JANUARY 26 – MAY 15
Spring 2026
Table of Contents Class Locations and Contact Info...........................3 Announcements................................................................. 4 How to Register.....................................................................5 Membership Info and Policies....................................6 Classes by Start Date.....................................................10 Art and Design............................................................14 Cultural, Domestic, and Global Affairs...... 23 Health and Wellness..............................................33 History, Psychology, and Philosophy..........50 Literature and Communication.....................63 Music, Theatre, and Film..................................... 73 Nature, Science, and Technology................80 OLLI Member Bonus Lectures...................................99 Shared Interest Groups..............................................100 Travel With OLLI................................................................ 102 One Read Courses........................................................103 Meet the Instructors.....................................................104 Honor Roll of Donors..................................................... 128 Give the Gift of Learning............................................ 129
Important Dates Jan. 13
Registration for Art & Design opens at 9 a.m.
Jan. 14
Full registration opens at 9 a.m.
Jan. 22
Spring Open House, Fort Collins Senior Center, 2-4 p.m.
Jan. 26
Spring 2026 classes begin
March 16-20
CSU break – no OLLI classes
Spring 2026 Director’s Message As we begin a new year of learning, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Colorado State University (CSU) is thrilled to welcome back returning members and extend a warm invitation to those joining us for the first time. Whether you’re here to try out a new topic, dive deeper into a longtime passion, or simply connect with fellow lifelong learners, we’re so glad you’re part of this vibrant community. This year marks a special milestone—2026 celebrates 20 years since OLLI at CSU was endowed through the generous support of the Bernard Osher Foundation. In the two decades since 2006, OLLI has grown into a thriving, member-driven community of more than 1,400 learners each term, supported by Colorado State University and the CSU Office of Engagement and Extension. Open to all adults – but designed for those 50 and better—OLLI embodies the joy of learning, curiosity, and connection that make lifelong education so meaningful. This spring, you’ll find more than 180 in-person, online, and experiential opportunities spanning arts and culture, history, global affairs, science and technology, literature, wellness, and more. Each course is designed to inspire fresh perspectives and foster genuine connections—all in a welcoming, no-pressure environment free from tests and grades. Think of this catalog as your guide to new discoveries, meaningful exchanges, and the friendships that grow when curiosity leads the way. I’m continually grateful for our instructors’ insight and passion, our members’ energy and engagement, and my colleagues’ dedication that all make this learning community so special. As we embark on another season, I look forward to seeing how our collective curiosity inspires exploration, conversations, and connections. Warmly,
Meredith Naughton
OLLI at a Glance
1,500+ members 170+ classes and lectures 100+ instructors 7
member bonus lectures
Diverse in-person and online program offerings:
• Art and Design • Cultural, Domestic, and Global Affairs
• Health and Wellness • History, Psychology, and Philosophy
• Literature and Communication • Music, Theatre, and Film • Nature, Science, and Technology
“I love the variety of classes and the knowledgeable instructors.”
“I’ve learned so much and met amazing people.”
What Our Members Say “I appreciate the chance to keep learning without pressure.”
“I appreciate the welcoming and inclusive environment.” 2
OLLI AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
Class Locations 44
1 CSU Drake Hall
2545 Research Dr.
US US
287 287
NN Taft Taft Hill Hill Rd Rd
2
Downtown Downtown Fort Collins Collins Fort
33
VineDr Dr EEVine
66
2 Empire Grange
2306 W. Mulberry
3 The Cooking Studio 123 N. College Ave.
4 The Lyric Theatre
14 14
1209 N. College Ave.
5 Studio West Dance Center 1640 Riverside Ave
WMulberry MulberrySt St W
Aztlan 6 Northside Community Center
ColoradoState State Colorado University University
US US
287 287
11
55 S Rd S Timberline Timberline Rd
S St S Shields Shields St
S Taft Hill Rd
WProspect ProspectRd Rd W
112 E. Willow St.
W WDrake DrakeRd Rd
Contact Us OLLI Online Registration www.osher.colostate.edu Comments and Questions OLLI@colostate.edu Meredith Naughton, Director Meredith.Naughton@colostate.edu Julie Braswell, Program Manager Julie.Braswell@colostate.edu Debbie Madden-Derdich, Program Coordinator Debra.Madden-Derdich@colostate.edu
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
3
Spring 2026 Announcements Your Choice: OLLI In-Person or Online
With 180+ multiweek courses, OLLI Talks, experiential tours, and OLLI member bonus activities, we think you’ll find there is something of interest for everyone. We are excited to continue offering 70% of the spring curriculum in-person at Drake Hall, with another 15% online, and 15% at offsite locations around Fort Collins.
Hybrid Courses!
Nine hybrid courses are available in-person at Drake Hall OR online via Zoom this term. With a limited in-person classroom capacity, it is very important to register for your preferred format (online OR inperson) and to check your enrollment confirmations to ensure you are correctly registered. Unfortunately, it is not possible to register for the online section and then attend in-person. Since our zoom capacity is much larger, once the in-person section is full, the online section will automatically become available for registration. Please register carefully and pay close attention to the location details.
Online Registration Encouraged
We encourage members to continue using online registration and ask that you email OLLI@colostate.edu if you need help with this process. The OLLI team will be available for limited in-person registration on a drop-in basis and at the Spring Open House at the Fort Collins Senior Center on January 22 from 2-4 p.m.
OLLI Monthly Email Newsletter
If you are not a member and want to receive the OLLI Monthly Newsletter, please complete the OLLI Newsletter Request Form, found on the OLLI website, or email OLLI@colostate.edu and request to be included in the email list to receive program highlights and learn about upcoming events.
Complimentary Member Bonus Courses
OLLI is pleased to continue offering the extremely popular series of complimentary bonus lectures for our members. This spring, members can enjoy seven Drake Hall presentations on a variety of topics, and two available online. These bonus lectures are made possible thanks to your generous donations and are free to spring term OLLI members. Space is limited, however, and registration is required.
How to Zoom
Are you new to Zoom or would you like a Zoom refresher? Please contact the OLLI Team at OLLI@colostate.edu to set up a personal tutorial session with one of our helpful OLLI team members.
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OLLI AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
How to Register Jan. 13 at 9 a.m. Registration opens online for all Art & Design courses
Jan. 14 at 9 a.m. Registration opens for all courses online and in-person
Jan. 22 at 2–4 p.m. In-person registration at
Fort Collins Senior Center
There are two ways to register online:
1 Go to www.osher.colostate.edu, select “Courses” at the top of the page, and browse the course list OR
2 Browse the interactive online catalog and select the “Click to Register” button next to the desired course.
To complete your registration: • Click the “Add to Cart” button on each course detail page. • After making all your course selections go to your cart and click the “Checkout” button.
• Login to your account with your email and password to
complete the transaction. If you do not have an OLLI account, you will be prompted to create one.
• Your Zoom access link(s) for online classes will be sent to you in your receipt confirmation email.
If you have difficulty with the online registration process, you may contact our OLLI team by email at OLLI@colostate.edu, by phone at 970-491-7753, or in-person by appointment or attending the Spring Open House at the Fort Collins Senior Center.
“OLLI gives me a sense of community and keeps my mind active.”
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
5
Membership Info and Policies About the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
The San Francisco–based Bernard Osher Foundation was started in 1977 by Bernard Osher, a respected businessperson and community leader. The Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life by supporting higher education and the arts. In partnership with the Bernard Osher Foundation, over 120 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes are located on the campuses of colleges and universities in every state. Each institute provides a diverse array of noncredit courses and activities specifically developed for intellectually curious adults of all ages, with special attention to “seasoned adults” ages 50 or better. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Colorado State University was established in 2006 through an endowment by the Bernard Osher Foundation. OLLI at CSU is a membership-based program committed to fostering lifelong learning and enriching lives. Join us today to take part in OLLI’s growing community of learners and wide educational opportunities.
Why Become a Member?
Indulge your curiosity! People who are active, engaged in their communities, and enjoy learning throughout their lives feel more productive and purposeful and are healthier and happier. At OLLI there are no admission requirements, no grades, no tests, and no pressure. Instead, OLLI offers the opportunity to constantly learn more about the world, spark new curiosities, and join a community of inquisitive minds.
Who Belongs to OLLI?
Our members are people like you from all professions, educational backgrounds, and places. We welcome adults of all ages – with special consideration of those fifty and better – with a desire to learn, engage, build new friendships, and actively discover more about the world around us.
Become a Reciprocal Member of OLLI at DU
Membership with OLLI at CSU also provides the opportunity to become a Reciprocal Member at the University of Denver (DU) OLLI for $20/ year. This reciprocal membership provides access to online webinars, fitness classes, and a joint OLLI travel program. Email OLLI@colostate.edu for more information.
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OLLI AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
Why Membership Fees?
OLLI at CSU is a member-based, member-driven program. Each term, a current membership is required to participate in our many exciting multi-week courses, OLLI Talks lectures, and OLLI Experiences. OLLI non-refundable membership fees include complimentary member bonus lectures and are critical to our institute’s success and sustainability. Along with course tuition and donations, membership fees provide support for affordable, quality programming and the cultivation of an active lifelong learner community.
OLLI Membership • OLLI offers two membership terms each year:
Fall (August-December) and Spring (January-June).
• The $25 membership fee each term allows access to registration for all in-person and online courses and lectures.
• Enjoy complimentary member-only bonus activities included with your paid membership each term.
• If you are unsure of your membership status, visit the OLLI
homepage and go to “My Account” and select “My Profile.” Scroll to the bottom to find your membership information. If you do not have a current membership, one will automatically be added to your checkout cart when you register for classes.
Multi-Week Courses, OLLI Talk Lectures, and Special Program Fees • A paid membership is required to register for all courses, lectures, and special programs.
• Tuition for each course and special program varies based on the length of the course.
• Registration for each 2-hour OLLI Talks lecture is typically $10. • Registration for multiple courses is encouraged. • All courses, OLLI Talks lectures, and special programs enroll on a
first-come basis, subject to space availability. Waitlists are always available and highly encouraged.
• Registration continues throughout the term until the day a class or lecture begins.
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Tuition Assistance
Thanks to the generosity of the Oltjenbruns Tuition Assistance Fund and the Cathy Stawarski Fund, scholarships are available to any new or returning member experiencing financial difficulty. If financial challenges prohibit you from enrolling in OLLI courses, you are invited and encouraged to apply for tuition assistance to help with course fees by filling out a simple Tuition Assistance Application, which can be found under the FAQs on the OLLI website.
Course Waitlists
If an online or in-person course reaches capacity, a waitlist will become available. If you register online, you will have the opportunity to directly add your name to the waitlist of any course at capacity. If a course does not show up in your search, the class and the waitlist are both full. If space in a waitlisted class becomes available, you will receive an email notification and will have 48 hours to accept the invitation to register for that class. If you do not register for the class within the 48-hour window, the automated system will offer the space to the next person on the waitlist.
Drop, Transfer, and Refund Appeal Policy
OLLI course and membership fees are critical to our institute’s sustainability and are non-refundable. If you need to drop a class, please visit the OLLI website to find a suitable transfer course that might better fit your schedule or needs. To arrange for a course transfer, email OLLI at OLLI@colostate.edu. A full or partial refund will only be considered on a case-by-case basis and for unusual extenuating circumstances. If you feel you have a unique situation requiring a refund, please complete a Refund Appeal Form, which can be found under the FAQs on the OLLI website. Members will be asked to provide written information detailing the reason for the refund request and will be notified once a determination is reached.
Unable to Attend
If you register for a class and cannot attend, please notify our office via email or phone. Do not offer your class seat to someone not registered for the class since we will reach out to members on the waitlist to fill the vacancy. Attendance is taken during each class session and unregistered visitors will not be allowed to remain in the class.
8
OLLI AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
Class Cancellations
If a course or lecture is canceled, OLLI staff will reach out to all affected class members by email or phone as soon as possible. Members will have a 48-hour window to request a transfer to another course. Please check the OLLI website for alternative class options. After 48 hours, a full refund will be processed. Credit card refunds require ten business days.
Inclement Weather Days
If Colorado State University announces a weather-related closure, OLLI classes are also canceled that day, including online classes. In the event of a snow day or emergency cancellation of a single class, OLLI staff will notify all class members as soon as possible and will coordinate with the instructor regarding a makeup date. To guarantee we can contact you in case of a cancellation, please ensure your contact information is current. Email OLLI@colostate.edu if you need help updating your personal information.
Participant Guidelines
The mission of education is to promote intellectual, personal and social development and to provide an environment that encourages reasoned discourse, intellectual honesty, openness, and respect for the rights, opinions, and needs of all class participants without divisive, or polarizing comments. Thank you for keeping our virtual and in-person classrooms a positive learning space for all!
Support Your OLLI at CSU
Your tax-deductible contributions are essential to support and maintain a high-quality OLLI program, allowing us to keep membership and course fees low. As a self-supporting program, OLLI depends on your membership and tuition fees as well as contributions to sustain our program. Every dollar you give makes a difference. With your contributions, we can enhance and grow our engaging and thoughtful learning environment. Please consider making a valued donation by emailing giftplanning@colostate.edu or donate directly at give.colostate.edu/campaigns/44680.
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Start Date Course Number, Title, Instructor
Format Pg.
1/26
2014 Drawing FUNdamentals -Marander
Drake
1/26
3321 Can Your Home be a “Lifelong Home”?! -Dunbar/Sorrells
Drake
1/26 1/26 1/26 1/27 1/27
4095 British Classics Book Club: Oscar Wilde -Wernsman 3349 Colorado’s Post-Fire Forests -Stevens-Rumann 8044 50 Ways to Discover Colorado -Cook 6079 Primer In Fort Collins History -Carroll
3244 Introduction to Estate Planning -Blair
1/27, 1/29, 3/3, 3/5 9043 ESSENTRICS® Intermediate Level -Nolan
14
Drake
63
Drake
80
Drake
50
Drake Drake
33
82 23
SWDC
33
1/27
5077 The Rich Legacy of the Gullah Geechee -Grenfell
Drake
23
1/27
9033 Unlock the Power of Your Heart’s Intelligence -OBrien
Drake
1/27 1/27
1/28 1/28 1/28
4113 Jose Olivarez’s Promises of Gold -Patterson 5082 Hebrew Bible Beyond Genesis -Katzir 6043 History at the Movies 2 -Purath
5005 Great Decisions 2026 Part 1 -Heckman/Dauth
1/28
9034 Connecting with Community -Reiling/VanderMeer
1/28
4108 The Poetry of Noticing -Leisure
1/29 1/29 1/29 1/29
64
Drake
24
2075 The Un-Complicated Guide to Sketching -Watson-Lakamp Drake
1/28, 3/4 9004 ESSENTRICS® Introductory/Beginner Level -Nolan 1/28
Drake
8080 Foundations of Quantum Mechanics -Friedman 6167 Concentration Camps in the US -Hirai
7063 Comedy Is Not Just for Professionals! -Reiter 5047 Monuments (and Memorials) -Wilshusen
4076 How Language Affects Our Self Image -Clark
Drake Drake
34 14
73
24
SWDC
34
Online
80
Drake
35
Drake
64
Drake
73
Drake Drake Drake
1/29, 2/5 3350 AI Decoded: Understanding & Using Generative AI -Nowak Drake
50 51
65 81 81
1/30
3245 Tech Skills: Smartphone Navigation & Accessibility -Kinney Drake
2/2
6156 Colorado Coal Towns and Their People -Jessen
Drake
52
4091 The Great Gatsby Book Club -Olson
Drake
65
9097 Hearing Loss? How to Better Navigate the World -Whyman Online
35
1/30 2/2 2/2
2/3 2/3
3361 Limits’ & Doubts’ Virtues: Perfectionism’s Dangers -Hoffert Drake 6130 Northern Exposure - Frontier Alaska -Jessen
Drake
2057 Winter Wonderland in Watercolor Snow Scenes -Ramsay Drake
51
52 15
7054 Intro to Ballroom Dance: Foxtrot & Tango -Olivas/Baczek
Grange 75
2/4
6110 The War in the Skies: Europe 1939-1945 -Beason
Online
2/4
1014 Sourdough for Beginners -Sherman
2/3
2/3, 4/7 2085 Fun with Collaging! -Pyrz 2/4 2/4 2/5
2/6 2/6 2/6 2/9 2/9
3219 Understanding Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes -Eagan 7062 On the Trail to the American Sound: Part II -Kenney
Drake Drake
3245 Tech Skills: Smartphone Navigation & Accessibility -Kinney Drake 3354 Keeping Families Together -Borchert/Root
Drake
5103 Cognitive Upgrade -Robinson
Online
3362 Christian Scripture and Homosexuality -Hoffert 9023 A Shared Exploration of Grief -Siska
3287 Smart Cities, Homes, & Products -Maruzzella
OLLI AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
53 36
Corbett 25
7058 From Page To Screen: Great Books, Great Films -Merriman Drake
2/10, 3/10 1033 CSU VTH Small Animal Hospital Tour -VTH Staff 2/12 10
N. Aztlan 15
Drake Drake VTH
Hybrid
74 75 81
26
53 36 37
82
83
Start Date Course Number, Title, Instructor
Format Pg.
2/13
3289 Embracing Colorado Gardening -Shaw
Drake
2/13
3267 1000 Paper Cranes: Learning to Fold for Peace -Golinvaux
Drake
2/13
3154 Through the Lens: An Intro to Film Festivals -Seymour
Drake
6116 Inventions from A to Z -Slahor
Online
7001 Cinema du Jour -Merriman
Lyric
7066 Great Directors: Nora Ephron -Kozloff
SPUR
2/13, 3/6 9076 The Fundamentals of Yoga -Denison 2/13 2/16 2/16 2/16 2/17 2/17
2/18 2/18 2/18 2/19 2/19 2/19 2/19
2/20 2/20 2/20 2/20 2/20 2/23 2/23
2/24 2/24 2/24 2/25 2/25 2/25
2/26 2/26 2/27
83 37
SWDC
15
3351 Resilience in Action: Journeys of Osher Scholars -Chandler Drake
38
3356 How Social Media Changed TV & Culture Forever -Barker Online
53
75
54
54
6169 Tips for Learning about Peace and Reconciliation -Timpson Drake 1222 Who You Are Matters: Discovery Experience -Feller 7001 Cinema du Jour -Merriman
3309 Artificial Intelligence: Uses and Future Possibilities -Waal 8071 All About Clouds -Schlatter 3114 Medicare 101 -Heileman
3170 Finish Well Beyond 50: Good Life, Role to Soul -Feller
76
38
Drake
76 76
Lyric
Drake
84
Hybrid
39
84
Drake
39
Drake
54
3357 Building Rome in a Day: Urban History of Rome -Thomas Online 3127 Life in the Eighth Stage -Martino
Drake
3273 Tech Skills: YouTube and Spotify Apps -Kinney
Drake
6011 Mines, Mills and the Rise of Mining Towns -Jessen 4107 That’s How I Want to Live: Arthur Sze -Leisure 6155 Larimer County in a Nutshell -Jessen
55 55
Drake
84 66
Drake
56
Drake
85
3348 Community Resources & Air Quality Challenges -Guajardo Drake
56
4092 Intro to Alan Watts and Philosophies of Asia -Reiter
Drake
4075 Historical Fiction: Artists Creating Chaos -Hoffman
Drake
66
2046 Ink Drawing Techniques -Osmann
Drake
16
16
2073 Capturing Your Travels with Line and Watercolor -Ramsay Drake 1032 Backstage: University Center for the Arts Tour -UCA Staff 2053 Colorado, The Artist’s Muse -Osmann
5093 Redistricting: Supreme Court & Voting Rights Act -Alper
77
UCA
16
Drake
26
Drake Drake
40
3240 Diagnosing Garden Issues by Insect Feeding -Cranshaw Drake
86
3192 Reframing Retirement: Discovering Awe -Feller 8104 Introduction to Wildland Fire -Czaja
2/27, 3/27 3247 Tech Skills: Shopping with the King Soopers App -Kinney
85
Drake
86
Drake
2/27
3262 Learning from Past Transitions: Clarifying Intentions -Feller Drake
40
3/2
9082 Legendary Foods of Spain and Portugal -Canepa
Online
41
2036 Art for the “Non-Artist” -Watson-Lakamp
Drake
3/2
3/3 3/3
3/4 3/4 3/5
3/6 3/6 3/9
77
7060 History of Film Music I King Kong to Casablanca -Morrison Drake 2016 Right Brain Photography -Vega
1013 FoCo Beer Kitchen: Cook, Pair & Pour -Sherman 2078 Beginning Printmaking with Gelli Pads -Pyrz 4036 Red Herring Book Club -Blair
2093 Architecture of the Italian Renaissance -Rose 3248 Tech Skills: Facebook Marketplace -Kinney
6118 The Cuban Missile Crisis- A Personal Perspective -Carroll
17
Online
17
Maxline 27 N. Aztlan 18
Drake
67
Drake
87
18
Drake Drake
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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57
Start Date Course Number, Title, Instructor
Format Pg.
3/9
6149 Greek Tragedy, P1: Sophocles’ Oedipus the King -Moller
Drake
57
3/10
2038 Dazzling Glass Mosaic Flower Art -Walkup
Drake
19
3/10 3/10 3/11
3/12 3/12 3/12
3/13 3/13
3/23 3/23 3/23
3/24 3/24 3/24 3/25 3/25
3/26 3/26 3/26
3129 Tackling Writer’s Block With Constraints -Nelson Senie 1027 Taste of Espana at the Cooking Studio -Staff
3288 Colorado River: History, Law, and Challenges -Gimbel 3270 Insects and Mites of the Cannabis Sativa -Cranshaw
3298 Punctuate Your Garden with Waterwise Plants -Shaw 3098 Roads Less Traveled -Siska
3275 Tech Skills: Library Access with the Libby App -Kinney
3363 New Testament- Economics, Politics, Community -Hoffert 9086 A History of the American Revolution -Day 2089 Zendoodling for Beginners -Pyrz
4/1
4/2 4/2 4/2
4/3 4/3 4/3 4/3 4/7 4/7 4/7 4/7
4/8 4/8 4/8
12
Drake Drake Drake
Online Drake
88 28
89
58 58 19
41
4114 Steinbeck’s East of Eden -Parker
Online
68
5081 Biblical Prophets Through Different Lenses -Katzir/Seavey Drake 7068 Guitar as a Social Instrument: Sing Alongs -Singer
Drake
29 78
3346 Trends in Wildfire Size & Impact across Colorado -Gifford Hybrid 89 1029 Pausing for Presence: Meditation Retreat -Schneider
Primrose 42
3347 Winning Hearts & Minds: Vietnam (1954-1975) -Dewey
Drake
4055 Beowulf: Monsters, Mead, and Meaning -Wernsman
6163 A Greek Tragedy -Pt 2- Sophocles’ Oedipus -Moller
3/31
Drake
87
88
28
3/30
3/31
Drake
Drake
5072 Lens of Chaos: New Way to See Our World -Vanderkloot
3/31
Hybrid
5064 A Message to the Future -Wilshusen
3/30
3/30
67
C. Studio 41
1028 A Wine Tour of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland -Hensey Drake
3/27, 5/6 3268 Master the Art of Packing: Carry-On Guide -Golinvaux 3/30
Drake
5104 Journey to Harmony in Challenging Times -Robinson 9037 Nuts and Bolts of Death and Dying -Rubin
4077 Writing Flash Fiction and Nonfiction -Nelson Senie 3314 The Dragonfly Girls -Lowry
4109 Creative Writing Workshop -Wernsman
5079 The Legal Struggle over President’s Tariffs -Odell/Alper
3208 Meet Homo Denisova - 100,000 Year Old Cousin -Cornell 2039 Creating Art From Your Stuff at Home -Walkup
3269 Update on the Russian Invasion of Ukraine -Olienyk 6161 Genealogy Quest Research Series -Larson
3303 Planning Your Forever Home -Perry/Hayes
3336 Tech Skills: Uber, Lyft, and ParkMobile Apps -Kinney
9089 Reinventing Yourself: Be the Person You Want -Buck
2090 Beginning Foundational Watercolor -Watson-Lakamp
7064 Intro to Ballroom Dance: Waltz & Rumba -Baczek/Olivas 8101 Innovations for a Sustainable Tomorrow -Dautzenberg 1285 Taste of Thailand at the Cooking Studio -Staff
1018 Artisan Sourdough Level: Intermediate -Sherman 4085 Despair or Delight: A Practice in Poetry -Leisure
6170 Exploring Native American Architecture in CO -Atkinson OLLI AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
Drake Drake Drake
Online
68
58 42 29
43
Drake
59
Drake
69
Drake
69
Drake
90
Drake Drake Drake Drake Drake Drake
43 30 30 20 31
59
Drake
44
Drake
44
Drake Drake
90 21
Grange 78 Drake
91
C. Studio 45
Corbett 31 Drake
Hybrid
70
60
Start Date Course Number, Title, Instructor
Format Pg.
4/8
7032 The History of Rock & Roll, Pt. II: 1970’s & 80’s -Rogers
Drake
79
4/9
9077 Hope & Healing in the Age of Grief -Schneider
Drake
45
Drake
60
Drake
61
4/9
4/13 4/13 4/13
4/14 4/15 4/15
4/16 4/16 4/16 4/17 4/17
4/20 4/21 4/21
4/22
4/23 4/23
4/24 4/27 4/27
4/28 4/29 4/29
5052 Overview of the U.S. Economy -Olienyk 8105 Finding Birds -Cook
6166 A Greek Tragedy - Pt 3 - Sophocles’ Antigone -Moller 5005 Great Decisions 2026 Part 1 -Forney 6101 Your Life in Eight Stages -Martino
3366 Lessons Learned: Gardening in CO -O’Connor/Shaw 2037 Create Watercolor Greeting Cards! -Dunnington
3352 Playing with {Wild}fire: Author Talk Laura Pritchett 3135 Writing a ‘Legacy Letter’ -Sherwin
5085 Sustainability in Action: A Shared Planet -Timpson 3340 The Changing Landscape of Healthcare -Eagan
4104 Notes, Journals, &Letters - Hand Lettering Part II -Odbert 4098 Follow Your Bliss! Wisdom of Joseph Campbell -Reiter 4105 Poetry for Non-Poets (and Others!) -Aiello 1031 Canvas Stadium Tour -Staff
2078 Beginning Printmaking with Gelli Pads -Pyrz 3364 Various Forms of Absolute Power -Hoffert
3231 Spiders and Other Interesting Arachnids of CO -Cranshaw
Hybrid
32 91
Drake
24
Drake Drake
92
TMI
70
Drake
27
21
Drake Online
71
Drake
46
Drake
72
71
Drake
72
Drake
Canvas 92 Drake
18
Drake
93
61
Drake
93
3365 Cannabis Research, Regulation, and Challenges -Kinney Drake
1019 Exploring Gateway Natural Area: Hike Adventure -Atkinson Drake+ 94 3128 The Battle of Britain, 1940 -Weisser
Drake
2048 Designer Tips: Gallery Walls and Room Layouts -Koenigs
Drake
6141 Armchair Travel During the Renaissance -Dennis
9049 Shrink, Unwrapped: Psychiatric Potpourri -Lawrence
4/30, 5/8 1260 Finish Well Retreat: Finding Community & Meaning-Feller
61
Drake
62
Drake
47
22
Tamasag
47
4/30
8102 Mindful Birding - Courtship and Mating -Patterson
Drake
94
5/1
1012 From Sketchbook to Painting -Griggs
Drake
22
4/30 5/4 5/5 5/5
5/6 5/6 5/7 5/7
6173 Germany at Crossroads: 35 Years Post Unification -Isaacs 8056 Hiking the Geology of Front Range Foothills -Kendrick 9008 Breathing with Trees - the Health Benefits -Marchell 3276 Cybersecurity Basics -Lovaas
1023 Tour of Hearts & Horses Riding Center -Yuma
3353 Living with Wildfire: Resilient Communities -Malpas 5095 AI and Politics- A Preliminary Exploration -Caputo 3360 Broadway Showstoppers -Rosenblum
5/8, 5/11 1021 Wildflowers, Nature & History of Pineridge -Pickett 5/8
5/11
3336 Tech Skills: Uber, Lyft, & ParkMobile Apps -Kinney
3313 How Trees Keep Fort Collins Cool -Crausbay/Haberecht
5/12, 5/14 1274 Shin-rin Yoku: What is Forest Bathing? -Golinvaux 5/13
5/14
3120 An Intro to Dementia Together -Williams
3359 The Wildlife of Malaysian Borneo -Ramsey
Online
62
Drake+ 95 Drake
48
Offsite
48
Drake
Hybrid Drake
96 96 32
Online
79
Drake
90
Offsite
49
Online
98
Offsite Drake
Hybrid
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Art and Design
OSHR 2014
Monday
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Drawing FUNdamentals-Bringing Out Your Inner Artist! Date: 1/26-3/2 | Instructor: Carol Marander | Time: 9 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $100
"A drawing is simply a line going for a walk." –Paul Klee (1879 - 1940), German-Swiss artist This fun course will have you excited about drawing. Participants will learn various techniques in Conte crayons, graphite pencils, and pen and ink, while exploring drawing fundamentals. Learn how to draw what you see. Delve into the basics of using line, value, shape, and shading to create realistic drawings. Composition and proportion will also be discussed and used in drawings. Participants will learn how to use a grid to enlarge and transfer images to larger paper. Examples of drawings through the ages will be presented. This course is suitable for students of all skill levels.
OSHR 2075 Wednesday
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The Un-Complicated Guide to Sketching Date: 1/28-2/18 | Instructor: Paula Watson-Lakamp Time: 9:30 a.m.-noon | Location: Drake Hall Class Size: 20 | Cost: $70
Ready to ditch the blank page jitters? Jump into this Beginner Sketching Class and unleash your creative side! It's the perfect crash course to get you comfy with fundamental drawing techniques. We'll ditch the complicated stuff and focus on the fun: learning how to capture the world around you. You'll build your confidence as we cover the basics, including creating dynamic lines, working with light and shadow, and mastering simple perspective. Get ready to transform those ordinary shapes into stunning compositions with a supportive approach that demystifies sketching and brings the fun back!
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OSHR 2057 Tuesday
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Winter Wonderland in Watercolor • Snow Scenes Date: 2/3-2/17 | Instructor: Karen Ramsay | Time: 9 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $55
The beauty of watercolor comes alive as we capture the peaceful magic of a winter wonderland. In this class, we'll explore a variety of techniques for creating luminous snow scenes that sparkle with light and subtle color. Together, we'll continue to build confidence and skill while discovering new ways to express the quiet stillness of winter in watercolor. This course is designed for students with prior watercolor experience.
OSHR 2085
Offsite
Tuesday
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Fun with Collaging!
Date: 2/3-2/10 or 4/7-4/14 | Instructor: Patty Pyrz | Time: 1-4 p.m. Location: Northside Aztlan Center | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $40 Unleash your inner artist and dive into the expressive world of collage! Whether you’re a seasoned creative or just a beginner, this class invites you to explore storytelling & artistic composition through textures, layers, and imagery. Turn everyday materials into pieces of art and visual themes. Join us for a relaxing, vibrant experience. No drawing skills required, just a willingness to experiment and play.
OSHR 3267 OLLI Talks
Friday
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1000 Paper Cranes: Learning to Fold for Peace and Happiness
Date: 2/13 | Instructor: Alyssa Golinvaux | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $15 Learn the steps to the contemplative practice of folding a paper crane. We’ll use the book Senbazuru to walk us through the process step-bystep, with bite-sized lessons in mindfulness with each fold. We’ll also learn about the origins of origami and the significance of the paper crane for global peace. In this workshop-style class, origami paper will be provided to create 2-3 paper cranes for each student.
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Art and Design OSHR 2073 Tuesday
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Capturing Your Travels with Line and Watercolor: W/C Sketchbook Journaling Date: 2/24-3/3 | Instructor: Karen Ramsay | Time: 9 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $40
Bring your adventures to life through watercolor sketchbook journaling! With loose lines and expressive watercolor, we'll learn to capture the essence of your travels from charming cafe scenes, landscapes, and other everyday sites. This class is perfect for students with some watercolor experience who want to develop a more personal, portable, and creative way to record their journeys.
OSHR 2046 Wednesday
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Ink Drawing Techniques
Date: 2/25-4/8 | Instructor: Joseph Osmann | Time: 9 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $100 Ink Drawing is a dynamic medium to explore. Develop your subject preferences by using line and tonal techniques with pens and washes. At an individual pace, students will experiment with line contour, crosshatching, and watercolor washes. Traditional and contemporary methods will be demonstrated, followed by individual instruction.
OSHR 2053 Wednesday
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Colorado, The Artist's Muse
Date: 2/25-4/8 | Instructor: Joseph Osmann | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $60 Since the early 19th century, Colorado's vast prairies and majestic peaks have made a compelling outdoor studio for painters and illustrators who traveled west to a land of promise for Americans who had suffered through the Civil War. German Romanticist Albert Bierstadt arrived in Denver in 1863 and began large paintings of sublime vistas of Rocky Mountain grandeur. Western women artists have worked for as long as humans have inhabited this region. Navajo women wove. Pueblo women made pottery. Artists Helen H. Chain and Emma R. Cherry founded the Denver Art Association, which in 1923 became the Denver Art Museum.
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OSHR 2016
Online
Tuesday
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Right Brain Photography
Date: 3/3-3/24 | Instructor: Eli Vega | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Online | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $35 This highly interactive course piggybacks on the author’s awardwinning book by the same title. You will learn composition; creative in-camera techniques, without having to spend hours in front of your computer. You will learn two photography paradigms/models that include concepts and techniques such as intuition, extraction, impressionism, and surrealism, as well as the application of Eastern philosophy to photography. You will learn how to see with your imagination, not your eyes.
OSHR 2036 Tuesday
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Art for the “Non-Artist” – Uncovering Your Inner Creative
Date: 3/3-3/31 | Instructor: Paula Watson-Lakamp | Time: 1-3:30 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $70 Have you always believed you were a creative person, but somewhere along the way, your inner critic decided you weren’t? “I can’t even draw a straight line” is a quote I often hear from my students, and I reply, “Great, straight lines are boring!” Join other like-minded individuals as we explore the wonderful world of creativity and artmaking. We will begin by making an art journal to hold all your creative ideas and then work with TWO different art media and techniques each week. From watercolor pencils to ink, we will help unleash your inner creativity and set you up for success in your art practice. There's something for everyone, with no straight lines or stick figures required! Creating art can bring amazing things into your life! Not only can it reduce stress, help with mental focus, and bring joy… but it will also give you a new, exciting chapter in your life and a new way of observation and expression of feelings and thoughts. Come with an open mind, nimble fingers, and a curiosity to learn and grow.
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Art and Design OSHR 2078
Offsite
Wednesday
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Beginning Printmaking with Gelli Pads Date: 3/4-3/11 or 4/22-4/29 | Instructor: Patty Pyrz Time: 1-4 p.m. or 9 a.m.-noon Location*: Northside Aztlan Center or Drake Hall Class Size: 16 | Cost: $40
*Please note that the March section of this class meets at the Northside Aztlan Center and the April section meets at Drake Hall. Are you interested in printmaking? What is it exactly? Gelli printing is a form of mono-printing that utilizes a flexible gel plate and acrylic paint to create textures and layers of color. Discover this fun technique and learn how to transfer images onto another surface. For this workshop, we will use our Gelli (gelatin) Pads to create images using acrylic paint/ ink, then press them onto paper. After exploring stamps and other items, we will create monoprints, which permit unique, freeform printed images every time. Engage in playful experimentation and have some fun! You do not have to be an artist to take this class! Brayers, gel pads, and paint will be provided. You are invited to bring supplemental items from the list provided to create your own unique masterpiece, especially your own paper samples and, if you choose, a few tubes of your favorite color acrylic paint.
OSHR 2093 Friday
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Classical Rebirth: Architecture of the Italian Renaissance from the 13th to the 17th Century Date: 3/6-3/13 | Instructor: Jim Rose | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $20
This course will explore the architecture of the Italian Renaissance and the inspiration that its architects drew from the classical era. Beginning in the late Middle Ages and developing over six centuries, this period offers examples of the extraordinary human genius it exemplifies.
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OSHR 2038 Tuesday
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Dazzling Glass Mosaic Flower Art
Date: 3/10-3/24 | Instructor: Renee Walkup | Time: 9:30 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 15 | Cost: $50 Get ready for spring color! In this uplifting class, participants will learn how to create one-of-a-kind mosaic flowers on a wooden substrate for decorative use, incorporating glass, beads, and 3D materials. Whether an experienced mosaic-maker or a newbie to mosaics, local awardwinning mosaicist, Renee Walkup, will walk class members through the process. Participants will learn how to choose complementary colors, creating "pop", nip stained glass, incorporate beads into their designs, and grouting techniques. All materials and supplies are included in course tuition.
OSHR 2089 Monday
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Zendoodling for Beginners
Date: 3/23-3/30 | Instructor: Patty Pyrz | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $25 Are you looking for a soothing way to unwind? Want to improve your focus, quiet your mind, and relax? Then try Zendoodling! Nurture your inner artist, unleash your imagination, and learn how to turn doodles into cool art. ZenDoodling is a form of artistic meditation through a specific method of drawing that produces non-objective drawings composed of patterns (doodles). ZenDoodling is for everyone, from people with no art experience to skilled artists. The goal is not to accomplish or create a masterpiece, but to enjoy the process, be mindful, and create together.
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Art and Design
OSHR 2039 Thursday & Friday
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Repurpose, Reuse, Reimagine--Creating Art from Your Stuff at Home
Date: 4/2-4/3 (consecutive days) | Instructor: Renee Walkup Time: 1-3:30 p.m. | Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 15 | Cost: $40 Many people wonder what they can do with single earrings, broken chains, old campaign buttons, unused stained glass, discarded china plates, and miscellaneous items that haven't been thrown away. This class will help everyone repurpose their previously unwanted items by breathing new life into them. Using contemporary mosaic design principles, where anything can be transformed into something new, participants will learn about dimensional placement and the appropriate use of adhesives. Note: Please see the provided and recommended supplies available on the online course listing.
“OLLI gives me something to look forward to every week.”
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OSHR 2090 Tuesday
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Beginning Foundational Watercolor
Date: 4/7-4/28 | Instructor: Paula Watson-Lakamp Time: 9 a.m.-noon | Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $90 The goal of this 4-week class is to help you develop watercolor skills which will help you create paintings that are bold and loose, yet rooted in the traditional design elements of value, color, form, and space. This course is set up for the beginner who wants to start out right on advancing their skills. All supplies will be provided. • Learn about the types of brushes and paper, and how to control water • Learn how to set up a limited palette and mix the colors you need • Learn how to work wet-in-wet, use layers and other techniques • Learn how to use sketches and photos to create compositions • Learn to have a strong focal point and be able to say more with less paint • Gain the confidence to use your paints and paper whenever the mood strikes
OSHR 2037 Wednesday
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Create Watercolor Greeting Cards
Date: 4/15-4/29 | Instructor: Glenna Dunnington | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $65 Looking for a fun, low-stress way to explore watercolor? You don't need to be a skilled watercolorist to enjoy this course! Be prepared to have fun and surprise yourself. In each class, you'll paint two outstanding images and turn them into colorful greeting cards. Every lesson introduces a new technique—like bokeh, masking, splattering, or lifting pigment—so you'll steadily build your skills while having fun. You'll paint with professional-grade Daniel Smith watercolor on high-quality watercolor paper, allowing you to take pride in your creations. All supplies are included in your tuition. All you need to do is to show up, relax, and enjoy the creative process. Because creativity isn't just enjoyable—it's good for you!
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Art and Design OSHR 2048 Wednesday
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Designer Tips and Insights: Gallery Walls, Styling Secrets, & Unique Room Layouts
Date: 4/29-5/13 | Instructor: Denise Koenigs | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $30 In this course, participants will learn designer tips for creating beautiful gallery walls, styling secrets to make their homes look professionally designed, and unique room layouts. Week one, learn how to select, layout, frame, and hang art/photos for gallery walls with ease. Week two, learn styling secrets for coffee tables, consoles, bookshelves, pillows, and throws. Week three, learn how to create different/ unique room layouts for living rooms, bedrooms, office, and dining rooms .
OSHR 1012 OLLI Experience
Friday
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From Sketchbook to Painting
Date: 5/1 | Instructor: Steve Griggs | Time: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $125 Do you want to learn how to take a reference photo and turn it into a finished painting, but don’t know where to start? This is the class for you! Sketchbooks are essential to developing a finished painting. Before you can start a painting, you need time for concept development, design, experimenting with formats and colors, and a lot of upfront trial and error. A sketchbook is where you first work out all those painting elements. Once you’ve used your sketchbook for planning, you’re ready to paint! Learn Steve’s strategy for using your sketchbook to move from reference photo to finished painting. You'll be surprised at what you can do with a paintbrush, an open mind, and a sense of humor! We recommend that you have taken Fundamentals of Loose Watercolor Painting or have previously taken a class with Steve before enrolling in this class.
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Cultural, Domestic & Global Affairs OSHR 3244 OLLI Talks
Tuesday
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Introduction to Estate Planning
Date: 1/27 | Instructor: John Blair | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10 During our session, John Blair will discuss the whys and hows of estate planning. Come prepared to learn and ask questions during this interactive session. • Why do estate planning? • How does property pass at death? • Issues to consider regarding wills? • What about trusts? • What about taxes? • What about charitable giving? • How should I allocate my assets?"
OSHR 5077 Tuesday
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The Rich Legacy of the Gullah Geechee
Date: 1/27-2/17 | Instructor: Dale Mary Grenfell | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $40 The Gullah Geechee narrative has, largely, been excluded from our understanding of Black history in the US. Kidnapped (shamefully by my own ancestors) from West/Central Africa, they were enslaved for over 200 years on plantations along the southeastern coastal islands of South Carolina, Georgia, and the northern tip of Florida. Since Emancipation, these warm and tenacious cultural warriors have struggled to retain the acreage they acquired when freed and the rich landscape of their language, stories, music, foodways, traditions, and spirituality. From that cultural wealth, we have borrowed Kumbaya, the banjo, Porgy and Bess, shrimp gumbo, and Br’er Rabbit, among many other things. Currently, their fight for survival is threatened by oppressive taxation, rising coastal tides, and the insatiable greed of developers who are squeezing out the few remaining heirs. Note: If you took this class in 2024, there is new material included. If this is your first time meeting the Gullah Geechee, a review will bring you up to date.
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Cultural, Domestic & Global Affairs OSHR 5082 Tuesday
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The Hebrew Bible Beyond Genesis: People, Places and Stories Date: 1/27-3/3 | Instructor: Hillel Katzir | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $60
The Hebrew Bible is filled with fascinating stories about men and women who, like all of us, are flawed yet strive to make a positive difference in the world. The course will examine Bible texts and Midrash (non-biblical stories from Jewish tradition about the Bible's characters). The presenter has offered classes in the past on Genesis; this course will examine people and stories from Exodus through the books of the Prophets and the Writings.
OSHR 5005 Wednesday or Monday
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Great Decisions 2026 Part 1
Date: 1/28-3/11 (every other week) or 4/13-5/4 (once a week) Instructors*: Karen Heckman, Jerry Dauth or Mike Forney Time: 10 a.m.-noon or 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $70 *Please note that Karen and Jerry are facilitating section 007, and Mike Forney is facilitating section 008. Great Decisions is America’s most extensive discussion program on World Affairs and is part of the Foreign Policy Association. This course aims to introduce participants to critical foreign policy issues and to have open, respectful discussions on our collective future in this interdependent world. During each session, we will watch a video presentation focusing on this session’s topics: • America’s Global Role • Trump’s Tariffs • U.S.-China Relations • Today’s Nuclear Age We will then discuss the issue presented. Participants will be encouraged to prepare by reading the assigned chapter from the Great Decisions 2026 Briefing Book, which will be provided and is included in the course tuition.
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OSHR 1014
Offsite
OLLI Experience
Wednesday
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Find the Loave of Your Life: Sourdough for Beginners Date: 2/4 | Instructor: Tetiana Sherman | Time: 1-4 p.m. Location: Corbett Kitchen, CSU | Class Size: 16 | Cost: $60
Sourdough bread isn’t just a recipe—it’s a living tradition and a celebration of our culinary soul. Known as the pinnacle of artisan bread, sourdough develops deep, complex flavor through wild, natural fermentation. It also promotes gut health and is often gentler on the digestive system than many quick breads. For Chef Tetiana Sherman, sourdough is more than food—it’s family. Her bubbling starter, lovingly named after her cat Feniksa, travels with her, gets fed daily, and is treated like a trusted companion. In this handson class, Chef Tetiana will guide you through every step of the process: feeding and caring for a starter, understanding fermentation, and mastering techniques such as stretch-and-fold, shaping, and baking in a Dutch oven. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the art and science of natural fermentation while creating your first beautiful loaf — the Simple Sourdough Table Bread — and you’ll take home everything you need to keep baking with confidence: • A living sourdough starter • A ready-to-bake loaf to finish at home • A printed recipe • The inspiration to bake artisan bread for your family and friends The class also includes a tasting of fresh sourdough bread with Chef Tetiana’s homemade butter and fragrant rosemary salt. Required to Bring: A 3- to 4-quart glass or stainless-steel mixing bowl.
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Cultural, Domestic & Global Affairs OSHR 3354
OLLI Bonus
Friday
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Breaking the Cycle: How Communities Can Keep Families Together
Date: 2/6 | Instructors: Katie Borchert, Ann Marie Root Time: 10 a.m.-noon | Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $0* Across the US, over 400,000 children are in foster care, and millions of families experience isolation, economic hardship, and other stresses that put them at risk of losing their children. What can be done to stop this cycle? This presentation explores the root causes of repeated family separation, including trauma, isolation, and the effects of aging out of foster care. Participants will learn how early intervention, strong community connections, and practical support can strengthen families, prevent maltreatment, and keep children safely at home. Learn how individuals and communities can make a tangible difference—helping children stay safe and families together through the efforts of SFFC, a national family preservation movement. From one family in Chicago to 90 chapters in 150 cities across seven countries, Safe Families mobilizes volunteers to provide temporary care, a safety net, and community connections. The NOCO chapter, launched in 2021, helps local families break the cycle, preserve stability, build resilience, and create lasting change. *In lieu of tuition, participants are invited to donate a non-perishable food item to SFCC families.
OSHR 5093 Wednesday
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Redistricting on Trial: The Supreme Court and the Voting Rights Act Date: 2/25-3/25 | Instructor: Richard Alper | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 30 | Cost: $40
Through a PowerPoint presentation and ample room for discussion, the course will examine two pending Supreme Court cases: Louisiana v. Callais, which challenges the prohibition against racial redistricting, and Bost v. Illinois Board of Elections, which challenges mail-in voting. Background cases on gerrymandering and redistricting will also be reviewed.
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OSHR 1013
Offsite
OLLI Experience
Wednesday
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FoCo Beer Kitchen: Cook, Pair & Pour Local Craft Beer at Maxline Brewing Date: 3/4 | Instructor: Tetiana Sherman | Time: 1-4 p.m. Location: Maxline Brewery | Class Size: 16 | Cost: $80
Discover Germany’s culinary soul at Maxline Brewing with a handson workshop that utilizes craft beer in three ways—as a beverage, as a dish pairing, and as a cooking ingredient. Whether you’re a beer connoisseur, a food enthusiast, or are simply eager to build new kitchen skills (or all the above), you will explore how classic German cuisine intertwines with local craft brews to create a savory-and-sweet experience that you won’t soon forget. On the menu: Smoked Fish & Quark Rye Canapés—silky smoked fish folded into lemon-dill quark on hearty rye with chives and a crisp pickle snap; Crispy Schnitzel with golden Bratkartoffeln (buttery potatoes with onion and parsley) and Pickled Red Cabbage; and last, but certainly not least, Apfelstrudel with Warm Vanilla Sauce, a paperthin pastry wrapped around cinnamon-spiced apples and baked to a burnished glow. Each dish will be thoughtfully paired with craft local beers, and Chef Tetiana will share culinary techniques, beer-pairing suggestions, and different ways to use craft beer in select culinary creations. Come join us and enjoy the flavor of German rich cuisine.
OSHR 5085 Thursday
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Sustainability in Action: Best-Case Thinking for a Shared Planet Date: 4/16-4/30 | Instructor: William Timpson | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 35 | Cost: $30
At its core, this course is about empowerment, facing reality, and learning to think and act with greater reverence for the Earth, its limits, and its intelligence, and then teaching others to do the same. Sustainability is one of those big, complex concepts that defy easy definition or simple responses yet demand attention for our collective well-being. It affects all of us, regardless of our background, age, political affiliation, geography or other characteristics. It requires cooperation and collaboration from ecologists, sociologists, economists, community leaders, business leaders, and many, many others who have not historically worked together.
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Cultural, Domestic & Global Affairs OSHR 3098 OLLI Talks
Thursday
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Roads Less Traveled
Date: 3/12 | Instructor: Vicki Siska | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10 Roads less traveled can sometimes lead us to the most interesting of experiences! In this single-session talk, Vicki will share personal experiences, videos, and fascinating facts about traveling in Great Britain, while also giving particular attention to two locations often overlooked by many travelers. The first of these is a lesser-known property tucked away in the Cotswolds, owned by the National Trust. The second is a village in Wales whose place name is familiar, but whose little-known origin story is captivating, charming, and enchanting. This talk is suitable for people who have already visited Great Britain, those who are considering doing so in the future, and those who enjoy exploring while sitting in their favorite armchair or a comfortable OLLI seat in Drake Hall.
OSHR 5064 Tuesday
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A Message to the Future
Date: 3/24-4/07 | Instructor: Richard Wilshusen Time: 10 a.m.-noon | Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $35 In 1977, humanity sent a “message in a bottle” into interstellar space with the launches of Voyager 1 and 2. Included with each spacecraft were gold-plated copper disks with images of Earth and its place in the solar system, as well as images of human beings and our technologies. There were also audio recordings of the sounds of Earth, spoken greetings, and music from different cultures. The records were intended to be a greeting from and an introduction to our world for intelligent life elsewhere in the galaxy. In the first class, we will consider how the golden record came into being and its contents selected; in the second class, we’ll look at how universal messages to other “cultures” can either succeed or fail; and in the third, each of us will offer a small sample of what we would include as a message to another culture or a distant world.
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OSHR 5081 Tuesday
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The Biblical Prophets Through Different Lenses
Date: 3/24-4/28 | Instructors: Hillel Katzir, Michael Seavey Time: 1-3 p.m. | Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $60 The biblical prophets have been viewed through Jewish and Roman Catholic lenses in some ways similarly, and in others, they differ. In this class, the words of the three principal prophets – Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel – will be discussed by a priest and a rabbi who have previously co-taught a class on Genesis for OLLI/CSU.
OSHR 5072
Monday
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Through the Lens of Chaos: A New Way to See Our World
Date: 3/30-4/20 | Instructor: Jo Vanderkloot | Time: 10 a.m.- noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $40 Our world is becoming increasingly chaotic, but most of us were not taught how to thrive in such environments. This course will help participants understand chaos and complexity and how to navigate through them. Participants will learn how: • Patterns of threatening behavior are the same in all complex groups, regardless of size • Non-linear thinking can be used to deal with uncertainty • Our world is undergoing an intense but hidden paradigm shift, causing confusion, misalignment, and unintended consequences By the end of the course, participants will understand their own families and communities better and will have skills to help them assess what is taking place in all aspects of our world. They will know more about how to safely handle any messy situations they may encounter. This course will include small and large group discussions.
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Cultural, Domestic & Global Affairs OSHR 3314
OLLI Talks
Tuesday
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The Dragonfly Girls: WASPS of WWII
Date: 3/31 | Instructor: Ann Lowry | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10 In the midst of World War II, daring women traded convention for the cockpit to support military air efforts. Between 1942 and 1944, over 25,000 women applied for the WASP (Women’s Air Force Service Pilots) program. Only 1,102 of these women succeeded in becoming WASPS. Some ferried airplanes from factories to bases. Some became tow pilots for gunnery practice. Others were sent for more training to learn to fly B-17s and B-24s. Thirty-eight of them died in service to their country, yet they were not given veteran status until 1977. Come to this class and learn about the amazing women who broke both glass ceilings and military barriers while proving they were just as competent in the air as men.
OSHR 5079 Wednesday
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The Legal Struggle over the President's Tariffs
Date: 4/1-4/22 | Instructors: Devin Odell, Richard Alper Time: 10 a.m.-noon | Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $40 In this up-to-the-minute exploration of the tariff cases now before the U.S. Supreme Court, Richard Alper and Devin Odell will explain the history of tariffs in the United States, the factual and legal background of the current tariffs, and the court's handling of the legal challenges to them. These cases raise several questions, including: What are the limits of the executive's power? To what extent should courts consider the practical consequences of their decisions as opposed to deciding cases purely on legal principles and reason? To what extent can Congress cede its core constitutional powers to the president? There will also be plenty of time for questions from the class as we discuss this complex and important topic.
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OSHR 3269 Hybrid
OLLI Talks
Thursday
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Update on the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Date: 4/2 | Instructor: John Olienyk | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall or Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10 As the conflict enters its fifth year the courage, resilience and creativity exhibited by the Ukrainian people have prevented the invaders from achieving their main goals, despite the huge Russian advantage in manpower and other resources. Ukrainian ingenuity has changed the way in which the war has been fought and the lessons learned are impacting how other nations view their own military strategies and capabilities. Meanwhile, life on the ground for civilians on both sides of the front continues to be very difficult. This course will focus on the most recent developments in the war and on how the Ukrainians are continuing to respond to the many challenges they face. Note: This class has two sections. The section you register for determines whether you will attend your class online or at Drake Hall.
OSHR 1018
Offsite
OLLI Experience
Wednesday
Register
Find the Loave of Your Life: Artisan Sourdough Level: Intermediate Date: 4/8 | Instructor: Tetiana Sherman | Time: 1-4 p.m. Location: Corbett Kitchen, CSU | Class Size: 16 | Cost: $60
Already baking sourdough and ready to take your loaves to the next level? Join Chef Tetiana Sherman for a hands-on class designed for bread lovers who want to refine their craft and explore the world of rye and advanced fermentation. You’ll learn to work with rye flour—a grain that behaves very differently from wheat—and discover how to balance hydration, acidity, and time to achieve a rich, aromatic loaf with exceptional flavor and texture. Together, you’ll bake Latvian Rye Bread. Chef Tetiana will demonstrate how to adapt techniques such as extended fermentation, hybrid starters, and multi-stage builds, showing how small adjustments create big differences in the final bread. You’ll also refine your shaping and scoring, learn how to add grains or seeds for depth, and explore how to control crust color and crumb structure. You’ll take home: a Latvian rye sourdough loaf, a refreshed starter, a detailed recipe and confidence. Required to Bring: A 3- to 4-quart glass or stainless-steel mixing bowl.
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Cultural, Domestic & Global Affairs OSHR 5052 Hybrid
Thursday
Register
Overview of the U.S. Economy
Date: 4/9-4/16 | Instructor: John Olienyk | Time: 10 a.m.- noon Location: Drake Hall or Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $20 The stronger exercise of executive power in the White House, particularly in the form of tariffs and a shift toward more state-directed capitalism, along with explosive growth in the artificial intelligence industry, has dramatically altered the nature of the economy over the past year. In the uncertain environment that emerged, early signs of stagflation began to appear in the fall. In this course, we will examine current trends in major economic indicators, including consumer confidence, inflation, interest rates, employment, government debt, international trade, and other relevant factors, to assess the current state of the economy as this new environment continues to evolve. Note: This class has two sections. The section you register for determines whether you will attend your class online or at Drake Hall. Please pay close attention to which section you select.
OSHR 5095 Thursday
Register
AI and Politics- A Preliminary Exploration
Date: 5/7-5/14 | Instructor: David Caputo | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $20 AI has sparked considerable discussion and interest, but its impact on politics remains largely unknown. This course will explore what is known about AI and various ways to measure its impact. Various models will be discussed. No prior knowledge of AI is required. Feel free to contact David Caputo at CD30@aol.com if you have any questions.
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OLLI AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
Health & Wellness OSHR 3321 OLLI Talks
Monday
Back to Class List
Register
How Can Your Home be a "Lifelong Home"?!
Date: 1/26 | Instructors: Brian Dunbar, Drew Sorrells Time: 10 a.m.-noon | Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10 Recent research indicates that over 80% of adults aged 50 and above wish to remain in their homes and communities as they age. We want to stay close to family, friends, and familiar resources (such as retail and recreation) where we feel safe and comfortable, with a strong sense of belonging. Yet fewer than 10% of homes are designed or built to support health and well-being as we age and/or encounter various limitations. CSU’s Institute for the Built Environment (IBE) has created a program to guide homeowners and builders toward creating “Lifelong Homes.” These homes incorporate features such as ease of mobility, supportive furniture, circadian lighting, energy-efficient systems, sleepfriendly environments, and elements that promote safety, health, and comfort for all abilities. Enjoy this introductory presentation that offers an overview of the Lifelong Homes & Communities program and showcases how any new or existing home can become a certified Lifelong Home. Subsequently, IBE will offer workshops to guide residents in designing or modifying their Lifelong Home.
OSHR 9043
Offsite
Tuesday or Thursday
Register
ESSENTRICS® Aging Backwards Intermediate Level Dates: (1/27-2/17), (1/29-2/19), (3/3-3/31), (3/5-4/2) Instructor: Terry Nolan | Time: 10 - 11 a.m. Location: Studio West Dance Center | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $35
This class is designed for individuals familiar with ESSENTRICS® and those who are relatively active. Participants will enjoy a workout designed to increase range of motion and flexibility, relieve pain, boost energy, and stimulate the brain. Based on the dynamic stretch-and-strengthening program created by Miranda Esmonde-White, author of the New York Times bestseller Aging Backwards, each class begins with a 10-minute discussion of ESSENTRICS® techniques and the details of specific movements, followed by a 45-minute workout with music curated to enhance the benefits of movement. Equipment needed: Yoga Mat Note: This class has four sections meeting on Tuesdays or Thursdays. The section you register for determines which dates you will attend class. Please pay close attention to which section you select. REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Health & Wellness OSHR 9033 Tuesday
Register
The HeartMath Solution: Unlock the Power of Your Heart's Intelligence Date: 1/27-2/10 | Instructor: Christine O’Brien | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $30
In this course, participants will learn strategies to access heart coherence and heart intelligence, which can help regulate their emotional states and facilitate connection with others for nervous system rebalancing, stress release, and emotional well-being. Relationships with yourself and others can be transformed through these easy-to-learn, short, and simple practices. Dr. O'Brien is a certified HeartMath trainer and is certified in The Resilient Heart (TraumaSensitive) training. HeartMath's 40 years of research validate that living in emotional states like gratitude and awe rewires our entire being, allowing a shift from a Threat state to a Thrive state. This occurs with activation of our vagus nerve, and the parasympathetic nervous system, the production of thrive neurotransmitters, and a shift in heart rate variability and heart coherence from chaos to calm. Her work with veterans validated the power of heart intelligence as veterans rediscovered how to be at ease within themselves despite PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, depression, and anxiety.
OSHR 9004
Offsite
Wednesday
Register
ESSENTRICS® Aging Backwards Beginner Level
Dates: (1/28-2/18), (3/4-4/1) | Instructor: Terry Nolan | Time: 10 - 11 a.m. Location: Studio West Dance Center | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $35 This class is for those new to ESSENTRICS® or who would enjoy revisiting the basics. Participants will enjoy an easy-to-follow workout that enhances flexibility, balance, and energy while helping to relieve pain and stimulate the brain. Based on the dynamic full-body stretch-andstrengthening program created by Miranda Esmonde-White, author of the New York Times bestseller Aging Backwards, each class begins with a 10-minute discussion of the science behind ESSENTRICS®, followed by a 45-minute workout with music that amplifies the benefits of movement. Equipment needed: Yoga Mat Note: This class has two sections. The section you register for determines which dates you will attend class. Please pay close attention to which section you select.
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OLLI AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
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OSHR 9034 Wednesday
Register
Connecting with Community, Giving Back, Finding Purpose
Date: 1/28-2/4 | Instructors: Lynette Reiling, Steve VanderMeer Time: 1-3 p.m. | Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $20 Older adults are one of the greatest untapped resources in this country. Nonprofits and government organizations are seeking bright, talented individuals like you for volunteer positions that enhance staff capabilities and strengthen board governance. Finding your perfect fit begins with answering the question, “Who AM I”? In this course, you will identify your skills, important values, issues that fire your passion, and create a first draft of a purpose statement. You will learn about boards and commissions, as well as the responsibilities of volunteer service. A discussion on the range of roles, types of organizations, and how to evaluate positions will aid you in finding the best fit.
OSHR 9097
Online
Tuesday
Register
Hearing Loss? How to Better Navigate the World
Date: 2/3-2/24 | Instructor: Wynne Whyman | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $40 Whether you use hearing aids or not, there are environmental, people, and technology-based techniques to help you better understand one-on-one, in small groups, at medical appointments, when you’re out in public in your communities, or traveling. Topics include room setups, communication techniques, captions, personal amplification products, assistive listening systems (hearing loops, FM, infrared, and the upcoming Auracast streamed assistive listening), and requesting public accommodations. Digital handouts will be provided for reference later.
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Health & Wellness OSHR 3219 OLLI Talks
Wednesday
Register
Understanding and Living Well: Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Date: 2/4 | Instructor: Margaret Eagan | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $10
Join Dr. Margaret Eagan, a board-certified endocrinologist and lifestyle medicine practitioner with over 30 years of experience in both academic and private practice settings, for an engaging discussion on prediabetes and type II diabetes. Dr. Eagan’s patient-centered approach emphasizes education and collaboration, empowering individuals to take control of their health. In this session, she will cover: • Understanding and diagnosing prediabetes & type II diabetes • Simple lifestyle habits that can improve blood-sugar control • A brief overview of the stepwise approach to medications • Whether blood sugar monitoring is always necessary The session will conclude with an interactive Q&A, where participants can submit questions anonymously in advance or ask them live. Dr. Eagan will also share insights from common questions she has received throughout her career. Note: This program is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. Please review any information with your primary care provider.
OSHR 5103
Online
Monday
Register
Cognitive Upgrade
Date: 2/9-3/9 | Instructor: Katherine Robinson | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $50 Have you been experiencing brain fog, fatigue, memory loss, or feeling overwhelmed? Scientists used to think that the brain naturally deteriorated as we age, but the latest research has introduced a remarkable concept called “neuroplasticity,” which refers to the brain's ability to change through growth and reorganization even as we age. In this class, we will utilize brain-stimulating exercises with the intention of building an empowered perspective about our brains. Discover the latest cutting-edge research and techniques that combine Western and Eastern philosophy and practices.
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OLLI AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
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OSHR 9023
Monday
Register
A Shared Exploration of Grief
Date: 2/9-2/23 | Instructor: Vicki Siska | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $30 When someone we are close to dies, we are immediately thrust into an emotional state of mourning, and when this happens, we can feel quite alone. Yet, if we choose to avail ourselves, we are not without guides in our grief. Author Elizabeth Kubler-Ross outlined five stages she believed both those who are dying and those who are left behind will experience, and recently, world-renowned expert on grief, David Kessler, added to our knowledge by proposing a sixth stage, which, with time, can help us achieve a renewed level of meaning and peace. This 3-session shared exploration of grief will include a brief overview of Kubler-Ross and Kessler's work, along with a rich array of poetry, literature, and music that we can draw upon to console and support us during our most profound acts of sorrow.
OSHR 9076
Offsite
Friday
Register
The Fundamentals of Yoga–Mind, Breath, and Movement
Date: 2/13-2/27 or 3/6-3/27 | Instructor: Caroline Denison Time: 10-11:30 a.m. | Location: Studio West Dance Center Class Size: 20 | Cost: $40 This course offers an accessible and enriching introduction to the fundamentals of yoga through gentle movement, mindful breathwork, and timeless philosophy. Each week, participants will explore a new breathing technique and a core yogic principle while learning safe, adaptable postures suitable for all mobility levels. Emphasizing selfawareness, balance, and relaxation, this class invites students to connect body, mind, and breath in a supportive, non-competitive environment. Discussions on topics such as mindfulness, compassion, and presence will deepen understanding of yoga as a holistic practice for physical and emotional well-being. Whether you are new to yoga or revisiting the basics, you’ll gain practical tools to enhance your strength, flexibility, and inner calm—both on and off the mat. Equipment needed: Yoga Mat Note: This class has two sections. The section you register for determines which dates you will attend class. Please pay close attention to which section you select. REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Health & Wellness OSHR 3351
OLLI Bonus
Friday
Register
Resilience in Action: Inspiring Journeys of Osher Scholars at CSU Date: 2/13 | Instructor: Lisa Chandler | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $0*
Education can transform lives at any age—and few stories demonstrate that better than those of Osher Reentry Scholars at Colorado State University. These remarkable students have returned to complete their undergraduate degrees after an interruption of five or more years. Through dedication, resilience, and the support of the Osher Foundation and the Adult Learner and Veteran Services (ALVS) office at CSU, they are pursuing new goals while balancing family, work, and community responsibilities. In this facilitated panel, Osher Scholars from the ALVS will share their personal paths back to higher education and how the scholarship has made a lasting difference in their lives. Their experiences highlight not only the dedication it takes to return to the classroom, but also the impact of philanthropy in creating opportunity and hope. Attendees will come away inspired and with a deeper understanding of how support for students and scholarships helps change the trajectory of individuals, families, and communities for generations to come. *In lieu of tuition, participants are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to the ALVS food pantry.
OSHR 1222 OLLI Experience
Tuesday
Register
Who You Are Matters: Discovery Experience (Board Game) Date: 2/17 | Instructor: Rich Feller | Time: 1-3:30 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 30 | Cost: $5 Experience seven highly structured and safe conversations with 3-6 peers (about your Personal Qualities, Strengths, Desires, Other People’s Influence, Assets, Natural Interests, and Possibilities). Participants report that they quickly get to know and enjoy their tablemates through “deep listening” and “being heard” (advice is not allowed), as well as through the gift of empathy and laughter. Holding a talking stick, you’ll tell 30-second stories, receive affirmative feedback, and create a “Clarification Statement” about “what’s next” possibilities. Used in 19 countries and by over 3,000 organizations, our research shows gains in curiosity and exploration, hope, self-efficacy, resilience, optimism, and organized thinking. Many find this a great intro to the OLLI community.
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OLLI AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
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OSHR 3114 Hybrid
OLLI Bonus
Thursday
Register
Medicare 101
Date: 2/19 | Instructor: Alan Heileman | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall or Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $0 This course will explain all aspects of Medicare. Participants will learn about all Medicare components and the differences between plans and parts. You will learn what a Medicare Advantage plan is, how it works, and how it differs from a Medicare supplement (also known as Medigap). We will discuss enrollment periods and deadlines for individuals new to Medicare and those who wish to review their existing coverage. This class will examine the differences between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. By the end of this class, participants will have the tools to examine and choose a Medicare Advantage plan, a Prescription Drug plan, or a Medigap plan. Note: This class has two sections. The section you register for determines whether you will attend your class online or at Drake Hall. Please pay close attention to which section you select.
OSHR 3170 OLLI Talks
Thursday
Register
Finish Well Beyond 50: The Good Life, Role to Soul, and Who You Are Matters Date: 2/19 | Instructor: Rich Feller | Time: 1-3:30 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
Aging well requires practicing “tiny habits,”making connections, and embracing life as "a challenge in search of joy". Age doesn't dictate the way we live, and we're learning a great deal about life design, HEROICgps Mindsets (Hope, Self-Efficacy, Resilience, Optimism, Intentional Exploration, Clarity/Curiosity, Growth, Purpose, and Support), and the 3I'sUA Formula. Translating research and lived experiences while exploring powerful questions can "nudge" us to focus on "what's next" possibilities in daily living and beyond. Uplifting mini-lectures, video clips, and short, fun, and experiential activities will remind us how we all matter!
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Health & Wellness OSHR 3192 OLLI Talks
Thursday
Register
Reframing Retirement: Time Trading, Identity Shifting, and Discovering Awe Date: 2/26 | Instructor: Rich Feller | Time: 1-3:30 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
Personally defining what retirement means, intentionally exploring new habits, and finding joy are three top goals as we move to and through the life transition of “retirement”. Most people learn that relaxing, being flexible, and traveling after quitting their 9-to-5 job is not enough. This session provides fun and safe activities to explore relationships among (1) time usage and joyful activities, (2) belonging and community support needed to navigate life’s later transitions, and (3) being present to find the wonder of Awe can expand a healthy lifespan. You’ll complete the Leisure/Retirement Card Sort and connect personality tendencies to activities to explore ways to identify motivating and intentional living behaviors.
OSHR 3262 OLLI Talks
Friday
Register
Learning from Past Transitions: Clarifying Intentions to Finish Well Date: 2/27 | Instructor: Rich Feller | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
Thanks to experience and longevity, self-awareness and wisdom are rewards that come with aging. Gaining clarity and confidence from navigating a lifetime of life role transitions can provide insights into possibilities, expressing gratitude, choosing forgiveness, communicating with kindness, learning to live out of love, and growing during change. Responding to highly structured, safe questions, practicing “deep listening” and “being heard” (advice not allowed), you are invited to individually reflect and, within small groups, translate experiences to encourage and solidify learning.
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OLLI AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
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OSHR 9082
Online
Monday
Register
Legendary Foods of Spain and Portugal
Date: 3/2-3/9 | Instructor: Larry Canepa | Time: 1–3 p.m. Location: Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $20 This food-tainment class explores the rich culinary heritage of the Iberian Peninsula, focusing on the legendary, defining foods of Spain and Portugal. It will delve into how history, geography, and culture have shaped their distinct, yet interconnected, gastronomies. The unique regional specialties of Spain and Portugal have become powerful symbols of their respective cultures and have had a significant influence on global cuisine.
OSHR 1027
Offsite
OLLI Experience
Tuesday
Register
Taste of Espana at the Cooking Studio
Date: 3/10 | Instructor: Cooking Studio Chefs | Time: 1-4 p.m. Location: The Cooking Studio | Class Size: 16 | Cost: $100 Are you ready to cook a delicious meal with professional chefs guiding you? Come in and learn cooking skills as you prepare a delicious meal. After you eat, someone else will do the dishes! The menu features a citrus and fennel salad, chicken, chorizo, shrimp, and mussel paella, as well as Spanish almond cake accompanied by honey citrus whipped cream.
OSHR 1028
Monday
Register
A Wine Tour of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland Date: 3/23-4/20 | Instructor: Chris Hensey | Time: 4-6 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $170
Wine enthusiasts are invited to join sommelier Chris Hensey for a five-week survey of the wines of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Bottles from the Mosel, Rheingau, Wachau, Burgenland, Valais, and other regions will be sampled, with their unique aspects presented and discussed in an informal atmosphere. Cheese and crackers will be provided. One class will be dedicated to a structured step-by-step analysis of wine. *Please bring four wine glasses to each session and come prepared with a sense of oeno-adventure.
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Health & Wellness OSHR 1029
Offsite
OLLI Experience
Thursday
Register
Pausing for Presence: Mindfulness Meditation Retreat Date: 3/26 | Instructor: Sue Schneider | Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Location: Primrose Studio | Class Size: 35 | Cost: $125
"The times are urgent, let us slow down,” wrote Nigerian activist Bayo Akomolafe. While these words may strike a chord for many of us, it can be difficult to pause long enough to experience our moments and our lives fully. Join Sue Schneider at Primrose Studio in Fort Collins for a day-long mindfulness meditation retreat where you will experience the benefits of cultivating deep presence and bringing greater awareness and compassion to your inner world. Participants will receive meditation instruction, and the retreat will feature a range of practices, including sitting, walking, and nature-based meditation (weather permitting). This retreat is open to everyone, whether you’re brand new to meditation or an experienced practitioner. This retreat is being offered in collaboration with Day Away Retreats, which strives to blend meditation, nature, and mindful community to create space for presence, clarity, and renewal. Registration includes a catered lunch.
OSHR 3268 OLLI Talks
Wednesday or Friday
Register
Master the Art of Packing: Your Ultimate Carry-On Guide
Date: 3/27 or 5/6 | Instructor: Alyssa Golinvaux | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $10 Have you ever wanted to travel lighter or been envious of those people who never have to worry about a lost checked bag? This 2-hour workshop-style class will teach you the basics of packing basic. We’ll discuss “capsule” outfits, toiletry solutions, and the use of packing cubes and special folding techniques to maximize your space. If you took the “Spark Joy/KonMari®” OLLI talk and wanted a more practical hands-on application, we will use that method to fold carry-on clothing. Once you have a tried-and-true system for packing, it becomes less daunting and easier to prepare for a trip - let one piece of pre-travel stress go! This system can also translate to create a super tidy checked bag. Note: There are two sections and dates for this course. Select the course section associated with the date you desire.
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OLLI AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
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OSHR 5104
Online
Monday
Register
Soul Renewal: A Journey to Inner Harmony in Challenging Times
Date: 3/30-4/20 | Instructor: Katherine Robinson | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $40 In a world filled with uncertainty, change, and emotional turbulence, Soul Renewal offers a peaceful refuge—a space to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with your true self. This heart-centered class invites you to slow down, quiet the mind, and listen to the wisdom within. Through guided meditations, gentle reflection, meaningful discussion, and uplifting energy practices, you’ll learn to cultivate calm amid life’s storms, release what no longer serves you, and rediscover the joy and vitality that live within your soul. Each week builds upon the next as we move through a journey of renewal—finding peace, letting go, raising our vibration, and awakening to harmony. Whether you’re seeking clarity, healing, or simply a sense of inner balance, this class offers the tools and support to restore your spirit and open your heart to light once again.
OSHR 9037
Monday
Register
Nuts and Bolts of Death and Dying: and What You Need to Know. Date: 3/30-4/13 | Instructor: Nina Rubin | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 30 | Cost: $30
We are told that all that is guaranteed in life are death and taxes. Sadly, despite the inevitable fact of death, most people remain woefully unprepared when the time comes, leaving their surviving loved ones to make decisions under the worst possible conditions. This class will address your questions and concerns and help prepare you with the information you need to make informed decisions in advance. The course will cover end-of-life concerns, advanced directives, options for final disposition, costs, and laws and consumer protections in place.
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Health & Wellness OSHR 3303 OLLI Talks
Friday
Register
Lifelong Homes Series – Planning Your Forever Home for a More Flexible Future Date: 4/3 | Instructors: Ali Hayes, Anne Perry | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
Deciding how and where to live as you age can feel limiting and expensive. This course explores practical, design-driven strategies to maintain control over that decision. Through real case studies, including a new “Dwellable” home design, we’ll explore overlooked opportunities that offer more flexibility and autonomy than typical aging-in-place solutions: • Convertible Guest Suites & Accessory Dwellings: Flexible spaces that support live-in care, multigenerational living, or supplemental income. • Generational Future Planning: Design strategies that allow your home to adapt across life stages for both you and your family. • Cost Flipping: Transform aging-related expenses into income streams and generational assets. As a follow-up to the “How Can Your Home Be a Lifelong Home” course, this session provides creative solutions and a clear framework to help you determine whether to stay, move, or reconfigure. You’ll leave with tools to align your space, finances, and vision for a future that delivers what we call a Return on Living – ease, dignity, and stability.
OSHR 9089 Friday
Register
Reinventing Yourself: Becoming the Person You Want to Be Date: 4/3-4/24 | Instructor: Nancy Buck | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $40 During this course, Dr. Nancy Buck will show you how to make profound personal changes through the process of reinventing yourself. Learn how to examine your "blueprints" and evaluate whether your basic assumptions and behaviors will lead you to a full, functional, and satisfying life. Avoid the pitfalls of denial and erroneous beliefs, such as "I'm too old to change now," and recognize when your behavioral choices are working against you. For folks who are struggling with tough problems with self, circumstances, or relationships, this class will help you find the answers you need. Facilitated by instructor Nancy, and with the help of all learners in the class, we will create a safe environment that facilitates candid and confidential interactions.
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OLLI AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
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OSHR 1285
Offsite
OLLI Experience
Tuesday
Register
Taste of Thailand at the Cooking Studio
Date: 4/7 | Instructor: Cooking Studio Chefs | Time: 1-4 p.m. Location: The Cooking Studio | Class Size: 16 | Cost: $100 Are you ready to cook a delicious meal with professional chefs guiding you? Come in and learn cooking skills as you prepare a delicious meal. After you eat, someone else will do the dishes! The menu includes chicken satay with peanut sauce, traditional Pad Thai, grapefruit salad, and coconut cake with mango glaze.
OSHR 9077 Thursday
Register
Hope & Healing in the Age of Grief
Date: 4/9-4/16 | Instructor: Sue Schneider | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $20 When faced with loss and grief, whether personal, societal, or ecological, we are both challenged and invited to transform our pain into compassion, care, and action. Join mindfulness expert, Sue Schneider, in a two-part series that explores perspectives from the science of hope and contemplative traditions to envision what is possible when we cultivate trust, hope, and courage. Heeding the late Jane Goodall’s call that “We need to face reality, and we need to give equal time to stories of hope, experiences of goodness, connection, awe and wonder,” our exploration will be practical and experiential, offering concrete steps for bringing mindful, compassionate, and openhearted attention to our personal and collective challenges and the opportunities that they present.
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Health & Wellness
OSHR 3340 OLLI Talks
Friday
Register
The Changing Landscape of Healthcare
Date: 4/17 | Instructor: Margie Eagan | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 25 | Cost: $10 Join Dr. Margaret Eagan, a board-certified expert in endocrinology and lifestyle medicine, for an insightful discussion on how healthcare has shifted over the past 30 years—from patient-centered care to a business-driven model that has impacted both patients and providers. In this engaging session, Dr. Eagan will explore: • How our healthcare needs evolve as we age, and who is best suited to guide us through the later stages of life. • The power of patient education and advocacy in making informed medical decisions. • How to interpret key lab results and what questions to ask your provider. • Which online resources and social media sites offer reliable, evidence-based medical information. Interactive Q&A Session: Dr. Eagan will also address common questions she has encountered in her career. Please note: This discussion provides medical opinions, not personal medical advice. All information should be reviewed with your primary care provider. Dr. Eagan’s approach is rooted in education and collaboration, empowering patients to take charge of their health rather than letting their health control them.
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OLLI AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
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OSHR 9049 Wednesday
Register
Shrink, Unwrapped: Psychiatric Potpourri
Date: 4/29-5/13 | Instructor: Bob Lawrence | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $30 World-renowned psychiatrist Bob Lawrence offers a collection of stories and lessons from his half-century of practice, 45 of which were spent in Fort Collins. Some of what passes for wit and wisdom is, admittedly, a replication of material he presented in two OLLI classes during the fall of 2024, so returning students must be prepared for numerous deja vu experiences. Topics include the causes and treatment of "brain fog," the scandalous errors of cognitive theory, antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, a self-therapy technique for overcoming procrastination, a deconstruction of "Dear Abby," the impact of sleep quality on the aging brain, and "Nine Big Ideas" of potentially life-changing significance. Dr. Lawrence swears all the above is true, except for the "world-renowned" part.
OSHR 1260 Offsite OLLI Experience Thursday or Friday
Register
Finish Well Retreat: Finding Community and Meaning, Grace and Dignity, Awe and Mischief Date: 4/30 or 5/8 | Instructor: Rich Feller | Time: 8:15 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.. Location: Tamasag Retreat Center | Class Size: 30 | Cost: $65
When young we’re asked “What do you want to be?” Beyond 50, reflecting on “Who and How we want to be?” is liberating, motivating and necessary. Moving beyond an achievement identity, trophies and status many adopt a “growing, experimenting, and generative” lifestyle. Join us at Tamasag’s “in nature” setting for this popular day of safe and structured reflection activities, music, and time in nature. We’ll experience “deep listening”, community, and a chance to identify possibilities by: • Clarifying your personal “Good Life” and definition of success • Finding moments to savor the impact of Awe • Clarifying intentions by creating a Purpose and Life Design Statement • Reflecting on 5 “Ultimate Questions” about living & dying with grace, dignity & mischief • Exploring “what’s next” possibilities and habits to "Finish Well" beyond 50 Note: There are two sections and dates for this retreat. Please be sure to select the course section associated with the date you desire.
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Health & Wellness OSHR 9008 Tuesday
Register
Breathing with Trees - the Health Benefits
Date: 5/5-5/12 | Instructor: Madeline Marchell | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $20 In this course, participants will learn the health benefits of breathing with trees. Different species of trees help maintain the strength and health of the body's organs. Consider absorbing Qi/Energy from trees when you feel scattered, need grounding, feel angry, hurt, frustrated, or carry any unhealthy emotions. The benefits of communing with trees include their calming effect, helping you reconnect with Mother Nature, breathe in beneficial bacteria, absorb negative energy, inhale essential oils, lower cortisol and adrenaline levels, reduce blood pressure, and soothe the nervous system. This course will incorporate the medicinal qualities of trees, breathing techniques, and movement sessions.
OSHR 1023
Offsite
OLLI Experience
Wednesday
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Healing in Motion: A Tour of Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center Date: 5/6 | Instructor: Kathryn Yuma | Time: 10-11:30 a.m. Location: Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center Class Size: 30 | Cost: $10
Hearts & Horses is a nonprofit organization that has been proudly serving the Northern Colorado community since 1997. Through equineassisted services, they meet the diverse needs of individuals across the community—including children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities, youth at risk, individuals with dementia, and veterans. With innovative therapeutic programs, research collaborations, and one of the largest volunteer networks in Larimer County, Hearts & Horses serves over 650 participants annually. As a Premier Accredited Center with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.), Hearts & Horses stands at the forefront of the field, recognized as an industry leader in program development, training, and research. Join a tour of Hearts & Horses to learn more about their inspiring mission and discover the many ways you can get involved through their volunteer opportunities.
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OSHR 1274 Offsite
OLLI Experience
Tues. or Thurs.
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Shin-rin Yoku: What is Forest Bathing?
Date: 5/12 or 5/14 | Instructor: Alyssa Golinvaux | Time: 9 a.m.-noon Location: Well Gulch Nature Trail at Lory State Park or Lee Martinez Park Class Size: 20 | Cost: $25 In this class, we will learn about shin-rin yoku, the Japanese ritual of "forest bathing" or spending intentional time in nature. During our walk through a natural area, we will learn about the rituals and science behind this practice and be given space to practice. Experience a renewed sense of awe by slowing down and cultivating mindfulness during your walk. The health benefits of shin-rin yoku go beyond the sense of well-being that you will feel after our time in nature- come experience it for yourself! Please note that this course takes place on a hiking trail. We will be moving slowly, but it involves approximately 1 mile of walking on this trail. Note: This class has two sections. The section you register for determines whether you will attend your class at Lory State Park or at Lee Martinez Park • Section 003: Lory State Park (5/12) • Section 004: Lee Martinez Park (Handicapped Accessible) (5/14)
OSHR 3120 Hybrid
OLLI Bonus
Wednesday
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An Intro to Dementia Together and the SPECAL® Method Date: 5/13 | Instructor: Meaghan Williams | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall or Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $0
Join this session to learn about what Dementia Together has to offer and the U.K.-originated Contented Dementia approach (the SPECAL® Method: An evidence-based, positive, person-directed, family-driven approach that promotes lifelong well-being for loved ones experiencing dementia). Discover the 3 Golden Rules and other simple, counterintuitive strategies to create well-being for your loved one living with dementia and yourself. Note: This class has two sections. The section you register for determines whether you will attend your class online or at Drake Hall. Please pay close attention to which section you select.
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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History, Psychology & Philosophy OSHR 6079 Tuesday
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Primer In Fort Collins History
Date: 1/27-3/3 | Instructor: Brian Carroll | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $60 This course spans 12,000 years, beginning 12,000 years ago and progressing to the present. It starts with our Paleo-Indian ancestors, followed by their Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute descendants; explores Fort Collins as a military outpost during the Civil War; takes a deep dive into one of our early mayors who served as a bodyguard for Abraham Lincoln; and examines the “why here?” story of early homesteaders. It also highlights the resilient story of Alice and Helen Dickerson—two women who “lived up the Buckhorn.” From the pine needle art of the Dickersons, the poignant story of the “unknown” soldiers of Fort Collins, lessons from Frederick Baker’s Civil War diary, tales surrounding the Arapaho Council Tree, and how the Smithsonian Institution put Fort Collins on the archaeological map, this course touches on many important aspects of Fort Collins’ long and meaningful history.
OSHR 6167 Thursday
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Executive Order 9066 - Concentration Camps in the United States of America Date: 1/29-2/12 | Instructor: L Stuart Hirai | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $30
The bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, initiated a series of actions and events that resulted in the disruption of 125,284+ persons of Japanese descent, where two-thirds were natural-born American citizens. See and witness the true story of how the Hirai family of Washington State and others lived under the conditions set forth by the United States military, federal, state, and local governments, news media, and the general population along the Pacific Ocean coast and other parts of the United States and its territories during World War II.
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OSHR 5047 Thursday
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Monuments and Memorials
Date: 1/29-3/5 | Instructor: Richard Wilshusen | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 30 | Cost: $60 To understand what people value, look at their monuments. They mark the places, people, and events that are most dear to our identities. Monuments can be both natural and manufactured, and some of the most striking monuments, such as the Lincoln Memorial or Stonehenge, redefine the very landscapes in which they are situated. Public memorials can be similar to monuments in size and significance, yet they differ. And sometimes memorials can become monuments. So, what makes a good monument, and is there ever a time that we must decide to take a monument or a memorial down? We’ll discuss these questions, as well as what monuments and memorials mean to us.”
OSHR 3361 OLLI Talks
Friday
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Limits' and Doubts' Virtues: Perfectionism's Dangers Date: 1/30 | Instructor: Robert Hoffert | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
This lecture explores a paradox: why lives constructed within recognitions of limits and doubts are emotionally, intellectually, and ethically more beneficial expressions of our humanity than lives built on perfectionism and its companions - self-righteousness, dogma, and rigidity. It expresses the case for relativism rightly understood.
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History, Psychology & Philosophy OSHR 6156
Monday
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Colorado Coal Towns and Their People
Date: 2/2-2/16 | Instructor: Kenneth Jessen | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $30 This course explores a pivotal era in Colorado’s history marked by rapid industrialization and a soaring demand for coal. Coal fueled domestic heating, powered steam locomotives, supported ore processing mills, and most significantly, supplied the massive steel mill in Pueblo. At its peak, the coal industry became Colorado’s largest employer. To support operations in remote areas, companies built entire villages for miners and their families—over 70 such communities emerged more than a century ago. As coal demand declined and deposits were depleted, mines closed and once-thriving towns were abandoned, leaving behind rows of empty foundations. Who were the people who lived in these towns, many of them immigrants? What were their living conditions? Did they have access to quality housing and essential infrastructure? This course invites students to examine the lives, communities, and legacies of CO's coal mining era.
OSHR 6130
Monday
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Northern Exposure - Frontier Alaska
Date: 2/2-2/16 | Instructor: Kenneth Jessen | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $30 Alaska’s story stretches back over 12,000 years, beginning with the migration of Indigenous peoples from Asia to North America. These early inhabitants formed diverse tribes and clans, each with distinct customs and languages. Centuries later, Russia attempted to colonize the region, only to sell it to the United States in 1867, adding more than half a million square miles to the nation. This course explores Alaska’s dynamic history, from the transformative Klondike Gold Rush (1896–1899), which reshaped both the Canadian northwest and Alaskan coastal towns, to the strategic significance of the Aleutian Islands during WWII, where Japanese forces briefly occupied U.S. territory before being repelled in the Battle of Attu. We’ll also examine the economic boom sparked by the completion of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline in 1977, as well as the state’s enduring appeal as a tourist destination, drawing visitors to its breathtaking landscapes and majestic glaciers. Join us for a journey through Alaska’s past, where ancient cultures, global conflicts, and natural wonders converge.
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OSHR 6110
Online
Wednesday
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War in the Skies: Europe 1939-1945
Date: 2/4-2/25 | Instructor: Buck Beason | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $40 This course traces the development of military aviation, the designers and fliers who contributed to that development, and how this process led to the greatest clash of machines in the history of warfare. We follow the Luftwaffe, the RAF, and the USAAF through their early years, learning how each enjoyed its “Finest Hour” and exploring how innovation, bravery, folly, and – ultimately – American industry might ultimately decide the war. This course has extensive images, animated graphics, and embedded video from historical sources, TV miniseries, and Hollywood Films.
OSHR 3362 OLLI Talks
Friday
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Christian Scripture and the Acceptance of Homosexuality Date: 2/6 | Instructor: Robert Hoffert | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
This lecture explores the following claim: that Christian scripture, commonly referred to as the New Testament, offers a valid basis for the acceptance of homosexuality consistent with a devout Christian faith lived within the guidance of Biblical teachings.
OSHR 3356
Online
OLLI Talks
Monday
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How Social Media Changed TV and Culture Forever Date: 2/16 | Instructor: Cory Barker | Time: 9-10:30 a.m. Location: Online* | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
In 2025, we tend to think of social media and television as separate entities/industries constantly competing for screen space and our attention. But the two are much more intertwined. From the introduction of on-screen hashtags directing TV viewers to join the conversation about a program online to the reliance on viral social content for news broadcasts, social media has reshaped how television is produced, distributed, and consumed. Join Penn State media studies professor Dr. Cory Barker for an exploration of all things social media, television, and the phenomenon known as social television. *This lecture is offered in collaboration with the OLLI at Penn State REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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History, Psychology & Philosophy OSHR 6116
Online
Monday
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Inventions from A to Z
Date: 2/16-2/23 | Instructor: Stephenie Slahor | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $20 Humans enjoy finding easier, more efficient ways to accomplish tasks. We'll examine 26 inventions, one for each letter of the alphabet, and describe why each was significant. And we'll learn the stories of people whose perseverance and creativity made each possible.
OSHR 6169
Monday
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Tips for Learning about Peace and Reconciliation Date: 2/16-3/2 | Instructor: William Timpson | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 35 | Cost: $30
The idea for this course arose from several sources. First, there is the continuing toll of warfare and violence throughout the world. For me, it has been the Vietnam and Iraq Wars with all their tragic, wasteful, and costly consequences. The questions that continue to haunt me are many: How did these wars happen, especially when there was so much public opposition worldwide? How could we, the citizens of the United States, have let it happen? How do any of us balance our responsibilities to support our fellow citizens in uniform, to attend to the needs of returning veterans—and especially the wounded, scarred and traumatized—with the importance of critical analysis and democratic dissent, of challenging the decisions that led to violence? And how do we reconcile the bitter legacy of differences that is heightened by war and then polarizes the political process for years to come?
OSHR 3357
Online
OLLI Talks
Thursday
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Building Rome in a Day: The Urban History of Rome from Its Founding to the Present Date: 2/19 | Instructor: Robin Thomas | Time: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Location: Online* | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
This course will take a broad sweep through the urban history of Rome, covering the city's founding, its growth into the capital of an empire, its transition to a city of popes, and finally ending as the capital of a unified Italy. It will place buildings such as the Pantheon, Colosseum, and St. Peter's in their historical contexts as we move swiftly from the 8th century BCE to 2026. *This lecture is offered in collaboration with the OLLI at Penn State.
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OSHR 3127 OLLI Talks
Friday
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Life in the Eighth Stage
Date: 2/20 | Instructor: David Martino | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10 The bad news about being over sixty, according to Erik Erikson’s developmental theory, is that you’re close to or have already reached the eighth and final stage of life. The good news is that it’s a long stage with lots to do. We’ll take a quick tour through the entire lifespan, but land on Stage Eight and the central crisis of "Integrity versus Despair." What thoughts and actions lead to feelings of wholeness and wisdom? What might pull us into end-of-life feelings full of regret and desperation? Through humor, anecdotes, and maybe a poem or two, this course will help you understand the challenges and beauty of the Eighth Stage.
OSHR 6011 Friday
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Mines, Mills and the Rise of Mining Towns
Date: 2/20-3/27 | Instructor: Ken Jessen | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $50 Colorado’s economy was built on mining. This course introduces the major types of mining—placer, hydrolytic, and hard rock—each with its own terminology and techniques. It also covers a wide range of milling methods used to process extracted materials. Coal mining played a significant role in the state’s development, and in more recent years, petroleum extraction and refining have become increasingly important. Colorado’s mineral wealth also includes molybdenum, iron, gypsum, and stone quarries. Mining not only fueled economic growth but also led to the rise—and in some cases, the decline and eventual abandonment— of towns across the state. A virtual tour will take participants through a mining museum, an assay house, active and historic mines, and mining towns, offering a deeper understanding of Colorado’s industrial heritage and economic evolution.
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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History, Psychology & Philosophy OSHR 6155 Friday
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Larimer County in a Nutshell
Date: 2/20–3/13 | Instructor: Ken Jessen | Time: 1–3 p.m.. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $40 This four-part course explores the rich history of Larimer County, beginning with its earliest inhabitants, who arrived over 12,400 years ago, and continuing through the arrival of Euro-American settlers. You'll trace the development of transportation from primitive trails to the Overland Trail, pioneer roads, and the expansion of railroads. The course delves into the county’s early industries, from agriculture, starting with hay and expanding to wheat, sugar beets, cherries, and peas, to the enduring stone and plaster industries. Learn how water resources evolved from simple ditches to the transformative Colorado Big Thompson Project. Discover the county’s historic schools and pioneering families, as well as the fate of its historic structures—some lost, others preserved. The course concludes with a virtual tour of significant historic sites, bringing Larimer County’s past to life.
OSHR 4092
Monday
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Ways of Liberation: An Introduction to Alan Watts and Philosophies of Asia Date: 2/23-3/23 | Instructor: Kathleen Reiter | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $40
Never calling himself a guru or teacher but rather a “philosophical entertainer,” Alan Watts was nevertheless an influential 20th-century teacher instrumental in bringing the spiritual ways of the East to the Western World. He approached the eastern philosophies (which he did not call “religions” but rather “ways of liberation”) with a light and humorous touch. Using Watts’ books and lectures, we will be introduced to the philosophies of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Zen in a way that enlivens our hearts and broadens our understanding. Each of these teachings grows, weaves, and resonates with one another like a tree with many branches and roots that sprout groves of trees, like our wonderful Colorado Aspens. If you’ve wondered about the Eastern wisdom but been put off by the dry intellectualism of “PHILOSOPHY,” this is the course for you.
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OSHR 6118
Monday
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1962 - The Cuban Missile Crisis: A Personal Perspective Date: 3/9-4/20 | Instructor: Brian Carroll | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $60
Popular OLLI Instructor Brian Carroll brings a unique, insider perspective to the history of the Cuban Missile Crisis. His father, as Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, was directly involved with key players during the tensest moments in history, giving Brian rare insights into the events' impact. Brian will share background and unfolding events, connecting the crisis not only to its historical significance but also to its relevance in today's political landscape. This course also serves as a primer in decision-making, as it becomes apparent that decisionmakers don't change their decisions- they make new ones. This course offers critical lessons on how the past continues to shape our present.
OSHR 6149
Monday
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A Greek Tragedy-Pt 1: The Three Theban Plays by Sophocles: Oedipus the King Date: 3/9-3/23 | Instructor: Timmilyn Moller | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $20
Come take a deep dive into the philosophy of Sophocles, who, based on the ideas of Divine Command Theory and Social Contract Theory, crafted a story of the ages with The Three Theban Plays. We will spend one class period reading the play and the next discussing the deep rifts in personal and societal beliefs rooted in superstition, the Gods, status, honor, betrayal, love, and destiny. We will begin the journey with Oedipus the King.
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History, Psychology & Philosophy Friday
OSHR 3363 OLLI Talks
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What the New Testament Says About Economics, Politics, and Our Lives in Community Date: 3/13 | Instructor: Robert Hoffert | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
This lecture examines what the New Testament says about economics, politics, and our lives in community.
OSHR 9086
Online
Monday
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The Road from Colony to Country: A History of the American Revolution Date: 3/23-4/27 | Instructor: Jared Day | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $60
This 6-lecture set examines the origins of the American Revolution from political unrest in the 1760s to its beginnings at the Battle of Bunker Hill through critical contests at New York City, Valley Forge, Monmouth, and Brandywine, including southern battles such as Cowpens and Yorktown. We will also explore the diplomatic breakthroughs that proved essential for American victory. George Washington, Ben Franklin, Sam Adams, Alexander Hamilton, and the Marquis de Lafayette will figure prominently.
OSHR 3347
OLLI Bonus
Thursday
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Winning Hearts & Minds: Vietnam (1954-1975) Date: 3/26 | Instructor: William Dewey | Time: 10 a.m.- noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $0
Winning hearts and minds — i.e., securing the allegiance of the general populace — is the paramount objective for a government confronting an insurgency. However, winning hearts and minds was not a high priority for US military commanders. Trained to fight a conventional war on the North European Plain, they were impatient with counterinsurgency concepts largely based on French doctrine developed during France’s colonial wars in Indochina and Algeria. The course will examine the careers of three men who rose to challenge the entrenched orthodoxy dominating the thinking in the senior ranks of the US military: Edward Lansdale, Robert Komer, and the mercurial John Paul Vann.
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OSHR 6163
Monday
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A Greek Tragedy-Pt 2: The Three Theban Plays by Sophocles: Oedipus at Colonus Date: 3/30-4/6 | Instructor: Timmilyn Moller | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $20
In this class, we will tackle the genius of Sophocles, who studied his world and created this timeless story. Come spend time reading and discussing the second play in the trilogy, The Three Theban Plays. Oedipus' past has caught up with him, and the Gods and Society are not kind. We will read the play in one class period and discuss it next. Themes of social ruin, the ethics of gods and men, and the cost of being true to one's core values unfold in this epic story.
OSHR 6161 Friday
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Genealogy Quest Research Series
Date: 4/3-5/8 | Instructors: Genealogical Society Experts Time: 10 a.m.-noon | Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 30 | Cost: $60 Searching for your ancestors is fun and exciting! Join us for a six-week journey into the fascinating world of genealogy. Whether you're just starting your family tree or looking to sharpen your research skills, this course offers a comprehensive overview of essential records, tools, and strategies. Each week features expert-led sessions covering topics like online databases, vital records, census data, immigration documents, cemetery and court records, newspapers, military files, and even DNA testing. Discover how to uncover your ancestors’ stories and bring your family history to life! Visit the OLLI website for a full week-by-week breakdown of this course.
“OLLI is the perfect blend of learning and friendship.”
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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History, Psychology & Philosophy OSHR 6170 Hybrid
Wednesday
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Earth & Form: Exploring Native American Architecture in the Colorado Landscape Date: 4/8-4/22 | Instructor: Susan Atkinson | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall or Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $30
Join award-winning architect Susan Atkinson for a captivating 3-week journey through Colorado’s breathtaking landscapes, where architecture, ecology, and cultural tradition meet. This immersive course explores how Native American structures—both ancient and modern—are deeply shaped by land, climate, and community. From the elegant simplicity of the tipi to the ingenuity of Puebloan cliff dwellings, discover architecture as a living expression of heritage, sustainability, and environmental wisdom. Learn how Indigenous design reflects harmony with nature and respect for place. Drawing from her extensive work with Native communities across the Rockies, Susan will also share real-world projects that blend culture and sustainable architecture with technological innovation. Whether you're drawn to history, design, or the landscapes of the American West, this course offers a perspective on how human creativity and the natural world can coexist in meaningful, inspiring ways. Note: This class has two sections. The section you register for determines whether you will attend your class online or at Drake Hall. Please pay close attention to which section you select.
OSHR 6166
Monday
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A Greek Tragedy-Pt 3: The Three Theban Plays by Sophocles: Antigone Date: 4/13-4/20 | Instructor: Timmilyn Moller | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $20
In the third of the Theban Plays, Antigone has lost her father, and her brothers are at war. Come examine the role of women in the time of men and gods. We will examine the societal contract that ensnares Antigone and her sister, while also furthering the discussion on Divine Command Theory and addressing the issue of Justice.
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OSHR 6101 Tuesday
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Your Life in Eight Stages
Date: 4/14-4/21 | Instructor: David Martino | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $20 Why did you do the stuff you did as a kid? What’s important when you’re a senior? Living is easier when you know where you’ve been, where you are, and what to expect. You’ll better understand why you are the way you are by looking through the lens of Erik Erikson’s eight-stage developmental theory. Part I outlines the consequential challenges you faced as a child, helping you put your childhood in perspective; Part II begins in adolescence and takes you through the complexities of adulthood and aging. Recommended, not required: bring a picture of yourself at the following ages to see yourself grow through these stages: baby, toddler, young child, adolescent, teenager, young adult, middle-age, and older person.
OSHR 3364 OLLI Talks
Thursday
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Similarities and Differences Among Various Forms of Absolute Power - Authoritarian, Totalitarian, Fascist, Theocratic, Dictatorship Date: 4/23 | Instructor: Robert Hoffert | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
We are experiencing the rebirth of absolute power claims and appeals. They come from across the political spectrum, from within and beyond politics, and from collective to personal claims. This lecture will consider characteristics they have in common and factors that differentiate them.
OSHR 3128 OLLI Talks
Monday
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The Battle of Britain, 1940
Date: 4/27 | Instructor: Henry Weisser | Time: 1–3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10 The Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940 was a unique event. It was fought entirely in the air by a few thousand brave young pilots who were supported by a multitude of British men and women on the ground. Many believe that this contest ultimately determined the very outcome of World War II.
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History, Psychology & Philosophy OSHR 6141 Tuesday
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Armchair Travel During the Renaissance Via Maps, Literature, Travelogues, and Encyclopedias Date: 4/28-5/12 | Instructor: Bryan Dennis | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $30
“I will go bounding over all the seas, more secure aboard my maps than aboard ships.” (Ludovico Ariosto, 1513) Vicarious experiences of different cultures, landscapes, and adventures became increasingly popular in 16th-century Europe thanks to the rediscovery of Ancient and Medieval manuscripts and their wide dissemination in print. Participants will explore how people experienced the world through maps (Ptolemaic atlases), literature (The Divine Comedy and Orlando Furioso), travelogues (The Travels of Marco Polo), and images from encyclopedias (the Nuremberg Chronicle and Munster’s Cosmographia). Discussions will spark your imagination and inspire your own armchair travel adventure.
OSHR 6173
Online
Thursday
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Germany at a Crossroads: 35 Years after Unification Date: 4/30-5/14 | Instructor: Anette Isaacs | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $30
Three and a half decades after its unification, Germany stands at a defining moment in its history. This three-session seminar with German historian Anette Isaacs delves deeply into the country's evolving political landscape, the triumphs and tensions of reunification, and the everyday realities of life in modern Germany. From economic and social integration to the rise of new political movements and a new Chancellor, we will examine the forces shaping Europe’s largest democracy. What lessons can be drawn from the past, and where is Germany headed next? Join Anette for an insightful exploration of a nation still forging its identity.
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OLLI AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
Literature & Communication OSHR 4095
Monday
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British Classics Book Club: Oscar Wilde
Date: 1/26-4/27 | Instructor: Abigayil Wernsman | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 23 | Cost: $40 This course meets once a month. There is no assigned reading for the first class. • 1/26: No reading • 2/23: Lady Windermere's Fan, any edition • 3/23: The Importance of Being Earnest, any edition • 4/27: The Picture of Dorian Grey, any edition “I can resist everything except temptation.” Oscar Wilde Witty and sharp-eyed, Oscar Wilde is one of the most quotable authors to put pen to paper and remains one of the most dazzling figures of late Victorian literature. Wilde is best known for his comedic plays, Lady Windermere’s Fan and The Importance of Being Earnest, which shocked and fascinated audiences with his sparkle, his biting social satire, and his unforgettable one-liners. His novel The Picture of Dorian Grey explores darker, more decadent themes of beauty, corruption, and the cost of eternal youth. To read Wilde is to encounter a writer who made the English language glitter, who mocked hypocrisy while defending beauty and love. His works are not just entertaining; they are windows into a man whose brilliance changed literature and whose tragedy reshaped history. To open Wilde’s plays or novel is to laugh, to think, and to mourn all at once.
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Literature & Communication OSHR 4113 Tuesday
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Jose Olivarez's Promises of Gold
Date: 1/27-3/3 | Instructor: Veronica Patterson | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $70 In these six two-hour classes, you will receive poems from Jose Olivarez's Promises of Gold (Holt Paperback, 2024), plus poems from Citizen Illegal. He is a poet who grew up in Calumet City, south of Chicago. The second part of the book is a translation (upside down) into Spanish by David Ruano Gonzales. You will be offered writing prompts, word lists, and more. New writers are welcome.
OSHR 4108 Wednesday
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The Poetry of Noticing
Date: 1/28-3/4 | Instructor: Chloé Leisure | Time: 1-3:30 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $90 “Pay attention to what sits inside yourself and watches you” –Lucille Clifton “I have never started a poem whose end I knew. Writing a poem is discovering.” –Robert Frost In this course, we’ll discuss the importance of observation in our poetic lives. We’ll practice writing spontaneously. We’ll read poems that notice the ordinary and celebrate the strange and unexpected. Both in and outside of class, we’ll consider Mary Oliver’s advice for living life: "Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it." New writers welcome.
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OSHR 4076 Thursday
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How Language Affects Our Self-Image
Date: 1/29-2/12 | Instructor: Marlin Clark | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 35 | Cost: $30 Language is the primary method of communication. In this course, we will explore how language—both verbal and nonverbal— affects our self-image. We will look at how we describe ourselves and how others perceive us. We will also examine the nature of language and how its structure is employed to convey meaning in various contexts. Nonverbal communication extends beyond the spoken word. Our gestures affect the person "reading" us and pair the non-verbal with the verbal communication, including how culture and gender can influence interpretation. Join Dr. Clark for a lively class discussion and info session.
OSHR 4091
Monday
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The Great Gatsby Book Club
Date: 2/2-4/6 | Instructor: Sarah Olson | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $30 2025 marked the 100th anniversary of the publication of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, a book that offers enduring–and interesting–insights into the American Dream, money, race, class, and desire. Of course, the man at the heart of the novel, Jay Gatsby, is also a great American imposter. Indeed, in “It’s Gatsby’s World, We Just Live in It,” New York Times journalist A.O. Scott notes,” What we think about Gatsby illuminates what we think about money, race, romance, and history. How we imagine him has a lot to do with how we see ourselves.” Together, let’s think closely about Gatsby and investigate what our response to the novel reveals about ourselves and the world we live in. Over the course of three meetings, we’ll read The Great Gatsby (Reader's Library Classic Edition if possible), as well as two novels, Mrs. Wilson’s Affair: A Great Gatsby Retelling and The Midcoast, that offer a different lens on the classic. This class meets on the first Monday of the month. • 2/2: The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald • 3/2: Mrs. Wilson’s Affair: A Great Gatsby Retelling – Allyson Reedy • 4/6: The Midcoast – Adam White
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Literature & Communication OSHR 4107 Friday
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That’s How I Want to Live: Encountering Arthur Sze Date: 2/20-3/13 | Instructor: Chloé Leisure | Time: 1-3:30 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $60 yesterday a coyote trotted across my headlights and turned his head but didn’t break stride; that’s how I want to live on this planet: alive to a rabbit at a glass door— and flower where there is no flower. -“Unpacking a Globe”
In this class, we will read and discuss the poetry of Arthur Sze, the 25th United States Poet Laureate. We will practice generative writing processes that will encourage surprising and unexpected leaps in our memories, imagination, and imagery. New writers welcome.
OSHR 4075 Tuesday
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Historical Fiction: Artists Creating Chaos
Date: 2/24-3/24 | Instructor: Sara Hoffman | Time: 10 a.m.- noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $30 The 17th century in Holland was the Golden Age of art, science, and trade. The painters were magnificent, but their work inevitably caused problems. Three books about that period are among the instructor’s favorites. The Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier is about a young woman hired as a maid by the painter Johannes Vermeer. He is obsessed with painting her, but only if she’ll pose wearing his wife’s pearl earrings. Havoc ensues. Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland tells of a fabulous painting that travels through various owners from the 17th century forward. The never-ending quandary: Is it a Vermeer or not? Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach is set during the tulip wars. A painter and his patron’s wife fall in love. What could possibly go wrong? The books are each fewer than 300 pages and are available in paperback. Books are listed in the order they’ll be discussed. This class meets every other week:
• 2/24 The Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier • 3/10 Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland • 3/24 Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach
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OSHR 4036 Thursday
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Red Herring Book Club
Date: 3/5-5/7 | Instructor: John Blair | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 35 | Cost: $30 Crime fiction lovers are invited to discuss three assigned mystery books. The titles cover a wide variety of authors. The class meets once a month for a two-hour session. Two weeks before each session, participants are emailed five questions to consider regarding the month’s novel. This class meets on the first Thursday of the month: • 3/5: The Turn of the Key – Ruth Ware • 4/2: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd – Agatha Christie • 5/7: The Big Sleep – Raymond Chandler
OSHR 3129 OLLI Talks
Tuesday
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Getting Unstuck: Tackling Writer’s Block with Constraints
Date: 3/10 | Instructor: Cherie Nelson Senie | Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10 The blank page: is there anything more terrifying for a writer? Writer’s block is something that all writers struggle with from time to time. In this two-hour course, learn about one method for breaking through stuckness in your writing life: using constraints. Constraints are rules or guidelines we use for ourselves in our writing, and they can range from writing in only rhyming couplets to allowing yourself only five hundred words in each sitting, to revising your poetry into prose and then back into poetry again. While adding constraints on our work can seem like a counterintuitive way to solve the problem of not knowing what to write or how to move forward in our writing projects, restrictions can help us generate and shape material in ways that a blank page simply can’t. During this workshop, we’ll discuss the constraints used by various writers and spend time using them to generate ideas for our own writing. Writers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry are welcome.
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Literature & Communication OSHR 4114
Online
Tuesday
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Steinbeck's East of Eden: An Exploration of the Creative Process Date: 3/24-4/21 | Instructor: Vincent Parker | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $50
Considered by the author to be his magnum opus, East of Eden, by John Steinbeck, is the saga of two families whose lives intertwine in the Salinas Valley. Spanning over half a century, the novel is an epic that not only describes the lives of the inhabitants of Steinbeck’s central California coast but also of America in general, dealing with the themes of depravity, love, and the capacity for self-destruction. A retelling of the Biblical story of Cain and Abel, the novel occupies a hallowed place within the canon of classic American novels. We will also explore the creative process of Steinbeck by reading, in addition to the novel, his book Journal of a Novel, a non-fiction work that allows us into the mind of the writer as he worked on his longest, and according to many readers, his most powerful work.
OSHR 4055 Thursday
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Beowulf: Monsters, Mead, and Meaning
Date: 3/26-4/30 | Instructor: Abigayil Wernsman | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $60 Before Tolkien dreamed of hobbits, before Vikings ruled popular culture, before English was even English, there was Beowulf. This course dives headfirst into the oldest surviving epic of the English language, a poem filled with monsters, warriors, gold, and grief. But Beowulf isn’t just an adventure tale; it’s a time capsule from the early medieval world, echoing with the voices of the people who first shaped English literature, voices that continue to echo through literary tradition. This class will take a deep dive into Beowulf, examining it as both history and art, using the poem to reveal what its world valued: loyalty, honor, storytelling, and fate. Students will encounter the poem through a range of translations, from Seamus Heaney’s lyrical swing to Maria Dahvana Headley’s modern, feminist energy, to J.R.R. Tolkien’s scholarly precision. Along the way, we’ll examine how every translator becomes, in a sense, a new poet and how each version reimagines the ancient world for a new generation.
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OSHR 4077 Tuesday
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Say it Short: Writing Flash Fiction and Nonfiction
Date: 3/31-4/14 | Instructor: Cherie Nelson Senie | Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $30 When we talk about great writing, we're usually referring to a whole book —a novel or memoir — that is beautifully written, that tugs at our heartstrings, or that makes us think more deeply about ourselves and those around us. But for most of us who try our hand at writing, a whole book can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, we don't always need so many pages to make an impact. Flash fiction and nonfiction, genres in which the whole story is often told in under a thousand words, allow the writer to draw the reader into a specific moment or feeling, while gesturing toward an entire life, or even an entire world beyond the text itself. These short forms can be great for experimentation, whether you're a beginner or an advanced writer. In this three-week writing workshop, we'll read work by flash writers, discuss why and how to write in these genres, and try our hand at these short, compelling forms.
OSHR 4109 Tuesday
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Creative Writing Workshop
Date: 3/31-5/5 | Instructor: Abigayil Wernsman | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $60 This workshop will focus on helping writers unlock their inner muse to get their story on paper. Welcoming both fiction and nonfiction, this class will focus on the craft of writing. This course emphasizes essential techniques, including showing versus telling, writing natural dialogue, developing conflict, and finding a unique narrative voice. Worldbuilding and character development (necessary in nonfiction as well as fiction!), revision, and editing will be discussed and practiced. Classes will include in-class writing prompts and lectures designed to enhance writers’ understanding of craft, as well as opportunities to share work in large and small groups and to receive constructive feedback to help writers meet their goals. Whether new to fiction or looking to sharpen their skills, writers will leave with a toolkit of key concepts and the confidence needed to take creative ideas from inspiration to the page.
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Literature & Communication OSHR 4085 Wednesday
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Despair or Delight: A Practice in Poetry
Date: 4/8-5/13 | Instructor: Chloé Leisure | Time: 1-3:30 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $90 “It didn’t take me long to learn that the discipline or practice of writing these essays occasioned a kind of delight radar. Or maybe it was more like the development of a delight muscle. Something that implies that the more you study delight, the more delight there is to study.” –Ross Gay, The Book of Delights In this class, we will engage with the ideas of despair and delight, of sorrow and joy, especially given current cultural challenges. Through observation and reflection, we will aim to develop a “delight muscle.” With the aid of readings, guided writing exercises, and discussions, we will endeavor to write poems and mini lyric essays in an effort to resist or turn from despair and perhaps deepen connection to self and community.
OSHR 3352
Offsite
Thursday
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Playing with {Wild}fire: Author Talk with Laura Pritchett Date: 4/16 | Instructor: Laura Pritchett | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: TMI | Class Size: 100 | Cost: $10
Evacuation orders are coming. A wildfire is bearing down. Playing With {Wild}fire recounts the trauma and communal moments of a mountain town’s inhabitants as wildfire roars their way. Come hear award-winning author Laura Pritchett discuss her experimental and relevant novel, set in the LaPorte and Bellvue areas. She will talk about the book and offer a slideshow of the Cameron Peak fire that burned into our memories. This book experiments with experimental form to subvert storytelling expectations, is told in polyphonic voices to inspire inclusion, and focuses on the community that is built during times of trauma. This book plays with expectations at every level and shows that demolition might be an opportunity for renovation in the ways we choose to live on planet Earth.
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OSHR 3135 OLLI Talks
Online
Thursday
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Writing a 'Legacy Letter’
Date: 4/16 | Instructor: Jay Sherwin | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Online | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $10 A legacy letter (also called an “ethical will”) is a written document that allows you to share your life lessons, express your values, and transmit your blessings to future generations. A legacy letter is shorter than a memoir, typically just a few pages. Writing one is a rewarding experience that creates an enduring gift for your family and friends. This online workshop includes discussion and brief writing exercises to help you examine your life history, explore your values, and capture important insights. It offers advice, encouragement and a model structure to help you draft and complete your own legacy letter.
OSHR 4104 Friday
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Notes, Journals, and Letters - Hand Lettering Part II Date: 4/17-5/1 | Instructor: Diane Odbert | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $30
With pencil and pen in hand, we will apply lessons from Hand Lettering & Fonts (OLLI Fall 2025) to our notetaking, journaling, and letter writing. Handwriting enhances our learning skills, aids memory, and engages our senses. In this fast-paced world, handwriting is suddenly gaining traction as people appreciate the slower, more thoughtful process. Your handwritten word is an heirloom of you. In this class, you will learn the foundations of creating an engaging notebook for your OLLI classes, as well as skills, tips, and tricks to create your own creative personal journals. We will conclude with an opportunity to create beautiful handwritten letters that will arrive as a surprise in someone's mailbox. No prior experience necessary.
“The online options make participation so convenient.”
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Literature & Communication OSHR 4098
Monday
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Follow Your Bliss! The Wisdom of Joseph Campbell Date: 4/20-5/4 | Instructor: Kathleen Reiter | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $30
Discover (or revisit) the impact of mythologies on our lives with Joseph Campbell. We will begin with his book, Hero with a Thousand Faces, and clips from his PBS interviews with Bill Moyers. (Those of us who saw Campbell’s interviews all remember them as life-altering.) We’ll also explore the books, Pathways of Bliss and Thou Art That, published posthumously by his Foundation, collecting much of his teaching, essays, and lectures. Come experience him for the first time or reconnect with his message to “follow your bliss.” This course will explore connections and threads that weave throughout our various human stories and discover how these stories still resonate within the human heart. Through it all, you will hopefully discover the hero within yourself.
OSHR 4105 Tuesday
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Poetry for Non-Poets (and Others!)
Date: 4/21-5/12 | Instructor: Jane Hillson Aiello | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $45 Whether you are a seasoned writer or have never penned prose or a poem, this class will help you discover your inner poet. Through close readings of contemporary poetry and brief discussions, you will be inspired to write. This non-academic approach will show you how to build a word bank, tap into your emotions, and gain an appreciation of the five traditional senses as tools to explore creativity. You will learn how emulating a poet or style can expand your own writing practice. There will be time to have your voice heard, though sharing is completely optional, and others will simply witness your words without comment or criticism. You may write in any voice or genre. Come play with poetry in these generative sessions.
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Music, Theatre & Film OSHR 6043 Wednesday
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History at the Movies 2: Fact, Fiction, and Art in Five Films Date: 1/28-3/4 | Instructor: Sally Purath | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $60
Historically based films magically transport us to other times and cultures. This class discusses 5 films from a variety of cultures & times with instructions on where to stream them in comfort at home. The firstclass hour will be a discussion of the previous film. The second hour will feature a talk on the cultural, historical, and literary aspects of the next film, exploring what is historically true and untrue, as well as the literary elements to notice in the film’s construction. No film is assigned for the first class. The films will be The Mission, McCabe and Mrs. Miller, Some Mother's Son, The Age of Innocence, and Yojimbo. An email will be sent to those registered, explaining where to stream each film and its rental cost, which ranges from $0 to $5 per film.
OSHR 7063 Thursday
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Comedy Is Not Just for Professionals!
Date: 1/29-3/5 | Instructor: Kathleen Reiter | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $60 Are you comically curious? Have you secretly wanted to strut your stuff? Did you enjoy all the laughs you got with your wedding “toast”? Or would you just like to lighten up and laugh again?! Then this is the workshop - change that, fun-shop - for you! We will brainstorm our ideas for funny, learn comedy tips to spice up our stories, play with the scary microphone, and surprise ourselves. Fun exercises will help you find your comic persona, build set-ups, shape incongruity, practice timing, thread your narrative line, and more! We will create a supportive and safe place to stretch out of your comfort zone, sharpen your funny bone, and laugh (the best medicine) every week. Exercise your sixth sense - your sense of humor! Yes, you can do this!
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
73
Music, Theatre & Film OSHR 7054
Offsite
Tuesday
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Introduction to Ballroom Dance: Foxtrot & Tango Date: 2/3-2/24 | Instructors: Frank Baczek, Lenina Olivas Time: 11 a.m.-noon | Location: The Empire Grange Class Size: 20 | Cost: $40
This course introduces the art and technique of ballroom dancing, focusing on foundational skills in both smooth and rhythm styles. Students will explore the Foxtrot and American Tango, gaining an appreciation for the cultural roots and stylistic differences of each. Emphasis will be placed on posture, frame, footwork, rhythm, partner connection, and musicality. Through guided practice, students will build confidence on the dance floor while developing coordination, creativity, and social interaction skills. No prior dance experience is required. This course is designed for beginners and for those looking to strengthen their fundamentals in a supportive and engaging environment. By the end of the course, students will be able to: - Demonstrate proper frame, timing, and basic figures in a variety of ballroom dances. - Identify musical structures and apply rhythm appropriately to movement. - Develop effective lead-and-follow skills for partnered dancing. - Appreciate ballroom dance as both a social activity and a performance art.
OSHR 7062 Wednesday
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On the Trail to the American Sound: Part II
Date: 2/4, 3/4, 4/15, 4/29 | Instructor: Wes Kenney | Time: 4-6 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $40 The creation of the American symphonic sound can be directly linked to the cultural influences that we all experience. This class continues an exploration of American orchestral compositions from the mid-20th century to the present day. The discussion will consider music written since the 1950s, exploring the impact of stylistic approaches such as Americana, film, minimalism, and current events. Composers will include Leonard Bernstein, John Williams, Jennifer Higdon, John Adams, and many others.
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OSHR 7058 Thursday
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From Page to Screen: Great Books, Great Films
Date: 2/5-4/9 | Instructor: Joannah Merriman | Time: 1-4 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 23 | Cost: $90 By popular demand, this course is returning to OLLI, offering a unique opportunity to consider four books and view their presentation as films, examining the ways in which they compare with and reflect one another. Point of view, characters, setting, author's and director's take, author's opinion of the conversion of his or her efforts . . . these are examples of some of the components of our examination. This semester's pairs are: The French Lieutenant's Woman - John Fowles, The Hours - Michael Cunningham, Mrs. Dalloway - Virginia Woolf, and The English Patient - Michael Ondaatje. We will spend two class sessions on each pair, reading the book BEFORE we see the film, of course. Each pair of meetings is separated by one month, to give you time to read the next book(s). Give this exciting adventure a try! Please read each book before the first class date listed for that title: • Feb 5 & Feb 12 – The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles • Mar 5 & Mar 12 – The Hours by Michael Cunningham and Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf • Apr 2 & Apr 9 – The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje (Due to the length of The English Patient, class will run from 1-5 PM on April 2)
OSHR 3154 OLLI Talks
Friday
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Through the Lens: An Introduction to Film Festivals Date: 2/13 | Instructor: Beth Seymour | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
With the Sundance Film Festival coming to Boulder, CO, in 2027, Colorado is poised to be branded as a top world destination for independent film. Learn more about Sundance and extant film festivals in this short introductory course. Film festivals provide audiences and filmmakers with opportunities to connect and celebrate the art of cinema. Many festival screen films that are not widely available and bring the artists and participants to theatres to answer questions. This course will share insights into the film festival industry and offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into CSU's ACT Human Rights Film Festival operations and programming. The class will show a couple of short films and offer OLLI students the chance to consider what ends up on the big screen. REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Music, Theatre & Film OSHR 7001
Offsite
OLLI Experience
Tues./Weds.
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Cinema du Jour
Date: 2/17-3/31 or 2/18-4/1 | Instructor: Joannah Merriman Time: 12-3 p.m. | Location: The Lyric Cinema Class Size: 30 | Cost: $115 Enjoy a series of six films and post-film discussions in the comfort of the Lyric Cinema Cafe, 1209 N. College Avenue. We will gather to watch a selection of movies with unique storylines and observe filmmaking techniques that often vary from the standard studio fare; however, this is not intended to be a filmmaking course. After each cinematic adventure, we will discuss these thought-provoking films together. Movies may be subtitled and carry various ratings. Your theater ticket and a small popcorn are included in the course cost. Note: In some semesters, ONE class will be 4 hours, not 3 hours, so we can view a particular 3-hour film I’ve chosen. Notice will be provided. However, the film lineup is generally unavailable until the course begins, based on Lyric’s schedule of available films at the time of the course each semester. Both returning participants and first-time viewers are welcome. Note: This class has two sections. The section you register for determines which dates you will attend class. Please pay close attention to which section you select because they cannot be swapped.
OSHR 7066
Offsite
Wednesday
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Great Directors: Nora Ephron
Date: 2/18-3/11 | Instructor: Sarah Kozloff | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: CSU Spur - Denver | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $40 Nora Ephron authored fourteen screenplays and directed eight films. We will study When Harry Met Sally (Reiner, 1989), Sleepless in Seattle (1993), You've Got Mail (1998), and Julie and Julia (2009). Students will watch the films on their own the week before class, allowing class time to be spent on discussion and reviewing clips. We will seek to discover the common threads that link her films together and how she created these classics of romantic comedy. Please note this class is held at CSU Spur in Denver.
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OSHR 1032
Offsite
OLLI Experience
Tuesday
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Backstage: University Center for the Arts Tour Date: 2/24 | Instructor: UCA Staff | Time: 1-2 p.m. Location: UCA | Class Size: 30 | Cost: $10
Go backstage at CSU’s world-class University Center for the Arts with a behind-the-scenes look at our music, theatre, and dance programs by touring performance spaces and production shops. Located in the former Fort Collins High School, the UCA is also home to two museums: the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art and the Avenir Museum of Design & Merchandising.
OSHR 7060
Monday
Register
Knowing the Score: A History of Film Music Part I. From King Kong to Casablanca
Date: 3/2-4/6 | Instructor: Michael Morrison | Time: 10 a.m.- noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 40 | Cost: $50 `"Film and music are inseparable. They always were and always will be." (Martin Scorsese) As much as direction, cinematography, and editing, music is an essential element of film. Film music must say everything that dialogue, images, and sound effects cannot say. It can evoke feelings of excitement, anxiety, sadness, or joy. It can completely alter our experience of a movie. In this course, we'll explore the evolution of film music from the birth of sound films to the present. This first of two independent parts will focus on movies made during the Golden Age of Hollywood: from the 1930s into the 1960s. In addition to listening to audio cues, we'll watch video clips that illustrate the synergy between music and movies. Through interviews, we'll see composers, directors, and producers grapple with — and often battle over — fundamental issues of art and commerce that have shaped the role of music in cinema. (For more information, please contact me at mamorrison@ou.edu.)
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Music, Theatre & Film OSHR 7068 Wednesday
Register
Guitar as a Social Instrument: Strumming for Campfires and Other Sing-Alongs
Date: 3/25-4/29 | Instructor: Deborah Singer | Time: 10 a.m.- noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $70 In this course, participants will learn basic guitar chords, as well as strumming and finger-picking techniques, to easily play popular folk, rock, and country songs from the 1960s and 1970s. We will use the book Campfire Songs, which features songs by The Beatles, CSNY, The Eagles, Simon & Garfunkel, Pete Seeger, John Denver, and many others. If there is interest, we will also work on simple children’s songs that participants can play for, or teach to, the children in their lives.
OSHR 7064
Offsite
Tuesday
Register
Introduction to Ballroom Dance: Waltz & Rumba Date: 4/7-4/28 | Instructors: Frank Baczek, Lenina Olivas Time: 11 a.m.-noon | Location: The Empire Grange Class Size: 20 | Cost: $40
This course introduces the art and technique of ballroom dancing, focusing on foundational skills in both smooth and rhythm styles. Students will explore the Waltz and Rumba, gaining an appreciation for the cultural roots and stylistic differences of each. Emphasis will be placed on posture, frame, footwork, rhythm, partner connection, and musicality. Through guided practice, students will build confidence on the dance floor while developing coordination, creativity, and social interaction skills. No prior dance experience is required. This course is designed for beginners and for those looking to strengthen their fundamentals in a supportive and engaging environment. By the end of the course, students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate proper frame, timing, and basic figures in a variety of ballroom dances. 2. Identify musical structures and apply rhythm appropriately to movement. 3. Develop effective lead-and-follow skills for partnered dancing. 4. Appreciate ballroom dance as both a social activity and a performance art.
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OSHR 7032 Wednesday
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The History of Rock & Roll, Pt. II: The 70's and 80's Date: 4/8-5/13 | Instructor: Jack Rogers | Time: 4-6 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 30 | Cost: $60
This course offers an examination and facilitated conversation on the history of rock and roll and the popular music forms that evolved from it, splintering out of the psychedelic era into a myriad of styles. The course will examine the individual decades, iconic personalities, and the cultural contexts of the artists, their music, and its impact throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
OSHR 3360
Online
OLLI Talks
Thursday
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Broadway Showstoppers with Glenn Rosenblum Date: 5/7 | Instructor: Glenn Rosenblum | Time: 5-6:30 p.m. Location: Online* | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
In Glenn's upbringing, the world was changing, and art was changing with it. Glenn will dissect some of the musicals from the '60s and '70s that took major leaps from classic musical theatre into more challenging subject matter. We learn that, in breaking the normative barriers of Broadway, we were given some of the best show-stopping numbers of our time. *This lecture is offered in collaboration with the OLLI at Pennsylvania State University
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Nature, Science & Technology OSHR 3349
OLLI Bonus
Monday
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Restoring Resilience: Collaborative Science for Colorado’s Post-Fire Forests
Date: 1/26 | Instructor: Camille Stevens-Rumann | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $0 As wildfires grow larger and more intense across the West, understanding how to restore and sustain healthy forests has never been more critical. Camille Stevens-Rumann, interim director of the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute (CFRI) and former wildland firefighter, will share how the institute is leading efforts to guide forest recovery after fire. Established by Congress in 2004 and based at Colorado State University, CFRI bridges science and practice by connecting researchers, land managers, and communities to develop actionable, locally relevant strategies for forest resilience. From assessing post-fire regeneration and testing innovative replanting techniques to training the next generation of natural resource professionals, CFRI’s work helps ensure that restored forests continue to support water, wildlife, and people across the region. This talk will highlight how collaborative, science-based approaches are reshaping forest management and preparing Colorado’s landscapes—and communities—for a future defined by change.
OSHR 8080
Online
Wednesday
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Foundations of Quantum Mechanics
Date: 1/28-3/4 | Instructor: Edward Friedman | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $60 Students will learn the fundamentals of quantum mechanics, including its history, applications, and limitations. Students will be exposed to why the theory works, various ideas that have emerged about how to interpret its many unexpected results, Bell's theorem, entanglement, the Schrödinger equation (with no math), the Bohr-Einstein debate over the completeness of the theory, and modern experiments that demonstrate its nuances, including 'spooky action at a distance'. Students will encounter various perspectives on the nature of reality in the quantum world, which derive from modern theoretical and experimental methods used to explore these ideas.
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OSHR 3350 OLLI Talks
Thursday
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AI Decoded: Understanding and Using Generative AI Date: 1/29 or 2/5 | Instructors: Kristy Nowak, Rachelle Ramer Time: 1-3 p.m. | Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
Are you interested in learning more about AI tools and how to use them? In this interactive workshop, we will discuss how these systems work, design effective prompts (with hands-on exercises), and explore the ethical and practical issues surrounding AI systems. We will also discuss the best uses for these systems in research, education, and personal use. We’ll wrap up with an extensive discussion of your questions and ideas relating to AI tools. NOTE: Please bring a laptop computer or other device capable of running an AI tool/chatbot. In this class, you will:
• Get hands-on experience engaging with AI in a low-stakes way
• Design effective prompts to get the best results from generative AI
• Learn about basic functioning of AI, possible uses, and ethical concerns • Discuss possible uses and concerns with AI (in education, research, and personal use) Note: This class has two sections. Please register carefully.
OSHR 3245 OLLI Talks
Friday
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Tech Skills: Basic Smartphone Navigation and Accessibility
Date: 1/30 or 2/6 | Instructor: Kailey Kinney | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 10 | Cost: $10 There are many ways to make your smartphone device feel comfortable, tailored to your unique needs. This class will identify and describe the actions of the power button, volume buttons, ringer, SIM card storage, home screen, lock screen, notification center, and controls center. It will also describe the appearance and purpose of icons often found on apps and websites, such as icons for download, menu, share, and more. The first half hour will feature a presentation, after which volunteers will provide assistance as members practice new skills. Participants are encouraged to bring their own smartphones and/or tablets. Note: This class has two sections. Please register carefully.
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Nature, Science & Technology OSHR 8044 Monday & Wednesday
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50 Ways to Discover Colorado
Date: 1/26-2/11 | Instructor: Kevin Cook | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $60 In 1982, Paul Simon released his song, "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover." What if we modified the theme to a more upbeat and locally applicable perspective, like fifty diverse ways to explore, discover, and engage the full character of Colorado? That theme could easily elaborate to include fifty mountains and fifty valleys, fifty rivers and fifty lakes, fifty trees and fifty wildflowers, fifty birds, and so much more! Or it might focus selectively on a blending of just fifty such things. Suddenly, "hop on the bus, Gus," promises a whole new motivation to visit the state we call home! Please note that this course meets twice a week for three weeks.
OSHR 1033
Offsite
OLLI Experience
Tuesday
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CSU VTH Small Animal Hospital Tour
Date: 2/10 or 3/10 | Instructor: VTH Staff | Time: 4-5 p.m. Location: CSU Vet Hospital | Class Size: 10 | Cost: $10 Dogs, cats, reptiles, fish, birds, cows, llamas, elephants, giraffes, rams… you never know what animals our CSU veterinarians and students are caring for. Get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to care for over 42,000 patients per year with a team of 79 veterinarians. Did you know that much of human medicine translates into veterinary medicine? Dialogue with specialists as they discuss the future of veterinary medicine. The Vet Teaching Hospital (VTH) offers comprehensive services, leading technologies, and expert care – all under one roof! Note: This class has two sections. The section you register for determines which dates you will attend class. Please pay close attention to which section you select.
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OSHR 3287 Hybrid
OLLI Talks
Thursday
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Designing for Longevity: Smart Cities, Homes, and Products Date: 2/12 | Instructor: Erin Maruzzella | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall or Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
Technology is reshaping how we live—and nowhere is that more evident than in the innovations on display at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). This course explores how the latest trends in “smart” technology are being designed with older adults in mind. We’ll use an Age-Friendly design lens to explore cutting-edge developments in Smart Cities, Smart Homes, and Smart Consumer Products. What are the promises— and the pitfalls—of technology designed to enhance the quality of life for aging populations? What about those that are not? Participants will gain a clearer understanding of how these innovations could shape the future of aging in Colorado and beyond. Note: This class has two sections. The section you register for determines whether you will attend your class online or at Drake Hall. Please pay close attention to which section you select.
OSHR 3289 OLLI Talks
Friday
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Embracing Colorado Gardening
Date: 2/13 | Instructor: Bev Shaw | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10 Gardening in Colorado can be challenging if your goal is to have a garden typical of the eastern US or the Pacific Northwest. It can be much easier if you grow the plants that naturally thrive here. In this class, we’ll explore a Colorado landscape aesthetic that can still be lush and incorporate more than just rocks and a cattle skull. Xeriscaping is not zero-scaping! From plant selection to maintenance, we’ll discuss how to create a successful landscape and actually enjoy the process.
“I’ve discovered new hobbies and interests through OLLI.”
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Nature, Science & Technology OSHR 3309 OLLI Talks
Wednesday
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Artificial Intelligence: Uses and Future Possibilities Date: 2/18 | Instructor: Richard Waal | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
This class provides a comprehensive introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI), examining its foundational concepts, current applications, and transformative potential across various industries and society. Designed for a non-technical audience, the course demystifies AI by connecting historical milestones with emerging trends, ethical considerations, and speculative futures.
OSHR 8071 Thursday
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All About Clouds
Date: 2/19-2/26 | Instructor: Tom Schlatter | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $20 Lectures will be held on two mornings, one week apart. They aim to satisfy anyone's curiosity about clouds. The only prerequisites are an interest in clouds and a high school science background equivalent. The illustrations will be photos, videos, charts, and graphs. No math. The lectures will cover four main subtopics: cloud naming and identification, cloud formation, cloud structure and dynamics, and the role of clouds in Colorado's weather and climate. Two topics will be presented each day, with a short break in between. Supplemental materials will be provided.
OSHR 3273 OLLI Talks
Friday
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Tech Skills: Streaming with YouTube and Spotify Apps Date: 2/20 | Instructor: Kailey Kinney | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 10 | Cost: $10
This class will provide instructions on how to watch videos using the YouTube app and stream music and podcasts through the Spotify app. Listen to your favorite music or watch videos related to cooking, product reviews, religious services, and more. This course is designed for older adults interested in learning more about smartphone and tablet apps. The first half hour of class will feature a presentation, after which volunteer instructors will provide small-group assistance as members practice new skills. Participants are encouraged to bring their own smartphones and/or tablets.
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OSHR 3348
OLLI Bonus
Monday
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Community-Driven Resources for Real Air Quality Challenges
Date: 2/23 | Instructors: Emily Fischer, Milena Guajardo Time: 10 a.m.-noon | Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $0 Northern Colorado faces three persistent air quality challenges—ozone, wildfire smoke, and air toxics. To tackle these issues, faculty, staff, and student researchers from CSU’s Department of Atmospheric Science and the Center for Environmental Justice, along with partners in the Environmental Services Departments at City of Fort Collins and Larimer County Department of Health and Environment, worked with community members most affected by environmental issues, to co-create practical, easy-to-use materials that support informed and protective decisionmaking. The most meaningful outcomes extend far beyond the tools themselves. True collaboration centers community voices, honors lived experience, and works alongside those impacted to create lasting, equitable solutions. Join this session to learn about air quality research that elevates community perspectives- and share your own feedback, ideas, and experiences to help shape future research outcomes and educational materials.
OSHR 8104 Thursday
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An Essential Ecological Process: Introduction to Wildland Fire Date: 2/26-3/5 | Instructor: Michael Czaja | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $20
In this course, participants will gain a basic understanding of wildland fire, fire management, and fire mitigation. The first session includes a welcome and an overview of the course objectives; a definition of wildland fire; an examination of factors influencing fire behavior (fuel, topography, and weather); and an introduction to fire management (modeling, resources, and incident management). The second session covers wildland fire mitigation basics for homeowners, including the threat from embers, defensible space/home ignition zone, and homeowner actions (home hardening and vegetation/flammable material management). Each session includes a Q&A period. At the end of the course, participants will be familiar with wildland fire terms, the incident management system, and best practices in homeowner fire mitigation.
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Nature, Science & Technology OSHR 3240 OLLI Talks
Friday
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Guess Who Came to Dinner? – Diagnosing Garden Problems by How Insects Feed Date: 2/27 | Instructor: Whitney Cranshaw | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
Diagnosing the cause of damage to a garden planting can be challenging, as there are numerous potential causal agents that harm plants, including diseases, weather issues, soil problems, and insects. This will focus on the insects and mites that damage plants. Specifically, how the damage produced by different kinds of insects/mites may be diagnosed using clues such as the pattern of feeding they produce and the associated signs they leave.
OSHR 3247 OLLI Talks
Friday
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Tech Skills: Saving and Shopping with the King Soopers App
Date: 2/27 or 3/27 | Instructor: Kailey Kinney | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 10 | Cost: $10 Learn how to use the King Soopers app to shop in-store or to order your groceries for pickup and delivery. Make the most of your shopping trips by applying digital coupons to save money on purchases at King Soopers and other Kroger-affiliated stores such as Smith’s, City Market, Fred Meyer, Ralph’s, Fry’s, QFC, and more. In the first half-hour of each class, a presentation on the topic will be given, followed by small-group assistance from the student instructors as members practice new skills for the remainder of the class. All are welcome regardless of skill level or years of experience. Participants are encouraged to bring their own smartphones and/or tablets. Note: This class has two sections. The section you register for determines which dates you will attend class. Please pay close attention to which section you select.
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OSHR 3248 OLLI Talks
Friday
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Tech Skills: Facebook Marketplace on the Facebook App
Date: 3/6 | Instructor: Kailey Kinney | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 10 | Cost: $10 This class will focus on the Facebook Marketplace feature in the Facebook app, where users can sell a wide range of items, including furniture, clothing, craft supplies, exercise equipment, and more. It will explore how to create a Facebook account, create a listing, and chat with potential buyers. The class will also cover how to avoid potential scams on Facebook Marketplace. The first half hour of class will feature a presentation, after which volunteer instructors will provide small-group assistance as members practice new skills. Participants are encouraged to bring their own smartphones and/or tablets.
OSHR 3288 Hybrid
OLLI Talks
Wednesday
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The Colorado River: History, Law Management, Challenges
Date: 3/11 | Instructor: Jennifer Gimbel | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall or Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10 The Colorado River is shared by the United States, Mexico, and seven states, including Colorado. It provides water to over 40 million people and nearly 6 million acres of irrigated agriculture, as well as numerous environmental and recreational opportunities. It serves as an economic engine for northern Colorado, as well as the entire state. This course will examine the history of use, law, management, and the associated challenges. Aridification has depleted the flows, and consistent overuse has exacerbated the long-term sustainability of the river. How are we meeting those challenges? Note: This class has two sections. The section you register for determines whether you will attend your class online or at Drake Hall. Please pay close attention to which section you select.
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Nature, Science & Technology OSHR 3270 OLLI Talks
Thursday
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Insects and Mites Associated with Cannabis Sativa Date: 3/12 | Instructor: Whitney Cranshaw | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
No other plant grown in the US has a more bizarre history of culture than Cannabis sativa. It is a crop of multiple potential uses, including fiber, seed, and pharmaceutical uses. Because of the use of some strains to produce compounds (e.g., THC) considered to be regulated drugs, there was a 70+ year void on almost all research on the crop, which was only eased following the passage of state laws such as Colorado’s Amendment 64 in 2012 and subsequent federal changes in how this plant is regulated. Among other things, these actions have enabled significant progress in understanding which insects are associated with this plant, and there are many. Few are damaging to the plant, and their potential to cause injury depends on the type of crop being grown (indoors/outdoors, fiber/seed/pharmaceutical use). A discussion of all the insects on this crop, and, where appropriate, thoughts on their management, will be the focus of this class.
OSHR 3298 OLLI Talks
Thursday
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Punctuate Your Garden with Waterwise Plants Date: 3/12 | Instructor: Bev Shaw | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
Growing plants that thrive in our soils, with our sun, and our rainfall is the easiest way to garden in Colorado, so let’s learn about those, but spice things up by thinking about them through the lens of punctuation. Some waterwise plants are exclamation points in the garden, providing focal points and drama. Some are commas, knitting the garden design together. Some are question marks and should be planted with care. Some are good old periods and are staples of many Front Range gardens. This presentation will offer participants a comprehensive list of plants that thrive in this environment, guidance on incorporating them into designs, and practical care instructions, all while providing plenty of visual appeal.
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OSHR 3275 OLLI Talks
Friday
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Tech Skills: Library Access with the Libby App Date: 3/13 | Instructor: Kailey Kinney | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 10 | Cost: $10
Poudre libraries and other libraries across Colorado offer free access to movies, TV shows, and documentaries. This section will provide an overview of using the Libby app to access your local library’s eBook and audiobook collection. A valid library card is required to use the app. The first half hour of class will feature a presentation, after which volunteer instructors will provide small-group assistance as members practice new skills. Participants are encouraged to bring their own smartphones and/or tablets.
OSHR 3346 Hybrid
OLLI Talks
Wednesday
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Battle Scars: Trends in Wildfire Size and Impact across Colorado Date: 3/25 | Instructor: Thomas Gifford | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall or Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
Wildfires have always been part of life in Colorado and play an important role in maintaining healthy forest ecosystems, but in recent decades, they’ve grown larger, more frequent, and more destructive. This talk will examine how wildfire patterns have evolved across the state from 1990 to the present and their impacts on affected areas. We’ll examine where fires occur, which counties have been affected the most, and how a small number of massive fires now account for most of the total damage. This class will also examine the economic ripple effects in areas affected by wildfires, including their impacts on tourism, local jobs, and community resources. Using maps, visuals, and group discussion, we’ll dive into the story wildfires are telling about our changing landscape. *This course is made possible through the Peg Chandler and Christopher Hensey Emerging Scholar Award Endowment. Note: This class has two sections. The section you register for determines whether you will attend your class online or at Drake Hall. Please pay close attention to which section you select.
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Nature, Science & Technology
OSHR 3208 OLLI Talks
Thursday
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Meet Homo Denisova - Our 100,000-Year-Old Cousin Date: 4/2 | Instructor: William Cornell | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
High in a valley in the Altai Mountains of Siberia, a hermit named "Denis" shared his cave with thousands of 40,000 to 200,000-year-old bones and teeth. In 2016, four of these - a child's pinkie finger bone and three adult molar teeth - were identified as a new species of humans, Homo Denisova. Since then, more of its fossils and tools have been found from Indonesia to Japan. Genetic studies show that H. Denisova interbred with Homo neandethalensis, Homo sapiens, and a fourth hominid species ancestral to Tibetans. This talk will provide the details and present new discoveries.
OSHR 3336 OLLI Talks
Friday
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Tech Skills: Modern Mobility with Uber, Lyft, and ParkMobile Apps
Date: 4/3 and 5/8 | Instructor: Kailey Kinney | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 10 | Cost: $10 Discover how to use Uber and Lyft to get around town. Learn to request rides, set pickup locations, and understand fare estimates. Also, explore the ParkMobile app to pay for parking directly from your phone! The first half hour of class will feature a presentation, after which volunteer instructors will provide small-group assistance as members practice new skills. Participants are encouraged to bring their own smartphones and/or tablets. Note: This class has two sections. The section you register for determines which dates you will attend class. Please pay close attention to which section you select.
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OLLI AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
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OSHR 8101
Tuesday
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Planet in Transition: Innovations for a Sustainable Tomorrow
Date: 4/7-4/28 | Instructor: Frits Dautzenberg | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $40 This series of lectures will cover four topics relevant to improving the conditions of people worldwide. Issues related to global warming must be addressed to achieve decarbonization of: (1) electricity production, (2) industrial activities, (3) food production, (4) transportation, and (5) building-associated activities. By 2050, the world’s population is expected to reach approximately ten billion people. Feeding this growing population may be possible, but certain actions, such as reducing food waste, will be necessary. Abundant freshwater is essential not only for human drinking but also for growing agricultural food products. Current technological developments related to the production of fresh water will be highlighted. Municipal waste management strategies require enhanced processes both now and in the future to convert a variety of waste products into carbon-neutral fuels and agricultural products. In 2024, global plastic production reached 413.8 million tons, with 70–80% of major polymers eventually discarded into the environment. Beyond collection and recycling, developing biodegradable plastics from sustainable sources will become essential.
OSHR 8105
Monday & Friday
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Finding Birds
Date: 4/13-5/11 & 5/15 | Instructor: Kevin Cook | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $60 Birds bring both aesthetic and intellectual pleasure into our lives. Identifying a bird presents numerous challenges, including migration, seasonal variations in plumage color and patterns, population abundance, and geographic distribution, among others. Modern technology now provides smartphone apps that can identify birds in the field, but the actual outcome is that the smartphone, not you, identifies the bird. This class will focus on two bird groups in each of six sessions, revealing when, where, and how to find them in Colorado, and concluding with how to identify each bird in those groups. Two class objectives — finding birds and then identifying them — blend ambition with skill to make birding as rewarding as possible. Note: this course meets on 5 consecutive Mondays and then Fri. May 15. REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Nature, Science & Technology OSHR 3366 Wednesday
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Mistakes Made, Lessons Learned: Gardening in Colorado Date: 4/15 | Instructors: Alison O'Connor, Bev Shaw Time: 10 a.m.-noon. | Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
Join Bev and Alison, from CSU Extension in Larimer County, for a fun and informative class where they will confess their Colorado gardening and landscaping mistakes - and will encourage you to make better choices. They will include information on plant selection, growing vegetables, lawn care, planting, and landscaping. The goal of this class is to help you be successful - the first time!
OSHR 1031
Offsite
OLLI Experience
Tuesday
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OLLI Experience: Canvas Stadium Tour
Date: 4/21 | Instructor: Tour Staff | Time: 1-2 p.m. Location: Canvas Stadium | Class Size: 30 | Cost: $10 Tours will start in the Smith Alumni Center and give visitors a look into Canvas Stadium. The tour covers about a mile of ground, making stops at the Smith Alumni Center, the New Belgium Porch, the Indoor Club level, the Stadium Club level, the Markley Family Hall of Champions, and the offices for CSU Football operations. The walking tour is approximately 60 minutes with an accessible route that can accommodate those with accessibility and mobility needs. Please note that the tour covers a lot of distance in the stadium over the course of an hour, so it may not be ideal for all individuals. *Pay for parking located in front of the ticket office on Pitkin Street.
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OLLI AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
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OSHR 3231 OLLI Talks
Thursday
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Spiders and Other Interesting Arachnids of Colorado Date: 4/23 | Instructor: Whitney Cranshaw | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
Spiders are among the most underappreciated and maligned of all “bugs” (broad sense). However, they have enormous value to humans, particularly as highly effective natural enemies of many important pest insects. And, especially in a place like Colorado, there are very few spiders that cause harm to humans or pets. Furthermore, there are some other important and/or interesting spider relatives – Arachnids - that are present in the state. These include ticks, mites, solpugids (also known as sun spiders), and scorpions. This will be a discussion of all of these.
OSHR 3365 OLLI Talks
Friday
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Cannabis Research, Regulation, and Challenges Date: 4/24 | Instructor: Chad Kinney | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
This course introduces the landscape of cannabis in Colorado. This will include a discussion of cannabis research in the state, with an emphasis on the role of the Institute of Cannabis Research, Colorado’s cannabis research organization established by state statute. The complexities of cannabis research can be significant, reflecting ethical considerations, regulatory restrictions, and other barriers that contribute to gaps in expectations for research and its outcomes. The regulations for cannabis (marijuana and hemp) vary from state to state and between the states and the federal level. We will explore some of these regulations and their implications for cannabis. We will touch on some of the challenges with cannabis research as well as those associated with current cannabis regulation.
“The instructors are experts who truly care about teaching.”
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
93
Nature, Science & Technology OSHR 1019 OLLI Experience
Monday
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Exploring the Wonders of Gateway Natural Area: A Nature Hike Adventure Date: 4/27+ | Instructor: Susan Atkinson | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall + Natural Area | Class Size: 15 | Cost: $55
Join us for an immersive 3-hour hiking experience at the confluence of the Cache la Poudre River and its North Fork tributary, bringing to life a rich natural and cultural landscape through the lens of flora, fauna, and geology. This field trip follows a 2-hour introduction to the native ecosystems, regional geology, cultural history, and water heritage of Gateway Natural Area. Led by interpretive naturalist and Road Scholar guide Susan Atkinson, you'll explore diverse plant species, observe wildlife in their habitats, and uncover the story of Precambrian bedrock shaped into dramatic bends and steep canyon walls by flowing waters and shifting floodplains. The 2.5-mile hike along natural-surface trails offers stunning views of unique geology, active beaver ponds, a nearby reservoir, and landscapes recovering from wildfire. This experience is designed for both nature lovers and curious explorers seeking to deepen their understanding of the relationships among water, land, and life in Northern CO. This class consists of two sections that will attend the lecture together but take separate hikes on different dates. Please register carefully. • 001 Hike to Gateway Natural Area on April 30 from 9 a.m. – noon • 002 Hike to Gateway Natural Area on May 1 from 9 a.m. – noon
OSHR 8102
Thursday & Friday
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Mindful Birding - Courtship and Mating
Date: 4/30-5/1 (consecutive days) | Instructor: Barbara Patterson Time: 1-3 p.m. | Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 20 | Cost: $20 Love is in the air, and what better way to deepen your connection with birds than through mindful birding? This practice blends bird observation with mindfulness, helping us slow down, heighten awareness, and letting birds be our guides. Rather than focusing on labeling or identifying species, mindful birding emphasizes noticing behaviors and the rhythms of the natural world. By using sit spots and tuning into bird language, you can witness the fascinating courtship and mating rituals of spring. This deeper connection with nature not only enriches our health and wellness but also inspires a stronger sense of stewardship and conservation.
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OLLI AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
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OSHR 8056 OLLI Experience
Monday
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Hiking the Geology of Colorado's Northern Front Range Foothills Date: 5/4+ | Instructor: Mike Kendrick | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall + Trails | Class Size: 15 | Cost: $65
Field observations are an excellent way to learn geology. This course will consist of an introductory classroom lecture followed by field sessions at Lory State Park and Red Mountain Open Space. At Lory State Park, we will examine Precambrian and Pennsylvanian/Permian rocks, while at Red Mountain, we will discuss the Mesozoic and Cenozoic rocks exposed at the northern end of the Open Space. (Both field sessions were last offered in Spring 2024.) In this course, we cover a broad range of topics, including paleogeography, environments of deposition, rock description/identification, mountain building, erosion and landscape development, resource use, and hazards. Note: This class has two sections that share the same initial lecture. The section you register for determines your hike date. Please pay close attention to which section you select. Hike dates cannot be changed or swapped between sections. Section 014 – Tuesday Hikes • Lory State Park: 8 a.m.-noon on May 5, 3.5 miles round-trip, 375 feet of ascent • Red Mountain Open Space: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on May 12, 5 miles round-trip, 650 feet of ascent Section 015 – Thursday Hikes • Lory State Park: 8 a.m.-noon on May 7, 3.5 miles round-trip, 375 feet of ascent • Red Mountain Open Space: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on May 14, 5 miles round-trip, 650 feet of ascent Note: Hiking in Northern Colorado can be strenuous. If you are new to the area, please keep this in mind.
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Nature, Science & Technology OSHR 3276 OLLI Talks
Tuesday
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Cybersecurity Basics
Date: 5/5 | Instructor: Steve Lovaas | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10 In the time it takes to read this, your password, account, or personal information may have already been stolen! Don’t panic! Come learn tips and tricks to help keep yourself and your data protected. In this session, you will learn about online safety basics, such as how to: • Stay safe when emailing and texting • Recognize and protect yourself from phishing • Manage your personal information and passwords • Take steps if you think you’ve been compromised
OSHR 3353 Hybrid
OLLI Talks
Wednesday
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Living with Wildfire: Working Together for Resilient Communities and Landscapes Date: 5/6 | Instructor: Janae Malpas | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall or Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
Wildfire is an inevitable part of life in the West—but how we prepare and respond can make all the difference. This session explores practical steps homeowners can take to reduce risk through home hardening, defensible space, and thoughtful landscaping. These practices reflect a broader perspective of wildfire mitigation—caring for our homes and communities as part of a larger, interconnected landscape. Participants will learn how individual choices contribute to community safety and ecological resilience, helping both people and places adapt to changing landscapes. Note: This class has two sections. The section you register for determines whether you will attend your class online or at Drake Hall. Please pay close attention to which section you select.
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OLLI AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
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OSHR 1021 Offsite OLLI Experience Friday or Monday
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Wildflowers, Nature, and History of Pineridge Natural Area
Date: 5/8 or 5/11 | Instructor: Rob Pickett | Time: 9 a.m.-noon Location: Pineridge Natural Area | Class Size: 15 | Cost: $20 Springtime brings an abundance of wildflowers to our local foothills. Along with Coyote Ridge, Maxwell, and Reservoir Ridge Natural Areas, these wildlife communities host a total of 267 native wildlife and 396 native plant species, including rare plants and animals found nowhere else in Colorado. We’ll walk 3 miles along the Dixon Reservoir, including the Valley and Forest trails, exploring the rich environments that support nesting raptors, grassland and migratory birds, rare butterflies and other insects, small and large mammals, and a variety of reptiles and amphibians. Note: This class has two sections, and the section you register for determines your hike date. Please pay close attention to which section you select. Hike dates cannot be changed or swapped between sections. • Section 001 Hike to Pineridge Natural Area: May 8 • Section 002 Hike to Pineridge Natural Area: May 11
“I enjoy the intellectual stimulation and social interaction.”
REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Nature, Science & Technology OSHR 3313
OLLI Talks
Monday
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Cool Canopy: How Trees Keep Fort Collins Comfortable Date: 5/11 | Instructors: Shelley Crausbay, Freddie Haberecht Time: 1-3 p.m. | Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
The green tree canopy of Fort Collins stands out markedly against the surrounding Front Range landscapes. These trees bear witness to the sustained stewardship provided by residents for over 160 years, making our urban canopy a hallmark of the city. These trees offer numerous benefits that enhance urban environments. Trees clean the air, intercept and conserve water, provide food and habitat for wildlife, cool hot urban temperatures, and contribute to building climate resilience. This course will provide a brief review of the City's new Urban Forest Strategic Plan, an ambitious 20-year plan for managing our urban forest into the future and bringing the benefits of trees to people where they are needed most. It will then delve into the cooling effects of trees, exploring how they achieve this and how we can ensure effective cooling even as the climate continues to change. Participants will leave this course with a deeper understanding of how they can promote the cooling effects of trees in their own backyards.
OSHR 3359
Online
OLLI Talks
Thursday
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The Wildlife of Malaysian Borneo; Orangutans, Pygmy Elephants, and So Much More Date: 5/14 | Instructor: Lawrence Ramsey | Time: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Location: Online* | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
Borneo is the world's third-largest island, and, like its large tropical companions, New Guinea and Madagascar, it has an exceptionally rich flora and fauna, with a large fraction of its species found nowhere else. In this course, participants will photographically explore the marvelous variety of wildlife encountered during a visit to various lowland rainforest sites in Malaysia's Sarawak and Sabah states. These sites range from a small offshore island to the most pristine remaining virgin rainforest in Borneo. These forests are home to a diverse array of primates, other mammals, numerous colorful bird species, and reptiles. *This lecture is offered in collaboration with the OLLI at Pennsylvania State University
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OLLI Member Bonus Lectures OSHR 3349
OLLI Bonus
Monday
Register
Restoring Resilience: Collaborative Science for Colorado’s Post-Fire Forests
Date: 1/26 | Instructor: Camille Stevens-Rumann | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $0
OSHR 3354
OLLI Bonus
Friday
Register
Breaking the Cycle: How Communities Can Keep Families Together
Date: 2/6 | Instructors: Katie Borchert, Ann Marie Root Time: 10 a.m.-noon | Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $0
OSHR 3351
OLLI Bonus
Friday
Register
Resilience in Action: Inspiring Journeys of Osher Scholars at CSU Date: 2/13 | Instructor: Lisa Chandler | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $0
OSHR 3114 Hybrid
Medicare 101
OLLI Bonus
Thursday
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Date: 2/19 | Instructor: Alan Heileman | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall or Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $0
OSHR 3348
OLLI Bonus
Monday
Register
Community-Driven Resources for Real Air Quality Challenges
Date: 2/23 | Instructors: Emily Fischer, Milena Guajardo Time: 10 a.m.-noon | Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $0
OSHR 3347
OLLI Bonus
Thursday
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Winning Hearts & Minds: Vietnam (1954-1975) Date: 3/26 | Instructor: William Dewey | Time: 10 a.m.- noon Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $0
OSHR 3120 Hybrid
OLLI Bonus
Wednesday
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An Intro to Dementia Together and the SPECAL® Method Date: 5/13 | Instructor: Meaghan Williams | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall or Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $0
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Shared Interest Groups OLLI launched four Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) in the spring of 2024 to facilitate extended learning, connection, and community. OLLI SIGs are a great way to meet other lifelong learners who share similar passions. They are volunteer-led and meet at various times throughout the term. A small fee is required to join each SIG, which provides support for fresh coffee and use of the Community Room. SIGs cater to your intellectual curiosity and foster meaningful connections within our vibrant OLLI community. If you would like to start a new SIG, take advantage of our bulletin board in the Community Room to post information about your idea(s) or initiate conversations with your OLLI peers and leverage classroom interactions to connect with individuals with similar interests. Please Note: SIGs are member/volunteer-led, and SIG fees are nonrefundable and inclusive of the entire term. All SIGs meet in Drake Hall.
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Meditation Shared Interest Group (SIG)
Dates: Tuesdays, 1/27, 2/10, 2/24, 3/10, 3/24, 4/14, 4/28, 5/12 Time: 8:30-9:30 a.m. Location: Drake Hall OLLI Community Room | Cost: $10 OLLI members are invited to join this group, which will meditate together on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month in the OLLI Community Room. This group does not offer formal meditation instruction, but beginners are welcome. The group will begin with a short ten-minute sitting meditation, followed by gentle movement and conversation about meditation practice. The hour will close with a 20-minute sitting meditation.
“The instructors are passionate and make learning fun.”
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Current Affairs Shared Interest Group (SIG) Dates: Fridays, 1/30 - 5/15 | Time: 8:45-9:45 a.m. Location: Drake Hall | Cost: $10
The Current Affairs SIG is a great way to join a lively discussion of regional, national, and international events! This SIG meets to discuss pre-determined current affairs and issues. Diversity of viewpoints is welcome as members seek to learn insights and perspectives from one another. The Current Affairs SIG meets every Friday morning from 8:45-9:45 in a Drake Hall conference room.
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Artist Shared Interest Group (SIG)
Dates: Monday or Friday 2/6, 3/9, 4/10, 5/11 | Time: 9 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall OLLI Community Room | Cost: $10 The Artist SIG is an awesome way to meet new people, share common interests, learn from others, and have fun. This SIG is open to any form of artistic expression that is generally suitable for an indoor classroom setting. If the group desires, we can also schedule activities offsite, such as visiting museums, plein air sessions, etc. Typically, this SIG meets once per month for 2.5 to 3 hours in the OLLI Community Room. Each artist is responsible for bringing supplies, determining their projects, and cleaning up afterward. Our goals include:
• Create an encouraging, constructive, and safe environment for artistic expression
• Create a welcoming environment for new artists • Provide an incentive to keep creating • Build friendships based on shared interests • Provide a community to continue your artistic pursuits beyond the classroom
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Travel with OLLI at CSU After hosting two exceptional trips abroad in 2025 with EF Go Ahead Tours, OLLI invites members to participate in multiple exciting opportunities in 2026. In addition to land travel with a private OLLI bus guide in Portugal & Spain and Belize, we’ve also partnered with Go Next (an industry leader in alumni travel) to craft two options on Oceania Cruises. Join us as we extend learning and social connections beyond the classroom. Our trips will give members the chance to bring learning to life in places around the world. Travelers must be a current OLLI at CSU member at the time of travel, although prior term membership is encouraged to participate in associated social events, lectures, and other gatherings. More information about the trips and registration details can be found on the OLLI website at www.osher.colostate.edu/osher/travel.jsp.
Portugal and Spain with EF Go Ahead Tours April 26–May 6, 2026 Alaskan Cruise with Go Next July 28–August 6, 2026 Italy, Greece, and Croatia Cruise with Go Next October 13–23, 2026 Belize with EF Go Ahead Tours October 17–25, 2026
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One Read Courses OSHR 3349
OLLI Bonus
Monday
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Restoring Resilience: Collaborative Science for Colorado’s Post-Fire Forests
Date: 1/26 | Instructor: Camille Stevens-Rumann | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $0
OSHR 3348
OLLI Bonus
Monday
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Community-Driven Resources for Real Air Quality Challenges
Date: 2/23 | Instructors: Emily Fischer, Milena Guajardo Time: 10 a.m.-noon | Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $0
OSHR 8104 Thursday
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An Essential Ecological Process: Introduction to Wildland Fire Date: 2/26-3/5 | Instructor: Michael Czaja | Time: 1-3 p.m. Location: Drake Hall | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $20
OSHR 3346 Hybrid
OLLI Talks
Wednesday
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Battle Scars: Trends in Wildfire Size and Impact across Colorado Date: 3/25 | Instructor: Thomas Gifford | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall or Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
OSHR 3352
Offsite
Thursday
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Playing with {Wild}fire: Author Talk with Laura Pritchett Date: 4/16 | Instructor: Laura Pritchett | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: TMI | Class Size: 100 | Cost: $10
OSHR 3353 Hybrid
OLLI Talks
Wednesday
Register
Living with Wildfire: Working Together for Resilient Communities and Landscapes Date: 5/6 | Instructor: Janae Malpas | Time: 10 a.m.-noon Location: Drake Hall or Online | Class Size: 50 | Cost: $10
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Meet the Instructors *Jane Hillson Aiello is a lifelong poet, who taps into her intuition and surroundings for inspiration. Jane has been published in numerous anthologies and earned a white ribbon at the 2025 Colorado State Fair for a poem about our beautiful state. Jane has led both online and in-person workshops for various organizations, including Kavod on the Road, Senior Planet, and Poetry Society of Colorado. Her forte is geared toward poetry for non-poets, though writers of all levels enjoy her generative Play Shops. She has lived in Colorado on and off for more than 45 years. She recently settled in NoCo to be closer to family. Jane enjoys swimming, yoga, and thrifting. She loves being with her grandchildren but leaves plenty of time to explore and expand the craft of poetry by attending workshops, visiting museums, listening to music, reading, and daydreaming. Richard Alper practiced law for about forty years and is a graduate of Georgetown Law School. He has taught constitutional law at the undergraduate and graduate levels and practiced before all levels of federal courts in Washington, D.C. Susan Atkinson is an award-winning architect and former professor of Landscape Architecture at Colorado State University. Her architectural practice is at the intersection of sustainability, technology, and culture. Susan brings her expertise in culturally and environmentally responsive design to her undergraduate studies. As an avid trail runner and backcountry first responder, she has backpacked worldwide studying landscapes, culture, and design. She began leading nature tours to share her passion for the rocky trails of Colorado and Montana. Each summer, Susan is a glacier guide, conservation educator, and group leader with Road Scholar in Waterton Lakes and Glacier National Parks.
*Frank Baczek is a seasoned dancer with a passion that ignited in 2006, leading
him on an exhilarating journey from Ballroom to the energetic rhythms of Hustle. His dedication and talent have not only graced the dance floor but also the silver screen, where he has made memorable appearances in two distinct movie dance scenes. In addition to his cinematic pursuits, Frank has been an integral part of his local dance community, lighting up the streets with his moves in numerous flash mobs and performing with the Boulder Philharmonic.
*Cory Barker is an assistant teaching professor in the Donald P. Bellisario College
of Communications at Penn State, where he teaches courses on film and television. He was previously a tenured faculty member at Bradley University. His research focuses on the media industries’ new media experiments in production, distribution, and promotion. He is the author of the award-winning book Social TV: Multi-Screen Content and Ephemeral Culture.
*Buck Beasom teaches courses for OLLI chapters nationwide. He has a two-
track career that spans four decades in data management and application development, while also teaching courses in Business, Accounting, and Economics. He also spent 5 years teaching History at the Middle and High School levels. He holds a BS in Management Science, with additional majors in History and Economics, and an MBA in Accounting.
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See the course page on the website for full bios John Blair earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colorado State University and the Certified Financial Services Counselor designation from the ABA National Graduate Trust School, Northwestern University. A native Coloradoan, he managed trust departments for several Front Range banks in Denver, Colorado Springs, and northern Colorado. Over the past 40 years, his work has provided multiple opportunities to discuss estate planning with people in need of information and sound, common-sense advice.
*Katie Borchert is the Outreach Coordinator for Safe Families for Children
(SFFC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support and resources to families in crisis. In her role, she focuses on community engagement, coaching/ mentorship, partnership development, and volunteer coordination, helping strengthen families and prevent unnecessary separation. Katie holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in International Studies from Colorado State University. Prior to her work with SFFC, she spent eight years living in Uganda, where she founded and led a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women and promoting family stability. Through initiatives in education, small business development, and teaching tailoring skills, her organization helped women build sustainable livelihoods, keeping their families fed, educated, and united. Her personal journey of forming a family through international adoption has deepened her understanding of trauma, resilience, and the importance of strong family connections. These experiences continue to inspire her professional and personal commitment to keeping families together and ensuring children's safety.
Nancy Buck is fresh, funny, and unafraid to tackle the tough mental health topics we all face in lively classes that learners relate to and remember. Dr. Buck earned her Ph.D. in developmental psychology, with an emphasis on Choice Theory and its applications in psychology. She is one of the world's leading experts in internal control psychology and has taught thousands of people worldwide. She is a nurse, educator, and author. Her goal? To teach the world how to take charge of their life and improve their mental health. Chef Larry P. Canepa is a certified culinary educator and Le Cordon Bleu chef, author, researcher, food historian, and lecturer on culinary topics. Chef Larry has a dynamic, innovative, and engaging style that incorporates food history, culinary arts, education, and ‘food-tainment’ into every class and event. David Caputo received his PhD from Yale University and has academic appointments at Purdue, Hunter College, and Pace University. Electoral politics is his major field. He has taught regularly at CSU’s Osher Institute. Brian Carroll retired from the FBI in 1996 and has lived in Fort Collins since. He has developed a keen interest in Fort Collins History and, as such, is referred to as a "History Keeper." In retirement, he helped establish the Security Management Program at the University of Denver, while continuing to work with the FBI in instructing foreign police officials in managing terrorist investigations.
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Meet the Instructors *Lisa Chandler is the Associate Director at the Adult Learner & Veteran Services
(ALVS) Office at CSU.. She has a MSW and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Before joining in 2015, she worked for many years with families and children impacted by sexual assault and domestic violence. She has two children, both in high school, and is a military spouse to a retired Marine. In her current role, she has helped transform ALVS into one of the top military-friendly programs in the nation by helping to establish a variety of transitional programs, such as an ALVS-specific orientation, a summer bridge program, community meet-ups, and Ram Welcome programming. She assisted in developing programming that included a peer advisor program, a tutoring program, and comprehensive student-parent programming, to name a few. Dr. Marlin R. Clark is an educator and public speaker specializing in interpersonal communication. He is the former Associate Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students at Salt Lake Community College, as well as an instructor at Utah Valley University and Salt Lake Community College. He has extensive life experience from his life as a career Air Force member and from his time at Gonzaga University. Marlin lives in Greeley, Colorado, with his wife.
*Glenna Cofer Brissey holds a BS in Earth Science and Meteorology and a
secondary teaching certificate. She taught science, worked in geology and chemistry labs, and now teaches Intermediate Genealogy. She presents on Norwegian ancestry and volunteers at Old Town Library assisting with research. Glenna is active in multiple LCGS interest groups and serves as Board Secretary. Kevin Cook began watching birds as a child, first sick with measles and then later with polio. He pursued that interest with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in wildlife biology. He began writing a question-and-answer column and feature stories for Bird Watcher’s Digest in 1991 and continued through 2014. For 35 years he guided birding tours on his own, with tour companies, and with Road Scholars. He taught various wildlife seminars for the Rocky Mountain Conservancy at Rocky Mountain National Park for 26 years and has been teaching bird identification classes independently since the 1980s.
Dr. William C. Cornell (Bill) is a retired paleontology professor (UTEP) with a fascination for fossil hominids, microfossils, dinosaur tracks, and mass extinctions. He holds BS and MS degrees from URI and a PhD from UCLA. He taught in UTEP's Lifelong Learning Center before joining the CSU OLLI "faculty" in 2012. He served on the OLLI Advisory Council and volunteered in the Fort Collins Natural Areas as a Master Naturalist. Dr. Whitney Cranshaw is an Emeritus Professor of Entomology at CSU, where he has worked since 1983. During this time, he has conducted a wide-ranging Extension/Research/Teaching program with the primary focus on improving understanding and effective management of insects affecting horticultural crops (vegetables/fruits, flowers, trees/shrubs, turfgrass, hemp). This work included the first descriptions of the arthropods associated with hemp in North America and the identification of management strategies for those species that were damaging to the crop. Although retired from CSU in July 2020, he has not retired from “bugs” and continues to write, speak with diverse audiences, support websites and listserv discussion groups, and conduct research on projects of interest.
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See the course page on the website for full bios
*Dr. Shelley Crausbay is the Senior Urban Forestry Planner for the City of Fort
Collins. She is an experienced forest ecologist with a long history of advancing our understanding of climate impacts on forests and promoting climate-resilient and equitable land management and planning. Her areas of expertise include the impacts of drought on forests, the likelihood of ecological transformation due to climate change, and conceptual frameworks to support planning processes. She has experience as a Senior Scientist at a non-profit focused on innovative conservation science, and Shelley served as a climate adaptation specialist with the United States Forest Service's Office of Sustainability and Climate until July 2025. Shelley has a background in planning, plant community ecology, paleoecology, and climatology, holding a PhD in Botany from the University of Wisconsin, an MS in Plant Biology from the University of Minnesota, and a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from Texas A&M University.
*Michael R. Czaja, PhD, is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army with an
interest in natural resource management. His professional experience includes classroom and web-based instruction, humanitarian assistance/disaster response, law enforcement, and emergency/wildland fire management. Following his retirement from military service, Mike completed a Doctorate in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources at Colorado State University in 2012. From 2009 to 2018, he served as a volunteer wildland firefighter (FFT2) and public information officer trainee with the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, as well as a US Forest Service fire prevention volunteer. Mike completed a 2022 Fulbright Specialist project in Portugal, working with the Agency for Integrated Rural Fire Management during implementation of the country’s national fire management plan. In 2025, he earned his certification in Community Wildfire Mitigation Best Practices. Mike received the US Department of State’s Meritorious Honor Award for outstanding support to the US Humanitarian Mine Action Program.
Jerry Dauth was an international financial manager for projects worldwide. Frits Dautzenberg, PhD, is an expert in applied catalysis and process development. He received his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the Technical University of Eindhoven (Netherlands). Commencing his industrial career at Shell's R&D labs in Amsterdam, Dr. Dautzenberg subsequently worked at Shell’s refinery operations in France and its tar sand operations in Canada. Later, he became VP of Engineering at Catalytica Inc., a company developing catalyst technologies for clean chemical production processes, and then VP of Technology Development at ABB Lummus Global. Dautzenberg has taught a range of industrial-related courses on conceptual process design as an adjunct professor, published many scientific articles, and holds approximately 20 patents. Dr. Dautzenberg has collaborated with various companies worldwide, providing consulting and teaching services. He can be reached at fritsdautzenberg@gmail.com.
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Meet the Instructors Jared Day received his Ph.D. in Social History at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh in 1994 and taught in CMU’s History Department for 17 years. He taught classes on US, European, and World History topics as well as on a range of public policy issues, including environmental, public works, and education policy. He is the author of Urban Castles: Tenement Housing and Landlord Activism in New York City, 1890-1943, published in 1999. He is also co-author (with Joe Trotter) of Race and Renaissance: African Americans in Pittsburgh Since World War II, published in 2010. In addition, he has authored numerous articles on urban, environmental, and public policy history issues. He lives in Windham, CT.
*Caroline Denison is a certified yoga instructor specializing in adaptive and
private yoga for adults of all ages. She has guided group and individual yoga sessions that emphasize alignment, mindfulness, and accessibility. Caroline brings a warm, engaging teaching style that encourages students to listen to their bodies and explore yoga as a personal journey of growth and wellbeing.
*Bryan Dennis earned a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of California,
Los Angeles, with a specialization in the ethnohistory and sociopolitical organization of New World cultures. His primary interests now are ancient, medieval, and Renaissance literature, as well as natural philosophy. Bryan is a retired business and strategy consultant for nonprofits and small businesses.
*William Dewey is a highly decorated former naval officer who spent most of
his active duty in the Vietnam theatre, including an in-country tour in Vietnam (1969-70). Following his service in the Navy, Dewey embarked on a 40-year career in international banking, management consulting, and finance. He lived in eight countries during his career. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (BA) and The Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy, Tufts University (MA). Brian Dunbar is Executive Director of the Institute for the Built Environment (IBE) and Professor Emeritus at Colorado State University, where he has taught courses in Interior Architecture, Construction Management, and Sustainability. Brian holds degrees in architecture from the University of Michigan and is a WELL + LEED Accredited Professional. Brian helped create the Lifelong Homes & Communities program, established to guide developers, designers, builders, and homeowners in creating places that support healthy, active lives. Through IBE, Brian has guided project work for the National Park Service, American Institute of Architects (AIA), cities, universities, housing authorities, and school districts. Brian’s healthy, sustainable building teaching and research has been honored by AIA, the Colorado Governor, communities, businesses, and universities. The U.S. Green Building Council recognized Brian with one of its first LEED Fellow distinctions (2012) and its National Leadership Award (2022).
Glenna Dunnington, RN, BSN, discovered watercolor in 2021 after a badly broken foot left her immobilized during the pandemic. A lifelong woodworker, she sought a less physical creative outlet and quickly became captivated by watercolor– first on YouTube, then in Zoom courses, and later with guidance from a local artist. Since 2024, Glenna has been teaching watercolor in Fort Collins and Timnath. Although her formal education is in science and medicine, she turns to the arts to find balance, whether quilting, embroidery, woodworking, or now painting. Glenna built a following of loyal watercolor students who appreciate her enthusiastic, encouraging teaching style, which brings out their best.
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See the course page on the website for full bios Dr. Margaret Eagan a board-certified endocrinologist and lifestyle medicine practitioner with over 30 years of experience, has a passion for teaching and building relationships. She has a talent for putting people at ease by creating an environment that feels as if you are talking to your closest friend. She is excellent at translating complex medical jargon into everyday language and removing the embarrassment factor from bodily questions. No area is off limits!. She approaches life and medicine with a sense of humor. Prepare to laugh while learning and connecting. Rich Feller, Ph.D., L.P.C., JCTC seeks to connect his research on aging with his personal aging to develop Finishing Well Beyond 50 ideas. His CSU Professorship and University Distinguished Teaching Scholar designation were built from training with Carl Rogers, Albert Ellis, and Richard Bolles to develop graduate students versed in “life design” and defining careers as “navigating a lifetime of life role transitions”. Practical efforts focused on co-authoring the Career Decision Making System (20M users), Co-founding Onelifetools.com (users in 19 countries and 3000 organizations), early YouScience.com consultant/ shareholder (9M users of aptitude assessment), and Executive Director of CareerDevelopmentNetwork.org (4000+ certified career coaches worldwide). A consultant in 46 countries and 50 States, he now learns from teaching at Modern Elder Academy and from aging “pioneers” seeking to live with more grace, dignity, and mischief in a world that needs our best. His greatest joy is being married to Barb for over 38 years, being Dad to Chris and Taylor, and being a grandfather to Riley, who brings great joy.
*Emily Fischer, Ph.D., is a Monfort Professor in the Department of Atmospheric
Science at Colorado State University. She is also an affiliate faculty member of the CSU School of Global Environmental Sustainability. Dr. Fischer’s team works to better understand the composition of the troposphere, and her recent work has focused on the intersection of air quality with wildfires, oil and gas extraction, and industrial agriculture. She is a fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), has served as an AGU Distinguished Lecturer, has been named one of the 10 Scientists to Watch by Science News, and has been recognized for her efforts in mentoring, inclusive excellence, and science communication. Dr. Fischer earned her PhD from the University of Washington.
*Mike Forney has been an active volunteer, small business counselor, and
instructor for 20 years, currently with the Larimer County Small Business Development Center (SBDC). He retired as president and CEO of PW Funding, a national commercial and multi-family mortgage banking company in New York City, in 2000. Earlier, he worked in advertising, public relations, and public affairs for AT&T. He has served as president of the Routt County United Way, chaired the Yampa Valley Airport Commission, and was Rotary District Governor for Northern Colorado, Wyoming, Western Idaho, and Eastern Nebraska from 2012 to 2013. Before leaving general aviation in 2014, Mike flew more than 50 volunteer missions for Angel Flight across the U.S. A longtime children’s storyteller, he visits fourth and fifth-grade classes monthly in the Poudre and Big Thompson School Districts. He and his wife, Janet, also deliver Meals on Wheels on a weekly basis. They moved from Steamboat Springs to Old Town Fort Collins in 2017.
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Meet the Instructors Dr. Ed Friedman holds a Ph.D. in physics and is an active lecturer on topics in physics and cosmology. He worked in for-profit and non-profit science organizations that focused on astrophysics and space science, consulted with NASA and the National Academy of Sciences, and authored four books on optical engineering, as well as 79 professional journal articles. He successfully guided the work of two PhD candidates in aerospace engineering. He lectures on science to adult education students at two universities, on cruise ships, and to community groups. He is a regular lecturer in advanced math and physics topics at a local high school.
*Thomas Gifford is a fifth-year PhD candidate in economics at CSU. He has been studying economics for almost a decade, first receiving a BA in economics from Colorado College in 2018, followed by a master's degree from the University of Denver in 2021. In addition to teaching at CSU, he also works for the Center for the New Energy Economy, supporting their efforts to provide policymakers with information on transitioning to clean energy sources in an economically responsible and bipartisan manner. Thomas's research interests include environmental economics and behavioral economics, with a particular focus on their intersection. He is currently working on projects that evaluate the economic impact of wildfires, and the welfare impacts of mitigation strategies, as well as research examining the relationship between electric vehicles and public charging infrastructure.
Jennifer Gimbel is the senior water policy scholar for the Colorado Water Center, based at Colorado State University. In this position, she teaches graduate and undergraduate students interested in water policy issues and develops published articles on the Colorado River and water issues facing Colorado. She served as the principal deputy assistant secretary for water and science in the Department of the Interior. She served as the Deputy Commissioner for External and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Bureau of Reclamation. From 2008 to 2013, Gimbel served as the director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board, a division within the Department of Natural Resources that focuses on protecting and developing the state’s water resources. As a water lawyer, she worked for the Attorney General’s Offices in Wyoming and Colorado. Alyssa Golinvaux has dedicated her life to helping others. Her highest hope is for others to live their ideal life. In her roles as a massage therapist, registered nurse, yoga teacher, and KonMari® consultant, she has worked to guide others towards their goals physically, mentally, and sometimes, even spiritually. A Wyoming native, she loves Colorado for its incredible diversity and beauty, both in its people and nature. She currently works as a registered nurse with clients through her certified KonMari® consultant business. She has earned an Associate of Applied Science in Massage Therapy, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher Certificate, KonMari® certification, and is currently on track for a Forest Therapy Guide certification. Dale Mary Grenfell is a writer and professional storyteller who has had careers in education, textbook publishing, community theater, and non-profit. She holds a B.A. from Regis University and has served as a guest speaker at conferences and on radio shows, discussing the principles of restorative justice and the power of storytelling.
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See the course page on the website for full bios
Steve Griggs is a Denver-based watercolor artist with a signature membership in the Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Society and the Colorado Watercolor Society. He is a member of the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, and American Impressionists Society. Steve frequently displays and sells work in local, state, regional, and national exhibitions and galleries. He consistently wins awards in national and regional exhibits and has collections worldwide. His work has been featured in publications such as Southwest Art, Watercolor Artist, and The Artist magazines. Steve is a sought-after workshop instructor with students from around the globe.
*Milena Guajardo, MPH, is the Interdisciplinary Project and Outreach Coordinator at CSU’s Department of Atmospheric Science. She combines her background in epidemiology with a passion for community collaboration to improve understanding of air quality and the impacts of wildfire smoke. Milena believes that authentic relationships are key to addressing public health issues in meaningful and lasting ways.
*Freddie Haberecht is an urban forester and certified arborist working for the
City of Fort Collins, enhancing the quality of life in urban spaces. A graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Freddie combines an academic background focused on urban ecology with a deep-rooted passion for trees.
*Ali Hayes is the co-founder of Dwellable, a home design firm redefining what
accessible living looks like. Dwellable specializes in creating modern, inclusive spaces that support well-being, independence, and beauty for people aging in place, living with disabilities, or planning for evolving family needs. Ali brings two decades of leadership in healthcare and tech, shaped by her lived experience as a parent navigating housing inaccessibility with her son, who has cerebral palsy. She believes that if a home is going to be built at all, it should be built for everybody. Through Dwellable, she delivers practical solutions to accessibility challenges, always with an emphasis on design that feels as good as it functions. Ali serves on the advisory board of CSU’s Institute for the Built Environment. Karen Heckman, M.Ed., has been involved in adult education for many years and has enjoyed facilitating many Great Decisions discussions.
*Alan Heileman is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Coordinator for Northern CO. Alan has been active in the senior industry for more than 20 years. He is the former President of the Elder Care Network, a facilitator of an Alzheimer’s support group, and the Chairman of the Board for the Partnership for Age-Friendly Communities. He has worked for home care agencies as well as assisted living communities. In addition to being the SHIP Coordinator, Alan is with UC Health/Aspen Club serving as their Community Health Coordinator.
Chris Hensey has offered classes at Miami University and CSU since 2003. He owned and operated Main Street Gourmet, a wine shop in Oxford, Ohio, for 20 years. He passed the Introductory Exam for the Court of Master Sommeliers and serves as a judge for the Cincinnati International Wine Festival. Chris has consulted on wine lists for a dozen restaurants and is the lead sommelier for Chimney Park Restaurant in Windsor. He has been a passionate wine professional for more than 35 years.
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Meet the Instructors Stuart L. Hirai is a Sansei (3rd generation Japanese American) who grew up in the rural area of eastern Oregon, near Nyssa, where the Hirai family was one of 350 families in the first War Relocation Authority (WRA) labor camp featured in Uprooted: “The Camp Without a Fence.” Within the extended Hirai Family, relatives were incarcerated at Amache (Granada, CO), Gila River (AZ), Heart Mountain (WY), Manzanar (CA), Minidoka (ID), and Tule Lake (CA) concentration camps including Department of Justice internment camps at Fort Lincoln (near Bismarck, ND) and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Stu serves on the Board of Governors of the “Go For Broke National Education Center” and has made numerous presentations about the Nisei Soldiers who served in the Pacific and Europe during World War II at military history seminars and at embassies. Stu is married, lives with his wife, Jolynn, and three very spoiled dogs in South Fort Collins. Bob Hoffert is a Dean and Professor Emeritus at Colorado State University. As a political theorist, his teaching and scholarly specializations have been the evolution of Anglo-American Liberalism and the American political founding. Teaching enriches his public life; his family enriches his private life. Sara Hoffman has taught literature and writing for 40 years at CSU, OLLI, and elsewhere. She has a bachelor's and a master's degree in journalism. She is a passionate reader of books, especially historical fiction. The books she's teaching this term are among her favorites, as is the painter Johannes Vermeer. She tries to teach with humor and lots of participant discussion. Anette Isaacs, German-born and raised, is a Historian and Public Educator who has been presenting hundreds of programs on more than 50 different topics (all pertaining to her native country's history, politics, and culture) all over the United States. She holds master’s degrees in American studies, Political Science, and History and is currently serving as the Director of OLLI at FIU in Miami, FL. Kenneth Jessen started teaching OSHER classes in 2014 and has, over the years, authored 23 books, plus over 2,300 articles for local newspapers and magazines. His lectures are in demand, including the Fort Collins Senior Center, Chilson Center, Berthoud Community Center, and assisted living facilities. Jessen also heads up tours and worked for many years as an advisor for Channel 4 CBS. Kenneth Jessen holds a BSEE and an MBA, as well as postgraduate work in telecommunications technology. Rabbi Hillel Katzir has been teaching at OLLI-CSU for over ten years, offering courses on Judaism, the Bible, World Religions, and Religions in America. His passions are introducing participants to aspects of these topics with which they may not be familiar and increasing understanding across perceived lines of difference. Mike Kendrick worked as a professional oil & gas geoscientist for 33 years and retired to Fort Collins, Colorado, in 2018. Mike loves teaching geology in the field, where he has led hikes for various organizations, including the Geologic Society of America, the Northern Colorado Geologists, the Colorado Mountain Club, the Loveland Mountain Club, the Colorado State University Geology Club, and the Fort Collins Natural Areas department. In September 2022, he published a geologic guidebook titled Our Geologic Heritage in Colorado's Northern Front Range Foothills—A Guide to Larimer County Natural Areas. Since 2024, he has led the informal group Northern Colorado Geologists.
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See the course page on the website for full bios
Wes Kenney is currently in his 23rd season as Music Director of the Fort Collins (Colorado) Symphony. In May 2023, he retired after 20 years as Director of Orchestras and chair of conducting studies at Colorado State University. The previous year, he was named a University Distinguished Professor, the highest honor the university can award, and he has also been given the title of Professor Emeritus. His awards include the 2007 Grand Prize Winner of the Varna (Bulgaria) International Conducting Competition, a 2020 Honored Artist from the American Prize, a winner of the American Prize for programming in 2020, a winner of the Ernst Bacon Memorial Prize for excellence in performance of American Music, and the 2020 American Prize Winner for best orchestral performance in the Professional Orchestra Division. He was previously the Associate Conductor of the Virginia Symphony and has guest conducted around the world, including the Buffalo Philharmonic, Lviv Philharmonic (Ukraine), Alabama Symphony, Vidin Philharmonic (Bulgaria), Vietnam National Orchestra, and the Changwon Philharmonic.
*Chad Kinney is the Director of the Institute of Cannabis Research (ICR) hosted
on the Colorado State University Pueblo campus. The mission of the Institute is to engage in and disseminate the results of cannabis research. Prior to assuming this role, Dr. Kinney served as Chair of the Chemistry Department. His term as Director of the ICR was interrupted for one year when he served as the interim Provost. Dr. Kinney earned his bachelor’s degree in environmental chemistry from the University of California, San Diego, his Doctorate in Applied Chemistry from Colorado School of Mines, and completed a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship at the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Water Quality Laboratory. Research in the Kinney lab focuses on novel extraction methods and in-extraction transformation of phytochemicals, as well as the analysis of cannabinoids, and the presence, fate, and effects of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the environment.
*Kailey Kinney is a graduating senior majoring in psychology and sociology at CSU. She has been a student worker at OLLI since March 2023 and has worked as an intern at the Larimer County Sheriff's Office since May 2024. Kailey plans to earn a master's degree in social work and pursue a career as a co-responder. She looks forward to continuing her work with OLLI and teaching our incredible members.
Denise Koenigs is a retired interior designer with 32 years in the business. She has owned her own firm and worked for several design firms. She has in-depth experience in new construction, extensive remodeling, as well as furnishings and consultation. Denise is an avid walker and enjoys yoga, reading, puzzles, and giving dinner parties. She has two sons who live in the area Sarah Kozloff received her Ph.D. from Stanford University and her B.A. from Dartmouth College. For over thirty years, she taught film history at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY, where she was awarded an endowed chair. She specialized in American film, especially classic Hollywood. Her publications include five academic books and numerous chapters and articles. Her publications—scholarly and imaginative—are listed at sarahkozloff.com. Although she lived on the East Coast for 45 years, upon retirement, she moved home to Colorado. Finding that she missed teaching, she has previously taught five classes to lifetime learners, glorying in adults’ rich viewing histories.
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Meet the Instructors Bob Larson has 25+ years in genealogy, serving as instructor, education chair, and past president of his local society. He’s also a state-level leader, speaker, and video producer. Bob authored The Coffin Pierson Legacy and holds degrees in engineering, marketing, and an Executive MBA, as well as extensive training from Motorola University. Dr. Robert Lawrence was born in Fargo, raised in Tucson, and settled in Fort Collins, splitting the difference. He recently retired from a 45-year psychiatric practice and discovered that writing and teaching are the most enjoyable activities he has ever experienced. Chloé Leisure is a poet and a community creative writing teacher in Fort Collins, Colorado. She was born and raised in Marquette, Michigan. She earned her MA in Creative Writing at Northern Arizona University and her MFA in Poetry at Colorado State University. She has taught writing and literature at NAU, CSU, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, and in elementary schools’ enrichment programs. She was the co-editor of CREATE! magazine at Shepardson Elementary and the multi-genre online journal Fiction Mingle. Leisure is the author of the chapbook, The End of the World Again, a semi-finalist in the Codhill Poetry Chapbook Contest, and a finalist in the CutBank Chapbook Contest. She was the 2014 Fort Collins Poet Laureate. Her poetry has appeared in numerous publications, including the Blue Mountain Review, the Colorado Review, Matter, the Night Heron Barks, PANK, and Ross Gay & Shayla Lawson’s The Tenderness Project.
*Steve Lovaas began using computers in the 1980s. However, he didn't transition
from singing opera to securing IT until he returned home to Colorado in the 1990s. Steve was a student in the inaugural classes of one of the first security Master's programs (Norwich University), and the first PhD cohort in Public Communication & Technology (CSU). Along the way, his studies in music, philosophy, languages, marine science, chemistry, and computer networking reflected his curiosity and love of learning, which he continues to exercise as CSU’s Chief Information Security Officer. Steve's publications and presentations have taken him across oceans and national borders, but he is most fascinated by the borders we continue to erect, trying to feel safe. He hopes that a deep and mindful attention to security and privacy as we continue to innovate will help us remember why we build these borders... and what they're not good for.
Ann Lowry, Ph.D., is the author of the award-winning novel The Blue Trunk. Her debut novel was inspired by the discovery of a family heirloom—a travel trunk from Norway. Ann’s writing dives deep into the complexities of relationships, conflict, and the human condition. Reviewers have noted that she provides sharp social commentary in her writing. She has made significant contributions to academic journals, authored insightful opinion pieces, and crafted content for various platforms, including Writer’s Digest, Women’s Writers/Women’s Fiction, and Girl Talk HQ. She has also appeared on several podcasts and been interviewed on television and radio, discussing genealogy research and the treatment of mentally ill patients in the early 1900s. When not writing, Ann enjoys a range of activities, hiking, skiing, swimming, golfing, and baking. She treasures moments with her therapy dog, Loki, and cherishes time with her family. She is always eager to explore new adventures in life and storytelling. Ann lives in Timnath, Colorado.
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See the course page on the website for full bios
*Janae Coston-Malpas is a Wildfire Mitigation Program Specialist at the
Colorado State Forest Service. She manages statewide programs for Community Wildfire Protection Plans, Firewise USA, Fire Adapted Communities, and statefunded wildfire grants. In addition to supervising regional Wildfire Resilience Coordinators, she also serves on statewide working groups and committees, contributing technical guidance and science-based wildfire risk reduction strategies for regional and statewide publications and projects. She also develops fire adaptation and resiliency components of statewide agency programs. Janae has a bachelor's degree in environmental biology from Northern Arizona University and a master's degree in conservation management and human dimensions of natural resources from CSU.
Carol Marander is an artist living and working in Fort Collins, Colorado. She graduated with honors from Colorado State University, where she majored in sculpture and painting. She worked as a graphic designer for many years at Colorado State University while pursuing her fine art. Carol’s paintings have been in numerous juried exhibitions locally and nationally. She is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America and the Colorado Watercolor Society. Carol is excited about sharing her love of drawing with her students. Madeline Marchell is an Integrative Medicine Practitioner, Qi Gong Therapist, and Naturalist. She provides healing walkabouts in Fort Collins and sessions at the Sylvan Dale Ranch. Her website is: www.rockymountainshaman.com. Her blog page offers many healing techniques for your wellness.
*David Martino has a Ph.D. in clinical-developmental psychology and has worked as a clinical psychologist, teacher, husband, and dad (the last two roles being by far the most challenging and rewarding). He has been an invited pundit and guest expert in newspapers, on radio, and on television. He has published children’s books, song lyrics, and an article in the sadly defunct Journal of Polymorphous Perversity. Two of his original full-length plays and some of his shorter theater pieces have been produced and performed in regional theaters. For over twenty years, he has written sketch comedy and monologues for an ongoing live variety show, which he describes as, “Like SNL, but funnier.” Currently, he’s working on writing his own obituary. If you see him on the bike trails of Fort Collins, CO (his natural habitat), offer him some water and a snack. Erin Maruzzella grew up in Iowa and has moved often throughout her career as a healthcare worker and business leader at the intersection of community health and technology. Her expertise includes government policy, academic research, nonprofit operations, and innovative industry collaboration for social impact. Now serving as Director of Business Development at Nocti Business Solutions, Erin is leveraging her expertise to advance workforce development through innovative industry-aligned credentialing programs. In her role, she supports efforts in pre-employment testing, technical skills assessments, and competency-based credentialing, which are tailored to validate skills, bridge training gaps, and prepare a diverse and competent workforce –including older adults. Erin serves as a Commissioner on the Colorado Commission on Aging and advises the Institute for the Built Environment at Colorado State University. She lives in Fort Collins, CO, with her partner Jake and their disinterested cat, Martini.
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Meet the Instructors Joannah Merriman, M.A., is a writer, community educator, and retired psychotherapist. Her lifelong fascination with books, music, and film continues to feed her curiosity for adventures with words, sounds, and images. She has been an Osher/OLLI instructor, teaching writing workshops and film exploration for over 20 years. Travel, extensive reading, and attendance at occasional film festivals enhance her ability to facilitate both reflective writing and film discussion courses. When she is not traveling, she lives quietly in Fort Collins with her partner, Neil Petrie, a rescue English Cream Golden Retriever named Rio, and two cats, Sappho and Keaton the kitten. Timmilyn Moller, M.A., is an educator, writer, and researcher. She has extensive experience teaching logic, existentialism, social contract theory, and the application of Normative Ethics in a variety of situations. She has experience as a social worker, a science teacher for grades 4–9 in Appalachia, an advocate for people with intellectual and physical disabilities, and as a mother and partner. She currently teaches philosophy at Front Range Community College and at Southern New Hampshire University. Timmilyn lives in Greeley, CO, with her husband and enjoys being with her eight grandchildren and six children. Michael Morrison was the David Ross Boyd Professor of Physics and General Education at the University of Oklahoma (OU) until he retired in 2010. There, he carried out and directed physics research and indulged in his first love: teaching. During his 40 years in the Physics Department, in addition to teaching obligatory physics classes, he taught courses on literature and film, created a workshop on writing for scientists and engineers, and developed a multi-course curriculum on Science in Contemporary Culture, for which he was awarded the 1997 Medal for Excellence in Teaching. After retirement, he abandoned physics to concentrate on his passions: cinema, literature, writing, and film music. In addition to two physics texts, he has written countless book reviews, many essays, and two books on the literature of the fantastic, the topic of a series of courses he offered in the OU OLLI program. Finally able to live somewhere he wanted to, he moved in 2017 to Fort Collins, where he resides with his husband Gordon and Tina, the world’s most adorable cat.
*Cherie Nelson Senie is a writer, editor, and educator from Kansas. She earned
her MA in Literature and MFA in Creative Writing from Colorado State University, where she taught in the English Department for six years. She served as the editor of the literary magazine Ruminate, and her essays have been selected as a finalist for Best of the Net 2020, a winner of Prairie Schooner's Glenna Luschei award, and second place in The Florida Review's Editor Awards. Her debut essay collection, God Stars, is forthcoming from Orison Books. As a teacher, she has taught writing and literature to a diverse range of students, from pre-K through adult learners. She currently works as the librarian and Gifted and Talented teacher at Beattie Elementary School, where she created and manages the student-run literary journal, Beattie Uncovered.
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* = New to OLLI for Spring 2026
See the course page on the website for full bios Terry Nolan has been teaching ESSENTRICS® since 2013. Impressed by its intelligence and effectiveness, she completed the program's highest level of certification and then joined a team revising its training manuals. She currently participates in an advanced training program focused on the therapeutic benefits of music when combined with exercise, and on ways to optimize this approach during class. Her teaching style is both mindful and fun as she guides participants through a comprehensive rebalancing of their muscles and joints. She knows that OLLI members who do so much to keep their minds active will love this fitness program that so brilliantly does the same for their bodies.
*Kristy Nowak, MLIS, is a First-Year Experience and Student Success Librarian at
CSU. She focuses on lower-level research classes, including writing/composition. She typically teaches AI as it relates to information evaluation, often using AI evaluation strategies to support student development of critical information literacy skills. She also researches bias in information systems and has conducted research with undergraduate researchers to generate and analyze AI content for systemic bias. She has presented workshops and sessions on ethical issues relating to AI, bias in AI, and AI in evaluation and information systems.
Dr. Christine O’Brien is an Osteopathic physician passionate about complementary and integrated medicine, with many years of personal practice and medical training, including medical acupuncture, battlefield (ear) acupuncture, osteopathic manipulation, a variety of complex physical therapy treatments, yoga, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and HeartMath biofeedback. For 40 years, she has taught centering prayer and meditation practices to address the spiritual component of wellbeing. The last 15 years of work, prior to retirement, she cared for veterans at the VA with complex health issues, posttraumatic stress disorder, and complex trauma histories. She uses her "boots on the ground" experiences to teach wellness and self-care for wholeperson transformation. Alison O'Connor is the Colorado State University Extension horticulture specialist in Larimer County. She's been with Extension for over 20 years. Alison coordinates the Larimer County Master Gardener program and assists homeowners and industry with horticultural questions. Her three degrees in horticulture are all from land-grant universities. In her free time, she enjoys golfing, baking, and caring for her backyard chickens. Diane Odbert is a retired math, science, and literature middle school teacher. With over 22 years of experience at the whiteboard, as well as specific instruction in notetaking, Diane has inspired hundreds of students to bring time, energy, color, and lettering into their note-taking skills. Diane began this journey during her own middle school days, when her engineering father taught her block lettering. From there, she was the first girl to sign up for the drafting class in her middle school in 1973. Working in schools, someone once told her, "Let the computer do it." Diane has rebelled ever since and taken to pen and brush to express her own style on paper, poster board, walls, and letters. Devin Odell is a retired state district court judge with a deep interest in the role of the judiciary in a democracy. As a lawyer, he practiced before various state and federal courts and agencies. REGISTER ONLINE AT OSHER.COLOSTATE.EDU
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Meet the Instructors Dr. John Olienyk earned his Ph.D. in economics from Colorado State University and served for 37 years as a faculty member in the Department of Finance and Real Estate, focusing on financial markets and international finance. He has served as a consultant for multinational corporations and as an expert witness in cases involving financial matters. John taught finance and economics in MBA programs in France and Russia and in an undergraduate program in Vietnam. He also participated in a US government-sponsored faculty development program, serving as a trainer and mentor for young business and economics professors at universities primarily in Ukraine, as well as in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Russia, over a period of twelve years.
*Lenina Olivas, a dance enthusiast since 2014, has explored the graceful world
of Ballroom and the mesmerizing art of Belly Dance. She revels in the diversity of dance, constantly pushing the boundaries of her craft by experimenting with a wide array of dance patterns and styles. Lenina's versatility as a dancer is a testament to her commitment to the art form and her unwavering curiosity in exploring new dimensions of movement. She has also performed, as a dancer, with the Boulder Philharmonic. Sarah Olson has spent the past two decades studying and teaching American literature. Originally from the Midwest, Sarah holds a B.A. in English Literature from Northwestern University, an M.A. in English Literature from Middlebury’s Bread Loaf School of English, and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Colorado State University. She has taught literature and writing to students of all ages, from first graders to high school boarding students and college students at CSU. She loves to create a space where students can wonder, tinker, and think, regardless of their age, and runs writing workshops for children and adults. Currently at work on a novel, Sarah lives in Fort Collins with her husband and three young children.
Joseph Osmann, M.F.A., is a retired college professor and active painter who has taught studio art and art history for decades. He enjoys researching the hidden connections and concepts that drive cultural and artistic expression. Vincent Parker hails from the Los Angeles area, and he has always had a love for literature and writing. His degrees include an AA from Cypress College, a BA in literature with a minor in philosophy from Cal State Chico, an MA in American Literature from CSU Long Beach, and a teacher's credential from CSU Los Angeles. He taught high school English full-time for thirty-seven years, including stints in Los Angeles, CA; Paris, France; and Hollister, CA. He also taught college part-time for twenty-seven years, including stints in Orange, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara counties. His love for John Steinbeck really formed and grew when he lived in "Steinbeck Country" for nineteen years. He read and taught at the college level all twenty-eight of Steinbeck’s books, and each semester, he would give a tour of the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, of which he was a member for several years.
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See the course page on the website for full bios Dr. Barbara Patterson has over thirty years of experience teaching forestry, wildlife, and ornithology through the experiential field program at Front Range Community College. She is passionate about sharing mindful birding practices that weave together Western science, Eastern philosophy, and Indigenous knowledge. Active in the community, Barb offers programs that engage people from diverse backgrounds, including those facing physical and mental health challenges. She serves as an on-call instructor with the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies and as volunteer coordinator for the Northern Colorado Bird Alliance. She is also the author of Mindful Birding: A Journey. Veronica Patterson's poetry collections include How to Make a Terrarium (CSU Poetry Center, 1987); Swan, What Shores? (NYU Poetry Prize, 2000), Thresh & Hold (Gell Prize, 2009), & it had rained (CW Books, 2013), Sudden White Fan (Cherry Grove, 2018), and two chapbooks. Patterson graduated from Cornell University, the University of Michigan, UNC, and Warren Wilson (MFA Poetry). She was Loveland, Colorado’s first Poet Laureate, serving from 2019 through 2022. Her next book is scheduled for release in 2026 with Kelsay Books.
*Anne Perry is the co-founder of Dwellable, a home design firm redefining what
accessible living looks like. Dwellable specializes in creating modern, inclusive spaces that support well-being, independence, and beauty for people aging in place, living with disabilities, or planning for evolving family needs. Anne is a home designer, systems thinker, and entrepreneur with deep experience in design, marketing, and strategy. Through Dwellable, she delivers practical solutions to accessibility challenges, always with an emphasis on design that feels as good as it functions. Anne serves on the advisory board of CSU’s Institute for the Built Environment. Rob Pickett, after spending ten years writing Environmental Impact Statements for the EPA, spent twenty years as Supervisor of the gardeners and greenhouses at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. He has spent his adult life leading natural history hikes for various organizations in the Washington, D.C. area, including both the VA and MD Native Plant Societies, the Audubon Naturalist Society, and Shenandoah National Park. Having moved to Fort Collins in 2019, he currently leads hikes for the cities of Fort Collins and Loveland, and Larimer County, in addition to the Northern Chapter of the Native Plant Society.
*Laura Pritchett writes fiction that is rooted in the natural world—and celebrates
the people who live close to it. She’s the author of seven novels, two nonfiction books, and editor of three anthologies, and her work has been the recipient of the PEN USA Award, the Milkweed National Fiction Prize, the WILLA, the High Plains Book Award, and several Colorado Book Awards. She’s also a freelance writer with publications in the LA Times, The New York Times, Orion, Terrain, The Colorado Sun, Salon, Creative Nonfiction, and more. She holds a PhD from Purdue, and she directs the low-residency MFA in Nature Writing at Western Colorado University, one of the few graduate programs dedicated to writing about the natural world. She was born in Fort Collins! Learn more about Laura at www.laurapritchett.com
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Meet the Instructors Sally Purath earned a B.A. in Social Sciences and an M.Ed. at Colorado State University. She taught history, English, religion, and humanities to 12th graders for 26 years, specializing in the humanities of Europe, the USA, India, China, Japan, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. She also taught World, U.S., and Russian history and philosophy in the International Baccalaureate program. Sally has been teaching courses annually for OLLI since 2009 at Colorado State University, as well as on Zoom at California State University, Channel Islands, and Duke University. Patty Pyrz has been an artist since childhood and has over 25 years of teaching experience, working with students aged 6 to 80. She is a relative newcomer to Fort Collins and previously taught for OLLI through the University of Illinois. While there, she also taught art workshops/classes for the Springer Cultural Center, Parkland Community College, Clark Lindsey Retirement Community, and UIUC’s Campus Wellbeing Services. She is a current member of the CAEA (Colorado Art Education Association) and CBCA (Colorado Business Committee for the Arts). Ms. Pyrz holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology/Wellness from the University of Central Florida.
*Rachelle Ramer, MS, MLIS, is the Research & Scholarship Librarian for the
Sciences at CSU, who focuses on supporting graduate and upper-level undergraduate students, as well as all those engaged in research. Rachelle has presented multiple workshops on prompt engineering, both broad universitywide sessions for faculty and tailored sessions for specific groups. She has also incorporated AI literacy into information literacy one-shot sessions, emphasizing the strengths and weaknesses of technology, and has presented on topics such as AI and Scientific Writing.
Karen Ramsay, celebrated Colorado watercolor artist, devotes her time capturing the beautiful landscapes and urban scenes around her, along with teaching students the techniques and joys of her favorite medium. Karen is a graduate of the Colorado Institute of Art. From an early age, Karen enjoyed a love for drawing and painting. Encouragement to pursue this passion came from her parents and artists in her family. She has been featured in the Big Sky Journal as an "Artist of the West”. Other accolades include: •Paint The Poudre: People's Choice Award •Wild About Colorado: Best of Show •Colorado Watercolor Society: Member Show Award. Karen is very passionate about teaching and sharing her love for sketching and watercolor. Her classes and workshops are held locally, in the Rocky Mountain region, across the US, and internationally.
*Dr. Larry Ramsey is a professor emeritus of astronomy and astrophysics at
Penn State where he pursued research in solar-like activity on stars, stellar seismology, and astronomical instrumentation, authoring or co-authoring over 300 publications. He also served from 2003 to 2011 as head of the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Dr. Ramsey and his wife, Mary, both enjoy the outdoors and spend their leisure time bird-watching and engaging in nature travel. They have traveled extensively in Africa and South America since 1986.
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See the course page on the website for full bios Lynette Reiling has fourteen years of professional experience as a Volunteer Coordinator. Her last stop was Boomers Leading Change, where she recruited and managed adults, aged 50 and better, who wanted to continue using their skills and experience for social good. In addition, Reiling spent eight years as a Volunteer Coordinator for hospice. She is a certified life coach specializing in midlife transition. Lynette’s book Your Encore Life: Take Center Stage for Life’s Second Half includes a section on volunteering as part of a broader look at “work” for the next chapter. She believes that volunteering is a valuable career development opportunity. Personally, volunteering has been a lifelong commitment for Lynette, and it is part of her life's purpose. Kate Lyn Reiter is an MFA graduate of the YALE School of Drama. She has written and performed award-winning character comedy and stand-up comedy in the New York City area for several years and has been a comedy speaker at various health & wellness events. An Award-Winning Public Speaker, she brings a lighthearted touch to every class. She has taught English Composition & Literature and Theatre at Centenary College and Warren County Community College in New Jersey. She continues to deliver engaging keynotes to local groups on “Bringing Humor to Life” and teaches Comedy Workshops focused on “turning adversity into an asset.” In her spare time, you can catch her acting at Bas Bleu Theatre in Fort Collins or doing Agility Sports with her Golden Retriever, Poppins. (Allergy alert: the golden retriever, Poppins, attends classes.)
*Del Ritchhart began genealogy research in 1994 after careers in education and
the Navy. He has held leadership roles in the San Diego and Larimer County genealogy societies and has given over 140 presentations. He’s authored two genealogy books and helped organize the 2019 International German Genealogy Conference.
Katherine Robinson majored in psychology and anthropology at the University of Vermont. She also did graduate training in mental health counseling and is certified by the McLean Meditation Institute (AZ) and Yoga Body. She recently became a certified Brain Longevity Therapist through the Alzheimer's Research & Prevention Foundation. Her passions are teaching meditation, breathwork, and techniques to calm the body & grow new neurons in the brain. She loves to explore the healing vibrations of sound and motivates and inspires others to be the best they can be. Jack A. Rogers has worked in the performing arts for over 25 years. During that time, he has been an artist, an advocate, a tour manager, a festival producer, a venue director, and worn countless other hats. Jack received his BFA in Acting with a minor in dance and a concentration in music from Long Island University at CW Post, and multiple awards for his performance work both professionally and academically. He received his MPA in Nonprofit Management from Georgia State University. Jack’s interests include multi-disciplinary collaboration, event management, arts advocacy, and performing arts programming. Jack is a member of Actor’s Equity of America, Americans for the Arts, the International Association of Venue Managers, and the Western Arts Alliance. Jack served as the Executive Director of The Lincoln Center, a multi-venue events facility and Northern Colorado’s largest performing arts presenter for 12 years, and serves as associate faculty for the LEAP Institute for the Arts at Colorado State University.
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Meet the Instructors *Ann Marie Root brings more than three decades of experience in community
engagement, public speaking, and nonprofit leadership to her teaching. She currently serves with Safe Families for Children in church and community engagement, where she focuses on developing partnerships and initiatives that strengthen families and support child well-being. Root has held leadership roles within nonprofit organizations serving children and families, contributing to program expansion across multiple states and fostering collaborations between community partners and service providers. Her professional work emphasizes building sustainable networks of support for families facing crisis and promoting preventive approaches to child welfare. An adoptive parent and long-time advocate for family preservation, Root combines practical experience with a deep understanding of community systems and volunteer engagement. She is recognized for her ability to communicate complex social issues with clarity and to inspire civic participation.
Dr. Jim Rose is a retired architect, former professor, and college administrator. He taught courses in architectural engineering, architectural history, and architectural design. He also directed and taught in a graduate program in historic preservation, conducted research in architectural conservation, and completed a sabbatical in Rome as the US delegate to the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM). A second sabbatical was spent teaching a course on Italian Renaissance architecture at Loyola University Chicago Rome Center.
*Glenn Rosenblum is a busy celebrity talent broker, lecturer, vocalist, actor, and
musical mensch. He holds a B.A. degree in theatre from the School of Theatre, Film, and Television at UCLA and has attended the School of Dramatic Arts at USC and the New College at Hofstra University. BroadwayWorld.com called him the “New Prince of Los Angeles Cabaret” in his new one-man cabaret show, The Musical Man. He has been seen regionally on stage in musicals including Cabaret (Emcee), Guys and Dolls (Nathan Detroit), Man of La Mancha (Barber), and Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour). He also played himself in Annabelle Gurwitch’s hit comedy Fired!, recorded for National Public Radio at the Los Angeles Theatre Works. His off-Broadway credits include Lucky Lucy and the Fortune Man starring Blythe Danner, Little Mighty with Sam Harris, and Rise of David Levinksy featuring Larry Kert. Glenn’s television work includes episodic turns on the series Bones and Miami Vice. His passion and obsession of Broadway’s musical theatre has led him globe-trotting with Crystal Cruises as a guest lecturer. Nina Rubin is a retired Clinical Social Worker. She has been a Jewish educator for over 40 years, teaching nationally on topics such as Women's Torah, spiritual practice, and Jewish death practices for more than 30 years. Nina has lived in Fort Collins for 47 years, working in medical social work and interfaith initiatives. Tom Schlatter received his Ph.D. degree in meteorology from St. Louis University. He spent most of his career with NOAA, working to integrate weather observations from various sources (surface stations, ships, ocean buoys, upper-air balloons, aircraft, radars, and satellites) into computer prediction models. He wrote a question-and-answer column about weather and climate for Weatherwise magazine for 37 years and has been taking cloud photographs since his college days.
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See the course page on the website for full bios Sue Schneider, Ph.D., is a medical anthropologist, integrative health coach, and certified mindfulness instructor. She currently directs CSU Extension’s Health and Well-being Unit and supports community health initiatives across Colorado as an Extension Professor and State Health Specialist with CSU’s Office of Engagement and Extension Michael Seavey was born, raised, and educated in Portland, Maine. He received a BA in Political Science from the University of Southern Maine in 1977 and an MA in Public Affairs from the University of Minnesota in 1980. He entered studies for the Roman Catholic priesthood in 1980, received an MA in Divinity, and was ordained a priest in 1986. Since then, he has been assigned to various Catholic parishes in Maine until retiring this year. Beth Seymour joined Colorado State University's ACT Human Rights Film Festival as Managing Director in 2018. Beth brings extensive experience in nonprofit fundraising and event management. Beth formerly sat on the board of directors of the Rocky Mountain Women’s Film and chaired the board of Imagination Celebration, both located in Colorado Springs. Since 2020, she has served as a board member of the Human Rights Film Network, based in Amsterdam, and in 2025, she joined the board of the Film Festival Alliance. Beth has served as a festival jury member for Movies that Matter in The Hague, Netherlands, and for the Nepal Human Rights International Film Festival in Kathmandu, Nepal. Beth has a B.A. in Spanish from Whitman College and an M.A. in Latin American Studies from Tulane University. Bev Shaw grew up hating to weed her parents' garden but decided to major in horticulture at Purdue University. She worked in floral design, then in perennial design and production, and later became a city forester. Upon moving to Colorado in 2020, she began weeding wherever there was an opportunity, including the Gardens on Spring Creek, the CSU Trial gardens, the Fort Collins Xeriscape Garden, and she’s an Urban Forest Ambassador. She's been a Master Gardener for decades and works for Plant Select, where she shares her passion for waterwise plants. Tetiana Sherman is a professional chef from Ukraine who arrived in Colorado in June 2022. Formerly the owner of a successful culinary school in Kyiv, she brought her passion and expertise to Colorado, founding Culinary Discovery — where she teaches people to create simple, delicious, and nutritious meals in their own kitchens. Tetiana offers popular sourdough bread workshops and beer-pairing cooking classes that connect food, culture, and community. Her refugee story was featured on Colorado Public Radio, Voice of America, and the Coloradoan, and her traditional Ukrainian Varenyky recipe appeared in Cocina Libre: Immigrant Resistance Refugees. An active member of Ukrainians of Colorado and a speaker with the Colorado Refugee Speakers Bureau, Tetiana also supports numerous fundraising initiatives for Ukraine. She lives in Timnath, Colorado, with her family.
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Meet the Instructors Jay Sherwin has practiced law, given away money for five different charitable foundations, and served as a hospital chaplain. In 2019, he created the Life Reflections Project to educate people about legacy letters, ethical wills, and other legacy documents. Jay has extensive experience facilitating online adult learning programs, and he has offered this presentation for OLLI programs nationwide. Deb Singer has played guitar for over 60 years and taught for over 40 years. She loves working with beginner guitarists! A lifelong learner, Deb holds master’s degrees in Music Theory and Social Work, as well as bachelor's degrees in Comparative Religion, Dance, and French. Vicki Siska has devoted over four decades to serving members and friends across a variety of Christian and non-Christian faith communities. Her work has included teaching, administration, compassionate listening, and emotional support—especially for those experiencing grief. She has also played a meaningful role in planning and officiating numerous memorial services. In addition to her professional contributions, Vicki has personally borne witness to the deaths of many close, long-standing friends, including her parents, and her beloved husband of 39 years. Dr. Stephenie Slahor retired from teaching at university and law school and now creates informative and enjoyable OLLI courses for universities nationwide. Her primary topics are in natural sciences and history. Drew Sorrells is the owner and Interior Creative Director of Adue Interiors in Boulder, Colorado. A LEED Green Associate and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS), she brings over 40 years of experience in residential and commercial design. Her work emphasizes sustainability, timeless aesthetics, and the human experience of space. Since collaborating with the Institute for the Built Environment at Colorado State University on the Lifelong Homes and Communities initiative, Drew has focused her practice on creating environments that allow individuals to thrive where they live and work. Her design philosophy centers on wellness, accessibility, and enduring usability, helping people live comfortably and beautifully throughout every stage of life.
*Camille Stevens-Rumann, Ph.D., is an associate professor of Forest and
Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University. Her research revolves around wildfires – how and why they burn, what we can do to manage and mitigate burning, how forests recover post-fire, and what we can expect of forests in the changing climate. She also examines the impact of land management practices on forests. Her work is published in the Journal of Forestry, Forest Ecology and Management, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, among others. Stevens-Rumann’s work has also been cited more than 2,300 times since 2019. She received her B.S. in biology and environmental studies from Brandeis University, her M.S. in forestry from Northern Arizona University, and her Ph.D. in natural resources from the University of Idaho.
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See the course page on the website for full bios
*Robin Thomas specializes in European architecture and urbanism from 1400 to
1800. Focusing on the architecture of Naples, his interests include early-modern urbanism, the social history of buildings, music and space, and the intellectual formation of the architect. His research has been supported by a Fulbright Fellowship, a Mrs. Giles Whiting Foundation Fellowship in the Humanities, and an Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He received the College of Arts and Architecture’s award for outstanding teaching in 2014. Dr. William M. Timpson is an emeritus professor with the School of Education at CSU. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in American history from Harvard University, he taught in the inner city of Cleveland, Ohio, before completing his Ph.D. in educational psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His career work has focused on teaching complex and challenging topics, instructional improvement, and organizational change, and includes significant international field studies, such as peace and reconciliation, sustainability, and diversity. Along with numerous articles, chapters, and grants, he has written or co-authored nineteen books, including original titles as well as new editions.
*Jo Vanderkloot began her career as a family therapist specializing in couples
and families, and over the course of 45 years, her work expanded into problemsolving as a consultant in larger organizational settings. Her first placement was in the mental health crisis room of a neighborhood clinic in the South Bronx— then considered the most challenged community in the country—providing her first exposure to working within chaotic environments. She later partnered with an African American colleague, and together they explored the deep social forces that divide people of different races. Their collaboration continued until her colleague’s passing. During their partnership, they treated patients, consulted with nonprofits and corporations, and taught courses on chaotic systems at institutions including NYU School of Social Work, Smith College, and the Seton Hall Psychology Doctoral Program. They also led workshops on these topics nationwide. Today, Jo continues her clinical practice in Fort Collins.
Steve VanderMeer has spent over 40 years working in and around public and private nonprofit organizations. This includes working in both public and private nonprofit organizations, serving as a board member and board chair on several nonprofits, and consulting for dozens of nonprofits nationwide. Steve is the author of three publications, including The Policymakers Handbook: A Nuts-andBolts Guide to Governance in Public Power. He has lived in Fort Collins for over 35 years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Michigan and a master’s in public administration from the University of Pennsylvania. Eli Vega is a highly published, award-winning photographer and author. He has published two books on photography. He has taught photography for thirty years, including field workshops in Rocky Mountain National Park, and classes for OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) throughout the country. He is a certified facilitator and makes his classes and workshops casual, engaging, and fun. He has made presentations to camera and art groups for twenty years and has served as a judge for two national photography competitions. Having studied art for three years, Eli takes an artistic approach to photography, emphasizing the creative and aesthetic aspects of the medium.
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Meet the Instructors *Lisa Vogele is a professional genealogist and Certified Travel Associate who
blends genealogy with heritage travel through her company, Travel Your Tree. She holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and authored Food & Folklore: A Year of Italian Festivals. In 2025, she received the APG Fellowship for her work on Italian passport records. Richard Waal has over 40 years of experience in the technology industry, working for organizations ranging from innovative startups to Fortune 500 giants. His professional journey has provided him with unique insights into both the technical and business realms, enabling him to effectively bridge the gap between engineers and business leaders. Renee Walkup began her artistic journey early, as she dabbled in jewelry making, painting, and photography. Wanting to learn mosaic art, the art eventually found her, due to the visual, spatial, and tactile nature of mosaics. Renee's inspiration is in CO's multicolored skies, ever-changing mountain views, unique landscapes, and blooming flowers. Learning contemporary mosaic art from top mosaic artists around the world, she's embraced her profession as a mosaicist. Renee creates art primarily from repurposed and found objects, and the sky’s the limit when it comes to inspiration in her studio! In 2020, Renee began teaching mosaic art classes and found joy in utilizing her former corporate speaking skills to teach. She has received numerous awards for her innovative work, teaching mosaic art, and continuing her education as an artist. Her passion is sharing with people who want to find joy in the marvelous world of Mosaic Art. Paula Watson-Lakamp is a native of northern Colorado. She holds a degree from Colorado State University in Fine Art with an emphasis in Graphic Design and Art Education. She has had a long career with local government agencies as a designer and creative director. She started her second career as a professional artist and art educator nine years ago. She paints and teaches out of her studio near Wellington. She has had various group and solo exhibitions of her oil, watercolor, and acrylic paintings. Paula believes that everyone has a creative spark inside of them, and if somewhere along the way, it was blown out, her mission is to rekindle that flame in her students. Henry Weisser is a retired CSU Professor of History. He holds a Ph.D. in history from Columbia University. He has taught classes in the OLLI program for many years.
*Karen West Wente is a retired Licensed Clinical Social Worker and small
business owner with a 44-year passion for genealogy. A member of the Larimer County Genealogy Society since 2009, she actively researches her family tree, teaches genealogy classes, leads a colonial records study group, and serves as the society’s archival chair.
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* = New to OLLI for Spring 2026
See the course page on the website for full bios Dr. Abigayil Wernsman is an emerging scholar who recently received her PhD in literary arts from the University of Denver, with a focus on early medieval literature. While there, she studied Old English, early medieval Latin literature, and early English pedagogy. She earned her MA in Victorian literature from the University of Northern Colorado, with a focus on the Brontë sisters, and her BA in Victorian literature from CSU. She has taught a variety of British literature courses, poetry and writing classes, and Old English language classes. She is writing and researching a project on Beowulf and academic translation, as well as several side projects. She currently lives in Loveland with her husband and their fat little dog.
*Wynne Whyman is the founding Director of Communication and Advocacy for
the Center for Hearing Access, a national nonprofit advocacy and education initiative. Previously, she was a senior learning architect for executive leadership development. She volunteers in Colorado for hearing accessibility and lives with progressive hearing loss since childhood. Whynne Whyman has published articles in the Hearing Health Foundation, Canadian Audiologist, and is quoted in Consumer Reports. She is the recipient of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) 2023 Community Access Award for work with Google Maps and has two master’s degrees.
*Meaghan Williams is a SPECAL Practitioner dedicated to enhancing the lives
of individuals living with dementia and their care partners. She brings a wealth of experience from clinical roles spanning skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and long-term care settings, where she has consistently emphasized the importance of care-partner education and interdisciplinary collaboration. With advanced training through Dementia Together and a Master of Occupational Therapy from Idaho State University, Meaghan approaches dementia care with both expertise and heart, driven by a genuine passion for person-centered practices. Dr. Richard Wilshusen has worked as an archaeologist/anthropologist for most of his adult life. He began as a field archaeologist and did anthropological fieldwork as a graduate student. In his professional career, he has served as a research director, instructor, curator, and administrator. He has worked with universities, cultural resource management firms, museums, state and federal governments, and tribes. Wilshusen has been an OLLI instructor since the spring of 2021. The OLLI format and students remind him of the best graduate classes he taught.
*Glenn York has over 40 years of experience in genealogy and specializes in
genetic genealogy. He holds degrees in social science and telecommunications and has completed numerous institute courses. Glenn manages DNA tests for over 35 relatives, teaches nationwide, and is active in multiple genealogy organizations and study groups.
*Kathryn Yuma is the Development & Communications Director for Hearts &
Horses. She helps ensure Hearts & Horses’ fundraising efforts by connecting with current and potential supporters through storytelling, tours, and special events. Her love for animals might only be surpassed by her desire to help others. When she’s not out making a new friend, Kathryn is exploring Colorado with her husband and two dogs or making a home-cooked meal for her family.
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Donor Honor Roll OLLI at CSU thanks the many members, instructors, and community partners who generously contributed time, talents, and treasures to our program in 2025. We also appreciate the many thoughtful anonymous contributors who provided valuable support to help our community of learners grow and flourish. = In Memory of Elaine and Tom Andersen Richard Alper Kat Herrod
Judith Aranow Manuel Arellano Suzie and Tom Barbour Stephen Benson Victoria Benson Beverly and James Bert Terry Birdsong Chris Blakeslee Suzanne Blakeslee Anne and John Blair Kathleen Boeding Marvin Boeding Brian and Carol Booth Susan Brand David Caputo Alice Caputo
Suzanne Canson Sandra Cardillo Lowell and Susan Cary Sherri Perkins
Peg Chandler Dottie and Scoot Childers Jim Collinson Pattie Cowell Whitney Cranshaw James Danforth III Linda Danforth Jean Darst Jerry Dauth Margie Eagan Barbara Elkin David William Fanning Rich Feller Carolsue Fenwick Richard Ferguson Holly Field James Giffin Jacqueline Giffin
Jacquelyn Ginty Benjamin Goldman Seymour Schwartz
Alyssa Golinvaux
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Kari Gomez-Smith John and Vicky Green Judy Sayre Grim Nancy Hansford
L Stuart Hirai Barbara and Bob Hoel Bob Hoffert Sara Hoffman Jane Hoover Karen Heckman Chris Hensey Lan and Thomas Hickman Sara Hoffman Dianne Hughes Susan Jones Emily Joyce Pamela Kane Carol and Russell Kates Nancy Hansford
Kim Kavanagh Dru and Tom Kepler Mike and Shirley Kendrick Tom Kleckner KRFC 88.9 Radio Dennis Lamb Jane and Robert Lewis Marilyn Lines Charlene Loomis Ross Loomis Aaron Macpherson Marie Macphereson SueEllen Markey Judith McArthur Edward McConnaughey Joannah Merriman Robert Michael Kathleen and Tim Monty Sharon and Steven Moritz Harry Mueller Terry Nolan Mike Oconnell Devin Odell John Olienyk Scott Omdahl
OLLI AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
Don and Penny Oliver Leslie Olson Susanne Olson Veronica Patterson Sherry Pomering James Robb Jim and Jocelyn Pring Jim Rose Roger Rybicka Anndevoy Ryan Eileen Scholl Cheryl Schutz Sandy Scott Carol Seemueller Earl and Lisbeth Sethre Philip and Susan Shaw Arnold Shenkman Sherri Perkins
Dan and Tamara Shirk Robert Simmons Vicki Siska Pat Skrentny-Lamb William Smith Hal Smith Calvin and Mary Strom Dorris Taylor Ken and Marty Tharp Felice Thorson-Boudreaux Jerry Thorson-Boudreaux William Timpson Bertram and Ceci Tower Gary Turner Kathleen Turner Carole Tuttle Don and Karen Unger Richard Waal Henry Weisser Robin Welsh Jim Whitenight Nicole Whitenight Arietta Wiedmann Kay Williams Richard Wilshusen Kay Wood Debi Wurdack
Donate to OLLI at CSU Give the Gift of Learning
LE
BRAT
C
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E As our OLLI classes gear up for this term, please take a moment to consider what the OLLI at CSU program gives to you. Intellectual stimulation? Fun and inspiration? New ideas? Friendships? Social connections? A sense of belonging? At OLLI, learning YE ARS isn’t just about classes — it’s about connection, purpose, and community. Consider how you might continue the spirit of giving back to a program that gives so much to you. OLLI at CSU is a member-driven institute and your contribution enables us to enrich the lives of current members and those of future lifelong learners.
Your support helps us expand access to OLLI at CSU through tuition assistance for members experiencing financial limitations, technology upgrades to better serve in-person and remote learners, more social activities, honorariums for dedicated instructors, and much more. We hope you’ll join our growing donor community and make a gift to support OLLI at CSU today.
Give online: give.colostate.edu/campaigns/44680 Give by mail:
Colorado State University Foundation P.O. Box 1870 Fort Collins, CO 80522
Make checks payable to Colorado State University Foundation
Make an impact that can leave a future legacy or provide financial and tax benefits now.
The CSU Office of Gift Planning works with donors and their advisors to design a gift plan that most effectively accomplishes the donors’ charitable goals while considering their individual financial and estate-planning needs. This can include giving through your IRA, estate gifts, gifts of securities, real estate, and much more. Contact us to have a discussion about giving options that make a difference while meeting your needs.
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