We are the University of North Texas's educational program for adults age 50 and better. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UNT is part of a national network of OLLI programs that receive support from the Bernard Osher Foundation.
Our mission is to foster intellectual stimulation and social engagement through an extensive array of learning opportunities curated by and for our members. Since its founding in 2009, our program has grown to include multiple satellite classroom locations around the North Texas region and our community of lifelong learners now exceeds 1,400.
Our classrooms are an ideal environment for expert instructors to share their wealth of knowledge with eager adult learners. We promote education simply for the joy of learning.
If you've never attended an OLLI course before, please reach out to our office. We'll welcome you for one free course as our guest.
Our Instructors
The talented individuals who teach our courses are volunteers with a passion for education. Many are active or retired university faculty members who enjoy sharing their knowledge with lifelong learners. We also offer presentations by experienced educators, independent researchers, and other subject matter experts. More information can be found at olli.unt.edu/teach.
What does OLLI offer?
Non-credit Courses
Taught by active and retired university faculty, as well as other subject matter experts, our courses are designed to make learning fast, easy, and fun. Instructors submit proposals prior to each semester for approval by our Curriculum Committee. OLLI courses can consist of up to four 90-minute sessions and there are never any tests, grades, or mandatory assignments.
Special Interest Groups (SIG)
These groups are led by members with support from OLLI staff and provide opportunities to get to know others with shared interests. We have book groups, a yoga group, a solo travelers group, a writers group, and more. Members interested in starting a new SIG should reach out to our staff for assistance.
Lecture Series
We run two unique lecture series every semester. Our Get to Know UNT series highlights faculty and staff from a selected UNT department. Our Debbie & Neal Smatresk OLLI After Five series takes place in early evenings and includes complimentary wine and cheese.
Special Events
We arrange for private tours, culinary activities, guest lecturers, planetarium visits, workshops, and other experiential learning opportunities to add variety to our curriculum.
Travel Opportunities
We partner with travel agencies to offer our members discounted group rates for selected domestic and international trips. When possible, we also partner with OLLI instructors to guide members on custom educational tours. Information about our upcoming trips is available at olli.unt.edu/travel.
Podcast
OLLI member Susan Supak conducts interviews with the instructors who teach our courses as well as UNT alumni and retirees. Each episode is a deep dive into the guest's personal background and area of expertise. The podcast is available to the public for free at olli.unt.edu/podcast.
Authors Out Loud
Dr. Jean Greenlaw and Susan Supak interview renowned authors in this special series. OLLI members sometimes have the opportunity to attend interviews live on Zoom. Recordings of previous interviews are available to the public for free at olli.unt.edu/aol.
Virtual Learning
Virtual learning opportunities in this catalog can be identified by the following symbols:
Links for Zoom Virtual Activities are included in the confirmation email members receive after enrolling in each activity.
Links for YouTube livestreams are emailed to all OLLI members in advance of each session.
Links for available recordings are included in the weekly emails received by all OLLI members throughout the semester.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS
Valid for 365 days from purchase.
All Memberships Include:
• OLLI Lecture Series
• Full Member Benefits
• Livestreams & Zoom Courses
• Access to Travel Opportunites
• Special Interest Groups
Additional fees apply for some special events.
All Courses Included Pay Per Course
$165 per year (General Public)
Discounted Groups: $100 per year
▶ U.S. Armed Services Veterans & Spouses
▶ UNT Retired Faculty & Staff
▶ UNT Alumni
▶ Flower Mound Seniors In Motion Members
▶ Keller Senior Activities Center Members
▶ Denton Senior Center Members
▶ Denton American Legion Hall Members
How to Join
New Members: olli.unt.edu/register
Follow the instructions on our website to purchase your membership and enroll in courses and events online. If you prefer to join by mail, download our Membership Form and our Spring 2026 Enrollment Form. Send those forms to our mailing address along with any fees due.
Questions?
Contact olli@unt.edu or 940-369-7293.
$55 per year +
$15 per course
Course fee applies to each in-person course listed on pages 23 - 33
Course fees are due upon enrollment in each course. Pay Per Course members may upgrade to an All Courses Included membership by contacting OLLI at UNT. The cost of an upgrade is the difference between the two membership fees, minus any course fees that have already been paid.
Policies
Payment
We accept payment by check and all major credit cards. Course and event fees are due upon enrollment in each activity. Only UNT employees may accept member payments. The staff who work for our satellite classroom partners cannot accept payments for OLLI at UNT memberships or activities.
Dropping a Class / Waitlists
Once an OLLI at UNT activity fills, members are placed on a waitlist in order of enrollment. Members wishing to cancel their participation in an OLLI at UNT activity should contact olli@unt.edu or 940-369-7293 at least 24 hours in advance of the activity. Staff will then notify the next member on the waitlist.
Refunds
OLLI at UNT membership, course, and event fees are non-refundable. OLLI at UNT course and event fees will only be refunded if an activity is cancelled and not rescheduled. OLLI at UNT makes every attempt to reschedule activities that cannot be held at their originally scheduled date and time.
Cancellation Deadlines / Credit
Members who cancel their participation in an OLLI at UNT course or event prior to that activity's Cancellation Deadline can request credit for any fees paid. This credit can be applied to a future OLLI activity or membership fee upon member request.
Cancellation Notices
If UNT closes due to inclement weather, all OLLI at UNT activities will be cancelled until the university reopens. Otherwise, the decision to cancel an activity during inclement weather will be made based on conditions at each classroom location and input from our instructors.
In the event that an OLLI at UNT activity is cancelled or rescheduled for any reason, members on the roster will be notified by email. It is important that you provide our staff with an email account you check regularly.
OLLI Member ID Cards
All new members will receive an OLLI at UNT ID card and lanyard by mail following registration. Please show your ID card to the host each time you arrive for an OLLI course or event at any of our locations. It may take 2-3 weeks for your ID card to arrive once your new member registration has been processed. Until it arrives, a printed copy of your registration confirmation email can also be shown as proof of OLLI membership.
Replacement IDs can be requested for a $5 fee. Contact olli@unt.edu if you've misplaced your ID.
CC Young Residents & Point Members: The name tag issued to you by CC Young will also serve as your ID for all OLLI activities.
Senior Center Access
To access OLLI at UNT courses held at the Flower Mound Senior Center, members must also present proof of senior center membership or purchase a day pass upon entry. For information about the senior center's membership and day pass options, please contact them directly:
All OLLI at UNT members can attend OLLI courses at the Keller Senior Activities Center by showing their OLLI member ID card at the front desk. No entry fee is required.
Spring Enrollment Options
Individuals with an active OLLI at UNT membership can use any of the following methods to enroll in our courses, special events, lecture series, and special interest groups:
Our Enrollment Form allows you to check off the box by each activity you plan to participate in. The form can then be sent to our mailing address along with a check made payable to OLLI at UNT to cover any applicable fees. The form is available to download from our website at olli.unt.edu/members.
Confirmation Emails
Whenever you enroll in OLLI activities using one of the methods on the left, you will receive an automated confirmation email containing the date, time, and location of each activity. If you enroll in a Zoom activity, the link will also be included in your confirmation.
Friday Emails
All active members will receive our weekly reminder emails, which are typically sent on Fridays during each semester. These emails include the following information:
• The upcoming week's schedule
• Links for upcoming Zoom courses and CC Young livestreams
• Important OLLI announcements and schedule changes
• Links to available recordings of virtual courses and livestreams
• Upcoming local events of interest
If you're not receiving our weekly emails in your inbox, first check to see if your email provider is filtering them into your junk or spam folder. To prevent our emails from being marked as junk, it may help to add olli@unt.edu to your email account's contacts. If that doesn't fix the issue, please contact our office for assistance.
Course Evaluations
Send an email to olli@unt.edu listing the titles and dates of the activities in which you wish to enroll. Don't forget to include your name! You can also call 940-369-7293 to enroll over the phone.
Please enroll using the method that is most convenient for you. Members can add activities to their schedules throughout the semester.
At the end of each course, all members on the roster will receive an email reminder to complete a brief course evaluation. Please complete an evaluation within 5 days of the end of each course you attend. These evaluations are vital to OLLI staff, instructors, and the Curriculum Committee.
Advisory Council
The OLLI members on the Advisory Council work with the Senior Director to review and evaluate policies and operations. The Council also does strategic planning to ensure that the program’s quality and growth closely align with the needs of the OLLI at UNT membership.
President: Sandra Meier-Western Past President: Cathy Hartman
Secretary: Steve Dubrow
Fundraising Liaisons: David McKinley, John Booth, & Stan Nelsen
Member Volunteers
We’re extremely grateful to each member who volunteers their time to represent OLLI in the community or help our staff complete various projects throughout the year. We couldn’t operate our program without member support. Members with strong organizational skills, a talent for collaborating well with others, or prior experience working in lifelong learning or similar programs should contact our office to learn about volunteer opportunities.
Elaine Darby
Max Morley
Steve Dubrow
Cathy Hartman
Sandra Meier-Western
David McKinley
Stan Nelsen
John Booth
La Donna Womochel
Member Benefits & Discounts
UNT CoLab
OLLI at UNT members can receive a 10% discount off of their retail purchase at the UNT CoLab (excluding consignment) by showing their OLLI ID card at checkout. The CoLab is located at 207 N. Elm Street in Denton.
UNT Dance and Theatre Performances
OLLI at UNT members can purchase discounted tickets to Dance & Theatre performances. For more information or to purchase discounted tickets, contact the box office at 940-565-2428 or dat-boxoffice@unt.edu and let them know you are an OLLI member.
UNT Pohl Recreation Center
OLLI at UNT members can join UNT’s rec center at the discounted rate of $22 per month by bringing in their OLLI ID card and purchasing a rec center membership onsite. Pohl Recreation Center is located on UNT’s campus at 1900 Chestnut St., Denton, TX 76201. For more information, contact recsports@unt.edu or 940-565-2275.
Member Lounge and Free Library
OLLI at UNT members can enjoy complimentary coffee and tea in the Member Lounge, which is located in the UNT Support and Services Building in Denton. The lounge includes comfortable couches and a free library of books that have been donated by members.
UNT Library Card
OLLI at UNT members can request a university library card by contacting olli@unt.edu. The card grants book checkout privileges at Willis Library.
Froth Coffee and Dessert Bar
By showing their OLLI ID card, members can receive a 10% discount from this Denton restaurant, which is located on 1611 Eagle Drive, across the street from our offices in the SSB. Visit FrothDenton.com to view their menu.
Lewisville Lake Symphony Concerts
OLLI at UNT members can purchase discounted concert tickets from the Lewisville Lake Symphony. Members will be notified by email of upcoming concerts.
Our friends in the College of Music make a limited number of complimentary concert tickets available to OLLI at UNT members each fall and spring semester. Members will be notified by email once the list of selected concerts is available. Each member will then be able to reserve one ticket per concert by submitting requests through our online form.
At the University of North Texas, we believe that pursuing knowledge does not end with retirement—it flourishes. Every day, OLLI at UNT members engage in thought-provoking classes, connect with peers, and continue growing in ways that enrich their lives and communities.
Today, we invite you to consider a lasting way to ensure OLLI at UNT remains vibrant for generations to come—by including OLLI at UNT in your estate plans. A gift through your will, trust, or retirement account can help sustain programming, attract dynamic instructors, and expand access to underserved lifelong learners across North Texas. Regardless of size, your legacy can help keep curiosity alive far into the future.
If you’ve already included OLLI at UNT in your plans, please let Jordan know so we can thank you. If you’re still considering, we’d be honored to speak with you about how your legacy can make a lasting impact.
Thank you for being part of our OLLI community and thinking about the future of learning.
Warmly,
Andrew Bailey Executive Director, Estate and Planned Giving UNT Division of Advancement
Uncover the giving option that works best for your goals at plannedgiving.unt.edu.
Travel With Us
We are offering the following trips through the Collette travel agency.
Shades of Ireland
May 15 - 27, 2026
Experience Ireland in all its vibrant shades as you travel from the lively city of Dublin to the untamed natural beauty of Northern Ireland. From breathtaking nature and stunning coasts to a captivating culture and friendly locals – this is Ireland.
Journey Through Spain: Madrid to Barcelona
July 4 - 14, 2026
Embark on a Spanish adventure as you take in medieval architecture, idyllic landscapes, and delectable cuisine. Immerse yourself in Spain’s rich tapestry of art, history, and culture, all set against the stunning backdrop of sun-kissed Mediterranean shores and towering mountain ranges.
Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary
Sept. 7 - 15, 2026
In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, trace the story of the nation’s rise on a journey through Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Be immersed in the history of a country founded on the ideals of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” in 1776.
Discover Christmas Markets of Montreal and Quebec City
December 6 - 16, 2026
Enchanting winter experiences and magical Christmas markets await in Quebec City and Montreal, each with its own unique charm and character. Set out on a festive journey to two French Canadian cities in the heart of the holiday season.
Machu Picchu & Galapagos Wonders
February 22 - 27, 2027
Journey from the Land of the Incas to the Galápagos archipelago, enjoying a 4-night cruise aboard a personal yacht. You’ll encounter hidden wonders in Peru, the “Middle of the World” in Ecuador, and see ethereal wildlife on a cruise along Eden-like islands.
Visit olli.unt.edu/travel for more information.
“I had never taken a guided tour like this before so I really didn’t know what to expect; plus I was traveling solo and didn’t know anyone else going.
Our tour guide, local guides, and the tours to expected destinations were excellent. The unique side trips to unexpected locations were gems! I felt as though I had experienced the tastes and culture of the country.
It was hard to say goodbye to my new friends and re-enter the real world after spending this time in a travel utopia.”
-Sheila H.
Yellow Rose Tours
Yellow Rose Tours (YRT) specializes in historical tours that are immersive, educational, and completely unforgettable. YRT offers a broad range of both day tours and multi-day trips, available to OLLI members, exploring the history of Texas and the American Southwest. All tours are led by Dr. Andrew J. Torget, historian of 19th-century North America and one of the foremost experts on Texas history, whose unmatched storytelling skills make the past come alive. Whether exploring forgotten places or world-famous sites, Dr. Torget will guide you through stories of the people, places, and events that shaped and reshaped the Texas landscape.
Testimonials from recent YRT tours:
• “It was the trip of my life!”
• “This trip created a fantastic learning experience by combining detailed stories of historical events while standing on the sites where they happened. This has to be the best and most fun way to immerse yourself in the incredible history of Texas.”
• “The itinerary was so fluid and interesting. Andrew is an amazingly good storyteller who grabs your attention and gives you a real feeling for the past.”
• “The trip was truly exceptional. The hotels were all of the highest standard, and the cuisine was both delicious and diverse. Each day’s activities were not only thrilling but also enriching from an educational perspective . . . the camaraderie among fellow tour members made the journey even more enjoyable. It was an all-around fantastic experience.”
• “To think we started in Fort Worth and ended at the Goodnight Ranch without skipping a beat with historical facts was a huge accomplishment. I loved this tour with every fiber of my being. I was consumed with learning and hearing stellar lectures.”
• “I have travelled to all 7 continents and go on great trips all over the world, but this made me realize how much is available in our own backyard . . . being a Native Texan, it makes me very proud to learn what these fellow Texans did!”
For upcoming tours, please visit: YellowRoseTours.com
Classroom Locations
All OLLI at UNT members can attend OLLI courses at any of our classroom locations, regardless of their membership type or where they live. Complimentary parking (including designated spaces for disabled persons) is available at each location. The primary OLLI schedule for each location is listed below.
University of North Texas
Complimentary OLLI Parking Permit Required*
Support and Services Building (SSB)
1500 N. Interstate 35 Denton, TX 76205
*Members should pick up a parking permit from staff on the first day they arrive for a class at the SSB.
To access OLLI at UNT courses held at the Flower Mound Senior Center, members must also present proof of senior center membership or purchase a day pass upon entry.
Robson Ranch
Clubhouse Ballroom 9428 Ed Robson Circle Denton, TX 76207
Community Event Center 1301 Haverford Lane Lantana, TX 76226 Fridays 10:00am - 11:30am
Keller Senior Activities Center
Multipurpose Room
640 Johnson Road Building C Keller, TX 76248 Tuesdays 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Virtual courses and events are scheduled based on the instructor's availability. Each virtual activity has its own unique Zoom link, which will be included in our confirmation emails.
The Point at CC Young
About Our Relationship with CC Young
OLLI at UNT’s sponsorship agreement with CC Young Senior Living in Dallas that brings our courses to their best-in-class facilities. All OLLI at UNT members are welcome to attend OLLI courses and events held in The Point Auditorium. Thanks to the generosity of CC Young, OLLI at UNT memberships are complimentary for CC Young residents, Terraces Priority members, and Point members.
OLLI courses held at CC Young will be broadcast internally to residents on channel 81. Courses will also be livestreamed on YouTube based on instructor permission. OLLI staff will provide livestream links to all members in our weekly emails.
Auditorium
4847 W. Lawther Dr. Dallas, TX 75214
Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:00am - 11:30am
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (SIGs)
These groups are led by OLLI members and provide opportunities to get to know others with shared interests.
Great Books
4th Friday of the month | 2:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
UNT Support and Services Building | Room 105
Join Donna Zelisko-McLaughlin to explore a category of literature called “great books.” Selections might be philosophical, political, scientific, literary, or culturally significant. Participants will respond to the works from a personal perspective of what resonates with them.
February 27: The Last of the Mohicans (1826) by James Fenimore Cooper
Published in 1826. Cooper’s sixth novel, a romantic notion of America’s first frontier hero during the French and Indian Wars. Second in a series of five Leatherstocking Tales, the novel showcases nobility of character, fierce individualism and resourceful courage fulfilling an American frontier mythos. Idealized portrayals viewed thru Eurocentric prism allows diverse responses to the tragic repercussions of cultural and territorial conflicts of 1757 preRevolutionary American wilderness.
March 27: On the Road (1957) by Jack Kerouac
A heady brew of romanticism, adventure, and unfettered selfhood during an improvised road trip across late 1940’s to1951 America. Challenging the common economic POV of the time, the work’s style and themes crystalized the growing dissatisfaction felt by many young Americans prior to the 1960’s cultural upheavals.
April 24: The Fall (1956) by Albert Camus
A philosophical novel and Camus’s last complete work of fiction. Feelings of guilt, hypocrisy, and alienation explore themes of innocence, imprisonment, and the human condition. A powerful exploration of the complexities of morality and the human psyche.
Bookshelf Catch-Up
2nd Tuesday of the month | 2:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
UNT Support and Services Building | Room 105
This discussion group is for readers who love getting lost in libraries and bookstores, only to realize months later that the bestseller on their shelf has been sitting there unread way too long. Each participant will suggest a book for next semester and lead the discussion if their book is chosen by the group.
February 10: The Lost Apothecary (2021) by Sarah Penner
The novel follows both Nella Clavinger, a woman living in London in 1791 who runs an apothecary shop aimed at selling poison to women and Caroline Parcewell, a modern-day woman visiting London to try to escape from her husband’s affair. Over the course of the novel, the two women’s lives intertwine as Caroline attempts to uncover what happened to Nella’s apothecary.
March 10: The Dictionary of Lost Words (2020) by Pip Williams
Esme’s mother died giving her birth, so she is brought up by her father. She spends her childhood under the table in the Scriptorium, where James Murray and his team of lexicographers, including her father, are compiling the Oxford English Dictionary. Over time she discovers that words in common use, particularly those used by and about women, are not included.
April 14: The Turtle House (2024) by Amanda Churchill
Moving between late 1990s small-town Texas to pre-World War II Japan and occupied Tokyo, this is an emotionally engaging literary debut about a grandmother and granddaughter who connect over a beloved lost place and the secrets they both carry. A story of intergenerational friendship, family, coming of age, identity, and love, The Turtle House illuminates the hidden lives we lead, the secrets we hold close, and what it truly means to find home again when it feels lost forever.
Writing for Fun
1st Wednesday of the month | February 4, March 4, April 1 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
UNT Support and Services Building | Room 105
This SIG is led by OLLI member John Penaska, a former IT professional who loves to write for fun. The group is open to any member who wants to explore examples of fun writing and practice writing with others. All experience levels and writing styles are welcome!
Book Talk with Dr. Greenlaw
2nd Wednesday of the month | February 11, March 11 & April 8 | 2:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
UNT Support and Services Building | Room 101
This discussion group is led by Jean Greenlaw. The topic for each meeting will be the theme of Dr. Greenlaw’s “Book Talk” column that appears in the Denton Record-Chronicle on the first weekend of each month. It is not necessary to read the books mentioned in the column, but it will make your participation more meaningful if you do read a book that fits the theme. It can range from a picture book for children to the most complex book you find on the topic. Dr. Greenlaw will begin each session by discussing the topic and a few books from her column (a copy of the column will be sent to the SIG roster before each meeting.) Then members will participate by discussing the book they read. There are three points Dr. Greenlaw would like participants to be ready to discuss with the group:
• How does the book you read fit the theme?
• What was your most important takeaway from the book?
• Why would others be interested in reading the book?
You are welcome to be a member of the SIG and not participate in the discussion if you wish. It is just more fun for you if you put in your 2 cents worth!
Spring Book Talk Themes:
• February 11: Presidents, and Black History Month
• March 11: Women’s History Month
• April 8: Save the Earth, gardening, parks, cookbooks
February 5 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. UNT
March 10 | 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Keller Senior Activities Center
April 16 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. UNT Support and Services Building | Room 105
Traveling independently can be challenging for individuals, both experienced and inexperienced travelers. This group, led by Cathy Hartman, with Carolyn Hodge serving as co-leader for Keller meetings, is based around members empowering and supporting each other to travel independently with confidence. Group meetings will alternate between Denton and Keller to accommodate as many members as possible.
Discovering Classical Vocal Recitals with Steve Dubrow
Three or four different dates with times TBD*
UNT Music Building (415 Avenue C)**
A lover of all sorts of music written for the classically trained human voice, Steve Dubrow has attended dozens of the classical vocal recitals that the UNT College of Music presents to the public without charge. These recitals demand the same level of technique and artistry as an opera performance, but the format and location make possible a special intimacy between singer and audience.
This group will attend three or four recitals this spring. The group will meet in a reserved room in the Music Building 30 minutes before the performance, at which time Steve will provide context for the music about to be performed. There will be an opportunity for further discussion during the intermission. After the performance, the singer will often find the time to drop in to speak about the recital and to answer a few questions.
*The recital schedule for Spring 2026 was not yet announced at the time this catalog was published
**UNT offers recital patrons free parking in the lot off Highland Street between Bain Hall and the North/South practice buildings.
Yoga
Tuesdays, Feb. 3 and 17, March 3 and 17, April 7 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
UNT Support and Services Building | Room 102
Join Sheila Holincheck for guided yoga sessions. Participants should bring their own mat. All experience levels are welcome!
Solo Travelers, Unite!
SPECIAL EVENTS
These activities may take place outside of the traditional classroom setting and may also have a unique educational format. Activities in this section are complimentary for all OLLI members, except where an event fee is clearly indicated in red.
Needled Felted Cactus Workshop
Thursday, February 5
or Thursday, February 26
1:00PM - 2:30PM
Denton Maker Center
728 N Elm St, Denton, TX 76201
There are two opportunities to attend this workshop. Each workshop is limited to 10 members.
Materials Fee: $10 per member.
Registration & Cancellation Deadline: 1 week prior to workshop date (see policy on page 5)
Needle felting is a process of condensing wool fibers using small barbed needles. It can be used to create a wide variety of small colorful objects. In this workshop, students will learn the basics of needle felting to create their own cactus that they never have to water! All tools and materials are included.
Umut Demirgüç Thurman is a metalsmith and enamelist. She works internationally, teaching and regularly exhibiting her work. Currently, she is teaching jewelry and metalsmithing at the University of North Texas while coordinating workshops at the Denton Maker Center. She received MFA from the University of North Texas in Metalsmithing and Jewelry in 2005, and BFA from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in Istanbul, Turkey in Textile and Fashion Design in 1997.
Fine Printing Press
Wednesday, February 25
10:00AM -11:30AM
UNT Support & Services Building | Room 102
English artist and designer William Morris revived the craft of book printing and publishing in the 19th century through the Kelmscott Press. The limited edition works printed by the Kelmscott Press were a reaction to the rapid industrialization of Europe and the adoption of cheap and fast modes of publication. Seeking to publish books that could be considered masterful works of art and craft, others quickly followed in footsteps of Morris, producing printed works reflecting exceptional quality and artistic sensibility. In the United Kingdom works by the Ashendene Press, Doves Press, and Golden Cockerel Press carried on the Morris tradition. In the US the Arion Press, Grabhorn Press, and Roycroft Press were widely revered. Texas publishers and authors made their own impact on the world of fine press through works published by J. Frank Dobie and The Book Club of Texas (founded by Stanley Marcus) in the 1930s, and later through work published by Carl Hertzog and the Texas Western Press. This session will introduce the work of fine presses in the UK, US and Texas, and guests will have an opportunity to view many examples of fine press works from UNT Libraries Special Collections.
Morgan Gieringer is a Certified Archivist and the Head of UNT Libraries Special Collections, which was awarded the Archival Award of Excellence by the Texas Historical Records Advisory Commission in 2018. Morgan received her BA in Anthropology from UNT and her Master’s in Library Science from Texas Woman’s University.
Are We Alone? | UNT Sky Planetarium
Thursday, March 19
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
UNT Environmental Science Building 1704 W. Mulberry St., Denton, TX 76201*
*Parking Options: Members can contact the OLLI office for parking options.
Have you ever looked up into the nighttime sky and wondered if there was anyone out there among the stars? Join us at the UNT Sky Theater as we examine the possibility of life on another planet in our new immersive video and sound experience called, “Are We Alone?” Following the 26-minute documentary, UNT Astronomy staff will use the planetarium’s technology to give members a preview of the night’s sky and answer astronomy questions.
PUSH Game Night
Thursday, March 26
5:00PM - 6:30PM
UNT Support & Services Building | 102 Fee: $10 per member.
The Persevere Until Success Happens (PUSH) program at UNT supports foster care alumni at the university, enabling them to arrive and thrive on campus. Enjoy a delicious meal while teaming up with PUSH staff and students! Members will compete in games to win gift card prizes for PUSH students. The fee for this event will go toward the cost of food for all attendees, including our guests from the PUSH program.
Denton Historical Park Tour
Thursday, April 16
10:00AM -11:30AM
317 W Mulberry Street, Denton, TX, 76201
Lean into our local history and take part in the Denton Historical Park tour provided by the Denton County Office of History and Culture. Members will be split into small groups and conducted around the Denton Historical Park by volunteer docents who present a wealth of historical information at each of the four stations. These stations include the Bayless-Selby House, the Victorian Garden (this station is presented by the Master Gardeners who care for the gardens at the Historical Park), the African American Museum, and the Taylor Log Cabin and Outhouse. The Denton County Office provides this tour for free, but they do request a small donation of $1 per member on the day payable via the donation box on site.
Contemporary Trends in Antisemitism:
On Campus, in the Classroom, and in the Community
Friday, April 17
1:00PM - 2:30 PM
UNT Support & Services Building | Room 105
For the first time in the history of the annual American Jewish Committee (AJC) State of Antisemitism Report, the findings released in 2025 reflecting attitudes from the previous year showed that over half of American Jews changed their behavior out of fear of antisemitism. This was before tragic events including the murder of two Jews outside a Jewish event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC and the firebombing of a walk raising awareness of Israeli hostages sponsored by the Jewish community of Boulder. AJC Regional Director Joel Schwitzer will discuss the latest report and provide insights into how antisemitism is playing out in multiple settings and what American civil society can do about it.
Joel Schwitzer has worked in Jewish nonprofit management and fundraising for nearly 30 years. He joined AJC in 2015 and leads the Dallas Regional Office, which covers North and Central Texas as well as Oklahoma. In that capacity, Joel guides the advocacy, leadership development and fundraising efforts for AJC throughout the region. He has provided testimony on family separation to the Texas Mexican American Legislative Caucus, worked to build several diverse coalitions including the Community of Conscience, Jewish/Latino Alliance and DFW Muslim-Jewish Advisory Council. He is a prolific op ed writer, with columns published in The Dallas Morning News, Austin American Statesman, Fort Worth Star Telegram and Texas Jewish Post.
GET TO KNOW THE MAYBORN SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM
The Frank W. & Sue Mayborn School of Journalism was established in 1999 with a generous gift. Over the years, the Mayborn School has grown to include not only print, broadcast, photo and digital journalism, but strategic communication as well. Half of the students in the School concentrate in either public relations or advertising. While the school’s offerings have changed and grown, a commitment to accurate and ethical mass communication in the Mayborn tradition, is unchanged. We are honored to have the Mayborns as the school’s namesake and pledge to continue to live up to those tenets.
The Forgotten Black Panther of the Pen: U.S. Army Reporter Trezzvant
Anderson and the Heroics of African American Tankers in World War II
Wednesday, February 11
10:00AM -11:30AM
UNT Support & Services Building | Room 102
The 761st Tank Battalion, an African American unit that fought with George S. Patton Jr.’s Third Army during World War II, is celebrated today in books and movies for its heroic efforts in defeating Nazi Germany. However, Trezzvant Anderson, a military journalist who covered the 761st for the Black press and wrote a book about the unit after the war, is largely forgotten today. This class discusses Anderson’s journalism career, focusing on his work during World War II.
James E. Mueller, PhD, is dean and professor at the Mayborn School of Journalism at the University of North Texas in Denton. He is the author of four books, including Ambitious Honor: George Armstrong Custer’s Life of Service and Lust for Fame, which was published in 2020. He is currently researching press coverage of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, and he has contributed a chapter on the battle to War and Journalism: The Presentation of Conflict and Provision of Actuality. He holds a Bachelor of Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism from the University of Missouri and a Ph.D. in journalism from the University of Texas. He worked as a newspaper reporter and editor for about 10 years before entering academia.
Exploring Comparative International Media Systems
Wednesday, March 4
10:00AM -11:30AM
UNT Support & Services Building | Room 102
This presentation will outline major media and press systems around the globe and major patterns of global communication flows across multiple platforms. It will also describe the media landscapes in selected countries, compare journalism practices in selected countries representing six continents, and explore digital media tech trends.
Dorothy Bland, PhD, is a journalism professor and former dean in the UNT Mayborn School of Journalism. She has more than 18 years of experience in higher education and has traveled to six continents. Prior to moving into the academy, she had 25 years of professional experience as a journalist, rising from a reporter to publisher in a major news media company. Her work has been published in a variety of publications ranging from USA Today to academic journals. She has received numerous awards for her work, including three Gannett rings for outstanding performance as a publisher. She was honored by the National Society of Professional Journalists with the Distinguished Teaching in Journalism Award in 2022.
Previously known as our Lunch & Learn Lecture Series, this newly renamed project sees OLLI at UNT collaborate with a different unit at the university each semester. Members attending these presentations will get to know some of the remarkable faculty and staff in each area and learn about their roles at the university. These presentations are complimentary for all OLLI at UNT members.
Communicating the Facts About Hearing Aids
Wednesday, April 8
10:00AM -11:30AM UNT Support & Services Building | Room 102
Approximately 40 million Americans live with mild to moderate hearing loss, yet only about 20% will seek hearing-related healthcare. What’s more, of this 20%, many will wait nearly a decade before pursuing intervention which can result in greater social isolation and higher disease burden. To open more pathways to hearing healthcare, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the sale of hearing aids over-the-counter in 2022. Hearing aids are now available at more everyday outlets such as Costco, Best Buy, and Walmart as well as at reduced costs. But, how is this information being communicated to the public? Join Dr. Sara Champlin and Dr. Sharon Miller as they demonstrate their work in this exciting field.
Sara Champlin, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Advertising. She studies how the public seeks and responds to messages, especially those about health, a topic termed “health literacy.” Her projects have explored many areas of health including decreasing stigma, navigating health insurance, and promoting access to resources such as mental health services.
Sharon Miller, PhD, is an Associate Professor and the Director of Graduate Studies for Audiology in the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Dr. Miller directs the Brain and Behavior Lab at UNT where her longterm goal is to establish an integrative program that combines behavioral and electrophysiological measures to address fundamental questions about brain plasticity and language in adults and children with hearing loss.
Pulitzer Prizes & Notable Alumni:
Eight Pulitzer Prizes have been won by five of its alumni, among whom are Bill Moyers and Howard Swindle. Other Pulitzer winners and nominees include:
• Kerry Gunnels (‘73), won a 1994 Pulitzer Prize for international reporting as an editor for The Dallas Morning News’ international desk. Gunnels, now senior director of media content at the UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth, edited a series on forced prostitution in Thailand.
• David Klement (‘62), won a 1968 Pulitzer Prize for spot news coverage of the 1967 Detroit riots as part of a team at the Detroit Free Press.
• Dan Malone (‘06 M.A.), won a 1992 Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting as a reporter at The Dallas Morning News. Malone now teaches at Tarleton State University in Stephenville.
• Gayle Reaves (‘15 M.A.), won a 1994 Pulitzer Prize for international reporting as part of Gunnels’ reporting team at The Dallas Morning News. Reaves, later editor of the Fort Worth Weekly, earned a master of journalism degree from UNT in 2015 and is an adjunct faculty member at the Mayborn School.
• Melissa Boughton (‘10), a breaking news reporter for The Post and Courier in Charleston, South Carolina. Boughton was nominated for a 2016 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news for her part in team coverage of the police shooting of Walter Scott.
• Kalani Gordon (‘12), a breaking news editor for the Baltimore Sun. Gordon was nominated for a 2016 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news as part of a team covering the riots following the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody.
• Ray Moseley (‘52), 1985 Pulitzer Prize finalist for international reporting as a correspondent for the Chicago Tribune.
• Kenneth “Chip” Somodevilla (‘95), 2016 Pulitzer Prize finalist for breaking news photography while assigned to the White House press corps for Getty Images.
• Eric Gay (‘90), a photographer for the Associated Press who was a finalist for breaking news photography in 2006.
Other notable alumni include Samir Husni and Cragg Hines.
The
Debbie & Neal Smatresk OLLI After Five Series
This special series is named for Debbie & Neal Smatresk, reflecting their steadfast dedication to our members and their commitment to enriching the North Texas community through the joy of lifelong learning. The series is available to all OLLI members at no additional cost. Each series event includes a complimentary selection of wines, beers, cheeses, and crackers.
History of Country Music
Tuesday, February 3
5:30pm - 6:30pm
Robson Ranch Clubhouse
Are you a country music fan? Do you want to learn more about country stars like Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, and Hank Williams? Or learn how so-called hillbilly music transformed from old folk songs played by everyday people to one of the most lucrative and popular forms of entertainment today? Join professors Wesley Phelps and Danielle Dumaine for an interactive lecture examining the history and evolution of country music in the US from the early twentieth century through to the present day. Together, we will explore how country music reflects larger social, cultural, historical, economic, political, ethnic, and demographic changes in America, paying particular attention to concepts of authenticity, race, gender, sexuality, politics, and popular culture.
Danielle Dumaine, PhD, is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Multidisciplinary Studies at the University of North Texas. She primarily teaches courses in modern US history. Her research focuses on women’s lives and the relationship between gender and capitalism. She earned a PhD in history from the University of Connecticut in 2020. Along with her colleague Dr. Wesley Phelps, she teaches a course on the history of country music, a portion of which takes place in Nashville, Tennessee.
Wesley G. Phelps, PhD, is a professor of history and director of undergraduate studies at the University of North Texas in Denton, where he teaches courses on recent United States history. He received his Ph.D. in history from Rice University in 2010. His research focuses on how democracy operates at the grassroots level and how marginalized groups of people have struggled to participate in the democratic experiment. Along with his colleague Dr. Danielle Dumaine, he teaches a course on the history of country music, a portion of which takes place in Nashville, Tennessee.
Can You See Yourself as a Cowgirl?
Tuesday, February 24
5:30pm - 6:30pm
Robson Ranch Clubhouse
Journey through the 40+ year career of Donna HowellSickles as she speaks on her influences, how she found her voice in art, and the roles that women have played throughout the West and beyond.
Donna Howell-Sickles developed her affinity for nature, animals, and the West at an early age while growing up on a Texas ranch near the Red River. After graduating from Texas Tech University with a BFA in painting and drawing, she found her muse in a vintage postcard depicting a cowgirl that read, “Greetings from a Real Cowgirl from the Ole Southwest.” For the last forty years, her work has explored the images, spirit, and myth of the American West. Her nationally recognized and distinctive artwork, filled with bright colors and spirited cowgirls, is a part of many museum collections, including the Booth Museum of Western Art, the Tucson Museum of Art, and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Along with winning numerous awards in invitational museum shows, Howell-Sickles’s artwork has been featured in many publications about Western art. Her artwork has been the focus for solo exhibitions at the Steamboat Art Museum, the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, the Booth Museum of Western Art, and many others. In November 2007, Donna Howell-Sickles was inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, and in 2011 Southwest Art magazine listed her as one of the forty most prominent people in the Western art world. Howell-Sickles is represented by Ann Korologos Gallery, Aspen, Colorado, Medicine Man Gallery, Tucson, Arizona and Davis and Blevins Gallery, Saint Jo, Texas.
Ranch Dressing: The Story of Western Wear
Tuesday, March 31
5:30pm - 7:00pm
Robson Ranch Clubhouse
The history of western wear is filled with fascinating stories. Want to know how John B. Stetson came to create “The Boss of the Plains?” And there is Jack A. Weil who went from traveling the west to sell ladies garters and garments to creating the snap-button western shirt. Levi Strauss followed the gold rush to make sturdy pants for miners. From there came the iconic 501 jean, still in production today. We also have Texas’ own H.J. Justin, creator of the western boot. Come dressed in your own western wear and learn of its history.
Jean Greenlaw, PhD, is a Regents Professor Emeritus in the UNT College of Education. She has been a reviewer for decades and is the book review columnist for the Denton Record-Chronicle.
History of the Fort Worth Stock Show
Tuesday, April 14
5:30pm - 6:30pm
Robson Ranch Clubhouse
The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo is now entering its 129th year of unbroken history. Such a long-standing and venerated institution demands a tricky balance of heritage and tradition to honor the past, as well as seizing on innovation to adapt to the future. Join Lauren Lovelace Murray, the Executive Vice President of the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, as she details the history of the show and why it matters to the local region, as well as her own personal history as a cowgirl and the path in her career that led her to being the first woman in her current role.
Lauren Lovelace Murray is a Texan born and raised. She grew up in Grapevine and went to Texas Tech University, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science. She started work at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo in 2005, and is now the Executive Vice President of that institution, as well as the first woman to serve in that role. She is also an active member of the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, and has been a certified Horsemanship Association Instructor for a number of years, serves as a Texas Director for the American Quarter Horse Association and is President of the Citizens Support Group for the Fort Worth Police Mounted Patrol. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, friends on the lake, and at home with her three horses and three yellow labs.
Spring 2026 Courses
Classroom Location Key:
UNT = UNT Support & Services Bldg.
CCY = The Point at CC Young
RR = Robson Ranch Clubhouse
FM = Flower Mound Senior Center
KEL = Keller Sr. Activities Center
LAN = Lantana Comm. Event Center
ZOOM = Virtual Classroom
See location addresses on page 12.
Scheduling Notes:
Multi-session Courses: If a course has multiple sessions listed at a single location, it will continue from one session to the next, with new material being presented at each session.
Repeated Courses: If a course has multiple locations listed, that indicates the entire course will be repeated at each location.
Instructor Handouts:
Handouts are posted to our website, olli.unt.edu/handouts, as they are made available to OLLI staff.
Course Fees:
For Pay Per Course members, each inperson course in this section carries a $15 fee, which is due upon enrollment in the course. Virtual courses on Zoom and YouTube livestreams are included for all members at no additional cost.
Cancellation Deadlines:
Pay Per Course members who cancel their attendance at least 24 hours in advance of a course's start date can request to apply their course fee to another course this semester.
Guest Policy:
Guests can see what our program is all about by attending one of the courses in this section for free, while space is available. Contact olli@unt.edu to enroll as a guest in one free course.
Arts & Humanities
A Conversation About Mystery Novel Series
LAN | Fri. Apr. 10 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
KEL | Tues. Apr. 14 | 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Many of us are addicted to reading mysteries, and can’t wait for the next novel about our favorite characters. In this session, we will speculate about what fuels this addiction. Our examples will center on three contemporary American novelists who publish a new novel every 24 months or so: William Kent Krueger, Deborah Crombie, and Donna Leon, but we also won’t ignore the classic mystery novelists and characters from the past. The intention of this session is to share insights on mystery series in general, with specific examples to support our speculations.
LaDonna Womochel, PhD, taught at Texas Tech either part-time or full-time for nine years. She holds a PhD from Texas Tech University, where she specialized in 19th century American novels. She is a member of the OLLI at UNT Advisory Council and frequently reviews books for organizations at Robson Ranch.
A Surprising History of Superheroes (and Supervillains!)
FM | Mon. Apr. 6 | 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
RR | Tues. Apr. 14 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
CCY | Thurs. Apr. 16 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
UNT | Mon. Apr. 27 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Hollywood and its audiences can’t seem to get enough of the superhero genre, and it’s interesting to ask why. Is it just simple escapism, or is there something deeper we can learn by studying how superheroes came to be? Join Dr. Megan Bryan as she takes you on a journey from the earliest seeds of superheroism to the blockbuster juggernauts they are today, and learn about the surprising origins of some of our favorite characters.
Megan Bryan, PhD, was born and raised in Germany, and received her university education, including her doctorate, from the University of York in the UK. She wrote her thesis on 19th century vampire literature, which has been an obsession of hers ever since watching “Horror of Dracula” at 15 years old. She has written five novels, as well as numerous essays, articles, and short stories on Victorians, villains, and vampires, and enjoys lecturing on these topics. She is also the Program Associate Director here at OLLI, and encourages you to stop by and see her anytime you want your Halloween fix whatever the time of year!
Architectural Ancestry and their Descendants Around Us
LAN | Fri. Apr. 3 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
FM | Wed. Apr. 29 | 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Have you looked at a new building and noticed a striking connection to a style from the past? Inn this engaging presentation, we will explore architectural genealogy and trace the lineage of specific structures to their historical ancestors. From stone pyramids to glass pyramids and more, we will trace how geometry and historic styles continue to inspire the buildings we see around us.
Lynn Brandon, PhD, is an Associate Professor in UNT’s Department of Merchandising & Digital Retailing, where she serves as the program coordinator for the home furnishings program.
Contemporary Texas Authors Looking At Nineteenth Century Texas
UNT | Wed. Mar. 25 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Many OLLI members have eagerly attended classes on Texas history. Looking at the facts is critical to understanding what Texas is about. But looking at how contemporary Texas authors bring to life the facts and/or myths about 19th century Texas provides a different kind of awareness of what we think Texas is. This session will examine four novelists: Steve Harrigan, Paulette Jiles, Elizabeth Crook, and Larry McMurtry.
LaDonna Womochel, PhD, taught at Texas Tech either part-time or full-time for nine years. She holds a PhD from Texas Tech University, where she specialized in 19th century American novels. She is a member of the OLLI at UNT Advisory Council and frequently reviews books for organizations at Robson Ranch.
Costume or Culture: When Fashion Appropriates
| Tues. Mar. 31 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Designers Adele Simpson, Patrick Kelly, and Giorgio di Sant Angelo all hail from different backgrounds. They also all very different major contributions to the world of fashion. They all had one thing in common: they incorporated their interpretations of cultures into their designs. This lecture will cover how these fashion designers appropriated, appreciated, and sold culture through fashion.
Sage Drisker is a graduate student in the Communication Masters program at the University of North Texas and serves as a teaching assistant. In 2023, Drisker earned a B.A. in communication from Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. Drisker’s academic and creative work explores the intersections of race, gender, media, and power, with a focus on visual rhetoric, cultural studies, and Black feminist thought.
This catalog was printed in December 2025. Any changes to a course’s schedule will be communicated to the members on the roster via email.
Courtly Love & Romance in the Middle Ages: Sir Gawain & The Green Knight
FM | Wed. Apr. 22 | 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
UNT | Wed. Apr. 29 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
We’re attending a jolly and festive Christmas party at the court of King Arthur when an unexpected visitor, a green giant, crashes into the ballroom, throws down a challenge, and leaves carrying his own decapitated head. Written in the late 1300s, Sir Gawain offers not only a rollicking good story, but also shows at work the conventions of Courtly Love between a knight and his lady that were popular in the Middle Ages. Members will read and discuss parts of the tale, discovering in vivid detail why the behaviors of the courtly knight code were so hard to meet. No advance reading necessary for this 1-session class.
Syd Coppersmith, MA, currently full-time faculty at the University of North Texas, has taught for 35 years at 5 universities. She has a particular interest in teaching the literature—with a healthy dose of history thrown in—of the Middle Ages, ancient Greece, the Elizabethan age and 19th-century Europe.
How the West was Worn
KEL | Tues. Mar. 3 | 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
RR | Thurs. Mar. 19 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
CCY | Tues. Mar. 31 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
The American West looms large in the popular imagination, and Westernwear populates both the utilitarian wardrobes of ranchers and cowboys and the high-style spaces of runways and fashion retail. Join Texas Fashion Collection director Annette Becker for an exploration of the role that Dallas, the Texas Centennial, and Neiman Marcus played transforming chain-stitched shirts and ten-gallon hats into high fashion.
Annette Becker, PhD, is an educator and material culture researcher whose work focuses on fashion history. She serves as the director of the Texas Fashion Collection, an archive of nearly 20,000 garments and accessories housed within the UNT College of Visual Arts and Design. Annette holds an MA in Art History and a PhD in History, both from UNT.
Jane Austen’s Emma
CCY | Thurs. Mar. 5 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Emma is often considered Jane Austen’s masterpiece. Handsome, clever, and rich, Emma Woodhouse is a restless queen bee without rivals in her sleepy little town. The novel is clearly Emma’s story because all but one chapter is written from her point of view. Members will discuss this satire of social class and the pain of growing up. The presentation will ask and answer questions about Emma, including whose viewpoint directed that one chapter in the book not from Emma’s point of view.
Elaine Kushmaul has had a long-standing admiration for Jane Austen and her novels. A mid-life career change led to a Masters in Library Information Services from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. One of the projects during graduate study concentrated on Jane Austen and her life. Through OLLI Elaine is sharing her love of literature, and most especially her love for the novels of Jane Austen.
Lone Star Literary Landscapes: Texas Literature and the Environment
ZOOM | Tues. Mar. 17, & Thurs. Mar. 19 2:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
In this session, members will explore Texas literary history and examine how Texas writers engage with the state’s diverse environments from sprawling prairies and rugged deserts to dense forests and dynamic coastlines and how these landscapes shape historical narratives, cultural identities, and environmental consciousness. Members will read works by acclaimed authors, including Larry McMurtry, John Graves, and Rick Bass, discuss themes of conservation and loss, abundance and scarcity, progress and preservation, and reflect on the state’s contemporary ecological challenges.
Rochelle Gregory, PhD, is a Clinical Associate Professor in UNT’s Department of Multidisciplinary Innovation. She grew up on a farm in rural central Texas. She attended Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, where she earned a BA and MA in English. Later, Rochelle attended Texas Woman’s University, where she earned a PhD in Rhetoric. Rochelle is currently teaching writing and literature at the UNT Frisco campus and is writing her first novel.
CCY | Tues. Feb. 3 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Take a classroom-guided tour of the special exhibition “International Surrealism at the Dallas Museum of Art” (November 2, 2025 - March 22, 2026). Surrealism is one of the major movements in the visual arts of the 20th century, exploring the irrational and the subconscious through the use of dream imagery, often placing familiar objects into strange juxtapositions. Consisting of loans from the Tate Gallery, London, the exhibition includes over 100 examples of works by major artists of the Surrealist movement - Salvador Dali, Joan Miro, Rene Magritte and others.
Lane Banks is a lecturer and museum educator focusing on the history of modern and contemporary art. He has taught continuing education courses at SMU for the past twenty years, has been a docent at the Dallas Museum of Art and Nasher Sculpture Center, and continues to lead gallery talks at the DMA.
That Nelson Riddle Sound
LAN | Fri. Feb. 20 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
FM | Mon. Feb. 23 | 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Nelson Riddle was an American composer and arranger. His work with Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nat King Cole were defining moments in the history of American popular music. He also arranged music for Judy Garland, Dean Martin, Peggy Lee, Johnny Mathis, Keely Smith, Rosemary Clooney, and Linda Ronstadt. Join us for a fascinating look at his life and music.
Max Morley, DMA, taught music history and literature at Stephen F. Austin State University until his retirement. He earned his BM, MM, and DMA degrees from UNT.
John Williams’ Villain Themes
CCY | Thurs. Feb. 19 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
After reflecting on the features of several wellknown villain themes from familiar movie scores such as Darth Vader and The Emperor (from “Star Wars”), this presentation synthesizes the musical features that comprise the core of John Williams’ villain motifs. Dr. Graf then demonstrates--in a user-friendly manner--the step-by-step process of layering those features using an actual light-saber scene from one of the “Star Wars” movies. The live demonstration and re-composition reveals a new way of understanding John Williams’ most iconic villain themes from the last fifty plus years.
Benjamin Graf, PhD, is Principal Lecturer of Music Theory at UNT. He is an active scholar in music theory, pedagogy and performance. He has completed three different music degrees Music Education (BS, Towson University), Music Performance (MM, UNT), and Music Theory (PhD, UNT). Based on his excellence in teaching and outstanding service, Benjamin was awarded the 2025 UNT Outstanding Lecturer Award at the UNT Foundation Salute to Faculty Excellence ceremony; it is the highest honor for professional faculty at UNT.
Surrealism
The “Hidden Persuaders” Who Shaped 50s/60s Advertising and Product Design
Ernest Dichter, a postwar emigre psychologist/ marketing consultant applied psychoanalytic theory to guide mid-century consumer culture. Did Betty Crocker Instant Cake Mix require an egg just so housewives could feel they were adding a human touch? This multimedia presentation will be a nostalgic romp through 50s/60s America’s shopping gullibility.
Don Hancock, PhD, retired after 35 years as an administrator and teacher in college and nonprofit adult education programs. He received both his PhD in Adult and Continuing Education and his BA in Journalism from UNT. He researched and published a nostalgia blog about growing up in Dallas several years ago and is a frequent contributor to Dallas history social media sites.
The Amazing Life of Charles Dickens
RR | Thur. Feb. 5 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
UNT | Mon. Feb. 9 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
A survey of the life of one of England’s greatest novelists, including his almost unbelievable journey from being a 12-year-old boy working in a factory, twelve hours a day, six days a week, to being a 24-year-old man, the most celebrated and widely-read author in the country. We will examine the main events of his life and learn a bit about his greatest hits.
Don Vann, PhD, is a Professor Emeritus in the UNT Department of English and retired Regent’s Professor. He has been an author or editor of eight books, as well as scores of articles and reviews. The Beatles as Touring Musicians
CCY | Thur. Mar. 19 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
When we think of the Beatles today, we almost exclusively think of the band’s recordings. However, their live performances also played a crucial role in their global popularity. This lecture will discuss the ins and outs of the Beatles’ tours. In particular, it will explore how they came to establish the modern arena concert format, as well as the multiple public controversies that influenced their decision to abandon touring.
Brian F. Wright, PhD, is Associate Professor of Music History at UNT and a specialist in the history of American popular music. He is also a former research assistant for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. His book-length history of the electric bass, The Bastard Instrument, was published in 2024, and his work has appeared in the Journal of the Society for American Music and the Journal of Popular Music Studies, as well as in Vintage Guitar and Bass Player Magazine.
The Observer and the Observed: A Dialogue Between Quantum Physics and Indian Thought
Many of the founders of quantum mechanics, like Erwin Schrödinger and Werner Heisenberg, found parallels between their groundbreaking discoveries and ancient Indian philosophical concepts, particularly those from the Upanishads and Vedanta. They saw a profound resonance in the ideas of unity, non-duality, and the role of consciousness. My course explores how ancient Indian sages’ introspective, philosophical inquiries into the nature of existence led them to conclusions that, on a conceptual level, align remarkably with some of the most baffling discoveries of 20th-century physics.
Richa Yadav, PhD, is a freelance writer who earned her doctorate degree in Philosophy. She moved to the United States almost two decades ago and has taught OLLI courses on literature, religion, and Indian culture since 2019.
The Power of Words: Mastering Communication in a Changing World
FM | Wed. Feb. 4 | 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
LAN | Fri. Mar. 27 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
RR | Tues. Apr. 21 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
If you’ve ever felt frustrated by being misunderstood or curious about how words shape the world around you, this course is for you! In this dynamic course, you’ll discover how language is being used, sometimes deliberately, to influence what people believe. We’ll explore two hidden tactics: redefining words and interpreting the past with today’s definitions. More importantly, you’ll learn how to spot these strategies, protect yourself from manipulation, and strengthen your own communication so your message is clear, powerful, and truly understood.
Dana Lynn Pope is a communication expert, professional speaker, and author of Who’s Changing the Meaning. A true philologist - one with a deep love for words and their origins - she brings clarity to how language shapes thought, culture, and connection. With her background as a nationallevel Supply Chain Project Manager, Dana blends her business intellect with her passion for language and communication.
Typography: Its History, Terminology, and Applications
RR | Thur. Feb. 19 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Signs, movie titles, product packaging, documents and publications -- whether in print or on a screen -- use typography. Choices of fonts and awareness of other factors, such as spacing between letters and between lines of type, can have a considerable influence on the way a message is perceived. This presentation will include information about the history of lettering, the introduction of movable type, the categories of typefaces, the terminology of typography and ways to use letterforms correctly and creatively.
John F. Neal, PhD, taught journalism and mass communication at the college level for more than 30 years. He received his PhD from UNT, and while in graduate school at The University of Texas at Austin, he worked in the photography collection of the Harry Ransom Center.
This course will discuss how to pass your business down to the next generation, as well as how to protect your assets using LLCs and Limited Partnerships.
Chris Jones has a wealth of experience as an attorney. A native of Fort Worth, he earned undergraduate degrees in accounting and business (with a minor in economics) from Centenary College in Shreveport before securing his legal degree from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law in 1995. His career started with Price Waterhouse Coopers as a tax attorney from 1995 to 1999. From there, he had a successful stint at Crady, Jewett, McCulley & Houren law firm before venturing out with his own practice in 2014. With both firms, he focused on tax and business transaction law while also helping with wills, trusts, and other estate planning tools. Chris joined the firm at Leigh Hilton PLLC in May 2025. Since that time he has helped families with their estate planning needs, along with a focus in LLC & LP for business.
Leigh Hilton is an Accredited Estate Planner. She received her law degree from the South Texas College of Law in Houston and is a member of the Wealth Counsel, National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, and Elder Counsel.
FM | Mon. Mar. 2 & Wed. Mar. 4
2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
In this session, members will learn about the probate system in Texas and how to structure their assets to bypass the courts. Members will understand their full financial picture and learn how to calculate their maximum lifestyle spending while passing down a legacy. Members will see how to implement a tax strategy to minimize their lifetime taxation while leaving tax efficient assets.
Andrew Crème is a Certified Financial Planning and Founder of Creme Wealth LLC. He has a passion for educating people on the meaningful topics of money - including retirement cash flow planning, tax planning, estate planning, and how to pass on a legacy while maximizing lifestyle.
Janelle Crème, JD, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Seeking to make an even greater impact on people’s lives, she earned her law degree and practiced personal injury law before joining an immigration firm. She then expanded her expertise in estate planning and opened her own practice serving clients in Prosper, McKinney, Plano, Celina, and Frisco.
Outsmart the Scammers
UNT | Mon. Feb. 23 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
RR | Tues. Mar. 3 | 2:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
FM | Mon. Apr. 27 | 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
During this presentation, we’ll discuss how to spot certain red flags that may indicate a fraudulent encounter, resources you can turn to if you or your loved one is targeted, and steps you can take now to help protect yourself and your loved ones.
Kyle Schlabach is a financial advisor with Edward Jones who focuses on retirement, estate, and legacy strategies. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University.
Retire Smarter, Not Harder: Mastering Retirement Taxes to Protect Your Wealth
LAN | Fri. Mar. 6, Fri. Mar. 20
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
UNT | Mon. Mar. 16, Wed. Mar. 18
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
This workshop, led by local financial planner Joseph Dowdall, is designed to equip retirees and those preparing to retire with the knowledge to navigate the complexities of taxation. The session will explore common “tax traps” and highlight valuable “tax opportunities” across the four stages of retirement, providing members with actionable strategies to potentially save significant money and ensure a more secure financial future.
Joe Dowdall, MBA, has worked in the financial services industry for over 16 years and has spent the last 12 years as a financial planner in North Texas. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York and his MBA in Finance from Saint Joseph’s Haub School of Business. Joe is a certified Financial Planner, Chartered Retirement Plan Consultant, and a Retirement Income Certified Professional.
The U.S. Federal Reserve and Banking System
KEL | Tues. Feb. 10 | 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
In this session, members will learn how the Federal Reserve System and overall banking system affects the US economy.
Stan Nelsen, MA, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Fresno State University and a Master’s degree in Banking and Finance from Golden Gate University.
Current Events & Social Issues
Explore Artificial Intelligence Under the Covers
FM | Mon. Mar. 30 | 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
We will explore Artificial Intelligence starting with the very basics of what it is and how it works, why has it become suddenly so important, and how to adopt it for our lives, as well as what are the precautions to adopt if you are using it for personal reasons and how corporations are using it securely. This course will not require any prior knowledge about computers or information technology.
Shamik Banerjee has an MBA from SUNY, Buffalo and a MS in Business Analytics from UTD. Has worked with databases, and data analytics for over 20 years and enjoys mentoring the inquisitive mind related to his expertise in the IT industry.
FM | Mon. Feb. 16, Wed. Feb. 18
2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
RR | Tues. Mar. 31, Thurs. Apr. 2
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
UNT | Mon. Apr. 20, Wed. Apr. 22
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
What does the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Smithsonian, the Center for Disease Control, and the New York Times all have in common? All are evidence-based institutions which provide information to our government and the public. The knowledge identified through journalism, the legal system, government agencies, scientific research, museums, and libraries are necessary for the formation of reality-based government policy and a functioning democracy. Recent attacks on these institutions will weaken democracy. This talk explains why this is the case.
Rob Demski, PhD, has a degree in experimental psychology with a social psychology specialization from Texas Tech University. He has taught numerous courses including research methods, media psychology, political psychology, presidential election courses for 2008, 2012, and 2016 co-taught with communications and political science faculty at Adams State University, Alamosa CO. He currently teaches on-line and through correspondence, and is semi-retired.
Public Opinion Polling in American Politics
RR | Tues. Feb. 17 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
How can a survey of 1,000 people tell what the whole U.S. thinks? When should we trust and when should we distrust polls? The session will address these and other questions and explore the role of public opinion polling in elections and the relationship of public opinion to policy. Members will learn about the history of polling and how technology has changed it, how polling is used-and sometimes misused--in campaigns, and what polls tell us about politics today.
Patricia Richard, PhD, is a Trustee Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Ohio University. In her scholarly work, Dr. Richard has written extensively about democracy, elections and campaigns, public opinion, and women’s rights.
The Great Race: International Stakes and Consequences of the AI Arms Race
Between the U.S. and China
RR | Tues. Mar. 31 | 2:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
FM | Wed. Apr. 8 | 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The U.S. and China are racing for dominance in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. While AI advances promise significant impacts upon Americans’ economic, social, and political lives, the race for dominance in AI will likely bring profound consequences for international politics and security. In this class, we will explore what this race looks like and what its consequences are for the balance of power between the U.S. and China and what its implications are for international relations.
Michael Greig, PhD, is a Professor of Political Science at UNT with a primary research and teaching expertise in international relations. His work explores the forces that cause the outbreak of conflict and the tools that are most effective in transitioning war to a stable peace.
The Rise and Fall of Democracy and Economic Development in Venezuela
UNT | Mon. Feb. 2 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
While much of Latin America drifted toward authoritarianism in the 1960s-1980s, Venezuela maintained democracy and sustained economic growth during much the same time period. Since the 2000s, political leaders including President Hugo Chávez and President Nicolás Maduro have undermined democratic institutions and the economic situation has gotten much worse over time. What caused Venezuela to fall so far and so fast? Will democracy and economic prosperity return to Venezuela?
Glen Biglaiser, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at UNT. His areas of specialization include comparative politics, Latin American politics, and economic and political issues in the developing world.
Understanding Crypto Currencies
KEL | Tues. Mar. 17 | 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
FM | Wed. Mar. 25 | 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Confused what Bitcoin is? Want to buy/sell and get richer/poorer faster? Crypto currencies are a new world of investing, and in this course the student will understand what it is and how it works.
Darrel VanDyke, PhD, received his doctorate degree in Computer Science and has worked with several early computer companies. He is also an author of the book, Fire in the Mind, which details the computer ideas that came about during the 1970s.
History
200th Anniversary of the Erie Canal
KEL | Tues. Mar. 24 | 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
RR | Tues. Apr. 21 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Imagine digging a 4 ft deep by 40 ft wide, 363-milelong canal from Denton to Corpus Christi using only people with shovels. Seems almost impossible, but that’s exactly what happened when the Erie Canal was completed from Buffalo to New York City in 1825. This class will use stories and pictures of why and how the Erie Canal was created and how it is still being used in 2026. Members will even sing “The Erie Canal” song that many learned in elementary school.
Tom Pryor served for 18 years with three Fortune 500 firms before founding a cost management consulting, training, and software company. Tom also served 6 years as Director of the Small Business Development Center at the University of Texas at Arlington.
50s Science Fiction Movies
UNT | Mon. Feb. 16 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Radioactive monsters! UFOs! The 50s may have been the golden age of scifi movies, a staple of the drive-in theaters. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear as we jog our collective memories and remember them!
Jerry Davis is a professional engineer who worked in the commercial electric power industry for 15 years. He followed this by teaching Engineering at UNT for 21 years. A nuclear engineer by education he also taught Mechanical Engineering.
American Mythology
RR | Thurs. Apr. 9 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
FM | Mon. Apr. 20 | 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
We are familiar with Greek and Roman Mythology, but what about American Mythology? There is just so much that everyone believes that “just ain’t so”, and at the same time, true events are glossed over and skipped entirely. Real people are made into legends, and legends are accepted as fact. This course delves into the stories and people that everyone knows, but no one knows about.
James Robinson is a retired teacher of American and Afro-American History. His Master’s Degree involved Civil War origins, and he has long been both a student and teacher of Texas History. Mr. Robinson currently volunteers for the Denton County Office of History and Culture, specifically in the Traveling Museum project, which brings museum artifacts and presentations to school children all over the county.
Bertha’s Grand Day Out
RR | Thurs. Mar. 19 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
UNT | Mon. Mar. 23 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
At breakfast one morning in 1888, Bertha told her husband that she was taking their two sons to visit “mutti,” her mother. Karl said fine, thinking that they’d take the train. Instead, they got Benz #3 out of the coach house and made the first documented intercity car trip and learned a lot about how to improve the car.
Jerry Davis is a professional engineer who worked in the commercial electric power industry for 15 years. He followed this by teaching Engineering at UNT for 21 years. A nuclear engineer by education he also taught Mechanical Engineering.
Celebrating America’s 250th! Stories of Six Patriots
CCY | Thurs. Apr. 23 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
RR | Thurs. Apr. 30 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
As we enter a summer of celebrations focused on the American Revolutionary War and the history of our country, we will celebrate six patriots. From militia men to German immigrants, to rangers and landowners, each man you will hear about is unique in their service to our country, but the stories begin to provide an understanding of how the events affected everyday citizens.
Emily Richardson, EdD, worked in higher education for 30 years as an administrator and a tenured faculty member, before retiring to follow her genealogy passion and open her genealogy business, Kinsearchers. She has done genealogy research for over 40 years and has taught this topic to both college students and adult learners.
In 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, led the successful Norman invasion of England, an event that transformed the monarchy, the government, and the very fabric of English society. The conquest laid the foundations for a unified kingdom that has endured for nearly a thousand years. William was a man of striking contrasts: a disciplined and brilliant military strategist, a fierce and often ruthless warrior, and a determined administrator intent on shaping a lasting legacy. In a single lifetime, he changed the course of English history, and the mark of his rule can still be seen across the United Kingdom today.
Marla Morris holds a Master’s degree in History from the University of Texas at Arlington, where she also earned a certification in Archives and Manuscripts, and completed a second Master’s degree in Medieval History from King’s College London. Her passion for connecting with the past has taken her to historical sites across Europe and beyond, where she explores how a sense of place deepens understanding of historical events. Marla developed and taught an undergraduate Medieval History elective at the University of Texas at El Paso and currently teaches an online Humanities course “Faith & Reason.” Her courses emphasize historical context, critical inquiry, and the idea that history is a living conversation among ideas, people, and places.
I Didn’t Know That! Things You May Or May Not Know About the Life of George Washington
RR | Tues. Mar. 24 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
UNT | Mon. Apr. 6 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
CCY | Thurs. Apr. 9 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
This session will cover facts and little known facts/ events in the life of our first president. Did he wear wooden teeth? Who was his first love? Did he chop down his father’s cherry tree? And many, many more interesting stories about Washington.
Bruce Ralston is a retired AP History teacher as well as a docent at the George Bush Presidential Center. In addition, he gives history talks to various audiences, and has also performed a one-act play as a Civil War soldier.
One
Diplomat’s Supporting Role on History’s Great Stage
UNT | Mon. Mar. 2 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
CCY | Tues. Mar. 3 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
In the 1980s, Poland suffered nation-wide labor unrest resulting in the imposition of martial law by Poland’s communist authorities yet, by 1990, ended up a full-fledged democracy. Posted to the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw from 1980 to 1983 and again from 1987 to 1991, Steve Dubrow will recount some of his Polish experiences as case studies illustrating what a diplomat is and what a diplomat does. Focusing on this key time in Poland as an officer in the Foreign Service of the United States, Steve will make clear that a diplomat’s career is more a lifestyle choice than a job.
Steve Dubrow graduated from Columbia and Princeton, taught at Brown University, served for 25 years as a diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service, and taught world languages for 19 years.
Patrick of Ireland: A Saint in Name Only but Celebrated Worldwide
Millions around world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day every March 17. Yet Patrick never received the official title, hence a saint in name only. The religious holiday to honor Patrick introducing Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century has evolved into celebrations and recognition of all things Irish in the United States and worldwide. The origins, sainthood, changing cultural significance, and contradictory legacy will be explored.
Rudy Ray Seward, PhD, is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Sociology at UNT. He is a descendant of Mary Davis, born on Christmas Day in 1792 in County Tyrone, Ireland. He first visited Ireland in 1971 and in 1998 was a Research Fellow at National University of Ireland, Galway.
This course will present a collection of curious events in the colorful history of Texas. Most Texans will have never heard of them, but they offer an alternative insight into the Texas mystique.
Steven Jent, MS, received a BA in History from Rice University in 1973 and an MS in Computer Science from SMU in 1995. He was employed by IBM in software development from 1976 to 1998. Since he left IBM, he has written two books on Texas history.
UNT | Wed. Feb. 18, Wed. Mar. 4 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia rose to be a prominent location prior to and during the Revolutionary War. After the war, the seat of government moved further north and Williamsburg fell to ruin. In 1926, due to the efforts of W.A.R. Goodwin and John D. and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, a restoration began which has resulted in the complete restoration of the city covering 301 acres, including hundreds of buildings, to its 18th century glory. This is the story of that restoration which has resulted in the world’s largest museum.
Raymond Pahler majored in engineering and minored in art. While employed as an executive in the plastics industry, he became an accomplished artist working in a wide range of media. His work as an artist has been focused toward depicting technical subjects in an artful manner.
Sir Ernest Shackleton and the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration
RR | Tues. Feb. 3 | 2:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
FM | Wed. Feb. 25 | 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
From the late 19th century until the end of WWI, Antarctica was the focus of international and scientific exploration. Among the explorers was Ernest Shackleton, an Ireland-born explorer who led three British expeditions to Antarctica. This class will focus on his life and the ill-fated TransAntarctic Expedition of 1914-1917 aboard his ship, the Endurance.
Barbara Manner, PhD, received her Master’s and doctorate degrees in Geology and Secondary Education from the University of Akron. She taught geology there as well as at Duquesne University. Dr. Manner has traveled extensively and has spent time in 40 of the national parks.
The Battle of Peleliu in WWII
FM | Mon. Apr. 1 | 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
RR | Tue. Apr. 14 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
As the campaign against Japan was progressing, three islands stood in the way before the landing on Japan was to happen - Okinawa, Iwo Jima, and the Palau Islands. This course focuses on a series of battles that took place in one small area toward the end of the WWII Pacific campaign against Japan. It was a battle that should have taken three days, but ended up taking more than 30 and at a great cost. Attendees will hear quotes from soldiers who fought there, and see historical battle photographs.
Darrel VanDyke, PhD, received his doctorate degree in Computer Science and has worked with several early computer companies. He is also an author of the book, Fire in the Mind, which details the computer ideas that came about during the 1970s.
The Brilliance Heist: How Men Have Stolen or Been Given Credit for Women’s Scientific Discoveries and Creative Works
RR | Tues. Mar. 3 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
UNT | Mon. Mar. 30 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
The Matilda Effect describes the historical pattern in which women’s scientific and artistic achievements have been overlooked or attributed to men. The name is taken from a work by an abolitionist Matilda Joslyn Gage who in 1883 published an essay titled “Woman as Inventor.” For centuries, societal attitudes, laws, and customs have prevented women inventors and creators from getting the recognition they deserve. This presentation will discuss the history of some of those women whose inventions were stolen, discounted or presented to the public under a masculine name.
Lois Levine-Elman is a former school psychologist who has given OLLI presentations on a variety of topics.
The Confederacy and the Myth of the Lost Cause
CCY | Tues. Feb. 10 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
A wealth of documents from the beginning of the Civil War make it clear that slavery was the foremost issue that drove eleven states to secede from the Union. But since the end of the war southern writers have denied this and maintained that the “Lost Cause” was the defense of states’ rights. This session will review the contents of those documents to reveal the expressed motives of the Confederacy, and describe the evolution of the “Lost Cause” myth.
Steven Jent, MS, received a BA in History from Rice University in 1973 and an MS in Computer Science from SMU in 1995. He was employed by IBM in software development from 1976 to 1998. Since he left IBM, he has written two books on Texas history.
The History of the White House Oval Office & the Resolute Desk
When you think of the White House what is the first thing that comes to mind? To many it is the Oval Office and the Resolute desk. (Remember the movie National Treasure?) As an awardwinning docent at the George Bush Presidential Center, Bruce Ralston will be presenting both the histories of the Oval Office and the Resolute desk.
Bruce Ralston is a retired AP History teacher as well as a docent at the George Bush Presidential Center. In addition, he gives history talks to various audiences, and has also performed a one-act play as a Civil War soldier.
The Last Soldier: Remembering the Final Living Veterans of America’s Wars
RR | Tues. Feb. 3 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
The Last Soldier is a historical journey into the lives of the last surviving veterans of America’s wars. Attendees will grasp the profound impact of these service members’ symbolic of an entire generation’s sacrifice. Through personal stories, this course shows how history was shaped by those who outlived their comrades, becoming living testaments to war and peace. Participants will connect past to present, gaining insight into how America should honor and remember its last surviving veterans.
Dale R. Spaulding is an award-winning author and lifelong student of history. He navigated the oceans and seas of the world in his twenty-two years of service in the U.S. Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer. Dale is a graduate of Auburn University and the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. He is passionate about his faith, his family, and his country.
The Life and Times of Stephen F. Austin’s Colony
To accommodate as many members as possible, this 90-minute lecture is being offered twice at Robson Ranch this spring.
RR | Mon. Feb. 9 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
FM | Wed. Feb. 11 | 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
RR | Fri. Feb. 13 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
In this course, Dr. Andrew Torget will tell the remarkable story of the creation of Stephen F. Austin’s colony, which began the movement of Americans into Mexican Texas during the 1820s that ultimately led to the Texas Revolution and the creation of the Republic of Texas. Offering insights into both Austin and his colonists, Dr. Torget will explore the gritty realities of life in early Texas and how disagreements between these Anglo-Texans and the Mexican government led to the transformation of North America.
Andrew J. Torget, PhD, is a historian of 19th century North America at UNT, where he holds the University Distinguished Teaching Professorship. He is the author or editor of five books, he a Guiness World record in 2018, and he has won multiple teaching awards on two different continents.
The Original Code Talkers
UNT | Mon. Feb. 23 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
KEL | Tues. Mar. 31 | 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Did you see the movie “Windtalkers?” Did you otherwise know about the famous Navajo code talkers in WWII? Did you know that they didn’t invent it? The idea came from use in WWI by nearby Choctaw members of the 36th Division, trained at Camp Bowie in Ft. Worth.
Jerry Davis is a professional engineer who worked in the commercial electric power industry for 15 years. He followed this by teaching Engineering at UNT for 21 years. A nuclear engineer by education he also taught Mechanical Engineering.
The Real Story of King Tut
CCY | Thurs. Apr. 2 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Howard Carter’s announcement in 1922 that he had discovered the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun (“King Tut”) and the subsequent display of the ancient treasures found therein set off a worldwide fascination with the civilization of ancient Egypt that has lasted to this day. I aim to tell the story of the real King Tutankhamun, which often does not line up with the mythology that has developed around “King Tut.”
Walter Roberts is a Principal Lecturer in the History department of UNT. He has been at UNT for 15 years but has also taught at Ohio University and the University of Arizona. He received his PHD from Emory University in 2003. His research specialty is the Late Roman/Early Byzantine Empire, but he is a generalist in the teaching of the ancient world.
The Rule of Law: What Does it Mean and Why Does It Matter
CCY | Thurs. Feb. 26 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
This engaging presentation will provide an overview of the historical foundations of the rule of law and its guiding principles - equality under the law, due process and an independent judiciary. We will also discuss the essential role that the rule of law plays in sustaining a healthy democracy, and the dangers posed by the gradual creation of dual systems of law.
Celeste Flippen is a member of the Texas Bar. She has worked in the past on Capitol Hill for a U.S. Senator. She graduated from Duke University cum laude and from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1989. She practiced law full time from 1989-2015, then pivoted her career to legal recruiting before retiring in 2022. She has served in active roles on DFW area community boards for over 25 years.
The Spanish Conquering of the Americas
CCY | Thur. Feb. 12 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
From the first steps of a Spainard on the shores of an island in the Caribbean, to the bloody search for gold and souls, to Spain’s final withdrawal and legacy they left, this class takes the student on a historical journey to understand what happened from 1492 until the present.
Darrel VanDyke, PhD, received his doctorate degree in Computer Science and has worked with several early computer companies. He is also an author of the book, Fire in the Mind, which details the computer ideas that came about during the 1970s.
Nature & Environmental Science
A Journey from the Bottom of the Ocean to the Surface of the Moon
RR | Tues. Feb. 17 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
This session will explore how microscopic particles can help us better understand the universe. Members will see dust from the solar system found at the bottom of the ocean and glass beads from the moon that tell us what the moon is made of. The presentation will include a few other examples from Mother Earth illustrating how dust-sized particles can impact our lives.
Robert Finkelman, PhD, helped create the field of medical geology and has co-edited five books on the subject. He received his doctorate degree in Chemistry from the University of Maryland.
Assembling Texas: A Journey Through Earth’s Middle
Age
CCY | Tue. Feb. 17 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Two and half billion years ago, at the beginning of the Proterozoic Eon, the land we walk on did not even exist. This session will be a journey though Earth’s middle age to visit how some of the oldest rocks in the world came together to form the North American Continent and the basement rocks that underlay our home state.
Scott Kiester is a certified Texas Master Naturalist since 2003 and Audubon Master Birder for North Central Texas. He has worked on different conservation related projects and with conservation groups throughout East Texas. Currently he is active in the Elm Fork Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists, leads a monthly bird walk at the Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center near Denton and volunteers regularly at LLELA, the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area. Mr. Kiester is a retired geologist and has an M.S. in environmental science.
The national parks provide accessible and protected examples of important geologic processes. Volcanism, mountain building, tectonic activity, glaciation, groundwater and geothermal activity, and river erosion are represented. Geologic history and features of selected national parks will be presented using photos and supplementary reading material. This four-session course presumes little or no geologic or scientific background.”
Barbara Manner, PhD, received her Master’s and doctorate degrees in Geology and Secondary Education from the University of Akron. She taught geology there as well as at Duquesne University. Dr. Manner has traveled extensively and has spent time in 40 of the national parks.
The
Movie “Groundhog
Day” as
a
Metaphor for the History of Life
UNT | Wed. Feb. 25 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Movies often depict characters stuck in time loops where each day repeats and characters struggle with how much of each day is determined and how much can be changed. Evolutionary biology can ask the same type of question. For example, what if we reset to the time of dinosaurs... would they persist as giant reptiles or only as they have most recently, as birds? Dr. Dewitt’s research asked whether chance or determinism has the stronger hand in guiding evolution of fish body shapeattend the lecture to find out!
Thom DeWitt, PhD, is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Multidisciplinary Innovation within the College of Applied and Collaborative Studies at the University of North Texas. He holds an MA in Ecology from Boston University and PhD in Ecology from Binghamton University (State University of New York). He was a postdoctoral scholar and research professor at the University of Kentucky and an Associate Professor of Conservation Biology at Texas A&M University. He is now Emeritus at A&M and a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of North Texas. His career has been broad and has yielded 53 reviewed journal articles, a book, and many reports garnering nearly 9000 international citations. Currently, he is teaching innovative programs in Environmental and Earth sciences.
Turkey Vultures: The Life and Times of an Unloved Bird
UNT | Mon. Feb. 9 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
RR | Thurs. Feb. 26 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Cathartes aura, the Linnaean binomial for the turkey vulture translates to “purifying breeze” or “golden cleaner,” a nod to both their role as nature’s clean up crew and the effortless way they soar through the sky. Turkey vultures and their cousins black vultures are among the world’s most widely ranging avian scavengers visible nearly everywhere in the Western Hemisphere. Their natural history and cultural connections throughout the Americas make for an interesting journey in the company of a fascinating and under appreciated species.
Scott Kiester is a certified Texas Master Naturalist since 2003 and Audubon Master Birder for North Central Texas. He has worked on different conservation related projects and with conservation groups throughout East Texas. Currently he is active in the Elm Fork Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists, leads a monthly bird walk at the Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center near Denton and volunteers regularly at LLELA, the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area. Mr. Kiester is a retired geologist and has an M.S. in environmental science.
Philosophy & Religion
In Defense of the Devil’s Despair: An Argument Based on Kierkegaard’s “Sickness unto Death” and Milton’s “Paradise Lost”
UNT | Mon. & Wed. Mar. 16, 18, 23, & 25 | 10:00am - 11:30am
In this course, we will survey two classics in the fields of philosophy and English, Søren Kierkegaard’s “The Sickness unto Death” and John Milton’s “Paradise Lost.” Select passages are highlighted in both books, revealing new insight into Milton’s influence on Kierkegaard’s philosophy and writing. What lessons may we learn about the human condition from this insightful analysis, such that faith, hope, and love continue to thrive despite despair in the fallen world?
Susan McRae is a PhD Candidate in the department of Philosophy and Religion at the University of North Texas. She has just completed a three-year Teaching Fellowship, in which she taught two sections of PHIL1400 Ethics and Society (Fall 2023/Spring 2024) and two sections of PHIL 2070 World Religions (Fall 2024/Spring 2025). She was also a Teaching Assistant for numerous courses in both the philosophy and anthropology departments. She received her MS in Applied Anthropology in the summer of 2021. She has experience teaching in-person and as a teaching assistant both in-person and online. Her dissertation is focused on the philosophy of Søren Kierkegaard and applying that to the ethical treatment of animals.
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math
Artificial Intelligence in Daily Life and How You Can Contribute
This course offers an easy-to-follow introduction to artificial intelligence and how it is already part of daily life. You will explore both the helpful side of AI and the moments when it fails or can cause problems. The sessions will show how your ideas, experiences, and values matter in shaping these systems, and how you can take part by giving feedback and guiding improvements. The aim is to give you confidence to use AI in positive ways while also helping it become more fair and inclusive.
Zeynep Orhan, PhD holds BS, MS and PhD degrees in Computer Engineering and has extensive research and teaching experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, and data analytics. She has worked in higher education institutions across several countries with diverse communities, focusing on responsible AI, healthcare applications, e-education, and e-government systems for more than 30 years.
Cameras That Take Flight
RR | Tues. Feb. 3 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
A review of cameras that can fly and the advantage of knowing how to fly the cameras safely and how to take a image. A demonstration will be included in this class for all to see how they work.
Steve Simpson is an experienced OLLI Instructor with a passion for teaching about “Cutting the Cable,” Photography, Drones, and High Tech Devices. He worked for over 20 years supporting the major mobile wireless phone carriers.
Can Computers Think? Wading Knee-deep into the Sea of Artificial Intelligence
RR | Tues. Mar. 24 & Thurs. Mar. 26 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Computers have been useful tools for decades, but just in the last few years the sorts of tasks at which they seem to excel are growing by leaps and bounds -- just ask ChatGPT to write a sonnet or discuss some complex philosophical question. The first session of this class will delve into the basic technology behind these amazing capabilities, and the second session will consider just how far it might go in the near future.
David McKinley retired from Oracle Corporation in 2020 after a 50-year career as a systems and software engineer. During his last few years at Oracle, David was a principal architect of a cloud-based application platform used by multiple global business units. Earlier, he co-authored international standards for high-availability computing systems, working with companies including Intel, IBM, Ericsson, Siemens, and Motorola. Holding positions at both major corporations and startup companies, he not only observed, but actively participated in advancing computer hardware and software technology over the course of five decades.
ChatGPT: What is it? What can it do?
UNT | Mon. Mar. 30 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
This talk introduces ChatGPT, an advanced conversational AI, in simple and accessible terms. Attendees will learn what ChatGPT is, how it works at a high level, its limitation and most importantly how to use it in everyday life. No prior computer background is required except how to use your personal computer.
Larry Sniderman is a retired software engineer who specialized in complex real-time and embedded systems. He received his BS degree in Computer Science from Michigan State University. Since retiring he joined OLLI 3 years ago and has become an AI and Personal Robotics enthusiast. He is a lifelong engineer with a passion for what’s next.
How Your Internet Works
UNT | Mon. Feb. 2 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
This course will explain how your PC browser or phone app communicates across the internet to connect with the servers run by Google, Facebook, and your bank. It will show how the steps are similar to those of more familiar networks like telephones and the post office.
Dale McHenry spent 35 years building, operating, and marketing business internet services at AT&T.
CCY | Thurs. Feb. 5 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
RR | Tues. Feb. 10 | 2:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
This course provides an immersive experience through the use of virtual reality technology. Participants will engage in hands-on activities and simulations that will enhance their mastery of complex activities such as 3D puzzle-solving. The activities will be not only engaging but also relaxational.
Regina Kaplan-Rakowski is a Lecturer in the UNT Department of Learning Technologies, where she is also Director of the Masters of Science program. Her research interests include immersive learning environments (virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, virtual worlds).
Fred McMahan, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Learning Technologies. His research primary focuses on Adaptive Virtual Environments. His research includes the use video games and simulations for practical applications such as diagnosing and treatment of neuropsychological disorders, learning applications, and training applications.
Materials Science and Our Daily Lives: Historical Perspectives on Stuff
UNT | Wed. Apr. 1 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
LAN | Fri. Apr. 17 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
In this session, members will learn the fundamental concepts of materials science through examination of everyday things like toilet paper, plastic combs, razorblades, eyeglasses, aluminum cans, wine glasses, and beer steins to more advanced things like cell phones, computers, cars, aircraft, and satellites. These materials include metals, ceramics, glasses, polymers, and composites. All of these things will be discussed with a historical perspective in mind which will highlight the origins of these everyday items, how they changed over time, and how they affect our current lives.
Marcus L. Young, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at UNT. He has degrees in Fine Arts, Metallurgy, and Materials Science and Engineering. With experience in industry, government laboratories, and academia, his research ranges from cultural heritage studies on museum objects such as greenstones and bronzes, bioresorbable metal foams for biomedical implants, and energy storage materials for battery technologies, to composite materials for the U.S. military and shape memory alloys for NASA satellites.
The World Through the Eyes of an Itinerant Scientist
UNT | Mon. Mar. 2 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Robert Finkelman’s scientific research activities have taken him to every corner of the globe, including places that few tourists have visited. Through a non-technical pictorial journey, he will take members to meet princesses and paupers. They will visit countries that no longer exist and countries whose existence is threatened. He’ll introduce members to exotic foods and to incredibly welcoming people who occupy this wild, wonderful world that we live in.
Robert Finkelman, PhD, helped create the field of medical geology and has co-edited five books on the subject. He received his doctorate degree in Chemistry from the University of Maryland.
What Is Artificial Intelligence? Good and Bad Uses of AI
CCY | Thurs. Mar. 26 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
This course provides a basic introduction to AI, how they work, their current capabilities, and potential capabilities surpassing human intelligence. The course will provide suggestions on how to create good prompts to obtain useful information from AI tools. The course also covers how AI can solve some of our problems in education, medicine, scientific research, and climate change. It also describes some misuses of AI that can cause serious problems to our culture, and even the future of humanity.
Krishna Kavi, PhD, is an Emeritus Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at UNT. He served in academia for more than 4 decades, conducted research on computer technologies, including technologies used in AI. He published more than 250 technical papers, and graduated 25 doctoral students.
What Your Dog Thinks: The Other Half of the Partnership With Dogs.
UNT | Mon. Apr. 20 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
We will review the paleontological, archaeological, genetic and other evidence for the way that our partnership formed. We will talk about how dogs observe and study us, and what their behaviors and responses to our actions say about them and us.
Patrick Parson has a BS in bacteriology, minors zoology and psychology, and a MS in systems analysis. Whenever something weird or difficult would come up in the companies he worked for, it would usually end up on his desk.
Jane Twohey was certified as an obedience school instructor and did obedience and agility training for dogs.
Who Invented the Computer?
CCY | Tues. Apr. 7 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
UNT | Mon. Apr. 13 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
It is impossible to identify a single inventor of the machine we call the computer. There are, however, significant milestones along the road to the creation of this ubiquitous modern tool. One surprising one is found in the early 1800s, marking the work of two intriguing pioneers: Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace. This session will explore the inspirations and collaborations of this son of a wealthy banker and daughter of a famous poet, and how their talents and personalities combined to almost create a working computer 100 years before any other became a reality.
David McKinley retired from Oracle Corporation in 2020 after a 50-year career as a systems and software engineer. During his last few years at Oracle, David was a principal architect of a cloud-based application platform used by multiple global business units. Earlier, he co-authored international standards for high-availability computing systems, working with companies including Intel, IBM, Ericsson, Siemens, and Motorola. Holding positions at both major corporations and startup companies, he not only observed, but actively participated in advancing computer hardware and software technology over the course of five decades.
Wellness & Lifestyle
Beans or No Beans: Let’s Talk About Chili
UNT | Wed. Feb. 11 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Beans, or no beans? A bowl of red with beef, or white with chicken? The dreaded “five-ways?” This class will look into the history and practice of chili. I think we can all agree though - no tofu.
Jerry Davis is a professional engineer who worked in the commercial electric power industry for 15 years. He followed this by teaching Engineering at UNT for 21 years. A nuclear engineer by education he also taught Mechanical Engineering.
Many older adults are caring for family members. This course will discuss the many aspects of caregiving and its impact on older persons. Techniques and skills important to self-care as a family caregiver will be presented in the context of developing a self-care plan that will benefit you and the person you are caring for.
Bert Hayslip, Jr., PhD, is a Regents Professor Emeritus in the UNT Department of Psychology. He received his doctorate in Experimental/ Developmental Psychology from the University of Akron and was on the UNT faculty from 1978 to 2013.
FM | Mon. Feb. 2 | 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
RR | Thurs. Feb. 12 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
This course will provide essential information for someone diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, covering effective communication strategies, how to deal with the stresses of caregiving, stages and behaviors of Alzheimer’s disease, and how to plan ahead for legal matters and care costs.
Leigh Hilton is an Accredited Estate Planner. She received her law degree from the South Texas College of Law in Houston and is a member of the Wealth Counsel, National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, and Elder Counsel.
Have you ever gotten stuck when working on a challenging problem? Have you ever found yourself going back to the same solution, even though you know it didn’t quite work in the past? To get out of these ruts and sharpen our brains, we have to take risk to think creatively, to change perspectives, and to move out of our comfort zone. Many eminent creators have used associations and metaphors as their way to keep their creative juices going. This class will teach how learn how to use their tricks to approach everyday problems in a creative way!
Dr. Magdalena G. Grohman is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Multidisciplinary Innovation within the College of Applied and Collaborative Studies at the University of North Texas. Her research, publications, and educational interests focus on design, creative thinking and creative problem solving, pedagogy of creativity, and ethics. She collaborates on cognitive ethnography studies in engineering design and ethics and situated learning processes. Prior to joining UNT, Dr. Grohman was with the Center for Values in Medicine, Science, and Technology at the University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Grohman is an active member of APA Division 10: Society for the Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts where she serves as chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
This course will explore the aging of our memory - what memory is, influences on memory performance, and the importance of memory in everyday life. Techniques for improving memory skills will be provided so that participants come away with more confidence and skills to improve their memory performance on a daily basis.
Bert Hayslip, Jr., PhD, is Regents Professor Emeritus in the UNT Department of Psychology. He received his doctorate in Experimental/ Developmental Psychology from the University of Akron and was on the UNT faculty from 1978 to 2013.
ZOOM | Thurs. Feb. 12 | 2:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Boomers have redefined every stage of life, and now it’s time to redefine retirement. Too often it’s portrayed as endless leisure or much dreaded decline, yet the reality is both more challenging and more rewarding. This session explores the good (greater happiness with age, freedom to pursue passions), the bad (gray divorce, solo aging, caregiving stress), and the ugly (ageism and cultural scripts that limit us). Participants will leave with practical tools to navigate retirement with clarity, resilience, joy and meaning.
Carola Hundrich-Souris, PhD, ACC, is a psychologist and certified coach with more than two decades of experience in mental health. She now focuses on retirement as a process of transition—helping people decide not only when to retire but also what to retire to by defining their next chapter through strengths, meaning, and purpose.
Successful Aging: What Is It and How Do We Achieve it?
RR | Tues. Mar. 17 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. FM | Mon. Mar. 23 | 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
This course will explore the many dimensions of successful aging. It will also present techniques, skills, and qualities particular to aging well. With this knowledge, people can not only live longer, but live better, so that the quantity and quality of their lives and relationships with others can be enhanced.
Bert Hayslip, Jr., PhD, is Regents Professor Emeritus in the UNT Department of Psychology. He received his doctorate in Experimental/ Developmental Psychology from the University of Akron and was on the UNT faculty from 1978 to 2013.
The Coach Approach: Coaching Skills for Enhancing Conversations and Connections
UNT | Wed. Feb. 4 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
LAN | Fri. Feb. 27 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Coaching is more than a profession; it’s a powerful way of being in the world that transforms how we listen, engage, and connect with others. This engaging workshop introduces participants to essential coaching skills and how they can be applied in everyday life, whether in friendships, volunteer roles, mentoring, life transitions, or simply deepening personal connections.
Tim Kincaid, EdD is an ICF-Certified Professional Coach brings 15+ years of experience to share basic coaching skills that strengthen everyday relationships. Dr. Kincaid distills evidencebased practices -- listening deeply, asking better questions, and alignment around what matters most – into accessible habits useful at all stages of life. Participants leave with simple yet powerful tools they can use the same day – curiosity, clarity, and respectful accountability.
CCY | Tues. Mar. 24 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
This presentation will describe the process of getting into medical school through residency. Most of the discussion will include many hardto-believe and often funny stories of what the training is like. Dr. McKenzie later became a professor at the same medical school after 30 years of private practice and will discuss the huge changes that occurred during that time.
John McKenzie, MD, retired after a 30 year career in east Texas as a Family Practice Specialist, with additional certification in Geriatric Medicine. After retiring from his practice, he taught at LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport. During that time took care of his parents who both developed Alzheimer’s disease.
Understanding Your Dreams
CCY | Tues. Mar. 17 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
In this session, members will learn the fundamentals of sleep and dreaming, as well as the history of dream interpretation. Members will be guided on how to begin exploring and understanding the meaning of their dreams.
Dr. Jim Cannici has been a licensed psychologist in the state of Texas for more than 45 years. He worked at the University of Texas at Dallas for 21 years prior to his retirement. In addition, Dr. Cannici has had a Private Practice in psychology since the early 1980s.
What your Family and Executors Should Know When the Time Comes
This course will help you design a road map to help your family, spouse, and executors navigate in your absence. This road map will help them locate assets, critical documents and other important information. This course contains specific, practical, and useful instructions to guide and prepare for when you or your spouse passes away.
Leigh Hilton Leigh Hilton is an Accredited Estate Planner. She received her law degree from the South Texas College of Law in Houston and is a member of the Wealth Counsel, National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, and Elder Counsel.
Spring 2026 Schedule
DATE & TIME LOCATION TITLE (Highlighted = Special Event or Lecture Series)
WEEK 1
Monday, February 2
10:00am - 11:30am UNT The Rise and Fall of Democracy and Economic Development in Venezuela - Glen Biglaiser
1:00pm - 2:30pm UNT How Your Internet Works - Dale McHenry
2:30pm - 4:00pm FM Finding Strength in the Face of Alzheimer's - Leigh Hilton
Tuesday, February 3
10:00am - 11:30am CCY Surrealism at the Dallas Museum of Art - Lane Banks
10:00am - 11:00am UNT Yoga SIG
10:00am - 11:30am RR Cameras That Take Flight - Steven Simpson
1:00pm - 2:30pm RR The Last Soldier: Remembering the Final Living Veterans of America's Wars - Dale Spaulding
1:30pm - 3:00pm KEL The History of the White House Oval Office & the Resolute Desk - Bruce Ralston
2:45pm - 4:15pm RR Sir Ernest Shackleton and the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration - Barbara Manner
2:45pm - 4:15pm ZOOM Restoring Colonial Williamsburg (Session 1 of 2) - Ray Pahler
5:30pm - 6:30pm RR History of Country Music (OLLI After Five) - Danielle Dumaine & Wesley Phelps
Wednesday, February 4
10:00am - 11:30am UNT Writing for Fun SIG
10:00am - 11:30am UNT The Coach Approach...Enhancing Conversations and Connections - Timothy Kincaid
2:30pm - 4:00pm FM The Power of Words: Mastering Communication in a Changing World - Dana Pope
Thursday, February 5
10:00am - 11:30am CCY Immersive Learning Experiences in Virtual Reality - Regina Kaplan-Rakowski & Fred McMahan
10:00am - 11:30am RR The Amazing Life of Charles Dickens - Don Vann
10:00am - 11:30am LAN The Coach Approach...Enhancing Conversations and Connections - Timothy Kincaid
2:45pm - 4:15pm UNT Great Books SIG: The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper
Spring 2026 Schedule
DATE & TIME LOCATION TITLE (Highlighted = Special Event or Lecture Series)
WEEK 5
Monday, March 2
10:00am - 11:30am UNT The World Through the Eyes of an Itinerant Scientist - Robert Finkelman
1:00pm - 2:30pm UNT
One Diplomat's Supporting Role on History's Great Stage - Steve Dubrow
2:30pm - 4:00pm FM How to Build Your Legacy Plan in 10 Simple Steps (Session 1 of 2) - Andrew & Janelle Crème
Tuesday, March 3
10:00am - 11:30am CCY One Diplomat's Supporting Role on History's Great Stage - Steve Dubrow
10:00am - 11:00am UNT Yoga SIG
10:00am - 11:30am RR Conquest, Crown, and Legacy: The World of William the Conqueror (Session 1 of 2) - Marla Morris
1:00pm - 2:30pm RR The Brilliance Heist...Women's Scientific Discoveries and Creative Works - Lois Levine-Elman
1:30pm - 3:00pm KEL How the West Was Worn - Annette Becker
2:45pm - 4:15pm RR Outsmart the Scammers - Kyle Schlabach
Wednesday, March 4
10:00am - 11:30am UNT Writing for Fun SIG
10:00am - 11:30am UNT Exploring Comparative International Media Systems (G2K UNT Journalism) - Dorothy Bland
1:00pm - 2:30pm UNT Restoring Colonial Williamsburg (Session 2 of 2) - Ray Pahler
2:30pm - 4:00pm FM How to Build Your Legacy Plan in 10 Simple Steps (Session 2 of 2) - Andrew & Janelle Crème
Thursday, March 5
10:00am - 11:30am CCY Jane Austen's Emma - Elaine Kushamul
10:00am - 11:30am RR Conquest, Crown, and Legacy: The World of William the Conqueror (Session 2 of 2) - Marla Morris
Friday, March 6
10:00am - 11:30am LAN Retire Smarter, Not Harder...Protect Your Wealth (Session 1 of 2) - Joe Dowdall WEEK 6 UNT SPRING BREAK
Tuesday, March 10
2:45pm - 4:15pm UNT Bookshelf Catch-Up SIG: The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
3:30pm - 5:00pm KEL Solo Travelers, Unite! SIG
Wednesday, March 11
2:45pm - 4:15pm UNT Book Talk SIG: Women's History Month
DATE & TIME LOCATION TITLE (Highlighted = Special Event or Lecture Series)
WEEK 7
Monday, March 16
10:00am - 11:30am UNT In Defense of the Devil's Despair...(Session 1 of 4) - Susan McRae
1:00pm - 2:30pm UNT Retire Smarter, Not Harder...Protect Your Wealth (Session 1 of 2) - Joe Dowdall
Tuesday, March 17
10:00am - 11:30am CCY Understanding Your Dreams - Jim Cannici
10:00am - 11:00am UNT Yoga SIG
10:00am - 11:30am RR Successful Aging: What Is It and How Do We Achieve It? - Bert Hayslip
1:00pm - 2:30pm RR Patrick of Ireland: A Saint in Name Only but Celebrated Worldwide - Rudy Seward
1:30pm - 3:00pm KEL Understanding Crypto Currencies - Darrel VanDyke
2:45pm - 4:15pm ZOOM Lone Star Literary Landscapes... (Session 1 of 2) - Rochelle Gregory
Wednesday, March 18
10:00am - 11:30am UNT In Defense of the Devil's Despair...(Session 2 of 4) - Susan McRae
1:00pm - 2:30pm UNT Retire Smarter, Not Harder...Protect Your Wealth (Session 2 of 2) - Joe Dowdall
Thursday, March 19
10:00am - 11:30am CCY The Beatles as Touring Musicians - Brian Wright
10:00am - 11:30am RR Bertha's Grand Day Out - Jerry Davis
1:00pm - 2:00pm UNT ENV BLDG UNT Sky Theater - Are We Alone?
1:00pm - 2:30pm RR How the West Was Worn - Annette Becker
Friday, March 20
10:00am - 11:30am LAN Retire Smarter, Not Harder...Protect Your Wealth (Session 2 of 2) - Joe Dowdall
2:45pm - 4:15pm ZOOM Lone Star Literary Landscapes... (Session 2 of 2) - Rochelle Gregory
WEEK 8
Monday, March 23
10:00am - 11:30am UNT In Defense of the Devil's Despair...(Session 3 of 4) - Susan McRae
1:00pm - 2:30pm UNT Bertha's Grand Day Out - Jerry Davis
2:30pm - 4:00pm FM Successful Aging: What Is It and How Do We Achieve It? - Bert Hayslip
Tuesday, March 24
10:00am - 11:30am CCY The Experience of Training to be a Medical Doctor - John McKenzie
10:00am - 11:30am RR Can Computers Think? Wading Knee-deep Into the Sea of AI (Session 1 of 2) - David McKinley
1:00pm - 2:30pm RR I Didn't Know That!...About the Life of George Washington - Bruce Ralston
1:30pm - 3:00pm KEL 200th Anniversary of the Erie Canal - Tom Pryor
Wednesday, March 25
10:00am - 11:30am UNT In Defense of the Devil's Despair...(Session 4 of 4) - Susan McRae
1:00pm - 2:30pm UNT Contemporary Authors Looking at Nineteenth Century Texas - La Donna Womochel
2:30pm - 4:00pm FM Understanding Crypto Currencies - Darrel VanDyke
Thursday, March 26
10:00am - 11:30am CCY What is Artificial Intelligence? Good and Bad Uses of AI - Krishna Kavi
10:00am - 11:30am RR Can Computers Think? Wading Knee-deep Into the Sea of AI (Session 2 of 2) - David McKinley 5:00pm - 6:30pm UNT PUSH Game Night
Friday, March 27
10:00am - 11:30am LAN The Power of Words: Mastering Communication in a Changing World - Dana Pope
2:45pm - 4:15pm UNT Great Books SIG: On the Road by Jack Kerouac
Spring 2026 Schedule
DATE & TIME LOCATION TITLE (Highlighted = Special Event or Lecture Series)
WEEK 9
Monday, March 30
10:00am - 11:30am UNT ChatGPT - What Is It? What Can It Do? - Larry Sniderman
1:00pm - 2:30pm UNT The Brilliance Heist...Women's Scientific Discoveries and Creative Works - Lois Levine-Elman
2:30pm - 4:00pm FM Explore Artificial Intelligence Under the Covers - Shamik Banerjee
Tuesday, March 31
10:00am - 11:30am CCY How the West Was Worn - Annette Becker
10:00am - 11:30am RR Fighting for Truth (Session 1 of 2) - Rob Demski
1:00pm - 2:30pm RR Costume or Culture: When Fashion Appropriates - Sage Drisker
1:30pm - 3:00pm KEL The Original Code Talkers - Jerry Davis
2:45pm - 4:15pm RR The Great Race...the AI Arms Race Between the U.S. and China - Michael Greig
5:30pm - 7:00pm RR Ranch Dressing: The Story of Western Wear (OLLI After Five) - Jean Greenlaw
Wednesday, April 1
10:00am - 11:30am UNT Writing for Fun SIG
10:00am - 11:30am UNT Materials Science and Our Daily Lives: Historical Perspectives on Stuff - Marcus Young
1:00pm - 2:30pm UNT Patrick of Ireland: A Saint in Name Only but Celebrated Worldwide - Rudy Seward
2:30pm - 4:00pm FM The Battle of Peleliu in WWII - Darrel VanDyke
Thursday, April 2
10:00am - 11:30am CCY The Real Story of King Tut - Walter Roberts
10:00am - 11:30am RR Fighting for Truth (Session 2 of 2) - Rob Demski
Friday, April 3
10:00am - 11:30am LAN Architectural Ancestry and their Descendants Around Us - Lynn Brandon WEEK 10
Monday, April 6
10:00am - 11:30am UNT I Didn't Know That!...About the Life of George Washington - Bruce Ralston
1:00pm - 2:30pm UNT The "Hidden Persuaders" Who Shaped 50s/60s Advertising and Product Design - Don Hancock
2:30pm - 4:00pm FM A Surprising History of Superheroes (and Supervillains!) - Megan Bryan
Tuesday, April 7
10:00am - 11:30am CCY Who Invented the Computer? - David McKinley
10:00am - 11:00am UNT Yoga SIG
10:00am - 11:30am RR Asset Protection and Succession Planning (Session 1 of 2) - Leigh Hilton & Chris Jones
Wednesday, April 8
10:00am - 11:30am UNT Communicating the Facts About Hearing Aids (G2K UNT Journalism) - Sara Champlin & Sharon Miller
2:30pm - 4:00pm FM The Great Race...the AI Arms Race Between the U.S. and China - Michael Greig
2:45pm - 4:15pm UNT Book Talk SIG: Save the Earth, Gardening, Parks, Cookbooks
Thursday, April 9
10:00am - 11:30am CCY I Didn't Know That!...About the Life of George Washington - Bruce Ralston 10:00am - 11:30am RR Asset Protection and Succession Planning (Session 2 of 2) - Leigh Hilton & Chris Jones
1:00pm - 2:30pm RR American Mythology - James Robinson
Friday, April 10
10:00am - 11:30am LAN A Conversation About Mystery Novel Series - La Donna Womochel
DATE & TIME LOCATION TITLE (Highlighted = Special Event or Lecture Series) WEEK 11
Monday, April 13
10:00am - 11:30am UNT Artificial Intelligence in Daily Life and How You Can Contribute (Session 1 of 2) - Zeynep Orhan
1:00pm - 2:30pm UNT Who Invented the Computer? - David McKinley
2:30pm - 4:00pm FM Caring For Yourself as a Caregiver - Bert Hayslip
Tuesday, April 14
10:00am - 11:30am CCY The Observer & the Observed...Quantum Physics and Indian Thought (Session 1 of 2) - Richa Yadav
10:00am - 11:30am RR The Battle of Peleliu in WWII - Darrel VanDyke
1:00pm - 2:30pm RR A Surprising History of Superheroes (and Supervillains!) - Megan Bryan
1:30pm - 3:00pm KEL A Conversation About Mystery Novel Series - La Donna Womochel
2:45pm - 4:15pm UNT Bookshelf Catch-Up SIG: The Turtle House by Amanda Churchill
5:30pm - 6:30pm RR History of the Fort Worth Stock Show (OLLI After Five) - Lauren Lovelace Murray
Wednesday, April 15
10:00am - 11:30am UNT Artificial Intelligence in Daily Life and How You Can Contribute (Session 2 of 2) - Zeynep Orhan
Thursday, April 16
10:00am - 11:30am CCY A Surprising History of Superheroes (and Supervillains!) - Megan Bryan
10:00am - 11:30am DHP Denton Historical Park Tour
2:00pm - 3:30pm UNT Solo Travelers, Unite! SIG
Friday, April 17
10:00am - 11:30am LAN Materials Science and Our Daily Lives: Historical Perspectives on Stuff - Marcus Young
1:00pm - 2:30pm UNT Contemporary Trends in Antisemitism... - Joel Schwitzer WEEK 12
Monday, April 20
10:00am - 11:30am UNT Fighting for Truth (Session 1 of 2) - Rob Demski
1:00pm - 2:30pm UNT What Your Dog Thinks: The Other Half of the Partnership with Dogs - Patrick Parson & Jane Twohey
2:30pm - 4:00pm FM American Mythology - James Robinson
Tuesday, April 21
10:00am - 11:30am CCY The Observer & the Observed...Quantum Physics and Indian Thought (Session 2 of 2) - Richa Yadav 10:00am - 11:30am RR 200th Anniversary of the Erie Canal - Tom Pryor
1:00pm - 2:30pm RR The Power of Words: Mastering Communication in a Changing World - Dana Pope 1:30pm - 3:00pm KEL Caring For Yourself as a Caregiver - Bert Hayslip
Wednesday, April 22
10:00am - 11:30am UNT Fighting for Truth (Session 2 of 2) - Rob Demski
2:30pm - 4:00pm FM Courtly Love & Romance in the Middle Ages: Sir Gawain & The Green Knight - Syd Coppersmith
Thursday, April 23
10:00am - 11:30am CCY Celebrating America's 250th! Stories of Six Patriots - Emily Richardson
Friday, April 24
10:00am - 11:30am LAN The History of the White House Oval Office & the Resolute Desk - Bruce Ralston 2:45pm - 4:15pm UNT Great Books SIG: The Fall by Albert Camus
Spring 2026 Schedule
DATE & TIME LOCATION TITLE (Highlighted = Special Event or Lecture Series)
WEEK 13
Monday, April 27
10:00am - 11:30am UNT
Asset Protection and Succession Planning (Session 1 of 2) - Leigh Hilton & Chris Jones
1:00pm - 2:30pm UNT A Surprising History of Superheroes (and Supervillains!) - Megan Bryan
2:30pm - 4:00pm FM Outsmart the Scammers - Kyle Schlabach
Tuesday, April 28
10:00am - 11:30am CCY Conquest, Crown, and Legacy: The World of William the Conqueror (Session 1 of 2) - Marla Morris
Wednesday, April 29
10:00am - 11:30am UNT Asset Protection and Succession Planning (Session 2 of 2) - Leigh Hilton & Chris Jones
1:00pm - 2:30pm UNT Courtly Love & Romance in the Middle Ages: Sir Gawain & The Green Knight - Syd Coppersmith
2:30pm - 4:00pm FM Architectural Ancestry and their Descendants Around Us - Lynn Brandon
Thursday, April 30
10:00am - 11:30am CCY Conquest, Crown, and Legacy: The World of William the Conqueror (Session 2 of 2) - Marla Morris
10:00am - 11:30am RR Celebrating America's 250th! Stories of Six Patriots - Emily Richardson
1:00pm - 2:30pm RR Memory and Aging: How to Remember Not to Forget - Bert Hayslip
