI) fundraising dinner on Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Coastal Carolina University's Kline Hospitality Suite. Baalbaki will share his thoughts on "Why Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu calls the Iran nuclear deal a mistake of historic proportions."

This fundraising dinner, the first of a planned annual event, will help provide operational funds for the OLLI program. Housed in the Office of Executive Development and Continuing Education at Coastal Carolina University, the OLLI program offers a wide range of opportunities for older adults and noncredit students to achieve intellectual, cultural and social growth. The schedule includes dozens of classes on numerous topics, held at four locations in Horry and Georgetown counties, as well as travel excursions.

Baalbaki, an instructor for OLLI, is a renowned speaker on the Middle East. He was born and raised in Lebanon and spent the last 17 years of his career as a legal consultant in the Middle East before retiring in the U.S. in early 2012. His work took him to more than 20 countries in the Middle East, where he gained a deep personal insight into the dynamics of the region through his observations of the business, social and religious aspects of day-to-day life.

The Kline Hospitality Suite is located in Brooks Stadium on University Drive, Conway. Admission is $55 per person and includes a Mediterranean-style dinner and live music entertainment. To reserve a ticket or volunteer, call 843-349-2025, 843-349-2767 or 843-349-5002.