OLLI@DU 2023 Fall Catalog

FALL CATALOG

OLLI at DU members Greg Petty and Rick Lesch at a special OLLI event with Major General John Barry at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. May 19, 2023

OLLI@DU / 2023

A Note from the Director

Welcome to OLLI at DU. It’s been an exciting time for our program as we launch a new website and registration system and our new Membership Program this fall ($65 annually) with numerous free benefits including:

 access to registration for 300 courses

 40 free webinars annually

 online fitness classes daily

 discounts to most DU Newman Center for the Performing Arts events,

 DU and Regis Libraries and Coors Fitness Center access.

 NEW: our members can now purchase an OLLI at CSU membership for $10 per term through a reciprocal membership program!

 member social events, access to exclusive travel opportunities and so much more.

OLLI at DU offers a wide assortment of courses taught by skilled and knowledgeable facilitators who bring to light a diverse range of topics and subject areas. We promise that you will find connections and discussion opportunities as you delve into your own learning. These in-person and online course offerings are at the core of everything we do.

Grab your favorite coffee or tea mug and spend some time reading through our catalog; it contains the information you need to get involved and enjoy the excitement of being an OLLI at DU member. As we say, come for the courses, stay for the connections!

On behalf of OLLI at DU, I would like to thank our members who donate their time, talents, and treasures to making our program successful. Our committees, our donors, our facilitators, our volunteers, and our staff have worked tirelessly to build this engaging community of lifelong learners. Thank you! Hope to see you soon in class or at an event, Jackie

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / ANNOUNCEMENTS

As with every organization focused on adult learning, OLLI at DU is striving to strike a balance between the convenience of online learning and programming, and the face-to-face connections that we all like to make at in-person courses or events. In this catalog you will find a large number of both in-person and online learning opportunities.

We are seeing a gradual increase in participation for in-person courses, and we will continue to monitor that closely. As you learn about the new membership benefits being offered in 2023–24, you will also find a mix of in-person and online choices.

Our goal is to reflect what our members want, and we always want to hear from you. It has been a major effort to put together this new program, alongside a new website and registration platform that we know you will prefer to the old one. And this has been happening simultaneously with the difficult curriculum work that plans out the courses that form the very essence of OLLI. We hope you will participate and enjoy this array of offerings.

Our Mission

To enrich the lives of our members through a high-quality learning and social environment.

Strategic Planning

Five workgroups comprised of more than 40 volunteer members and OLLI at DU staff reviewed our current program, researched other OLLI programs nationwide, and reviewed resources available through the Osher Foundation. The different groups focused on various aspects of the organization and based upon their work and significant member input, determined priorities for making major improvements. This was blended into a comprehensive strategic plan that includes some significant new changes:

 A new membership program that connects to a more equitable and fair pricing system for courses

 A new public website that will be a great one stop shopping place for OLLI at DU members

 A new registration platform is launching soon with the ability to browse courses and member events and put them in a shopping cart for easy checkout.

 You will have a new membership card with a unique ID# and the ability to create a member profile with information about volunteerism, travel interests, and skills/ talents/experiences that are important to you.

Here is how the new membership program works…

Membership is required to take OLLI at DU Courses

 Please take note that the big change happening with the fall term is that you must purchase an OLLI at DU membership to sign up for single courses or course packages. This is a change from the previous pricing model and will not increase costs for most OLLI at DU members. In fact, with all of our webinars now being offered at no cost to a member, the savings over previous years are significant.

When it comes to membership and pricing, what is annual and what is based on each term?

 An annual OLLI at DU annual membership fee ($65) can be purchased each August or thereafter. Every membership ends the following August. A membership allows you to register for courses and webinars that can be used only during that academic year (August–August).

How will I know how many courses I have purchased and used?

 Courses purchased will be put into a member’s account and can be used at any time during that academic year (August–May). Your personal online account balance will show how many courses you have left. There is no refund for unused courses.

Will this price change cost me more?

 It depends on how much you use the service, or in OLLI at DU’s case, how many classes you take annually. Instead of paying the same price if you take three, five or fifteen courses annually, you will see a price differentiation.

Diverse In-Person and Online Program Offerings

Health and Wellness

History and Economics

Literature and Writing

Psychology, Religion, Philosophy, Culture

Public Affairs and Current Events

STEM

Visual and Performing Arts

Miscellaneous

Thank you so much for keeping OLLI alive with these changes. It’s greatly appreciated, and I think it’s a fair system. It’s like a lot of other changes now that you need to make decisions ahead of time.

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / CONTACT INFORMATION

OLLI AT DU HOME LOCATION

University College at the University of Denver 2211 South Josephine St, Denver, CO 80208

Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 AM–2 PM

Phone: 303-871-3181

Email: olli@du.edu

OLLI AT DU STAFF

Jacqueline Wyant, Executive Director jacqueline.wyant@du.edu

• Dave Johnson, Support Specialist david.k.johnson@du.edu

• Kim Penoyer, Operations Coordinator kimberly.penoyer@du.edu

• Faye Hastings, Technology Coordinator faye.hastings@du.edu

Maria Elena Garcia, Curriculum Manager mariaelena.garcia@du.edu

• Sherilee Selby, Curriculum Assistant sherilee.selby@du.edu

Bruce Caughey Communications and Marketing Director bruce.caughey@du.edu

• Christine Liptak, Communications Assistant christine.liptak@du.edu

•Mitra Verma, Communication Assistant mitra.verma@du.edu

Paul Simon, Community Outreach Manager paul.simon@du.edu

OLLI AT DU ON CAMPUS

Ruffato Hall

1999 East Evans, Denver, CO 80208

• Maria Elena Garcia

OLLI at DU On Campus Manager mariaelena.garcia@du.edu

• Mitra Verma

OLLI at DU On Campus Program Assistant mitra.verma@du.edu

OLLI AT DU CENTRAL

First Universalist Church of Denver 4101 East Hampden, Denver, CO 80222

• John Baumgartner

OLLI at DU Central Campus Manager john.baumgartner@du.edu

• Mary Ann Laurich

OLLI at DU Central Campus Assistant Manager maryann.laurich@du.edu

OLLI AT DU SOUTH

Columbine United Church 6375 S Platte Canyon Rd, Littleton 80123

• Darcey VanWagner

OLLI at DU South Campus Manager darcey.vanwagner@du.edu

• Sherilee Selby

OLLI at DU South Program Assistant sherilee.selby@du.edu

OLLI AT DU WEST

Jefferson Unitarian Church 14350 W 32nd Ave, Golden 80401

• Sherry Feinbaum

OLLI at DU West Campus Manager sherry.feinbaum@du.edu

• Tamara Barkdoll

OLLI at DU West Program Assistant tamara.barkdoll@du.edu

OLLI AT DU IN PARTNERSHIP WITH REGIS UNIVERSITY

500 East 84th Avenue, Suite B-12 Thornton, CO 80229

• Marie Friedemann

OLLI at DU in partnership with Regis University Campus Manager marie.friedemann@du.edu

CLASS LOCATIONS

1 2 3 4 5 6

OLLI at DU Office Location

University College at the University of Denver

2211 South Josephine St, Denver, CO 80208

OLLI at DU On Campus

Ruffato Hall

1999 East Evans, Denver, CO 80208

OLLI at DU Central Campus

First Universalist Church of Denver

4101 East Hampden, Denver, CO 80222

OLLI at DU South Campus

Columbine United Church

6375 S Platte Canyon Rd, Littleton 80123

OLLI at DU West Campus

Jefferson Unitarian Church

14350 W 32nd Ave, Golden 80401

OLLI at DU in Partnership with Regis University

500 East 84th Ave, Suite B-12, Thornton, CO 80229

OLLI by the

Numbers * 2034

total unique members

596

total new members

362 courses offered

42 webinars offered

348 facilitators

A huge thank you to OLLI for having Zoom classes during Covid and continuing to have this option. The presenters have done a super job adapting to Zoom.

I am so thankful for OLLI! In 2023 I will have taken courses for most of the last 20 years.

I really, really can’t tell you how much I love OLLI. A very quality institution.

WHAT OUR MEMBERS SAY

I love the OLLI program! It adds a wonderful dimension to my life. I have so much respect and appreciation for the facilitators who volunteer their time and share their knowledge with us.

I just feel so very fortunate that my retirement coincided with the learning and social opportunities that OLLI brought to my life. Bravo OLLI and those who have contributed so much to its growth and quality of offerings!!!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed my trips to Russia & China. Both were so well planned and I have such good memories about the places we were able go/see & the people in my group.

Become an OLLI at DU Member

An OLLI at DU membership is about courses, connections, and community. We like to say, “come for the courses, stay for the connections!” It provides access to register for 300 courses annually through our new single course registration fee and annual package plans. And new this year, you can apply for a reciprocal membership with OLLI at CSU in Fort Collins for just $10 per term.

When you apply for membership, you will receive a digital membership card with your unique ID#. Print this out, much like you do for your proof of car insurance and carry it with you! The list of membership benefits is growing, and we hope you will enjoy all it offers. Currently you can enjoy the following benefits:

Weekly OLLI at DU Adventures News Blast

 Every member receives a weekly email with the latest news on events, outings, webinars and more. You won’t want to miss this valuable connection to your membership.

Free registration for all webinars

 Fall Recess

 STEM webinars

 Special programs

 Summer Shorts 2024 and beyond

OLLI at DU Fit Program (free) each day of the week on Zoom

 Gentle Hatha Yoga

 Tai chi

 Medical Qigong

 Meditation and Conversation

 Movement, Mindfulness & Energy

 Plus, scheduled webinars on healthy aging from DU partners

Social outings & special events

 This benefit is growing as members enjoy social connections, learning, music, theatre or other outings. Stay tuned to OLLI at DU Adventures newsblast as well as checking in with OLLI.DU.edu.

Shared Interest Groups

 Learn about existing groups or start one of your own as an OLLI at DU member. We will help you find others with similar interests, whether you play mahjongg, chess, bridge or cribbage, or you would like to form a book club.

Get involved with on campus activities at Denver University

 DU Ritchie Fitness Center with free parking ($40/month)

 DU and Regis Library access

 Discounts at most DU Newman Center for the Performing Arts events (music, arts, dance)

Day/Overnight/Domestic/ International Travel Experiences

 See the travel page for specific information on four international and two domestic trips that are planned for 2023–2024.

OLLI at DU for Good Program

 Volunteer Opportunities within OLLI

 Volunteer Opportunities within the community

 Facilitating and Presenting Opportunities

Discounts at partnering organizations, businesses, and restaurants

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Pricing Plan

All members with a current annual membership will have the opportunity to purchase either a single course registration ($65) or an annual package plan:

• Six-course package: $320

• Nine-course package: $380

• Twelve-course package: $440

• Fifteen-course package: $500

 Courses purchased in a package will be put into a member’s account and can be used at any time during that academic year (August–May).

 If a member wishes to upgrade from a lowercourse package to a higher one; they only pay the difference between package prices.

 If a member wishes to upgrade from a single course fee to a package, the $65 is subtracted from the package price.

 Facilitators receive a free 3-course package for each term they facilitate.

Library Benefits

The University of Denver Main Library provides free library accounts and computer passes to various DU-Affiliated learners including members of OLLI and the Enrichment Program. Interested learners should come to the Anderson Academic Commons’ lending desk with a photo ID and some proof of their membership (such as an enrollment confirmation email). A library account will be created at the front desk using the learner’s name, phone number, physical address, and email address after confirming identity and membership.

The library account will need to be renewed annually, and the benefits include borrowing materials, limited help at the library’s Research Desk, and free monthly computer passes for our in-library desktop computers. The free monthly computer passes require filling out an additional form, but allow use of most inlibrary desktops, which also unlocks access to a wider swath of licensed databases than what’s publicly available.

Announcing a New Reciprocal Membership between OLLI at DU and OLLI at CSU

OLLI at DU and OLLI at CSU are happy to announce that beginning with Fall of 2023, members will be able to enjoy reciprocal membership benefits at both lifelong learning programs.

OLLI at CSU has 950+ members and offers 80+ courses and webinars each year. Currently about 80% of their courses are offered in-person on campus and 20% are offered online. Members enjoy a host of benefits including field trips to local sites such as the bronze foundries and local hiking spots, national virtual tours, free talks and webinars and participation in OLLI at CSU social events.

OLLI at DU has 2000+ members and offers 400+ courses and webinars each year. Currently about 40% of their courses are offered in-person at four locations and 60% are offered online. A new membership program provides 40 free webinars per year and allows discounts to DU Newman Center productions, access to the DU Library and Coors Fitness Center and daily online fitness classes.

Both programs will participate in the OLLI Travel Program (four domestic and two international travel opportunities are currently planned for the next year).

To participate in this opportunity, you will register with OLLI at CSU and purchase a “reciprocal membership” for $10 each term.

OLLI at DU CURRICULUM CALENDAR

Important Dates Fall 2023

Activity Fall 2023

Catalog Posted on Website and sent via email Monday, August 14, 2023

Registration Opens and is First Come, First Serve Monday, August 21, 2023

Note: Registration remains open until the course has reached its maximum enrollment OR until the Thursday at midnight prior to the course or webinar begins

Confirmation Emails sent at time of registration Time of registration (Zoom links to be sent before online courses begin)

Term Begins Monday, September 18, 2023

Term Ends Friday, November 10, 2023

Note: OLLI follows the University of Denver calendar for observance of scheduled holidays. Thus, there will be no OLLI courses held on Thanksgiving (11/23/23), day after Thanksgiving (11/24/23). Classes which are scheduled during the observance of Rosh Hashanah (9/16–18/23) and Yom Kippur (9/24/23) will be held at the discretion of the facilitator. Other holidays which DU observes fall outside of our scheduled dates for our terms and recess webinars.

Bring

 OLLI at DU South Wednesday, 8/16: 10 AM–12 noon

 OLLI at DU Central Thursday, 8/17; 10 AM–1 PM

 OLLI at DU West

Thursday, 8/17; 1–3 PM

Always find it enjoyable and interesting. The facilitators are knowledgeable and dedicated.

“ ”

your laptop or tablet to one of three registration events for an overview of our new website and step-by-step assistance with purchasing a membership and course packages.

How to Purchase an OLLI at DU Annual Membership, Pay for Course Fees, Select Courses, and Register for Courses

To participate in any OLLI at DU course, webinar, travel opportunity, or event, you must FIRST become a member of OLLI at DU ($65 annually from August-August). Note: OLLI at DU memberships run for one academic year, so the earlier you purchase them, the more value you will receive. The cost covers an array of membership benefits provided by the program during the year (travel, social events, free webinars). Once you have joined, you then have a choice of purchasing single courses or an annual course package that can be used over the three terms of the academic year (Sept.–May).

STEP ONE: Purchase an OLLI at DU Annual Membership for $65 and set up your Member Profile. Be sure to answer our survey questions as the results help us to plan a program that meets your needs and to secure volunteers for the many positions we have for members to serve. To reach our website, enter olli.du.edu into your browser. To select your membership go to: Membership/Become a Member-Benefits/Select OLLI at DU Membership at bottom of page.

STEP TWO: Purchase an annual course discount package. (If you choose not to purchase a package discount, you may proceed to Step 3 to select your courses. You will be charged $65 for each course when you check out.) Course packages are good for one academic year before expiring and provide members a lower-per course cost! Go to our website: OLLI.DU.edu and then follow this path from our website homepage: Courses-Registration/Purchase a Course or Package. To select your package simply click on the cart button below it.

STEP THREE: Once you have purchased a membership and purchased a course package, you are ready to select your courses and ensure you are registered in them. Note: unless you immediately receive a confirmation, you are not registered in the course. (If you opted out of buying a course package for the discount, you are able to purchase individual courses for $65 each-charged when you check out.)

Go to OLLI.DU.edu on our Home page, click on the image for “Courses/Registration”, then click on Full Course Catalog. You will find several ways to view the courses: All courses/InPerson by Location/Online/Day of Week/Courses by Subject and courses by Off-Site.

After you have made your selection of courses and put them in your cart you are ready for checkout.

STEP FOUR: Checkout and receive your confirmation email. Your account will immediately deduct the number of courses you have selected when you bought your course package. Any remaining courses will be held for future terms. Your confirmation email (receipt) contains your membership information (effective dates), AND a promo code to be used to secure a $10 discount to most Newman Center of Performing Arts at DU events. The confirmation email also includes a promo code to be used to purchase an OLLI at CSU Reciprocal Membership. (https://courses.online.colostate.edu/)

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE OFFERINGS

IN-PERSON BY START DATE

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE OFFERINGS

IN-PERSON BY START DATE continued

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE OFFERINGS

ONLINE BY START DATE

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE OFFERINGS

ONLINE BY START DATE continued

We PACE 1013 Gen Z (born 1995-2012): Super-Connected, Over-Protected, Socially and Morally Hypersensitive

We VIPA 1013 Stage-Inspired Great Music: From Broadway Back to Shakespeare

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE OFFERINGS

ONLINE BY START DATE continued

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE OFFERINGS

ONLINE BY START DATE continued

DATE DAY COURSE # COURSE TITLE FACILITATOR

10/18 We HSEC 1018 When Our Differences Didn’t Make A Difference

10/18 We HSEC 1019 Golden: Where the West Lives Warden

10/18 We PRPC 1010 The Perils and Pearls of Aging

10/18 We LWRL 1014 Zora Neale Hurston’s Barracoon: Meet the Last Survivor of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Paul

10/19 Th HEWE 1008 Happiness! Enjoying a Happier Life

10/19 Th HSEC 1020 Denver History Through Resident Storytelling Alegria

10/19 Th HSEC 1021 Andrew Jackson: He Could Be Loved and He Could Be Hated, But He Couldn’t Be Ignored Kleinschmidt

10/19 Th STEM 1015 The Ministry for the Future – a Climate Change Adventure

10/19 Th VIPA 1027 Abstract Art, Dialogue, and Demonstration

DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Advocating For Yourself or A Loved One in Assisted Living or A Nursing Home

HEWE 1005

Wednesday

Dates: 10/4 to 11/8 (no class 11/1) (5 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Diane Carter

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: Central

Most people do not like to consider the possibility that they or a loved one may need to live in assisted living or a nursing home for some period in their life. Because most people hate to believe this could happen, these decisions are often delayed until they must be made under urgent or emergency circumstances. There is no substitute for knowledge and understanding of these environments before you, or a loved one, is looking at a difficult decision, especially when you, or the loved one, may be living in this facility for some period of time. In addition, these decisions are often made murky by the marketing for these organizations. The brochures would have you believe that you, or your loved one, is moving into a resort with first class amenities. They use terms like “The Suites at Belleview Place” and market granite counter tops and laminate floors. Yet these amenities do not address the care issues you will rely on when you, or a loved one, has moved into a facility. These issues include education of professional staff in clinical nursing with expert leadership and management skills. Also, having enough care givers to provide excellent and timely care is crucial. This is why evaluation of the care before you move in is of utmost importance. This class will teach you how to select a facility, what to evaluate about care before the move, and how to work with staff after admission to ensure excellent care.

Ancient Healing Traditions: The Art and Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine

HEWE 1006

Monday

Dates: 10/16 to 11/6 (4 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Joseph Brady, Master Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: On Campus

Experience for yourself the accumulated wisdom of centuries with the timeless exercise of T’ai Chi. According to the Harvard Medical Health Publication “Tai chi is often described as meditation in motion, but it might well be called medication in motion”. Designed to be a hands-on learning experience, this class will explore the principles and basic exercises in T’ai chi and the growing body of evidence of its value in treating or preventing many health problems. This introduction to T’ai Chi Ch’uan is both practical and participative. The course introduces you to the basics of T’ai Chi Ch’uan, the skills and principles involved. These exercises can be a powerful complement to medical intervention. Modern studies have reported positive effects of Tai Chi on balance and falls reduction, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, COPD, heart disease, depression and even schizophrenia. Many more studies are underway to explore the medical benefits of this mind/body exercise. Topics for discussion will include the global health care implications of Tai Chi as well as applications in daily life.

An Exploration of Integrative and Holistic Medicine

HEWE 1002

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 10/11 (4 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Joseph Brady, Master Facilitator

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 20 participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

Welcome to this thought-provoking course that delves into the diverse pathways to a healthy lifestyle. Just as there are countless routes to the summit of Mount Tai, individuals possess unique needs and preferences when it comes to wellness. This lecture series aims to investigate evidence-based choices for a healthy lifestyle and guide participants in incorporating these practices into their own personalized “elixir of 100 ingredients, harmoniously compounded.” As part of the esteemed Oxford study lectures, this course contributes to a long-term research initiative in integrative medicine and lifelong learning. Students have the opportunity to engage in significant research alongside prominent institutions, including the University of Denver’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, the Oxford International Round Table, Harris Manchester College at the University of

Oxford, and Harvard Medical School’s Osher Institute on Integrative Medicine. Through these enlightening lectures, students will be introduced to the latest research findings from the University of Denver’s OLLI. These insights have the potential to shape the future directions of lifelong learning and integrative medicine, not only within OLLI but also globally.

Demystifying Menopause

HEWE 1007

Tuesday

Dates: 10/17 to 11/7 (4 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Gretchen Frey

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: On Campus

This course will explore the phenomenon of menopause: its basis in physiology, its historic and cultural significance, and the personal experience of the menopausal transition and the years beyond. We will cover long-term health consequences of menopause, impact on sexual expression, and the many options for treatment and symptom relief, including hormone therapy. There will be opportunities to share personal stories, as well as ample time for questions. Resources will be offered for further exploration of the topic and for support in the experience.

Online Course

DESCRIPTIONS

Happiness! Enjoying a Happier Life

HEWE 1008

Thursday

Dates: 10/19 to 11/9 (4 weeks)

Time: 1-3 PM

Facilitator: Maria Arapakis, Master Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: Central

It’s been said there’s a “Revolution” going on in the realm of “Happiness.” Arguably it started 21 years ago when the first positive psychology seminar was offered at Harvard. Till then, the realm of psychology had almost exclusively been focused on pathology—mental “dis-ease” and malfunction, not mental health, or personal happiness.

In this 4-session OLLI Zoom course you will learn the primary ways in which our everyday happiness is undermined as well as easyto-practice, highly effective strategies for overcoming these “Happiness-Killers”, and instead make choices that strengthen your own personal well-being.

Psychologist Maria Arapakis shows you how smart, self-fulfilling, life-enhancing choices can turn around situations that would otherwise destroy your peace of mind and joy…. choices that keep you from becoming a “victim” of circumstances and put you squarely in the driver’s seat of your life so you can enjoy greater pleasure and satisfaction despite life’s inevitable challenges and setbacks.

Health Care in the 21st Century—How in the World Did We Get Here

HEWE 1003

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 10/26 (6 weeks)

Time: 1-3 PM

Facilitator: Bill Shaw

Location: Online

Class Limit: 20 participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

Are you still longing for Marcus Welby in the 21st century? Nostalgia is great but have things ever changed! So, what happened? A LOT HAPPENED! If you want a better understanding of how we got here, where things may be going, and how to navigate this incredibly complex system, this is the course for you. We will focus primarily on traditional Western medicine as practiced in the United States. In this class we will get beyond the simplistic “greed, waste, fraud and abuse” explanations and provide an in-depth exploration of the various components of our current system. Information will be heavily referenced should you wish to dig further.

Passport On a Plate: France, Italy, Spain, and South America

HEWE 1001

Monday

Dates: 9/18 to 10/9 (4 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Larry Canepa

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: Central

Take a culinary adventure and discover the historical, social, political, religious and culinary foodways that shaped our world. No passport needed for this food adventure as we sample international favorites from Paris bistros, the magnificent chateau of the Loire Valley, and the gastronomic capital of Dijon. Then we will go to sunny Italy for a taste of the Eternal City, delightful Bologna and enchanting Venice. Next, travel to sunny Spain and explore delicious Basque Country, Barcelona, and Seville. Finally, fly down to South America to sample the cuisine of Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and mysterious Lima, Peru. Samples include French charcuterie, coq au vin, crepes, risotto from Venice and empanadas, ceviche and fried plantains from South America. Part I: Paris, Dijon and the Loire Valley; Part II: Rome, Bologna and Venice; Part III: Basque Country, Barcelona and Seville; Part IV: Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Lima.

Trail Walking in the South Metro Area

HEWE 1004

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 11/9 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Jan Friedlander, Master Facilitator

Location: Off-Site

Class Limit: 35 participants

Sponsoring Site: South Class Fee: $50 to be paid at registration

Be an OLLI OUTSIDER! THURSDAY MORNINGS. What could be more fun than getting outside with your OLLI buddies for a walk in Nature in our wonderful Colorado fall weather! Enjoy educational walks in a variety of open spaces led by trained volunteer guides from various non-profits. CLASS FEE: $50, 100% of which will be donated to the non-profits that curate & guide our walks. Our walks are rated “Easy” to “Moderate”. Sorry to not have a schedule but the nonprofits who lead our walks were unable to confirm dates when this description was due for the catalog. The organizations in the planning stages but not confirmed are the Douglas Land Conservancy, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, State Parks, the Plains Conservation Center near E470 & Hampden, Paint Mines Interpretive Park near Calhan, CO, east of Colorado Springs, Denver Audubon. LUNCH: After each walk those who wish will enjoy having lunch together. Contact Jan for more information and be an OLLI OUTSIDER!

Each hike was led by very knowledgeable people, and we learned much from them about the land, geology, history as well as about the plants and animals

DESCRIPTIONS

HISTORY & ECONOMICS

A Cultural History of Warfare

HSEC 1013

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: David Williams, Diamond Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: 40 participants

Sponsoring Site: South

We have always had periodic wars; before recorded history they were usually small affairs, affecting only those killed and maimed and perhaps resulting in a transfer of territory. Since then, they might also affect governments, maps, languages, and allegiances… and our cultures. We will read and discuss Margaret MacMillan’s 2020 book “War: How Conflict Shaped Us.” She is the author of “Paris 1919”, along with other books, and is a leading historian as well as a brilliant writer. The book—beautifully illustrated-explores how war has shaped our cultural history and our views of the past and may shape our future. When and how did wars start? Does human nature doom us to fight one another? Is war ever within our control? We will discuss all these questions—and more—in this online class.

Andrew Jackson: He Could Be Loved and He Could be Hated, But He Couldn’t be Ignored

HSEC 1021

Thursday

Dates: 10/19 to 11/9 (4 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Thomas Kleinschmidt

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: West

Andrew Jackson was a larger-than-life character during his lifetime. His legacy was a dominant factor in US politics for 25 years after his death. The established politicians tried to keep him from the presidency, but as with many things in his life, he could not be kept from something he set his mind to.

Jackson was a frontier leader, a military hero and the seventh US President. He was an advocate of a strong United States and greatly increased the presidential powers during his time in office. Jackson founded the Democratic Party and provided its direction for the next generation.

Jackson was also a slave owner and a strong supporter of the slave system. In his military career and as president he advocated and was successful in relocating the Native American tribes in the southeast United States, at a cost of thousands of lives. As a military leader, Jackson tended to disregard instructions and created difficulties for his superiors.

The focus of this class will be on how Jackson fit into the period he lived in and how he changed the country.

Cars and How They Shaped American Culture, 1890s to 1970s

HSEC 1003

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 11/7 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitators: Glenn Gravlee/Paul Simon, Master Facilitators

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 40 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

As the Gilded Age fizzled, the Automotive Age slowly emerged, then exploded. Permanent changes to our culture and lifestyle evolved over several decades. This course will sample from various elements of the cars themselves, the people who invented and advanced them, the roads they traveled, roadside culture, and the ways cars influenced everyday life. Cars impacted where we lived, how we purchased food and clothing, and types of buildings. Without them, we would not have had billboards or Burma Shave signs. They influenced not just the music and movies we enjoyed, but also how and where we enjoyed them.

Denver History Through Resident Storytelling

HSEC 1020

Thursday

Dates: 10/19 to 11/9 (4 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Rowena Alegria

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: On Campus

In this course, we will view four films produced by the Denver Office of Storytelling, which preserves and shares the history and culture of the city primarily by creating films in the voices of residents. Through story, the office strives to inform decision-making at City Hall and to uplift community voices for conversation and engagement, particularly around issues of social justice. Since 2019, DOST has created more than 400 stories – from daring drag queens to the first Black fire chief, from Native educators to wheelchair activists, and so much more. Together, we will watch the following films and discuss the history and themes in each: “Chicanas: Nurturers and Warriors,” about what it means to be born in this country, with strong Mexican and Indigenous roots, and a life dedicated to social justice; “A Thousand Paper Cranes,” about how Denver’s Japanese American community emerged from internment; “30 Years Later,” about the role Denver activists played in getting the Americans With Disabilities Act passed; and “Five Points, A Denver Legacy,” about the history of the historically Black neighborhood.

DESCRIPTIONS

The Era of The American Revolution

HSEC 1004

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 11/14 (no class 10/10)(8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Myra Rich

Location: Online

Class Limit: 25 participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

Why did the colonies go to war with Britain? How did we create an entirely new government, the first of its kind in the modern world? What historical experiences and ideas — secular and religious — were important to Americans as they embarked on this great experiment? This course will survey the period from 17631789, focusing on the causes of the War for Independence and the lessons of the war and Confederation Period that informed the drafting of the Constitution. We will focus less on military history and more on the political thought and politics of the late 18th century. The ideas and practices that emerged from this period of our history continue to influence the way we think about law, politics, and government today.

Evolution of Systemic Racism

HSEC 1014

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 11/9 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitators: Leanne Puglielli/Ben Kempinen

Location: Online

Class Limit: 25 participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

This class focuses on the history of the economic, legal, theological, and philosophical systems of American Exceptionalism that are embedded in our country’s laws and systems and that protect the dominance of Anglo-Saxon institutions and blood. The class also observes the force exerted by the four roots as they become ever more intertwined and grow ever more deeply each decade to produce the racial disparities that we experience today.

While there are many stories of minorities that could be told, given eight weeks, these conversations will focus on those systems and structures that have resulted in wealth disparities, mass incarceration and the unchecked killing of Black people.

Our desire to be good can prevent us from doing good if we do not see the historical systems and structures we created.

“Whites created slavery, segregation, and racial discrimination. Whites have most of the political and social power to change racial discrimination and inequality now. We cannot have a truly free and democratic society until we do that.” MLK

The facilitator knew his information and was able to explain difficult concepts in layman’s terms.

”

Food: A History

HSEC 1012

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Anne Bennett , Master Facilitator

Location: Columbine United Church

Class Limit: 25 participants

Sponsoring Site: South

Food is an integral part of our lives. In this course we will focus on the history of food as we know it, starting with prehistoric hunter gatherers through time to the current day. We will look at obtaining, cooking and enjoying food throughout history and across the globe. The stories of food, and why we eat what we eat, are fascinating. We will see how pepper contributed to the downfall of the Roman empire, what spice contributed to the discovery of America, why the cow is sacred in India and much more. The colonists and early settlers ate much differently than we do today. How did they survive and what did they eat on the voyage and after they arrived. Food is not only needed for nutrition, but for enjoyment. Why is chocolate so delicious? Where did beer originate? Did Coca Cola really contain cocaine? How do our taste buds work? When were vitamins discovered? Why should we eat food rather than nutrients? We will take a look at brain health, the gut microbiome and current thoughts on food and nutrition.

Foundations of World Religions: An Historical Perspective

HSEC 1007

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 10/25 (6 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Shellie Hochstadt

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 35 participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

This course is designed to study the development and interrelationship of world religions. Ideas moved with trade and travel, and religion followed these routes. From polytheistic ideas, Zoroastrian concepts, and the development of monotheism, religion forms and reforms through philosophical changes and social interaction. The course will explore early religious beliefs, the maturing of religious ideas, and the early practices of today’s five major world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The course utilizes historical perspective while investigating the relationships of political, economic and social patterns on belief and custom. The scope of this course is 2500 BCE to 640 CE.

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Golden: Where the West Lives HSEC 1019

Wednesday

Dates: 10/18 to 11/8 (4 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Barb Warden

Location: Online

Class Limit: 35 participants

Sponsoring Site: Regis

Barb will lead the class through Golden’s storied history. Start with Golden’s founding during the 1859 Gold Rush: when you picture a wild west town, you probably include a range of stock characters–prospectors and miners, gamblers and preachers, cowboys and Indians, farmers and ranchers, desperadoes, and lawmen…early Golden had them all. Hear about a time when duels, shootouts, and lynchings were commonplace in Golden; when heavy industry was warmly welcomed, and we desperately wanted GROWTH! Then move into the 20th Century and see how Golden held up through two world wars, the Great Depression, the Baby Boom, and the Atomic Age. The 21st Century has given us Golden’s renaissance and introduced us to the benefits and perils of popularity. This class will include guest lecturers and lots of opportunities to ask questions.

History’s Greatest Voyages of Exploration HSEC 1016

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 11/9 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Alan Folkestad, Diamond Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: South

A study of the giant explorations of history is a study of the deepest impulses of human nature. We see the lure of wealth, conquest, fame. We also appreciate the quest for higher aspirations—the spiritual call to pilgrimage or to spread a gospel. What’s more, we witness the basic drive that most of us share with the celebrated explorers of the world: restlessness, wanderlust, the longing for faraway places. There is a basic human determination to explore. The word explore comes from the Latin plorare, meaning to “cry out” or “make known.” These lectures will explore the wanderlust of the early Polynesians and their need for exploration. Our genetic wanderlust also reveals something important about human nature: All of us are travelers, on the way from here to somewhere else. After all, there’s a reason life is often called a journey. We will examine famous explorers like Marco Polo, Columbus, Captain Cook, and lesser known explorers such as Pytheas, Ibn Battuta, Alexander von Humboldt, Ida Pfeiffer. This class uses Great Courses DVD’s.

Pan Am and The Rise Of American Commercial Aviation

HSEC 1017

Wednesday

Dates: 9/27 to 11/8 (7 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Charles Holt , Platinum Facilitator

Location: Columbine United Church

Class Limit: 40 participants

Sponsoring Site: South

This is a story of American commercial aviation. America, having invented the aircraft, fell far behind technologically as Europe picked up this technology and developed a series of very innovative aircraft. World War I came along and technology grew at quite a pace. After the war a role for the airplane was being sought, with technical advances allowing for some daring experimental flights. Aviation captured the imagination of many inventors and people around the world. The first real application was airmail. The growth of aviation between the wars is a story of derring-do, courage, imagination, technological development, and commercial pressure. Pan Am at war is an absolutely fascinating part of America’s war effort. Pan Am plays a major role in all the developments that take place in aviation. It’s an amazing story and one that I am sure you will enjoy. We will begin with developments all around the world but will soon narrow our focus to America and to Pan Am as it grows and becomes America’s unofficial flag carrier.

The Rise and Development of Capitalism

HSEC 1009

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/1 (7 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Stewart Jones, Master Facilitator

Location: Online Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: Central

This seven-week course explores the series of developments, beginning in the twelfth century, that enabled Europe and Western civilization to become the dominant scientific, industrial, and economic powerhouse in the world by the nineteenth century, while the rest of the world’s civilizations failed to do so. The author presents the case that Western religion provided the culture and stimulus that enabled capitalism and the scientific and industrial revolutions to occur. The class structure will include presentations by the facilitator, based on the book, The Victory of Reason, followed by group discussions. The facilitator will email discussion questions each week.

Online Course

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Shakespeare in a Divided America HSEC 1010

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: David Lippman, Master Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: 45 participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

In the course of US history, political differences have taken many forms. Some of these disagreements have revolved around Shakespeare’s plays or their performances. This course will look at eight historical moments when Shakespeare stood at the center of an American political division. For example:

–The 1849 incident when more than 10,000 rioters stormed an opera house in New York City, ostensibly to protest the effeminate portrayal of Macbeth by a British actor. About 30 rioters were killed and more than a hundred injured when police and militia opened fire on the crowd.

–The dedicated abolitionist and former president, John Quincy Adams, wrote about Desdemona: “When Othello smothers her in bed, the terror and the pity subside immediately into the sentiment that she has her deserts.”

–Lincoln’s assassin, the Shakespearean actor John Wilkes Booth, complained in his diary: “With every man’s hand against me, I am here in despair. And why? For doing what Brutus was honored for.”

–And in 2017, when a Shakespeare in the Park performance of Julius Caesar featured a Trump lookalike as Caesar, some cheered and others were repelled at Caesar’s death.

The course will feature James Shapiro’s book, Shakespeare in a Divided America, which was a National Book Critics Circle Award finalist and one of The New York Times’s top ten books of 2020. Our primary focus will be on the history surrounding the eight events, but, of course, it will also touch on Shakespeare’s plays.

Somethings Happening Here: How the 60s Shaped American Culture Into This 21st Century

HSEC 1015

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 10/26 (6 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: James Walsh

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: On Campus

This course will explore several social movements from the 1960s, including the Civil Rights movement, Chicano and American Indian Movements, feminist movement, Gay Liberation, Anti-War, and Economic Justice. For each of these movements, we will examine the history behind the movement, and relate it to current events and social change in the 21st century. Students are encouraged to share their own experiences and memories of this era and to use this course to reflect deeply on the questions that define us today.

Ten Voyages of Discovery and Survival

HSEC 1001

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 10/17 (5 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Peter VanArsdale

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 20 participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

What drove some of the world’s most famous explorers? How were they able to persevere? What resources did they use? How did they survive in desolate, unforgiving circumstances? When teammates died, how did the others react? And of course, what routes did they take? What did they discover?

This five-week course will take a deep dive — in some cases literally — into 10 voyages of discovery and survival. In each case, first-hand narratives — as well as numerous photographs and maps — will be included.

The voyages to be covered: Cabeza de Vaca (1527–1536, North America); DeSoto (1539–1543, North America); Coronado (1540–1542, North America); Cook (1776–1780, Pacific Ocean); Bligh (1789, Pacific Ocean); Lewis and Clark (1803–1806, North America); Franklin (1845–1846, Arctic); Scott (1910–1913, Antarctic); Shackleton (1914–1916, Antarctic); Van Arsdale (1974, New Guinea).

Venice: The City of Dreams

HSEC 1008

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 10/11 (4 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Diana Williams

Location: Online

Class Limit: 30 participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

Come with me to the City of Dreams, the most beautiful city in all the world - Venice. We will weave through her canals as we explore her history and her art. This is not a travel course, but we will also look at some of that. Venice has a fascinating history that spans over a thousand years. To walk her streets and travel her canals is to fall in love with her. She offers a bridge between east and west; between the past and the present; and between reality and fond illusion.

War on the Eastern Front (In Person)

HSEC 1005.1

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 11/7 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Mac McHugh, Platinum Facilitator

Location: Ruffatto Hall

Class Limit: 25 participants

Sponsoring Site: On Campus Hybrid Class

It was called The Great Patriotic War, The Eastern Front, and The Russian Front. By which ever name it was called, it was the bloodiest, hardest fought front in the Second World War. Why did Hitler want to attack Russia? He had a non-aggression pact that protected his rear as he fought France, England, and the Low Countries. World War I showed that Germany couldn’t fight the war on two fronts. Just the size of Russia left Germany challenged. What did Hitler think the Russians were going to do? Did Hitler think that the Allies would come to the aid of the Russians? We will explore some of the most famous battles of the war. Names like ‘The 900 Days of Leningrad’, ‘Stalingrad’, and ‘Moscow’ where the government stayed during the battle. We will delve into the largest tank battle in history at Kursk. We have the great Russian military leaders: Stalin, Zhukov, Yeremenko, Timoshenko, Vasilevsky, and others. Germany pitted its best Generals against the Russians and they came up short. What happened? Join us as we look at the leaders, the strategy and tactics used by both sides.

War on the Eastern Front (Online)

HSEC 1005.2

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 11/7 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Mac McHugh, Platinum Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: On Campus

Hybrid Class

It was called The Great Patriotic War, The Eastern Front, and The Russian Front. By which ever name it was called, it was the bloodiest, hardest fought front in the Second World War. Why did Hitler want to attack Russia? He had a non-aggression pact that protected his rear as he fought France, England, and the Low Countries. World War I showed that Germany couldn’t fight the war on two fronts. Just the size of Russia left Germany challenged. What did Hitler think the Russians were going to do? Did Hitler think that the Allies would come to the aid of the Russians? We will explore some of the most famous battles of the war. Names like ‘The 900 Days of Leningrad’, ‘Stalingrad’, and ‘Moscow’ where the government stayed during the battle. We will delve into the largest tank battle in history at Kursk. We have the great Russian military leaders: Stalin, Zhukov, Yeremenko, Timoshenko, Vasilevsky, and others. Germany pitted its best Generals against the Russians and they came up short. What happened? Join us as we look at the leaders, the strategy and tactics used by both sides.

DESCRIPTIONS

When Our Differences Didn’t Make a Difference

HSEC 1018

Wednesday

Dates: 10/18 to 11/8 (4 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Freddie Johnson III

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: On Campus

Throughout human history, there’s never been a shortage of crises, keeping people disgruntled and divided. Sometimes difficulties have been caused by nations’ competing for resources. Other times, people have clashed over religion and ideology. Strife has also arisen when individual and international bullies have harassed their neighbors into fighting for their lives, and their liberty. Such challenges have been daunting, but they’ve also provided occasions when human beings set aside their differences, rejected violence, and dedicated themselves to building a better world. This course examines historical events when human beings refused to succumb to violence and division and chose to not let their differences make a difference.

LITERATURE, WRITING & LANGUAGE

A Joyous Way to Learn

Mandarin Chinese

LWRL 1007

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 10/19 (5 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Yi Ren

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 10 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

This five-week course is specially designed for OLLI at DU members.

In this class, you will learn essential and important pronunciation and four tones of Chinese language and about basic Chinese character writing skills. We will work on greeting people and introducing ourselves with some courtesy phrases and sentences, practice counting numbers and singing Chinese songs. We will use innovative approaches such as using hands, fingers, writing/drawing and singing songs to learn vocabulary and to practice common sentences. For many students, these are easier methods to learn Mandarin Chinese in a classroom setting.

All The Pretty Horses, by Cormac McCarthy

LWRL 1009

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 11/9 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitators: Gracie and Don Batt , Master Facilitators

Location: Online

Class Limit: 25 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

From the cover: “All the Pretty Horses tells of young John Grady Cole, the last of a long line of Texas ranchers. Across the border Mexico beckons—beautiful and desolate, rugged and cruelly civilized. With two companions, he sets off on an idyllic, sometimes comic adventure, to a place where dreams are paid for in blood.”

We approach reading as discovery in a reading community; therefore, some of the reading is done in class so that, together, we encounter the text as a group. PLEASE DO NOT START READING THE BOOK BEFORE CLASS BEGINS.

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

The First 100 Words— Beginnings are a Big Deal

LWRL 1013

Thursday

Dates: 9/28 to 11/9 (no class 10/19) (6 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Sandi Ault

Location: Online

Class Limit: 25 Participants

Sponsoring Site: South

Choosing how to begin a piece of work means finding a pivotal moment, idea, proposal, or concept that best defines the journey ahead for the reader—while at the same time seducing them down the path with you. There is no right or wrong place to start a story, but there are means of working from any starting place that will “hook” your readers into wanting to continue reading past the first paragraph.

In today’s world of immediacy, we have stories available on the Internet, e-books, online publications, online news, and film coming right into our homes via cable, satellite, and more. Writers are increasingly challenged to develop the skills required to grab a reader’s attention, whether that’s at the end-use level or at the beginning of a writing career with the initial proposal and query to agents and editors.

In this workshop-format class, we will study good beginnings by great writers, find ways to start a big project, a small proposal, a pitch or query, and a story. We’ll work together in the class to create powerful writing with an economy of language, sharp skills, and good tools from the writer’s toolkit. We’ll hone those skills and master those tools and you’ll see your own storytelling improve each week. And that first 100 words is just the beginning!

Having the Last Word: A Study of Obituaries

LWRL 1002

Wednesday Dates: 9/20 to 10/11 (4 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Sally Stich

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 25 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

Do you rush to read obituaries in the paper? Join the crowd--obits can be addictive. These “life stories” have evolved in America from a laundry list of one’s life accomplishments, printed in newspapers, to “anything goes” on social media. Bridging the gap between boring and off the wall are beautifully crafted celebrations of life, in such publications as the New York Times, The Washington Post, the Economist—amongst many others. We shall see how they’ve evolved over the last 300 years.

Herman Melville’s 1851 Novel, Moby Dick

LWRL 1012

Tuesday

Dates: 9/26 to 11/14 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: William West

Location: Park Hill UMC

Class Limit: 30 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

By 1851, the year of Moby Dick’s publication, the US had become one of the world’s most advanced and prosperous industrial nations. It enjoyed its wealth in good part because of the country’s unsurpassed natural resources. It was the prevailing attitude towards those resources at the time that they should be exploited exclusively for the benefit of mankind without regard to any environmental damage that might be caused. Moby Dick offered a serious challenge to that position with the result that the novel was condemned and became a financial failure for its author. Not until the 1930s did readers and critics begin to see the worth and relevance of its point of view.

Humorous Sci-Fi Short Stories

LWRL 1010

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 11/9 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Larry Matten, Platinum Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: 35 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

Greetings Science Fiction enthusiasts. This is a read and discuss course. We will read three short stories and then discuss them at the weekly meeting.

Some well-known science fiction authors were asked to select their most humorous work for inclusion in an anthology. Using this anthology, we will consider the various authors’ sense of humor. Is the story really funny? We will explore the use of Science Fiction literature to contemplate modern society and the future. Some of our goals include achieving an understanding of the genre; ability to engage with science fiction; appreciating the broad cultural impact of science fiction; and, learning something about the authors.

If it’s Magic, How Can it be Real? Short Stories of Magical Realism

LWRL 1004

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 10/25 (6 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitators: Becky Stout/Patty Smilanic Location: Columbine United Church Class Limit: 16 Participants

Sponsoring Site: South

While Latin American authors such as Marquez and Allende are credited with originating magical realism, also known as speculative fiction, the genre has burst forth from the pens of Milhauser, Russell, Erdrich, Okafor, Oyeyemi, Liu, Martel, Murakami, Esquivel and many others. Two short stories per week will enable us to discuss the fantastical and imaginative worlds these authors have created. The style originally enabled authors to put forth social, political, and moral ideas in a relatively safe way. What do our selection of stories from authors of diverse cultures say to us? What messages are they trying to convey beyond the strange worlds they have brought us?

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Kafka and Camus Consider the Absurdity of Life

LWRL 1003

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Ann Cohen, Diamond Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: 20 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

This will be a discussion course in which we will read two novels: The Trial by Franz Kafka and The Stranger by Albert Camus. We will compare how the two authors use the device of the trial to tell their stories, and what possible meaning we can glean from these readings.

The Mechanics of Poetry

LWRL 1006

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Carol Anthony, Diamond Facilitator

Location: Jefferson Unitarian Church

Class Limit: 25 Participants

Sponsoring Site: West

What is poetry? There are a hundred definitions, few of them remotely the same. Poetry is like art: I know it when I see it. However, all poetry has one key similarity: an intense effort to condense meaning into a smaller space than prose by use of devices: rhythm, metaphor, simile and an extensive host of others, some familiar and common, some unusual and rare. To quote our textbook: “Poetry is multidimensional language... [it] achieves its extra dimensions—its greater pressure per word and its greater tension per poem—by drawing more fully and more consistently than does ordinary language on a number of language resources, none of which is peculiar to poetry.” Come along with me on a voyage to explore how these devices give richness and meaning to poems. We will define and discuss the devices and how they work by reading and analyzing a wide variety of poems.

I inform folks who have never heard of OLLI to check it out!

Mysterious Places: Sea, Sand, Sun and Sky

LWRL 1011

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 11/9 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Linda Lange, Master Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: On Campus

Place is sometimes described as an additional character in novels, especially when an author develops a collection of characters in a specific location throughout a continuing series. “Mysterious Places” encourages some armchair travel while exploring various mystery series set—in this case—in island or coastal places. We’ll explore the liminal space where water meets land or sky and where life ends—or not—with authors including Pat Conroy, PD James, John D McDonald, Ann Cleeves, and others.

Return of the Native, by Thomas Hardy

LWRL 1008

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 11/9 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Maryanne O’Brien

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 25 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

Thomas Hardy was born into a workingclass family in 1840 in the southwest of England five months after his parents’ marriage. Eighty-eight years later, the Prime Minister, the Heads of Oxford and Cambridge, Rudyard Kipling, and George Bernard Shaw were pallbearers at his funeral in Westminster Abbey. What happened in these 88 years to make

Thomas Hardy one of the greatest novelists and poets of the late Victorian Age? We will read The Return of the Native, a novel about lost hopes and dreams in a small hamlet on the Wessex Heath. Hardy considered himself first and foremost a poet, so we will also dip into his beautiful and passionate verse.

DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Taboo Texts: A History of Book Banning in America

LWRL 1005

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Anne Christner, Platinum Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: 30 Participants

Sponsoring Site: South

Book banning: It’s in the news almost daily. What is going on? According to the American Library Association (ALA), attempts to ban books are indeed accelerating across the country at a rate never seen since the organization began tracking such actions more than 20 years ago. In the first nine months of 2022, there were attempts to ban or restrict access to 1,651 titles, up from challenges to 1,597 books in all of 2021.

What kinds of books are subjected to calls for bans? Who challenges those books … and why? What rights do we all have regarding access to so-called offensive or threatening literature?

In this course, we will learn about proposed bans on books for all sorts of readers—past and present. But we will place special emphasis on books written for children and youth; the reason is that it is those titles that are receiving the most attention of censors currently—e.g., fairy tales, picture books, novels by Roald Dahl, and the Harry Potter series.

This course will examine all of the questions cited above, plus whether we should be concerned about this trend. To guide our journey, we will watch and discuss lectures from a new Great Courses set: Banned Books, Burned Books: Forbidden Literary Works (2023) with Maureen Corrigan, Professor of English at Georgetown University, whose specialty is literary criticism.

Words Without Borders: Short Stories and Essays

LWRL 1001

Monday

Dates: 9/18 to 11/6 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Judith Vlasin, Diamond Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: 35 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

This course combines two genres: short story and non-fiction essay (or in some cases, news article). Each week, we will read a piece of fiction and an essay or article which share a commonality. These will be sent to class members via email. We’ll read these outside of class and then come together on Zoom to discuss them in a friendly atmosphere of learning. The class format is mainly discussion but visuals on the authors and content will be included in each week’s email to enhance our acquaintance with the writers and their subjects. We’ll hope to become more sophisticated readers who enjoy and learn from the discussions we share in the class. Perhaps we will refine our collective ability to analyze ideas, to challenge stereotypes and clichés, and to engage in a lively exchange of ideas.

Zora Neale Hurston’s Barracoon: Meet the Last Survivor of the Transatlantic Slave Trade

LWRL 1014

Wednesday

Dates: 10/18 to 11/8 (4 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Patricia Paul, Master Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: 36 Participants

Sponsoring Site: South

The US transatlantic slave trade was made illegal in 1808. Yet, in 1860, 110 newly enslaved Africans arrived in Mobile Bay aboard the Clotilda. By 1928 only one survived: Kossola, a man caught between two cultures, African and American. As well as the context of US history, Zora Neale Hurston’s Barracoon draws us into the cultural traditions and practices of Kossola’s native Africa. Using his own

words from interviews, she spins the story of how he grew up amongst the Yoruba in Nigeria, survived capture by Dahomian warriors, suffered the barracoons (slave pens) at Ouidah in Benin, and endured the transatlantic voyage—only to face slavery, the Civil War, the largely un-Reconstructed South, and Jim Crow.

Through thought-provoking discussions, facilitator presentations, and the documentary film Descendant about discovery of the wrecked Clotilda, we will delve into the complex themes and issues explored in Barracoon, such as identity, belonging, loneliness, and the intersections of race, culture, and history. Join us on a journey of exploration and discovery into one of the most important works of nonfiction in American literature.

Required: Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” by Zora Neale Hurston; edited by Deborah G Plant ISBN: 978-0-06-274821-8

PSYCHOLOGY, RELIGION, PHILOSOPHY, CULTURE

Aging and Spirituality

PRPC 1003

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 10/10 (4 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Eileen O’Brien

Location: Online

Class Limit: 15 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Regis

This course explores spirituality, soul, and aging, and acknowledges both the challenges and opportunities associated with aging. Authors Thomas Moore, Joan Chittister, Parker Palmer, Pema Chodron, and others will be guides for this course.

An Academic View of the Old Testament

PRPC 1006

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 10/25 (6 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Michael Levin

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: Central

“The Old Testament” presented by Professor Amy-Jill Levine is a 24-lecture series from The Great Courses ©. Professor Levine is a widely sought after speaker, who has delivered talks on biblical subjects and issues to academic and nonacademic audiences around the world. Professor Levine’s invaluable expertise has won her grants from the Mellon Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

We will watch two lectures per week and augment them with discussion, additional examples, and close text examination.

Watch a 4-minute video of Professor Levine discussing Mistakes Christians make about the Jewish Jesus - https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=G46GNvp_Eio

Angels, Demons, Origin of Evil, End of the World, and World to Come in Judaism

PRPC 1008

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 10/26 (6 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Douglas Sparks

Location: Online

Class Limit: 20 Participants

Sponsoring Site: West

Although Judaism is thought of as not having a mythology, it has an extensive tradition of mythological literature and tales, found in Hebrew scripture, non-canonical literature and folktales of all kinds. This class focuses on stories of angels and demons, evil, and the end of the world in Second Temple Judaism (particularly 4th C. BCE through 2nd C. CE). We’ll read creation myths, apocalypses, histories, and early mystical manuscripts from The Other Bible, the text for the course. We’ll try to open a window into the ‘folk’ tradition that always existed in Jewish history. What did the nonelite believe (next to impossible to truly discern but we’ll look at what the research suggests). The class will primarily involve reading and discussion with lecture where needed to provide historical context and important concepts in

Judaism as background. No prior study or knowledge of Judaism is required but helpful. Any religious, spiritual, anthropological or folkloric knowledge will enhance class discussion and is strongly welcomed.

A Short Profile of FBI Undercover Operations

PRPC 1007

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 10/11 (4 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Vincent Wincelowicz

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: Regis

This course will explore several significant FBI Undercover Operations from 1978 to 1998. The course will provide an overview and a history of FBI Undercover Operations. Some of the cases that will be discussed: Operation Double Steele; ABSCAM; NYCON; and Greylord. The instructor will provide unique insight to the inner workings of organized crime with some antidotal stories of organized crime members and “con” men.

The Book of Exodus: Wandering, Revelation, and Rebellion

PRPC 1005

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 11/7 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Rabbi Sandra Cohen, Master Facilitator

Location: Online Class Limit: 20 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

This class is part of an ongoing, close reading of the Book of Exodus—and new people are more than welcome! We are learning with the aid of medieval commentators, who help to supplement the text and argue among themselves, teaching us that the Bible can be understood in a variety of ways—including those who contradict one another. The book we have been using is The Commentators’ Bible: Exodus: The Rubin JPS Miqra’ot

Gedolot, The Commentators’ Bible: Exodus: The Rubin JPS Miqra’ot Gedolot by Michael Carasik; it can be found on Amazon. The book is expensive but beautiful and we will be using it for more than one OLLI term. If you choose not to get the book, you should have a book of Exodus in front of you instead. Join us for our deep dive into the Bible!

Online Course

“ ” Olli has meant so much to us. It’s been a lifesaver in so many ways. We love to learn.

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Countering Hate, Fear, and Greed: What Can We Do to Promote a Better Future?

PRPC 1001

Monday

Dates: 9/18 to 11/6 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Terry Ortlieb, Diamond Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: South

This course will focus on techniques that we can use to build and deploy ideas for social media, meetings, discussion groups, etc. We can then use these ideas to reframe and recapture the narrative around the major topics of the 21st century. We can become part of the conversation without invoking venom. This course is also based on the premise that we don’t need to embrace or adopt meta values (like the cardinal virtues) to overcome our “failings”; we just need to stop promoting and advantaging false narratives. Starting with these premises, we will investigate how to promote the necessary changes to usher in systems and institutions that welcome what we have learned. Since the topics require forethought, this will be our approach:

• discuss the topic that was introduced the previous week

• following the break, the next week’s topic will be introduced

Focus will be on these current and future issues:

• Relationship between woke, multiculturalism, nationalism, globalism

• Ramifications of long-life spans, unemployment and purpose

• Taking advantage of the AI revolution

• Accommodating speed of change without physical violence

• Taking advantage of harmony when governing in a complex world

• How to combat disinformation, misinformation, malinformation, and dis-interpretation

Living a Life of Meaning

PRPC 1002

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 10/24 (6 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Thomas Shugrue

Location: Online

Class Limit: 15 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Regis

This course includes reflections on living a meaningful life and discovering sources of purpose and identity. Topics will include significance of activities, looking at our primary sources of identity, living a balanced life, re-discovering our talents, listening to voices of influence, and telling the story of our life. Our process will include reflection on our journey, visiting and anticipating the different seasons of our lives, and looking forward with hope and expectation as to our future activity and engagement with others. The course will be a celebration of who we are and who we can become in living a life of fullness and meaning in our future.

The Perils and Pearls of Aging

PRPC 1010

Wednesday

Dates: 10/18 to 11/8 (4 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Donna VanDusen

Location: Online

Class Limit: 30 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Regis

With age comes the opportunity for extended personal growth. Participants will explore the social, cultural, physical, and psychological challenges of aging as well as practices for enhancing creativity and well-being in later life. Topics include identity, life transitions, ageism, wisdom, and the aging brain.

Political Philosophy: An Advanced Introduction

PRPC 1004

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 11/7 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Mitchell Stewart

Location: Ruffatto Hall

Class Limit: 20 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

Political philosophy is the study of how people organize their collective or political life. It is a particular study of ethics, of the nature of justice and injustice, of fairness and unfairness. More critically, it is the study of the tensions between the individual qua individual and the individual in society.

Our formal aim is to explore a selection of the debates and arguments with which political philosophers have grappled. Our intellectual objective is to “make the familiar unfamiliar”, to unsettle our thinking, to provoke us to question what we think we know. Conversely, we will not, cannot, answer the philosophical questions that have vexed thinkers across time and space. Rather, we will frame and explore these questions, and be vexed in turn.

Please note: This is a graduate seminar in philosophy, but without the exams, papers, or grades. Both reading and active engagement are critical.

Sex and Intimacy in Romantic Relationships

PRPC 1009

Tuesday Dates: 10/3 to 10/31 (5 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Paul Paiva

Location: Online

Class Limit: 30 Participants

Sponsoring Site: West

Are you satisfied or ecstatic regarding your intimate life? Do you think your intimate styles are mis-matched? Whether you are married, single, in a committed relationship, dating casually, or even celibate, this fastpaced course will give you new insights as to what is possible to create deep intimacy. Curriculum is based on psychology, the Enneagram, the Erotic Blueprints™, and evolved principles of Christian theology and Judeo-Christian scripture. You may or may not be Christian, yet we live in a culture which is imbued by Christian values, be they shaming or nurturing of sex. This affects all of us in this country, whether theist or atheist, spiritual or religious, agnostic or humanist. Attention will be given to normalizing these Christian values for a modern, integrated approach to sex and intimacy. It will be shown that pursuit of the sometime-elusive orgasm is not being selfish; rather, orgasm and intimacy can be tools for becoming a more evolved human being.

It was beyond my expectation level of an OLLI Social Sciences course.

“ ”

DESCRIPTIONS

PUBLIC AFFAIRS/CURRENT EVENTS

A Deadly Cocktail: Childhood Trauma, Guns, and Mental Illness

PACE 1005

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 10/10 (4 weeks)

Time: 9:30–12 noon

Facilitator: David Savitz

Location: Jefferson Unitarian Church

Class Limit: 35 Participants

Sponsoring Site: West

The incidence of crime in America by the use of guns or influenced by illicit drugs by persons suffering from mental illness is staggering. Many perpetrators, who place our lives in peril and shatter our dreams of normality, suffer from a severe mental illness. Their upbringing is usually marked by different forms of childhood trauma and/or adverse experiences. Those experiences can result in mental illness and commission of risk behaviors. The behaviors often lead to the perpetration of criminal acts. This class will explore those relationships to enable the attendee to better understand the existential threat of mental illness to society’s safety and the need for effective treatment to improve the life of the sufferer and those affected by their behavior.

The focus areas for the four sessions are: 1) an understanding of childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences; 2) real-life case examples of individuals who experienced trauma and consequences; 3) the statistics of mass shootings and abysmal mental health care in America; and 4) the case of Ross Carlson, a 19-year old who executed his parents. He was diagnosed with an unusual psychiatric illness called Multiple Personality Disorder, and spent six years in a torturous journey through Colorado’s judicial and state mental health systems during the 1980s. This case resulted in regional and national news coverage and the publication of two books, one of which was authored by the facilitator.

China and U.S. Competition: Current Challenges

PACE 1003

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 11/7 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Dan Strammiello

Location: Ruffatto Hall

Class Limit: 20 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

This course will involve weekly discussions of current topics relative to China’s position and goals in the world. Topics will be discussed each week as follows: 1) Contemporary China’s beginning and today’s antagonisms, 2) Beijing vs the United States, 3) Beijing vs India, 4) Beijing vs the Current World Order, 5) Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, 6) Beijing’s Military, Economic and political tactics, 7) Mercantile Competition, Trade and Tariffs, 8) Demographics as Destiny and China’s Limitations. This course is designed for participants who have some background in China and/or world affairs or with expertise relative to another country. It will be held seminar style with weekly lectures and discussions.

Collective Defense Arrangements—the Past, Present, and Future

PACE 1006

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 11/7 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: John Bowen

Location: Online

Class Limit: 45 Participants

Sponsoring Site: West

The war in Ukraine has highlighted the issue of collective defense arrangements. When the Ukrainians showed cautious interest in joining NATO, it was used by Russia as justification for its invasion. Why was Russia threatened by the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO? Collective defense is a principle of foreign policy that has been relied on for centuries by many countries including the United States. This course seeks to describe the concept that remains at the heart of the foreign policy of many governments. Currently, we see a resurgence in collective defense with the expansion of NATO. At the same time, we see significant stresses among the collective partners because of factors not related to defense. Collective defense has not been without problems. The course will focus on the strengths and weaknesses of collective defense, its current incarnations, and its future forms.

Current Economic Issues: Facts and Fallacies

PACE 1011

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 10/25 (6 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Leonard Sahling

Location: Online

Class Limit: 40 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

This course will examine six key economic issues in the news including economic growth, the mounting government deficit, economic inequality, our inefficient health care system, high prescription drug prices in the U.S., and immigration. Here are some of the questions that will be addressed: How fast can the nation grow? Is faster growth a good thing? Will the Covid-19 pandemic impair the US’s long-term economic prospects? What are the benefits and costs of immigration to Americans, and does one exceed the other? What is causing the US’s widening economic inequality? Is the “American dream” now just a pipedream for all but the richest Americans and their children? How burdensome will the massive Federal deficit be in the future? Why does the US spend so much more on health care than other high-income countries, and are we getting our money’s worth? Why are pharmaceutical drug prices so much higher in the US than in other industrial countries?

OLLI has made a huge difference in my life!

“ ”

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Current Events I

PACE 1002

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 11/7 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitators: Richard Reinish/Sydney Myers, Platinum Facilitators

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 32 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

We will discuss the prior weeks’ news in the first hour. In the second hour a topic that’s current will be determined by the facilitators and articles will be sent out for that discussion.

Current Events II

PACE 1009

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitators: Richard Reinish/Sydney Myers, Platinum Facilitators

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 32 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

We will discuss the prior weeks’ news in the first hour. In the second hour a topic that’s current will be determined by the facilitators and articles will be sent out for that discussion.

Current Events III

PACE 1014

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 11/9 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Terry Casey

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 20 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

This will be a current affairs course where class content will be about major topical current affairslocal, national, and international-with reading suggested by and sent out by facilitator each week. While the subject list will depend on issues currently topical, facilitator proposes balancing these between issues important in Colorado/ Denver, nationally and internationally. Examples of each might be initiated state constitutional/ statutory amendments in the upcoming November election; national issues such as free speech, gun control efforts, tax policy; global warming, international tension/wars.

First Amendment: Religious Liberty

PACE 1019

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 11/9 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Marcus Pohlmann

Location: Online Class Limit: 25 Participants

Sponsoring Site: South

The course will allow the class to critically discuss how the United States Supreme Court has come to interpret the first amendment’s free exercise and establishment of religion clauses. Among the specific controversies discussed will be school prayer, creation science, religious displays, and gay wedding cakes.

From a Militarized to a Decarbonized Economy PACE 1012

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 10/25 (6 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitators: Chris Evans-Klock/Miriam

Pemberton

Location: Online

Class Limit: 40 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

The U.S. military budget exceeds the military spending of the next 10 countries put together. It is higher now, in inflation-adjusted terms, than it ever was during the Cold War. Hundreds of communities across the country are woven into the warfare economy by hosting bases, weapons labs, and defense production sites. In addition to an overview of the U.S. military economy as a whole, this course looks at the experience of a handful of these communities whose economies and jobs are dependent on defense spending. Their stories relate how they have influenced military budgets and perpetuated specific weapon programs, but also how some have attempted to convert to other kinds of economic activities. In particular, since as the US Military has said, climate change is now “an urgent and growing threat to national security,” we will look at how redirecting our militarized foreign and industrial policy toward climate security can help these communities become part of the solution. The course puts these local concerns into some multinational context, linking the challenges and opportunities of the transition from a militarized to a decarbonized economy to U.S. commitments through the United Nations on such issues as climate change, peacekeeping, disarmament, arms control, and refugees.

Recommended book: Six Stops on the National Security Tour; Rethinking Warfare Economics, by Miriam Pemberton, Routledge Press, 2023

Gen Z (Born 1995–2012): Super-Connected, OverProtected, Socially and Morally Hypersensitive PACE 1013

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitators: Barbara Holme, Senior Facilitator/ Steve Winber, Master Facilitator

Location: Online Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: Central

This course, based on the book The Coddling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt, will explore the consequences and challenges to our present and future society of “safetyism” – the overprotecting and shielding of students from discomfort and differing opinions. Coupled with the effects of social media and the social disruptions due to Covid, the result is a less happy, more risk-averse, hypersensitive generation unprepared for adulthood. We will also discuss possible solutions. Each week you will receive news articles relevant to our topic.

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Great Decisions I

PACE 1010

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Gene Cole, Senior Facilitator

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 35 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

Book Required: Great Decisions 2023. Please order from fpa.org/great decisions. Cost is $35.

Great Decisions is a program of the Foreign Policy Association which is new each year. High quality educational materials are prepared and provided to discussion groups in cities and universities throughout the United States. On each topic there will be a chapter describing the current issues around the selected topic and a video of background information and relevant interviews with world leaders and scholars.

Session 1: Energy Politics

Session 2: War Crimes

Session 3: China and the US

Session 4: Economic Warfare

Session 5: Politics in Latin America

Session 6: Global Famine

Session 7: Iran and the US

Session 8: Climate Migration

Great Decisions II

PACE 1015

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 11/9 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Joseph Feldstein

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 17 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

Book Required: Great Decisions 2023. Please order from fpa.org/great decisions. Cost is $35.

Great Decisions is a program of the Foreign Policy Association which is new each year. High quality educational materials are prepared and provided to discussion groups in cities and universities throughout the United States. On each topic there will be a chapter describing the current issues around the selected topic and a video of background information and relevant interviews with world leaders and scholars.

Session 1: Energy Politics

Session 2: War Crimes

Session 3: China and the US

Session 4: Economic Warfare

Session 5: Politics in Latin America

Session 6: Global Famine

Session 7: Iran and the US

Session 8: Climate Migration

Issues in Public School Education

PACE 1001

Monday

Dates: 9/18 to 11/6 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Kent Epperson

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 20 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

This course will explore a range of topics and controversies in public education today. Sessions will examine issues relating to teaching, school leadership, safety, curriculum, school choice, accountability, student support and preparation for post-secondary options. Each topic will be introduced by either a short video presentation by experts in the field or by an interview conducted with local school professionals. Participants will have opportunities to react to presentations and interviews and share their experiences and questions.

MYTH America: Separating Fact from Fiction

PACE 1017

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 11/9 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitators: Barbara Lilly, Master Facilitator/ Alice Howard

Location: Online

Class Limit: 35 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

Why did the Founding Fathers create this country? Is the United States exceptional, an empire, or socialist? Our past has been distorted by partisan pundits leading us to believe fiction over fact. MYTH AMERICA attempts to replace myths with research and reality in a series of essays on 20 common myths, ranging from the 1700’s to the current

day. This class will explore 2-3 myths a week during vigorous discussions and sharing of common experiences.

Required book: MYTH AMERICA: Historians Take on the Biggest Legends and Lies about our Past, by Kevin Kruse and Julian Zelizer

People and the Planet PACE 1004

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 11/7 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Bill Baird, Master Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: South Population Connection: Considerations for People and Our Planet

Our Earth now has over 8 billion people living on available land. Our worldwide population is adding over 67 million people every year. Climate change is impacting our ability to grow food and reducing available land per capita. There are ways to mitigate growth and make our environment sustainable for future generations. Let’s discuss this together.

Interactive activities will include a pretest to establish what we “know”: Population Riddles, some activities that help teach the outcomes of non-linear growth; an activity showing how much of the earth is available to grow food; Power of the Pyramids — a description of age cohort groups, and other activities.

Each class meeting will feature an opening question and demonstration, followed by class discussion of the implications of human population growth on critical “comfort” issues for standards of living. We will consider global, not only U.S. interests. There is no required text but there will be limited readings between class meetings.

Online Course

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Stories of Turning Points in Human Lives

PACE 1007

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 10/10 (4 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:00 AM

Facilitator: Heidi Boerstler

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: Central

This discussion course focuses on the stories people tell about their lives. Humans are storytellers by nature. Stories have appeared in every culture in history through folktale, legend, myth, fairy tale, music, film, and literature of every kind. We examine the history of storytelling, and why we humans tell and listen to stories. We then focus on the ways individuals become authors of their own lives, and how the stories we tell about ourselves describe who we are, preserve memories, and help us find meaning in our lives. Throughout the course, there will be opportunities for participants to explore and share experiences of story in their own lives and that of others.

Taxes & Subsidies: Directing the Economy Toward the Common

Good

PACE 1008

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3:30 PM

Facilitators: Ralph Hughes/Alec Tsoucatos

Location: Jefferson Unitarian Church

Class Limit: 50 Participants

Sponsoring Site: West

The U.S. federal budget is one of the most intractable issues within our politics. Every policy recommendation—from racial justice to climate change—always comes down to how

much it’s going to cost and who is going to pay for it. Compounding that eternal quandary is the fact that the federal budget has been so distorted by special interests over the past 50 years that Americans no longer trust the design or motives behind the programs we now sustain and the way we raise the money to fund them. Indeed, recent polling reveals that nearly 60% of us believe Congress should completely overhaul the tax systems and less than 20% believe their tax dollars are being spent effectively. Yet, before any of us can advocate how to fix the U.S. budget, we need to know both what we want out of the system and what common mechanisms would work. These are the types of issues the discipline of economics is designed to answer, and in this course two economists will tackle these thorny questions. The course will conclude by turning to the future, compiling a list of changes informed citizens can rightly demand from their representatives. Many of the mechanisms proposed for rendering a fair and effective system for federal spending and revenue are admittedly counter intuitive, but solving age-old problems sometimes requires a good dose of unconventional thinking

TED Talks on Vital Current Issues

PACE 1016

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 10/12 (4 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Gordon Appell, Diamond Facilitator

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 25 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

Each class will include two carefully selected TED Talks followed by lively discussion of vital current issues.

TED Talks: Opening up a Whole New World of “Ideas Worth Spreading”

PACE 1018

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 10/26 (6 weeks)

Time: 9:30-11:30 AM

Facilitator: Natalie Conklin, Master Facilitator

Location: Columbine United Church

Class Limit: 40 Participants

Sponsoring Site: South

The facilitator clearly has passion about the subject and numerous causes or political movements. He is very well spoken, warm and personable. I liked the way he encouraged discussion and responded to each person who spoke up with appreciation and validation. I also liked the way he wove in videos.

Ted Talks is a non-profit organization that posts talks online under the slogan “Ideas Worth Spreading.” The goal of Ted Talks is to inform and educate global audiences in an accessible way. I would add to this definition...to entertain in a stimulating and creative manner, presenting new knowledge and innovative research.

Not all speakers are world experts, but they all have focused, creative ideas. They are scientists, researchers, technologists, business leaders, psychologists, educators, artists and designers.

The talks average 18 minutes but could be as short as 5 minutes.

In each class we will watch 2-3 Ted Talks, followed by class discussion. Some popular examples are:

• “Do Schools Kill Creativity?” by author and educator Sir Ken Robinson

• “Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are” by Amy Cuddy

• “We Can Make Covid the Last Pandemic” by Bill Gates

Come and be informed and entertained!

DESCRIPTIONS

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MATH

Bees, Butterflies, and Beyond: The World of Pollinators

STEM 1016

Friday

Dates: 10/6 to 10/27 (4 weeks)

Time: 10–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Megan Schulz

Location: Butterfly Pavilion

Class Limit: 30 Participants

Sponsoring Site: OLLI on the Move

Pollinators are essential to our ecosystem, but they are facing many threats. This program will provide adults with an in-depth look at the world of pollinators, from the different types of pollinators to the threats they face. We will also learn how to plant for pollinators and what we can do to conserve them.

This program is for adults who are interested in learning more about pollinators and how they can help them. No prior knowledge is required.

David Attenborough: National Treasure of Britain

STEM 1011

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 10/26 (6 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Gary Wyngarden, Master Facilitator

Location: Columbine United Church

Class Limit: 35 Participants

Sponsoring Site: South

In his native England David Attenborough is known as a National Treasure. An argument can certainly be made that he should be known as an International Treasure. For over 60 years he has been making stunning productions for the BBC and others, educating the people of this planet on the natural world. Now in his mid-nineties he continues to be very active. This course will focus on his recent book and documentary A Life on Our Planet (2020) which he has subtitled My Witness Statement and a Vision for the Future. The course will also showcase some of his powerful documentaries, featuring the Serengeti Plains, the Great Barrier Reef, the Great Rainforests, the polar regions and more. The class will run for six weeks and will include lectures, a lot of discussion and of course a lot of Attenborough’s videos. The book is highly recommended but not required.

Everyday Engineering: How our Technical World Works STEM 1006

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitators: Marc Rochkind, Senior

Facilitator/Al Segal, Platinum Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: West

When we think about modern engineering and technology, we instinctively tend to think about sophisticated computing devices, jet aircraft, robots, and lasers. But the products of modern engineering that have the most substantial influence on our lives are the ones we almost never think about—the everyday technologies that surround us in our homes and workplaces and the infrastructure systems that have been so beautifully integrated into the fabric of modern civilization that they are inevitably taken for granted.

That’s the Everyday Engineering this course will explore.

We’ll view 16 video lectures curated from “The Great Courses” class of the same name. The lecturer in the videos is outstanding and presents the material with language, concepts, and demonstrations geared to the level of a curious, intelligent lay person; no engineering or mathematical background is required. There will be ample time for questions and discussion of the material presented.

Famous Engineering Failures— and the Lessons Learned (?) STEM 1004

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Stuart Gentry, Master Facilitator

Location: Columbine United Church

Class Limit: 40 Participants

Sponsoring Site: South

It was the middle of the night, August 3, 1933. Families along Cherry Creek were asleep in bed… until they began receiving phone calls that woke them up. “Abandon your house now! Hurry to high ground! The dam has broken!” A wall of water 15 feet high raced down the creek from Castlewood Canyon towards Denver. Miraculously, the emergency calls that went out that night managed to save the lives of all but two of the people that lived downstream. Unfortunately, the families that lived downstream from the Johnstown Dam in Pennsylvania in 1889 weren’t so lucky. Over 2,000 lives were lost that tragic day.

The historical case studies used in this course will describe failures with dams, bridges, buildings, and aerospace.

Underlying these stories will be the critical questions of “What happened?” and “What have we learned to avoid similar tragedies in the future?”

No engineering background is required for this informative course as we will explain key engineering concepts along the way. We will look at how consumer needs, visual aesthetics, government policy, and budget constraints contributed to these failures in an effort to learn what happened and how to avoid them in the future

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Fascinating Felines STEM 1008

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 10/26 (6 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitators: Mary Dudzinski/Carri Holman

Location: Online

Class Limit: 10 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

Are you curious as a cat? Whether you’re a lifetime cat lover, or considering adopting your first cat, join us for an exploration of the fascinating world of felines. Learn things you never knew about cats, share your own cat stories, and of course, watch some great cat videos! We’ll pounce on the following topics:

•Identifying cat breeds •Cats in history and modern culture; myths and legends •Growth and development; kitty care and health issues

•Tips on making a happy home for cats •Plus, much more! From history to hairballs, catnip to Cairo, we’ll share our personal experiences, answer questions, and discover why felines are purr-fectly fascinating!

Geology Underfoot—Saturday

Morning

STEM 1012

Saturday

Dates: 9/23 to 10/21 (5 weeks)

Time: 9–12 Noon

Facilitators: David Lindsey, Senior Facilitator/ Fran Fraser, Master Facilitator

Location: Off-Site

Class Limit: 20 Participants

Sponsoring Site: West

Come along on 5 walks to view geologic features in the Denver area.

Walk 1 is on Platte River trail at Welby to examine and discuss how the river forms a network of gravel bars and channels.

Walk 2 is on Clear Creek trail at Youngfield to learn how the valley was formed, review examples of land use in the valley and gold mining at Arapahoe Bar.

Walk 3 tour the Colorado School of Mines Museum to see spectacular mineral specimens, then walk the Geology Trail to see fossils and rock formations.

Walk 4 visit Red Rocks Amphitheater to see the Great Unconformity, the redbeds of the Fountain Formation, and the geology museum in the Visitor’s Center.

Walk 5 tour the Morrison Natural History Museum, in Morrison CO, to discover Colorado’s dinosaurs with an expert and visit Quarry 5 containing dinosaur fossils. This Walk has a $10 entry fee. Walk 5 includes a Pre-Walk Zoom Lecture on October 20, 2023 at 6 PM to introduce you to the unique quarries of Dinosaur Ridge.

Walks and tours are not long distances but do include a great deal of standing and walking with some stairs and rough or inclined surfaces. Places to sit are limited. Bring water to drink and proper attire.

Geology Underfoot—Saturday

Afternoon

STEM 1013

Saturday

Dates: 9/23 to 10/21 (5 weeks)

Time: 1–4 PM

Facilitators: David Lindsay, Senior Facilitator/Fran Fraser, Master Facilitator

Location: Off-Site

Class Limit: 20 Participants

Sponsoring Site: West

Come along on 5 walks to view geologic features in the Denver area.

Walk 1 is on Platte River trail at Welby to examine and discuss how the river forms a network of gravel bars and channels.

Walk 2 is on Clear Creek trail at Youngfield to learn how the valley was formed, review examples of land use in the valley and gold mining at Arapahoe Bar.

Walk 3 tour the Colorado School of Mines Museum to see spectacular mineral specimens, then walk the Geology Trail to see fossils and rock formations.

Walk 4 visit Red Rocks Amphitheater to see the Great Unconformity, the redbeds of the Fountain Formation, and the geology museum in the Visitor’s Center.

Walk 5 tour the Morrison Natural History Museum, in Morrison CO, to discover Colorado’s dinosaurs with an expert and visit Quarry 5 containing dinosaur fossils. This Walk has a $10 entry fee. Walk 5 includes a Pre-Walk Zoom Lecture on October 20, 2023 at 6 PM to introduce you to the unique quarries of Dinosaur Ridge.

Walks and tours are not long distances but do include a great deal of standing and walking with some stairs and rough or inclined surfaces. Places to sit are limited. Bring water to drink and proper attire.

Get the Most from (and Have Way More Fun With!)

Your Iphone, Ipad, and/or

Mac STEM 1007

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 10/12 (4 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Maria Arapakis, Diamond

Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: Central

You’ll discover amazing ways to make better use of your Apple Tools & Toys! It will have you ready and eager to bring into your life, with the help of your Apple devices, endless empowerment, enrichment, entertainment, education, and enjoyment.

Too often these mind-blowing 21st century miracles are pathetically underutilized. In this popular OLLI course, Maria Arapakis, shows easy ways to tap into their extraordinary powers that make your life a whole lot better, especially during your “Golden Years.”

You’ll get a clear understanding of “The Cloud” and “Smart Streaming” where you can find and enjoy exceptional movies, shows, YouTube videos, digital books, podcasts, music, and more—anywhere, anytime.

You’ll learn how your iPhone, iPad, and Mac can bring you gratifying new projects, a satisfying sense of purpose, and a supersimple self-management system. And you’ll see how they can also help you stay in touch with others using audio visits, video visits, texting, and Zoom get-togethers, where you can share files, photos, articles, links, learning, and laughs!

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Impacts of Climate Change STEM 1001

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 11/7 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitators: Jim Kunkel, Senior Facilitator/ Timothy Steele, Master Facilitator

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 25 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

Widespread, rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere, and biosphere have and continue to occur. The changes to many aspects of the climate system are unprecedented in history. Human influence is very likely the driver of High Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and the warming of the global upper ocean. This ocean warming has accounted for over 91% of the heating in the climate system and has increased steadily over the past century. Human influence is also very likely the driver of the global retreat of glaciers. And it is certain that human-caused CO2 emissions are the main driver of current global acidification of the surface open ocean water.

Come join us for interactive discussions of these critical issues.

James Webb Space Telescope Part 2: Review and Update STEM 1002

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 11/7 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Ronald Knox

Location: Columbine United Church Class Limit: 35 Participants

Sponsoring Site: South

This course is about how the stunning images we see are created, how technologies are used to develop, launch, and keep the James Webb Space Telescope in space. We will discuss and explore:

• the JWST development timeline

• JWST technical equipment capabilities, and the Hubble telescope

• why the JWST is positioned at the L2 orbit

• how the telescope determines the distance to the stars and galaxies

• the use of the gravitational lens

• how the JWST hunts for black holes

We will also cover the relationship between the telescope and Earendel and its relationship to Big Bang. The impact on homo sapiens status in the universe will also be discussed. Participant questions will generate topics to explore for ongoing class sessions.

The leader was very knowledgeable and had gathered an incredible amount of material to support the content of the course. She posed thoughtful questions that provoked good discussion within the group and managed the full group interactions very skillfully.

James Webb Space Telescope Update: Operations & Astronomical Discoveries

STEM 1010

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 11/9 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30-11:30 AM

Facilitators: Ronald Knox/Charles Holt , Platinum Facilitator

Location: Columbine United Church

Class Limit: 35 Participants

Sponsoring Site: South

The James Webb Space Telescope is an orbiting infrared observatory that complements and extends the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope, with longer wavelength coverage and greatly improved sensitivity. Looking much closer to the beginning of time, it is searching, and finding, evidence of the first galaxies or luminous objects formed after the Big Bang. It is beginning to measure the physical and chemical properties of planetary systems and observe the first stages to the formation of stars and planetary systems. The class will cover and examine these and other discoveries in this magnificent effort to understand the universe and our place in it.

Major Advances in Science and Our View of Reality

STEM 1003

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 11/7 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Dan Putnam, Master Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: West

While the term “revolution” has been debated as it applies to science, clearly there have been revolutionary changes in the way we understand our place in the universe and how we understand ourselves. We obviously cannot cover all the changes in science, but we will cover areas like earth’s place in the universe, evolution, the profound change that relativity brought to our understanding of time, space, and gravity, and what the strange results in quantum physics might mean for our understanding of “knowledge.” We will also look at how psychology has changed our understanding of ourselves in the past 150 years. How we comprehend ourselves and the world around us has changed (and continues to change) in ways our ancestors would have viewed as unbelievable.

The Ministry for the Future—A Climate Change Adventure

STEM 1015

Thursday

Dates: 10/19 to 11/9 (4 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Phil Nelson, Master Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: 25 Participants

Sponsoring Site: West

What does the future hold for our warming planet? Kim Stanley Robinson tackles this question in a work of fiction, The Ministry for the Future, that takes us from India to Zurich to Antarctica to California. Participants are encouraged to read the book beforehand to learn about the work over three decades of a small, fictitious organization, the Ministry, to deal with the causes and consequences of heat waves, torrential rain, and melting ice while struggling against societal inertia and overt opposition. The facilitator will provide real-world case histories corresponding to the author’s scenarios of a planet in distress. Class participation is expected through readings and class members are asked to keep their video on. Welcome to the present and future world of climate change. [a quote from A.D. Hudson, writer: “Climate fiction can be one tool for making sense and meaning out of the enormity of the climate crisis; for creating narratives that drive positive collective action; and for exploring the possibility spaces of diverse climate futures.”]

Required book: The Ministry for the Future

Modern Cosmology

STEM 1014

Thursday

Dates: 10/5 to 11/9 (6 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Ed Friedman

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 20 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

This is a survey course of six, 2-hour classes related to the recent revolution in cosmology and astrophysics covering:

• The structure of the entire cosmos based on observations of galaxies and clusters of galaxies.

• The early universe and its production of light elements

• The cosmic microwave background and the information it has generated on dark energy, dark matter, and the geometry of the cosmos.

• New observational methods including gravitational wave sensors

• Updates on the latest discoveries

• Unanswered questions in cosmology and how they are being attacked

• A reading list and recommended YouTube videos (including all the lectures)

• Lectures notes and videos are made available to students

This is not a typical astronomy class; we won’t have much to say about our solar system. We’re thinking about the big picture using material culled from recent professional journals.

Online and Mobile Cyber Security Self-Protection Strategies for Seniors STEM 1009

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 10/12 (4 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Christopher Garcia

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: Regis

Instances of cyber hacking and cyber-attacks are increasing every year. Online and mobile cybercrime has no physical boundaries and there are bad people and organizations who are targeting the age-based vulnerability of seniors. Governments, organizations of all sizes, and most employers now hire expensive companies to protect them against the infiltration of cyber criminals and the exfiltration of their private data. This cyber defense is expensive and laborintensive. Who will protect our seniors from these attacks? We are our own first level of protection and our own first responders. This four-week course will help members identify the most frequent online and mobile technology cybercrime in use today and take action to combat this scourge on our most valuable of resources in our society today.

Rethinking the Big Bang: Impact of Recent Observations from the James Webb Space Telescope

OOTM 1008

Wednesday

Dates: 10/18 to 11/8 (4 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Wilson Wiedenheft

Location: Frasier Meadows in Boulder

Class Limit: 45 Participants

Sponsoring Site: OLLI on the Move

With powerful new telescopes, such as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), scientists are making observations that challenge some of our theories of the cosmos. We will explore recent discoveries, discussing how they support or disrupt our view of the universe. Prior knowledge of cosmology is not required, as we will review the underlying cosmological principles at an introductory level. Two areas of special focus include the early universe and exoplanets. Specific topics will be selected from recent publications. Examples include: A new map that could change the way we look at the night sky forever; What happens when a black hole destroys a star? What are we seeing in JWST’s first deep field image; JWST’s first glimpse of early galaxies could break cosmology.

Your Brain is You STEM 1005

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 10/11 (4 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Barbara Adams, Master Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: West

Has your brain been hijacked? Are you out of your mind?

There are two types of people in this world: those who view the glass as half-full, and those who see the glass as half-empty. This phenomenon is called perception, and our perceptions profoundly impact how we experience life.

In other words, we believe what we perceive to be accurate, and we create our own realities based on those perceptions. And although our perceptions feel very real, that doesn’t mean they’re necessarily factual. Does this mean our memories are true? Human memory involves the ability to both preserve and recover information. However, this is not a flawless process. Sometimes people forget or misremember things. Other times, information is not properly encoded in memory in the first place.

How often do your forget things? Do you remember everything perfectly? Do you have Alzheimer’s disease?

What are some new discoveries in Neuroscience? Where are we going with brain research?

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

1960s Movies

VIPA 1008

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 11/7 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–4 PM

Facilitators: Larry Matten, Platinum Facilitator/Greg Petty, Master Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: 75 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

The 1960s was a period of great change. These changes are reflected in the movies of the times. We will view comedies through dramas to help you remember and/or learn about this distinctive time in our American history. Selected are eight movies from a list of the top 50 movies of the ’60s that have a best film rating from IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes. Sample some of the decade’s new stars (Dustin Hoffman, Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Katharine Ross). We will be exposed to films directed by outstanding directors such as Kubrick, Hitchcock, Nichols, Donen, and Wilder. The ’60s saw the beginning of movie series such as The Pink Panther, Planet of the Apes, James Bond, and Neil Simon movies. Join us for fun afternoons of film and discussion.

Abstract Art, Dialogue, and Demonstration

VIPA 1027

Thursday

Dates: 10/19 to 11/9 (4 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Bob Manning

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: West

Up your creative game and explore the how and why of noted abstract artists such as Jackson Pollock, Joan Mitchell, Richard Diebenkorn and Agnes Martin. We will discuss what they’re saying, how they’re saying it, what it means to you, what it means to the world at large, past and present. With the aid of biographic and how they do it videos we will look into their worlds and experience the rewards of their work from both an aesthetic standpoint as well as a prompt for self-discovery. We will also PLAY, and it’s optional of course, with basic inexpensive art making materials, and give it a go at experiencing what the abstract masters experienced when it comes to that connection between applying the paint and our innate sensations.

Online Course

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

A Day at the Opera

VIPA 1025

Wednesday

Dates: 10/11 to 11/1 (4 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Neil Adelman

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: Central

Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Verdi’s Nabucco and Bizet’s Carmen are among the operas available to Denver area residents this fall and winter from Opera Colorado and the Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD cinema series. Neil Adelman will be speaking about these three operatic masterpieces and a fourth opera, Puccini’s wonderful saga of the American frontier, The Girl of the Golden West. Each of Neil’s talks will include the story of the opera and information about its origin, performance history, the composer, and the librettist together with a visual presentation of musical excerpts. Please join us whether you are an experienced operagoer, new to the art form, or somewhere in between. And, if you are going to any of these local performances, Neil’s talk will be an excellent prelude to your experience.

A History of Choral Music from Gregorian Chant to the Modern Day

VIPA 1003

Monday

Dates: 9/18 to 10/23 (6 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Timothy Krueger

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 80 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

Many cultures have developed forms of corporate singing, but what we identify today as choral music, with distinct vocal parts based on range, singing in harmony, accompanied by instruments

or not, was a product of Medieval European Christianity, inspired by injunctions to “Sing to the Lord” throughout Jewish and Christian scriptures. The invention of the first comprehensive musical notation system will be traced, which developed into the modern notation system, and which was created to notate choral music specifically. From monophonic chants to the development of polyphonic works for multiple parts will take us through the Renaissance, including secular works. The appearance of oratorio in the Baroque and the accompaniment of choirs with orchestra and organ takes us into the early Romantic era (including an examination of the choral works of Bach, Handel, Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven). Mendelssohn’s key role in the flowering of German choral music will be touched on, and excursions into the Jewish sacred music of the Romantic era, and the music of the Russian Orthodox Church will take us into the 20th century. Finally, the 20th century dominance in choral music of, first, England, and then the Baltic States will conclude our survey.

At Home with Art….or Home is Where the Art is….

VIPA 1024

Wednesday

Dates: 10/4 to 10/25 (4 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Sarah Nichols

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: Regis

What is home? Is it a place or a feeling? In Western art history, the concept of home changed radically from the Renaissance to Present. With the growth of the concept of the individual, the concept of home also developed from a literal place to rest one’s head to a reflection of class, virtue, and self. During this term, we will explore the evolving concept of home through key pieces of Western art, examining the interiors they represent, the design movements they belong to, and the social context of these environments.

Classical Music and You: What to Know and How to Listen like a Pro VIPA 1004

Monday

Dates: 9/18 to 11/6 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Catherine Beeson

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: Central

Explore and learn about the history and development of classical music, from small ensemble to the symphony orchestra, with a Colorado Symphony musician-educator. Discover, explore, and compare musicmaking techniques of master composers from every major era (Haydn, Mozart, Brahms, Copland, and more). We will listen to, discuss, and make observations about different instruments and compositions. This class will enhance the understanding and appreciation of classical music. OLLI students will learn the basic history of classical music, listen to and compare/ contrast examples of music from all major historical periods, and learn about composers from each of those periods. Whether you’re a novice or a classical music afficionado, get ready to expand your knowledge and experience all.

Comedy Appreciation

VIPA 1011

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 11/7 (no class 10/17) (7 weeks)

Time: 9:30–12 noon

Facilitator: Jim Sieke, Senior Facilitator

Location: Jefferson Unitarian Church

Class Limit: 65 Participants

Sponsoring Site: West

Comedy Appreciation will be a 7-week course covering Stand-up Comedy, Late Night Comedy, Sketch Comedy, and Sitcoms as well as a great deal of a small amount of related material. The format is a series of short to medium length video clips with a short introduction to hopefully enhance the enjoyment of the clip and then a short classroom discussion after each clip.

It is fascinating to learn details about this amazing music by amazing composers — I am always in awe of all of it and love every minute!

Online Course

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Creative Image Processing: Post-Production on your Smartphone and/or Computer

VIPA 1026

Tuesday

Dates: 10/17 to 11/7 (4 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Mark Payler

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: On Campus

This beginning-to-intermediate level handson demonstration class will introduce the member to a wide range of skills related to the post-production of images captured on digital devices such as a smartphone (primarily an iOS to be used) or computer (a PC will be used for demonstrations). The course will focus on determining how much post-production work is needed to maintain the integrity of the subject and produce an outstanding image.

The course will feature demonstrations, as well as lengthy discussions about the approach one should take before modifying an image, the use of AI (yes — especially starting to be prevalent in photography), and where photography is headed in the not-to-distant future. Smartphone users, as well as actual digital camera users, will benefit from the content of this course no matter the level of experience one may have with creative image processing. Please note that prior to the first class a list of apps and software to be demonstrated will be provided to the members of this course. Some programs or apps may be “free” while others can be obtained for a 30-day trial period before purchasing the programs. No purchase of any software is mandatory for membership in this course.

Documentary Films

VIPA 1016

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 12:45–3:15 PM

Facilitator: Richard Reinish, Platinum Facilitator

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 80 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

Each week a different documentary film will be shown in class followed by a discussion.  Pertinent readings will be sent out prior to class. None of the films have been previously shown in the facilitator’s prior courses.

Enter the World of Weird and Unusual Films

VIPA 1020

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 11/16 (no class 11/2) (8 weeks) Time: 1–3:30 PM

Facilitators: Dixie Vice, Senior Facilitator/John Lungerhausen, Master Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: West

As Dorothy said to her little dog, Toto, “We’re not in Kansas anymore.” Our selection of films for the Fall Term will feature filmmaking which pushes the boundaries of the craft. If you are looking for a weekly series of lighthearted entertaining films with fluff and frills and happy endings, this is probably NOT the class for you. To say the films are “interesting” would be an understatement. These films will require your full attention. No napping or snack breaks. As with many of the films we choose to show, you will need to think about what the director might have intended in making the film. These films might leave you with questions that may or may not have answers. You’ll have the opportunity to let us, and the other class members, know what

you think. The films include the following: Under the Skin (2013), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), The Return (Russia 2003), Adaptation (2002) and four more (see syllabus for a complete list and schedule.) All movies will be shown in their entirety and with subtitles or closed captioned for the hearing impaired.

The Film Battleship Potemkin and its Groundbreaking Techniques

VIPA 1023

Tuesday

Dates: 9/26 to 10/17 (4 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitators: Arlene Pickett

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: West

The film Battleship Potemkin, directed by Sergei Eisenstein of the Moscow Film School, was commissioned in 1925 as part of a commemoration of early events in the Russian Revolution which occurred in St Petersburg in 1905. Filmmakers were experimenting with camera placement and editing to convey a powerful political statement. The reception in Russia and Europe was enthusiastic. Unfortunately, as the years went by, some distributors made their own editing decisions, removing some portions and rearranging others and the film as envisioned by Eisenstein disappeared. KINO, a German restoration group, produced

a new Blu Ray edition in 2010 which included a film score composed by Edmund Meisel. In this course, we will learn some of the historical background which inspired the script while we watch the film in its entirety. We will return to the film on a scene-by-scene basis using study techniques which were popularized by film critic Roger Ebert and we will discuss brief samples of work from other films and directors. Directors, editors and cinematographers have long since employed many of Eisenstein’s innovations and as 21st century filmgoers we take them for granted.

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

From Realism to Abstraction: Kollwitz and Kandinsky: Their Life and Times

VIPA 1014

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Linda Susak

Location: Online

Class Limit: 35 Participants

Sponsoring Site: On Campus

Käthe Kollwitz, arguably the greatest German woman artist, was born in 1867 in East Prussia and died as the War was ending in 1945. Wassily Kandinsky, born in Moscow in 1866, died in 1944 in Paris. Although they were contemporaries, their art was completely different and cannot be compared. Although the movement toward what is now called Modernism (including Impressionism, Cubism, Fauvism, Surrealism) was well underway in Kollwitz’ lifetime, she deliberately chose to represent her subjects and their lives through realism. Wassily Kandinsky, whose work was never random, was experimenting with new forms, ideas, and color and he ran the gamut from semi-realistic to a hint of the representational object to total abstraction. In his two books on art: Concerning the Spiritual in Art and Point to Line to Plane, he philosophically and theoretically grounded his way to abstraction and, arguably, became the first artist to create a totally abstract painting. In this course, we will look in detail at both artists and investigate their individual approaches and look at what abstraction, in Kandinsky’s own words, is based upon. The first four weeks we will discuss Käthe Kollwitz; the last four Kandinsky.

Get Smarter about your Smartphone VIPA 1019

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 10/26 (6 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11 AM

Facilitator: Sharon Sherman

Location: Online

Class Limit: 25 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Regis

Most of us cannot seem to live without our iPhone or Android smart devices – but we are often not taking advantage of their capabilities or are frustrated with them. This class will explore the revolutionary technologies, connectivity and components involved in our devices. Learn essential settings, apps, features, and operations that enable their tremendous versatility and usefulness. Explore what we need to know about carriers and purchasing equipment. Learn about voice control and more: managing, maintaining, handling security, email accounts, wi-fi use and texting. Come get a little smarter about your tech and learn more about these life sustaining tools.

Great Film Directors

VIPA 1021

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 11/9 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Bob Magnani, Platinum Facilitator Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: West

Some Directors have an identifiable brash style that we can all appreciate; some strive to be invisible – if you can see their efforts, they feel they have usurped the story. Whichever way, the great directors with long, successful lists of films to their credit are supreme artists of film that can pull at your heart and drive you (sometimes) out of your seat with excitement. How do they do that? What subtle tricks, what film grammar do they know and use on you to tell their stories in compelling ways? Take this course and see how they do it – Quentin Tarantino, Francis Ford Coppola, Sidney Lumet, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Stanley Kubrick, Joel and Ethan Coen, Sidney Pollack. We’ll see excerpts of their work, biographic info and Interviews with them, and detailed commentaries on their techniques via YouTube videos.

Japanese Prints from Meiji to Modern VIPA 1005

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 10/31 (7 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Jerry Mercure

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 20 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

And now for something completely different… for all the art lovers out there. For those of you who are tired of being bombarded by bad news on a daily basis, this class is intended to lighten and brighten your world. I’ll be showing and discussing some of the most beautiful Japanese prints made over the last 150 years. Their impact is felt around the world.

When the United States ended Japan’s isolationist foreign policy around 1854, Japan entered a new period marked by rapid modernization, industrialization, and cultural change. This class will delve into Japanese print art resulting from Japanese societal changes beginning in the Meiji period (18681912). Out of necessity, it will show contrasts and similarities with prior Edo period prints. I will discuss the evolution of Japanese society and print artists, their lives and their work over approximately a 150-year period (to the present). This includes the shin-hanga (new prints), sosaku-hanga (creative prints), and kindai-hanga (modern and contemporary prints) movements. Japanese prints have had a huge impact on Western art over the last 350 years. Prepare to be awed by this art form that is infused with Western influences yet remains essentially Japanese and is still popular today. No extracurricular reading is required.

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

JS Bach and the Baroque Era in Music and Art

VIPA 1012

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 11/7 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Hille Dais, Master Facilitator

Location: Jefferson Unitarian Church

Class Limit: 50 Participants

Sponsoring Site: West

In this class we will focus primarily on the life of Johann Sebastian Bach, his family and his career. We will learn about his major works for keyboard, the solo violin and cello, his orchestral compositions, and his church music. More broadly, we will learn about other major composers of the baroque. What was happening at the time to create the baroque style? Why and how is this music still so relevant to present-day composing and performing? We will finish with a guest art historian’s presentation on the art of the baroque era. Guest musicians will bring music and their stories of what the baroque has meant to them.

Journeys: Learning Through Travel

VIPA 1015

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Barbara Werren, Diamond Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: West

We’re traveling again! And traveling is Barbara’s university, recreation, and passion. Creating programs to share with others is a satisfying pursuit that expands her knowledge and appreciation of the world and its wonders. Travel gives us all the opportunity to learn and experience the culture, music, art, religion, geography and especially the beautiful people of the world. We’ll travel to many destinations in this session...my most recent trip to Jordon and Egypt, of course. We will so visit Ireland, Iceland, Mexico, Chiapas, Budapest to Amsterdam River Cruise, Canadian Maritimes...and more. Whether you are eager to travel again and want some ideas about future trips or are an armchair traveler who enjoys seeing the beauty of the world, you’ll enjoy this class. Come travel with us!

Listen to the Music—The Rhythm of Life

VIPA 1010

Tuesday

Dates: 9/18, 2–4 PM & 9/26 to 11/7, 1–3 PM (8 weeks)

Facilitators: Sue Bramley, Master Facilitator/ Wayne Gardner

Location: Columbine United Church

Class Limit: 35 Participants

Sponsoring Site: South

We’ll be examining far different music than we’ve done before. Here is just an sample.

Matinee at the Bijou—Billy Wilder and Friends

VIPA 1002

Monday

Dates: 9/18 to 11/6 (8 weeks)

Time: 12:30–3 PM

Facilitator: Mac McHugh, Platinum Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited Sponsoring Site: On Campus

• Stories Behind the Songs: Fleetwood Mac & the Eagles

• Iconic Performances: From the jazz clubs of France to Broadway & film, to sports arena chants to music videos, we’ll take a look at iconic performances through the decades.

• Nashville Songwriters: History, stories, writing process, clever lyrics

• Surfin’ USA: A New Craze & Culture Hits America. We’ll reintroduce you to the influencers who put forth this phenom.

• Behind the Curtain: Deep Dive into the Grammys & R & R Hall of Fame

• Westward Expansion – Music Weaves the Narrative: What contributed to the development of America? Music! We’ll explore western music, war chants, men at work, lifestyle & patriotism.

Billy Wilder, the name may not conjure up recognition but name the movies and suddenly a light bulb goes on. Wilder’s list of movie successes goes long. Names such as The Major and the Minor, Double Indemnity, Lost Weekend, Stalag 17, The Seven Year Itch, Some Like It Hot, The Apartment, and Witness for the Prosecution. His style ranged from comedies, heavy drama, crime dramas, and back to comedies. But wait…. Wilder didn’t start out to be a director. His beginning was a screenwriter and many of his bestknown movies were from screenplays he wrote. The only thing that can be said about his movies are none are alike. Join us as we look into the four decades Wilder made movies. We have a minor without money to pay a train ticket, a crooked insurance investigator, a prisoner of war, an over-thehill actress, two executives after a girl, a courtroom drama, a crooked lawyer, and a newspaper reporter. Again, we will have a short discussion before and after the movie to discuss the stars, the plot, and why the movie was successful. Due to the length of the movies the class will start at 12:30 p.m. and there will not be an intermission during the movie. The participation of the attendees was encouraged. The enthusiastic response struck chords of memory and made us all friends.

Paul Simon: A Musical Journey

VIPA 1006

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 10/10 (4 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Steve Spirn

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 30 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

If you have enjoyed the music of Paul Simon over the decades, join me in a retrospective of his musical work. I have enjoyed his music since college (a long time ago) and have decided a review of his work might be of interest to others who grew up with him and his music.

We will listen and watch a lot of music but also learn more about the man behind such a vast catalog of famous music.

We will cover the following:

1. The Early Years

2. Simon and Garfunkel

3. Performing with Others

4. Paul Simon-Performing and Talking about His Music Over the Decades

5. Famous Concerts Including a Capstone Concert

The emphasis of our time together will be spent in watching and listening to music. If you want to relax and listen to lots of good music by this legendary artist, this is the class for you.

Portraits: People, Pets, and (Holiday) Parties

VIPA 1009

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 To 10/10 (4 Weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Mark Payler

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: On Campus

Babies and older (think grandchildren of all ages) — YES! Pets (really; think of your fur babies) — YES! Formal posed portraits — YES! Candid family moments — YES! This hands-on course will focus on both formal and informal portraiture techniques which anyone can use no matter their photography level (beginning to advanced amateur photographer) and tool set (Smartphone — [Note: With limited capabilities at times] to DSLR/Mirrorless digital cameras). Natural and artificial light sources will be utilized as well as techniques in both posing and capturing those fleeting informal moments at a family holiday gathering. This course will help make you comfortable with photographing your family and friends as well as prepare you to capture the upcoming holiday celebrations which you have come to love and enjoy. Weekly shooting assignments, based on the course material presented that week, will be given so the class member is able to practice the different techniques and topics presented during the weekly session.

Stage-Inspired Great Music: From Broadway Back To Shakespeare VIPA 1013

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8/ (8 Weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Betsy Schwarm, Master Facilitator

Location: Online

Class Limit: 50 Participants

Sponsoring Site: On Campus

For over a century, the bright lights of Broadway have lured countless performers and enchanted myriad audience members, especially when music is involved. Perhaps music settles more readily into the heart than words. Of course, even before the advent of the Great White Way, as it has been called, music and drama were close companions. This eight-week online course led by music historian Betsy Schwarm begins with Broadway, in which we find some of the most beloved theatrical music of the past 150 years. Works combining music, spoken dialog, and storytelling have been an adored form of cultural entertainment since the late 19th century. Thank you, Gilbert and Sullivan, Rodgers and Hammerstein, and many more!

From The Pirates of Penzance to Showboat to South Pacific to Sweeney Todd, telling a tale in musical form gives us not only the text, but also the subtext. What lies beneath the surface? Once we’ve reviewed how musical theater works, Betsy will look back to the origins of that art form with operetta, opera, and even Shakespearean songs. Great music can make unfamiliar tales more accessible, and familiar ones that much more powerful.

Shot in the Street, the Photography of Henri Cartier Bresson

VIPA 1022

Tuesday

Dates: 9/26 to 10/24 (5 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Daniel Teitelbaum

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: Central

Henri Cartier Bresson is recognized as one of the most important photographers of the 20th Century. His work on the development of candid photography (street photography) and his critical position in the development of modern photojournalism is undisputed. Richard Avedon has said that “Every photographer working today has roots in the work of Henri Cartier Besson.” His images revolutionized the modern concept of photojournalism. He conceived the notion of “The Decisive Moment,” that fraction of a second when everything in the image comes together to make a perfect picture. His work has been shown in numerous groups and one-man shows throughout the world. He has photographed critical moments in contemporary history, from the death of Gandhi to the transformation of China from the Kuomintang to Maoist Communism. In this course, we will review Cartier Bresson’s biography, which is sufficiently intriguing to be the basis for a Hollywood biopic and examine his photographs and his brilliant work in portraiture which is unique in the photographic archives.

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Steven Spielberg Films

VIPA 1001

Monday

Dates: 9/18 to 10/23 (6 weeks)

Time: 12:30–3:30 PM

Facilitator: Arnie Wright

Location: Online

Class Limit: 50 Participants

Sponsoring Site: West

Steven Spielberg (1946-) has directed (produced) over 35 films (20 films), many of which have been box office blockbusters including Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, and Lincoln. He made his first home movie at age 12, his first movie film at 20, and received a multi-year directing contract at 23. Spielberg began his professional career directing television. His first major film success was Jaws in 1975. Spielberg co-founded two film studios, Amblin Entertainment and DreamWorks. He has won numerous awards including two Academy Awards for Best Director [Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan] (nominated nine times) and for Best Picture [Schindler’s List] (nominated twelve times). He continues to be an active director and producer. Participants in this sixweek course will view a different Spielberg film each session, followed by a 45-60 minute discussion and critique. Be prepared to be entertained!

Ten Centuries of the Intersection of Music and Culture

VIPA 1017

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitators: Gregory Adams, Master Facilitator/ Alec Tsoucatos, Diamond Facilitator

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 80 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

Listening to ten centuries of extraordinary, mostly “Western” music, from 1100 CE, to the Dark Ages, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, the Romantic Era, and finally into the 21st Century, we will discuss how it has nourished and informed our culture, history and social structures.. Music from bygone centuries can feel foreign and removed, however, the facilitators propose it does not have to feel that way. We will listen to compositions and discuss the connections you feel to the music, as it anchors your historical understanding with gorgeous musical underpinnings. Bach, Beethoven, Hildegard von Bingen, Ravel, Debussy, Billie Holliday, Pink Floyd, Verdi, and Puccini, as well as numerous surprises, will all make their appearances as we examine this interweaving of music, history, and culture. Through deep class engagement, we will better understand the breadth of history from a unique, deeply meaningful, musical perspective. Music is inherently non-translatable. History and culture are both translatable and describable. In exploring both, this warp and weg of culture and music, we will see our reflection into ourselves and our deep past in a more unique and profound way.

The subject and presentation are always fascinating and educational. I have taken 4 or 5 courses from her now and am never disappointed

“ ”

Watercolor: Botanical Art

VIPA 1018

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 11/9 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Mitra Verma

Location: Online

Class Limit: 25 Participants

Sponsoring Site: On Campus

This watercolor course will provide you some time to relax, be creative, and enjoy the meditative act of applying paint to paper. Botanical art is ideally suited to those who love to recreate the beauty of plants and flowers. Using wet and dry watercolor painting techniques, we will experience the mindful process of botanical art while learning to capture the beauty of our natural world. Before the color application we will first observe the picture in grey scale to understand the tonal values and color schemes for our subject. You may also find this course useful if you have some prior watercolor knowledge but feel you would benefit from some guidance transferring your skills to botanical art. To make the experience as stress free as possible, I will provide a line drawing of a simple plant subject for anyone who wishes to use it.

Women Composers: Their History and Their Music

VIPA 1007

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 10/10 (4 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Catherine Beeson

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: Central

This course will take participants on a meaningful survey of the 5000+ women composers documented throughout history, beginning with Medieval ‘rock star’ Hildegard von Bingen and finishing with Pulitzer Prize winners and innovative newcomers of our time. No prior knowledge of music is necessary to ignite your curiosity and engage in this material. We will do a lot of listening for discovery and comparison, and we will engage in discussion from time to time. Prepare to be amazed at the richness of genius in these women!

MISCELLANEOUS

American Mahjongg for Beginners

MISC 1001

Tuesday

Dates: 9/19 to 11/7 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitators: Wayne Cassell, Senior Facilitator/ Marilyn Rifkin

Location: Columbine United Church

Class Limit: 16 Participants

Sponsoring Site: South

Mahjongg is a great game but learning all its many rules and traditions can overwhelm beginners. This class provides a pleasant classroom situation where details are explained and practiced with other beginners. This makes the learning curve much less stressful than playing with experienced players. After 4-6 weeks, you should feel confident enough to play with an understanding group and might even use the contacts you have made in class to start a group. The class focus is on American Mahjongg and will discuss how to buy Mahjongg sets and American Mahjongg annual cards, but they are not required for the course.

Required: The Beginner’s Guide to American Mah Jongg by Elaine Sandberg. We will be using the 2004 Mahjongg card that comes with the book for practicing and playing American mahjongg.

American Mahjongg for Those Who Have Never Played

MISC 1002

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Elaine Levy

Location: 1st Universalist

Class Limit: 20 Participants

Sponsoring Site: Central

Required Fee: Fee of $20 (in cash please) payable to facilitator at 1st class session

Mahjongg, an ancient Chinese game that has been played in the American version since the 1900s, is played with four people and is similar to Gin Rummy. It is fun, complex, very challenging, and a game of strategy, defense, and knowledge. It’s 50% skill and 50% luck and played with tiles that are in three different suits and include dragons, winds, flowers, and jokers. Each year, the National Mahjongg League creates a card with hands that can be played that year which class members will receive.

This is an 8- week, no-pressure course, taught in a progressive manner with handouts and tips provided by the facilitator. Class members are STRONGLY encouraged to attend every class as it is difficult to “catch up.” By the 4th week most people will have a good understanding of the game. By the 6th week you will know how to play. The last two weeks are for practice and skills improvement. Mahjongg is easy to learn if you’re having a good time and this is a great game once you know how to play. WARNING: this game is ADDICTIVE; you will LOVE playing and you will get hooked!

Bridge Basics I: An Introduction

MISC 1004

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Michael Holmes

Location: Online

Class Limit: 15 Participants

Sponsoring Site: West

Required Fee: Fee of $20 (see information below)

This is the first beginning bridge class “Bridge Basics I.” This course is for individuals new to bridge or those who have been absent from bridge for a while. There is a $20.00 non-negotiable or non-refundable fee paid to the instructor and due by the second, class session. Failure to pay the fee will result in being dropped from the class. Students can either pay the instruction via check or Zelle. The address is: 313 Clisby Austin Rd, Tunnel Hill, GA 30755. Zelle Michael Holmes 3039289187.

The recommended book for the class is Bidding in the 21st Century. The book is provided by the American Contract Bridge league and serves as the text for the first three courses. Note: If the address you want the book sent to is different from the one on your $20 check — please send special instructions. If you use Zelle, you must email the instructor a correct address. Upon receipt of the fee, the text will be mailed to the student. If you don’t want the book, the $20 fee is the same.

Bridge Basics III: Popular Bridge Conventions

MISC 1005

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Michael Holmes

Location: Online

Class Limit: 15 Participants

Sponsoring Site: West

Required Fee: Fee of $20 (see information below)

This is the third course in a series designed to give students a basic understanding of the game of bridge. In this course students will learn the Stayman convention, the Jacoby Transfer convention, the strong two-club bid and responses, the 2NT bid and responses, Slam bidding including the Blackwood and Gerber conventions. The first part of this class is theory-based and the second part is supervised play of bridge hands related to the topics covered.

Recommended Book: Basic Bidding in the 21st Century by Audrey Grant. If you have not taken a class from the facilitator already, you will get a free textbook for the course from the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL). Please notify Mike if you do not have the book already.

Additional Fees: There is a $20.00 fee for this course which covers costs associated with the app used for bridge play. Students who enroll should send a check directly to Mike Holmes, 313 Clisby Austin Rd, Tunnel Hill, GA 30755. (PLEASE DO NOT send a check until you have received confirmation from OLLI that you are registered in the course and DO NOT send the check to the OLLI office).

Online Course

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Genealogy: Breaking Through Brick Walls

MISC 1007

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 10/12 (4 weeks)

Time: 1–3 PM

Facilitator: Carol Darrow

Location: Online

Class Limit: 40 Participants

Sponsoring Site: On Campus

Identifying and overcoming brick walls in genealogy is challenging. Sometimes there are minor roadblocks and sometimes they are merely picket fences. Learning the twists and turns of census records, marriage records, wills, probate, military, and naturalization records will help you to solve the mysteries that are keeping you from assembling a clear picture of your family history.

Mahjongg Wow!

MISC 1003

Wednesday

Dates: 9/20 to 11/8 (8 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Colleen Hope

Location: Jefferson Unitarian Church Class Limit: 12 Participants

Sponsoring Site: West

Mahjongg is a historical and exciting game with Chinese origins that uses tiles with symbols and pictures. Instructor Colleen Hope will teach the fundamental components, etiquette and rules plus provide playing time in a patient and fun learning environment. The lessons are based upon the National Mahjongg League materials and are taught in a specific sequence, so it is critical not to miss any of the initial classes. Ideal for beginners, this is a great game to register together with friends!

Potpourri MISC 1008

Wednesday

Dates: 10/18 to 11/8 (4 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30 AM

Facilitator: Jan Friedlander, Master Facilitator

Location: Columbine United Church Class Limit: 45 Participants

Sponsoring Site: South

Like variety? If you answered “YES”, this class is for you! This is a 4-week speaker series class

WEDNESDAY MORNINGS, OCTOBER 18 –NOVEMBER 8.

Presentations include:

“Prelude to Chernobyl, Soviet Nuclear Accidents”/Wayne Cassell, “The Theft of the Mona Lisa”/Sylvia Trujillo, a TBD presentation, and “Is it Rigged?”, field Trip to the Douglas County Elections Office for a tour of how our ballots are processed/Jan Friedlander. Join Jan and your other OLLI buddies to have fun learning about these varied and interesting topics!

Potpourri MISC 1006

Thursday

Dates: 9/21 to 10/12 (4 weeks)

Time: 9:30–11:30

Facilitators: Danielle Anderson/Rick Rokosz/ Patricia Raybon/Shaun Boyd

Location: Online

Class Limit: Unlimited

Sponsoring Site: Regis

This is a four-week speaker series class on Wednesday mornings, September 21 to October 12. Join various presenters on interesting topics.

1) September21 - Long duration space flight poses unique training demands and environmental challenges leading to many known and well-studied multisystem physiologic changes within the astronaut corps. There is now over 20 years of compiled evidence outlining the training and environmental effects. As humans prepare to explore these austere environments that are beyond the scope of standard physiologic limits, it will be important to understand the human reactions as well as the measures to protect against these known changes.

2) September 28 - Come along on this two-hour fact filled, fun space odyssey adventure. You will hear from a first-hand observer little known facts and stories about “Manned” space flight. Topics about the astronauts; things they ate, pranks they pulled, things you’ve not heard them say or do, their missions, rockets, and more will be presented.

3) October 5 - Join Colorado author Patricia Raybon for a fresh, candid, early Fall discussion on history, mystery, book writing, and race based on her new historical detective novel, “All That Is Secret: An Annalee Spain Mystery.” Set in 1923 in Denver when the Ku Klux Klan ruled the state, it features a young, Black theologian—a fan of Sherlock Holmes—who comes home to Denver to solve her estranged father’s murder. But as she grapples with multiple questions about life, love, and identity, what did the fictional detective teach the novelist about facing life’s toughest puzzles while learning insights about mystery, writing and ourselves.

4) October 12 - Did you know that the KKK ruled Denver in the early 1920s? Or that there was a robust reaction from those who did not agree with the Klan’s goals? That History Colorado has the list of the names of the men who joined the Klan in Denver? Come hear the history of the Klan in Denver, its downfall, and how modern technology is revealing new information.

She was well versed in the material and the presentation was well organized. She was a phenomenal facilitator and treated each of the participants with care, kindness, and understanding.

ADVENTURE TIME. TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE OLLI COMMUNITY

EXCLUSIVE MEMBER TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES

We are back on the road and hope that OLLI at DU members will join us for domestic and international travel in the coming year. OLLI at DU will be offering our members six travel experiences during the next year — three domestic and three international. We are working with facilitators to offer special OLLI at DU courses and webinars which highlight these countries/regions — their cultures, food, history, geology, etc. Stay tuned for this intersection of OLLI courses and what many would consider the ultimate field trip! If you would like to join our Travel Taskforce, contact Jackie Wyant at jacqueline.wyant@du.edu.

For more information about travel opportunities with the OLLI community CLICK HERE.

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES

The Best of Theater in New York

Road Scholar Program #11921

Monday, November 6 to Friday, November 10, 2023

Hit the streets of the Great White Way and discover the excitement of New York’s incredible theater scene, from Broadway events to the adventurous Off-Broadway stage and beyond. Get an inside look at what ordinary members of the audience never see as you spend five days immersed in New York theater and in personal encounters with those who help create it. ·

 Attend a musical, a drama and an OffBroadway show.

 Explore Times Square’s theatrical history.

 Enjoy a behind-the-scenes discussion of the page-to-stage process with a producer, director, or theater manager.

The Best of Charleston and Savannah: A

Tale of Two Cities

Road Scholar Program # 21715

Sunday, March 24 to Sunday, March 31, 2024

Charleston and Savannah — the grand dames of the antebellum South. Journey from one to the other as you learn about Southern culture at plantations, Civil War forts, Lowcountry landmarks and landscaped gardens. Hear tales of centuries past and experience elegant architecture and culinary delights in these waterfront cities where cobblestone streets and historic homes spill over with history and charm.

 Minimum 30/maximum 38

 Program Only Prices:

Double Occupancy: $3,249

Single Occupancy: $4,339

Lobsters, Wineries and Foods of New England

Road Scholar Program # 12312

Sunday, July 14 to Saturday, July 20, 2024

Experience the diversity of New England cuisine and the region’s beautiful scenery during a weeklong journey through Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Discussions with professional winemakers, lobstermen, and farmers about the products they grow and harvest from the land and sea. Learn about specialty products created by local entrepreneurs and enjoy field trips to vineyards, farms, sugarhouses, markets, and the ocean. At stops along the way, enjoy tastes of authentic New England foods such as johnny cakes, lobster, clam chowder, local cheeses, yogurt, and maple syrup.

 Minimum 28/maximum 36

 Program Only Prices:

Double Occupancy: $2,299

Single Occupancy: $2,929

Discover Alaska by Rail: A Traveling Adventure—includes three days in Denali Park

Friday, August 30 to Monday, September 9, 2024

All Aboard! Journey the entire 470-mile length of the historic Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks to Seward. Along the way you’ll learn about life in the North and its people, culture and wildlife. Ride to Denali National Park- home of North America’s tallest mountain, 20,310-foot Denali where you’ll explore its trails with one of Denali Education Center’s educators. Then you’ll head to Anchorage and experience the cultures of Alaska’s Native groups before heading to the harbor town of Seward to take in the grandeur of Kenai Fjords National Park Minimum 30/maximum 35.

 Program Only Prices:

Double Occupancy: $6,899

Single Occupancy: $8,439

International Travel in 2024

Cherry Blossoms in Japan

Tuesday, March 12 to Sunday, March 24, 2024

Japan seamlessly merges centuries-old history with a modern way of life. On this tour, hues of pink and aromatic scents fill city streets and lush parks as cherry blossoms bring new life to an already vibrant country. See ancient temples alongside modern architecture while experiencing the beauty celebrated each year during the Japanese cherry blossom season

 Minimum 14

 Price (including Air from Denver): $7,264

France (Normandy, Giverny, Mont St. Michel, Epernay, Paris

Friday, May 24 to Wednesday, June 5, 2024

Along the coast of Normandy, the influence of WWII can still be felt. As you visit memorials, trenches, and museums, you’ll learn about the important role American forces played in the outcome of D-Day. Explore the locations that were the backdrops for pivotal battles and take time to honor the sacrifices made by the Allied soldiers. Trip highlights also include a trip to Monet’s Giverny, champagne tasting in Epernay, guided tour of Mont-Saint-Michel, and three nights in Paris

 Minimum: 14

 Price (including Air from Denver): $5,999

DU / 2023 FALL / OLLI ON THE MOVE

OLLI ON THE MOVE

OLLI at DU is “on the road” to reach new audiences with the great lifelong learning classes we have become known for over the past 27 years. OLLI On the Move (OOM) shares lifelong learning to outside communities and libraries and generates new interest in OLLI membership in a post-pandemic era of rediscovered social engagement. Our experienced facilitators bring exciting and educational courses to senior organizations, libraries, and adult living communities.

 OOM relies on a team of some of our very best, experienced OLLI facilitators to present single class sessions or 4-week courses at locations throughout the Denver Metro and Boulder areas.

 Participants in the course purchase affiliate memberships that permit them to register for a single offsite course, paying a reduced rate.

OLLI is collaborating with an ever-expanding number of communities such as Frasier Meadows in Boulder, Overture Colorado and Balfour Riverfront in Denver, the Douglas County Libraries, Village Cooperative in Centennial, Thornton Active Adults, and many others. Interested facilitators and members with contacts at such venues are encouraged to reach out to us.

OLLI On the Movie is a component of our new Community Outreach initiative that creates opportunities for member outings and organizational sponsorships like recent trips to the Colorado Symphony, Cherry Creek Theatre, Butterfly Pavilion and Wings Over the Rockies. For more information about OLLI on the Move CLICK HERE.

OLLI@

UPCOMING OLLI ON THE MOVE EVENTS

Butterfly Pavilion, Westminster

Aug. 23

OLLI Member Day.

Cherry Hills III, Denver

Sept. 11 to Oct. 2, four weeks

9–11 AM

From the Pumpkin Papers to the Pentagon Papers

Castle Pines Library, Castle Pines

Sept. 13 to October 4, four weeks

1–3 PM

An OLLI Potpourri

Overture Colorado, Denver

Sept. 7 to Oct. 26, 8 weeks, various times

An OLLI Potpourri

Morningstar Observatory Park, Denver

Sept. 21 to Oct. 12, four weeks,

11 AM–12:30 PM

The British Invasion: Music of the ’60s

Thornton Active Adults

Oct. 2 to 23, four weeks,

1–2:30 PM

The Iron Horse Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: A History of Colorado’s Railroads

Roxborough Library, Roxborough

Oct. 12 to Nov. 2, four sessions,

1–3 PM

Route 66, Ancient Engineers, Phone Picture Magic

Frasier Meadows, Boulder

Oct. 18 to Nov. 8, four weeks,

9:30–11 AM

Rethinking the Big Bang: Impact of Recent Observations from the James Webb Space Telescope

Butterfly Pavilion, Westminster

Oct. 6 to Oct. 27, four weeks on Fridays, 10–11:30 AM

Bees, Butterflies, and Beyond: the World of Pollinators

If you are interested in bringing an OLLI at DU course into your community, we invite you to speak to OOM, Community Outreach Manager, Paul Simon.

MEMBERSHIP PERKS. FREE WEBINARS

Free Friday Webinars

OLLI at DU is pleased to offer our members a series of seven Friday morning webinars focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Our speakers come from a variety of backgrounds and are experts in the field. Join us online via Zoom. You must register with OLLI for each webinar to receive your personal meeting invitation.

For more information on OLLI at DU memberships, visit our website at OLLI.DU.edu or return to page 6 of this catalog.

For more information about Free Friday Webinars CLICK HERE.

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / FRIDAY WEBINARS

Magic Mushrooms

9/22

9:30–11 AM

This webinar examines the properties of psilocybin mushrooms, the history of their use, and new state laws being enacted. We will look at current clinical trials using psilocybin for mental health applications.

Speaker

Colleen Jorgensen is a retired college faculty and administrator. She now has time to pursue some of those paths not taken including the study of mycology. She has facilitated several STEM OLLI classes including, “There is a Fungus Among Us.”

Ancient Skywatchers: Keeping Time

9/29

9:30–11 AM

Humans around the world and throughout history have observed the sky, interpreting, and using what they saw in practical, political and spiritual ways. In this seminar, we will explore how ancient people perceived and regulated time using observations of the moon, sun, and stars. Our journey will take us across millennia and around the world, from paleolithic caves to ancient Egypt and Greece, from Stonehenge to China and the New World. We’ll end in modern times, contemplating how astronomy has expanded our concept of time to cosmic scales. Stop looking down at your watches- keeping time starts by looking up!

Speaker

Dr. Erica Ellingson has degrees in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Astrophysics from the University of Arizona and has recently retired from her faculty position in the Dept. of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences at the University of Colorado. Her research on dark matter, cosmology and galaxy evolution involves telescopes large and small, terrestrial and in space, and at many wavelengths. She is also active in the field of archaeoastronomy, serves as an educational consultant for the National Park Service and is an editor for the Journal of Skyscape Archaeology.

Bloom to Bloom: Journey of coffee from farm to cup

10/6

9:30–11 AM

Join in the extraordinary journey coffee takes from the farm, to everything that happens inbetween, before being served that beautiful cup of coffee. We will go over some history of coffee and cafe culture.

Speaker

Miguel Vicuña is the Assistant Green Buyer and Catador for Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters. He has 20 years of experience in the coffee industry and has held many positions and volunteers quite a bit within the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).

The Signatures of Space and Time: Archeology in Colorado

10/13

9:30–11 AM

Anthropology, which archeology is a subdiscipline of, is often described as the most scientific of the humanities and the most humanistic of the sciences. More specifically, archeology is a science that opens portals to the past that allows us to understand the behavior of the humans who were here long before Colorado was ever established. This understanding is made possible through not just archeology, but through earth sciences, chemistry, and physics as well. It is these tools that allow us to see deep in time and understand the human story of our beloved state. In this course, Jack Wheeler explores the major cultures and time periods of Colorado Prehistory, the lines of evidence that inform our understanding, and what archeological practice is like in Colorado today. This course provides an overview of Colorado prehistory and the methods used in archeology to understand the human story of Colorado.

Speaker

Jack Wheeler is a fourth-generation Coloradan. He is an alumnus of Colorado State University and is trained in Anthropology, Business, and Environmental Science. He is also a local historian on railroads and has given talks, presentations, facilitated programs for numerous national and local organizations — National Railway Historical Society, History Colorado, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and Treasure Box Tours.

The Global Scramble for Natural Resources: Its Potential Impact on the United States

10/20

9:30–11 AM

Because the world’s mineral and energy resources are being strained to supply rapidly expanding economies, the price of nearly every natural-resource commodity dramatically escalated beginning in 2003. Not only did the price of commodities increase, but the competition to simply obtain a share of these natural resources became intense. From cement, to petroleum, to fertilizer, to strategic metals; the scramble for a piece of the worldwide pie is in a state the world has never known. The U.S. is being, and will be, significantly affected by this new world disorder—particularly as the world attempts a conversion to alternative energy technologies.

Speaker

Dr. Vince Matthews served in the Senior Executive Service of Colorado’s state government as Director of the Colorado Geological Survey from which he retired in 2013. He taught at eight institutions of higher education and served as an executive in four publicly held, natural-resource companies. He presented invited keynote addresses on this topic to the annual meetings of nine professional societies, as well as to Congressional and White House staffers and the Colorado Legislature.

Beyond Dinosaurs: Paleozoic & Cenozoic Colorado

10/27

9:30–11 AM

Colorado was inhabited by a mind-boggling array of extinct fauna and flora. Moving beyond Tyrannosaurus and kin, the life before and after dinosaurs proves to be equally fascinating. This talk explores the changing life and landscapes of the Centennial State before and after the Age of Dinosaurs: geological eras known as the Paleozoic and Cenozoic.

Speaker

An advocate for fossil preservation and institutional collaboration, Matthew T. Mossbrucker is the director and chief curator of the Morrison Natural History Museum in Morrison, Colorado. Through his tenure he focused the museum to preserve local paleontological heritage which offers informal public programs that interpret Colorado’s dinosaurs supported by original research. Mossbrucker also serves as the Curator of Paleontology of the Glenrock Paleontological Museum in Glenrock, Wyoming where he is actively working on a large section of the Lance Formation alongside public groups. He serves on boards for the Morrison Natural History Museum Foundation, Glenrock Paleontological Museum, and the scientific advisory board for the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge. A lifelong Colorado resident, Mossbrucker lives in Jefferson County.

Bugging Out: Understanding the Impact of Insect Loss on Our Ecosystem

11/3

9:30–11 AM

There are 10-30 million species of insects worldwide and they are responsible for numerous ecological functions, including pollination, soil health, and nutrient recycling. However, their populations are declining rapidly, which could have severe consequences for our environment. Through this class, you will gain a deep understanding of the many ways in which insects contribute to our ecosystem, as well as the causes and effects of their decline. This is a must-attend class for everyone who wants to explore the fascinating world of insects and learn about potential solutions for preserving their populations.

Speaker

Megan Schulz is the Adult Programs Coordinator at Butterfly Pavilion, with a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology from Colorado State University and a pursuit of a Master’s degree in the Arts of Biology through Miami University’s Project Dragonfly. Megan is known as the “bug lady” and is dedicated to exploring the relationships between all living and non-living entities and promoting their conservation for future generations. She looks forward to engaging in a collective learning experience with all.

WELLNESS PERKS. FREE FIT PROGRAM

OLLI at DU Fit Program

Fall 2023 Classes

OLLI at DU recognizes that there are four pillars to longevity and fulfillment and we have built a program that supports each of these areas: cognitive, social, physical, and spiritual. Throughout this catalog, you will find many opportunities to participate in activities in each pillar. Join us each morning for a free fitness course to exercise both your body and your spirit.

You must be an OLLI at DU Annual Member to participate. Please register with OLLI at DU for each course. Before classes begin, you will receive a link to Zoom registration for each course. Courses will be held during the eight weeks of the Fall 2023 term.

For more information on OLLI at DU memberships, visit our website at OLLI.DU.edu.

For more information about the OLLI at DU Fit Program CLICK HERE.

T’ai Chi with Joe Brady and Jacqui Shumway

Mondays

8–9 AM via Zoom

Experience for yourself the accumulated wisdom of centuries with the timeless exercise of T’ai Chi. According to the Harvard Medical Health Publication “Tai chi is often described as meditation in motion, but it might well be called medication in motion.” Designed to be a hands-on learning experience, this class will explore the principles and basic exercises in T’ai chi and the growing body of evidence of it’s value in treating or preventing many health problems. This introduction to T’ai Chi Ch’uan is both practical and participative, the course introduces you to the basics of T’ai Chi Ch’uan, the skills and principles involved. These exercises can be a powerful complement to medical intervention. Modern studies have reported positive effects of Tai Chi on balance and falls reduction, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, COPD, heart disease, depression and even schizophrenia.

Many more studies are underway to explore the medical benefits of this mind/body exercise. Topics for discussion will include the global health care implications of Tai Chi as well as applications in daily life.

Joseph Brady MSTCM, L. Ac. Dipl. O.M. is a nationally board certified practitioner of Oriental Medicine. Joe taught on healthy aging issues and coordinated the Gerontology program at the University of Denver for twenty years, also teaching classes in Tai Chi, Qigong and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Jacqui Shumway, M.A.Therapeutic Kinesiologist/Living Younger Longer Institute Researching and teaching T’ai Chi Chuan and Medical Qigong for over 25 years Jacqui Shumway, M.A. is dedicated to the joy of active living. She combines western therapeutic kinesiology (preventive physical therapy) with Medical Qigong healing exercises from China and the meditational martial art of T’ai Chi.

An OLLI at DU Membership Focuses on Four Pillars of Longevity & Fulfillment

Meditation & Conversation with Kara Traikoff

Tuesdays

8–9 AM via Zoom

One of the foundational components of a practice in mindfulness meditation is community. This course will be a practicebased approach to meditation. Each class period will include a guided meditation, followed by community reflection and conversation. There will be time dedicated to small and large group discussion, questions, sharing from personal experience, and mindful listening to the reflections of others. The class will be an opportunity to be together in community meditation, learn, grow, and deepen our practice through group process. Beginning and experienced meditators are welcome.

Kara Traikoff is an experienced facilitator with a background in higher education, experiential learning, and mindfulness. She leads weekly online guided community meditations, has taught undergraduate Wellness courses for the University of Denver, and has taught mindfulness focused classes and workshops for the University of Denver, the Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, and Denver Health. Kara is a 200hour Certified Yoga Instructor with 14 years of yoga teaching experience. She is also a mindfulness instructor trained through the Center for Mindfulness at UMASS Medical School and the Mindfulness Center at Brown University. Kara teaches from the heart of her dedicated personal practice and is passionate about encouraging others to experience and live the fullest life possible.

Medical Qigong with Dr. Joseph Brady

Wednesdays

8–9 AM via Zoom

In traditional Chinese medicine the patient is expected to be an active participant in their own healing, and not just a victim of their disease. Strong believers in the idea that exercise is medicine Qi-gong evolved over centuries to become the primary form of exercise therapy used in traditional Chinese medicine. Medical Qi-gong exercises are considered superior to herbal medicine and acupuncture because patients learn to keep themselves healthy by using exercises designed to cultivate a strong mind and a strong body. With over 3600 psychophysiological exercises developed over centuries, medical Qi-gong provides the tools for everyone to become an active participant in their own health. This course will give students an introduction to a variety of the most popular sets of exercises in a safe and progressive way. Qi-Gong exercise modalities include therapeutic gymnastics, equipment, massage, natures treatment and recreational exercise. Learn from two of the top professors of traditional Chinese medicine here at the University of Denver and at the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This class will discuss a wide range of evidence-based therapeutic exercises that you can use in your own life.

Joseph Brady MSTCM, L. Ac. Dipl. O.M. is a nationally board certified practitioner of Oriental Medicine. Joe taught on healthy aging issues and coordinated the Gerontology program at the University of Denver for twenty years, also teaching classes in Tai Chi, Qigong and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Gentle Hatha Yoga with Kara Traikoff

Thursdays

8–9 AM via Zoom

Gentle Hatha Yoga is a mindful and intentional movement practice designed to stretch and strengthen the body in a safe and supportive way. This class will involve standing, sitting, and lying down yoga postures presented as a way of befriending the body and bringing curiosity to the experience of movement and the mindbody connection. Beginners and experienced practitioners are welcome. Options and modifications will be offered to accommodate different needs throughout the class.

Kara Traikoff is an experienced facilitator with a background in higher education, experiential learning, and mindfulness. She leads weekly online guided community meditations, has taught undergraduate Wellness courses for the University of Denver, and has taught mindfulness focused classes and workshops for the University of Denver, the Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, and Denver Health. Kara is a 200-hour Certified Yoga Instructor with 14 years of yoga teaching experience. She is also a mindfulness instructor trained through the Center for Mindfulness at UMASS Medical School and the Mindfulness Center at Brown University. Kara teaches from the heart of her dedicated personal practice and is passionate about encouraging others to experience and live the fullest life possible.

Movement, Mindfulness & Energy with Amanda Gregg

Fridays

8:45–10:15 AM via Zoom

Movement, Mindfulness and Energy engages participants in mindfulness instruction that brings forth specific teachings and tools connected with Body, Mind, Spirit and Shadow. All teachings and tools have been compiled from books and mindfulness practices within the contemporary world, bringing together potent practices of selfrealization. Each session will introduce a new concept and tool that participants will have the direct opportunity to practice in a state of mindfulness together in community. Movement, Mindfulness and Energy focuses heavily on practicing in contemplation and silence so that participants have the opportunity to find deeper implications of realizations and change in their own life.

Amanda Gregg, Mindfulness and Movement Coach, has been on her spiritual journey for the past 15 years. Through this journey Amanda has gained many experiences, skills and wisdom that have provided her the opportunity to share, teach and present movement and mindfulness through her business, Soaring Eagle Healing. With her Master’s in Nonprofit Management, Master Reiki Teacher Certification and Mindfulness

Movement training, Amanda brings forth a beautiful combination of service, mindfulness and movement that have moved her students to their own discoveries and awakenings. She is passionate about empowering others in their own self-awareness.

THE PERFECT GIFT.

GIVE THE GIFT OF LEARNING AND COMMUNITY

OLLI at DU now offers you the opportunity to purchase gift cards that you can use for membership, events, and courses at OLLI at DU. These gift cards are the perfect way to introduce your friends and family to our wonderful program. Our program is about connecting adults 50+ to great content and social outings. As we like to say, “come for the courses, stay for the connections!”

Visit our website today to purchase a gift card in any amount: OLLI.DU.edu.

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / MEET OUR FACILITATORS

MEET OUR FACILITATORS

We count on great facilitators who bring our OLLI members deep into the content of robust course offerings, while encouraging connections and discussion. As always, we are here for learning and not for grades or college credit. We offer over 300 courses and webinars a year via in-person, online and hybrid formats. Course types include deep dives into a multitude of subjects with different formats, including multimedia presentations, books, movies, art and photos.

The joy of learning and the fascinating courses our facilitators lead are exactly why our members come back year after year. And so do our uniquely qualified facilitators!

Gregory Adams-

Gregory Adams has a career as an awardwinning chef with multiple restaurants, serial entrepreneur, advocate for organic and biodynamic agriculture, which has evolved, in the last 20 years, into even more deeply socially conscious work. With a degree in Philosophy and a deep emphasis on Cultural Anthropology, Greg served as Director of Economy for the Common Good USA from 2017 to 2022, Future Impact Partners LLC, and CeresNexus LLC. and is currently facilitator for his third class at OLLI at DU. Life, though, has always been in balance with his love for the piano and music history. First prize winner at the Concours des Grandes Amateurs in Paris in the early 2000’s, Gregory’s performance of Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a theme by Paganini with the Orchestra of the Republican Guard at the Sorbonne was met with much acclaim. Performing occasionally in Europe and the United States, Gregory’s love for music and family, includes a small piano studio in Castle Rock, Colorado.

Barbara Adams-

After obtaining a PhD in Neuroscience/ Psychology, Dr. Barbara Adams continued her career in research science at the University of Arizona, being active in the fields of research in oncology, gastrointestinal, women’s health, HIV, cardiovascular, and Alzheimer’s Disease. As her own practice grew over 20 years, she became known as a primary Principal Investigator for sleep disorders, Alzheimer’s, and psychiatry. It was due strictly to her efforts that Zolpidem CR (Ambien) was approved by the FDA and able to be marketed. She was a principal in the development of Namenda for Alzheimer’s, and Seroquel for psychiatric disorders. As a Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Adams oversaw 10 offices worldwide including substantial work in China. Some awards include the Congressional Medal of Distinction, Business Woman of the year for 2006 and 2007, Senatorial Inner Circle Commission, and the Jeanette Holm Aerospace Education award. Retired now, she lives in Denver and is still active in stem cell therapy research.

Neil Adelman-

Neil Adelman is a retired attorney who recently moved to Denver from Chicago. He has lectured on opera for many years, including 11 years as a community lecturer for Lyric Opera of Chicago. In the winter term he conducted a webinar for OLLI on Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s opera Die Tote Stadt. In the Spring term he facilitated A Day at the Opera, in which he lectured on four operas. Neil was an OLLI member in Northwestern University’s OLLI program in Evanston, Illinois for 18 years where he facilitated classes on opera, history, law, film, and religion.

Rowena Alegria-

Rowena Alegría is Denver’s Chief Storyteller, founder and director of the city’s first Office of Storytelling, a citywide storytelling and cultural preservation project. She leads an award-winning team that has recorded hundreds of stories since 2019. She served as Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock’s Chief Communications Officer after working many years as a journalist. Alegría has won numerous writing fellowships and residencies and is writing a novel that plays with form and the history of the Southwest.

Danielle Anderson-

Major Danielle Anderson, DPT, is a Physical Therapist currently assigned to the Johnson Space Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. She delivers a spectrum of neuromusculoskeletal care preparing and supporting both US and International Astronauts for long duration space flight aboard the International Space Stations.

Carol Anthony-

Carol Anthony received her BS in English Education and MA in English Literature from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. She migrated to Denver and taught English at Westminster High School for 32 years. She has pursued post graduate studies in Old and Medieval English Lit. at CU and has developed an extensive background in classical and Norse mythology, ancient Mediterranean civilization and culture, and the history of language. For fun she sings with a performing show choir, the Northland Chorale (yes, really).

Gordon Appell-

Gordon Appell, Diamond Facilitator, has facilitated a wide variety of OLLI courses in public affairs and current events. He worked for much of his career with the City and County of Denver as a principal city planner which involved him in the planning for the redevelopment of the Central Platte Valley downtown, Stapleton, and Lowry, as well as neighborhood planning, transportation planning, regional planning, in cooperation with RTD and DRGOG. He is a political independent but continues to have a reform point of view even in retirement. He has lived in NYC, North Carolina during the Civil Rights Era, Chicago during the Mayor Daley years, St. Louis, and overseas.

Maria Arapakis-

Maria Arapakis is a psychologist, international trainer, and author with over 35 years of experience training people around the world on how to manage minds, emotions, actions, and relationships. For the last 13 years, she has helped her fellow and sister seniors feel more comfortable and become more successful at making better use of the astounding powers of “All Things Apple”.

Maria’s classes, both via Zoom and in person, are fun, eye-opening, and highly motivating. You can find out more about her background, areas of expertise, and teaching style as a psychologist/trainer and as an Apple Mentor on her website: applementor.com/othertestimonials

Sandi Ault-

Sandi Ault is an award-winning bestselling author of the WILD Mystery Series, has taught writing workshops through public education programs (e.g., Front Range University) as well as privately at expensive writing conferences. She is on the faculty of Northern CO Writers, Tony Hillerman Writing Conference, and more. Her workshops typically sell out and are standing room only. Recent releases are WILD MYSTIC and SHATTERING GLASS.

Bill Baird-

Bill Baird is a Master OLLI facilitator, returned Peace Corps Volunteer and Auburn University Professor Emeritus of Science Education. He recently facilitated Terra Nova at OLLI.

Don and Gracie Batt-

Don and Gracie Batt, retired high school English and Theatre teachers in Cherry Creek Schools, have facilitated courses on Irish literature and literature of the American West with OLLI for several years.

Catherine Beeson-

Catherine Beeson holds a master’s degree from Manhattan School of Music, has been a Colorado Symphony violist for nearly 25 years, and an OLLI facilitator since 2010. She has extensive professional experience as a performer and educator, and a warm, friendly delivery style. Catherine is excited to bring her insider knowledge of classical music to curious adult learners.

Anne Bennett-

Anne Bennett is a master facilitator. She has facilitated classes in multiple areas, including science, medicine, nutrition, poverty, history of medicine, TED Talks and others. Anne has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Nutrition and Public Health from Montana State University and University of Minnesota respectively. She completed her dietetic Internship at Yale New-

Haven Medical Center and has worked at YNHH, Texas Children’s Hospital and was Director of Nutrition/WIC at Tri-County Health Department. She has a keen interest in cooking, food science and nutrition.

Heidi Boerstler-

Heidi Boerstler Dr.PH, JD, MLA is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Colorado Denver, where she teaches health care law, ethics, and transformational leadership. She has degrees from Northwestern University, Yale University, and the University of Pennsylvania.

John Bowen-

John Bowen is a long-time observer of international affairs with particular interest in Eastern Europe. After practicing law for many years in unrelated areas, he now has time to study international relations in greater depth and has tried to keep abreast of military technological developments.

Shaun Boyd-

Shaun Boyd is the Curator of Archives at History Colorado. She has been an archivist for more than 25 years and is a Past President of the Society of Rocky Mountain Archivists. She sings in the Trinity United Methodist Church Choir in Denver, where she also serves on the board of trustees.

Joseph Brady-

Joseph Brady MSTCM, Dipl. OM, is a nationally board-certified practitioner of Oriental Medicine and an internationally recognized expert on healthy aging. Joe has spent over 25 years teaching at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and Metropolitan State University. Joe is currently adjunct professor at the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the University of Denver’s University College. A former columnist on heathy aging for the Rocky Mountain News, Joe has presented at many scientific and medical

conferences and is currently on an NIH working group called Bridge2AI. He has twice been a featured presenter at the Oxford International Roundtable at Oxford University U.K.

Sue Bramley-

Sue Bramley is a music lover extraordinare! She specializes in rock, jazz & blues. In her fall course, she pushed the envelope to introduce you to some unique ideas.

Larry Canepa-

Chef Larry P. Canepa is a Certified Culinary Educator and Le Cordon Bleu Chef, author, researcher, food historian, and lecturer of culinary topics. Chef Larry has a dynamic, innovative, and engaging style that incorporates food history, culinary arts, education, and ‘food-tainment’ into every class and event.

Diane Carter-

Diane Carter, RN, MSN, FAAN is a Registered Nurse with over 45 years of experience in long-term care support and services working with government, the public and private sector, as well as with nonprofit organizations. Diane has a unique history and perspective on the intersection of interests of consumers of long-term care, providers of long-term care, and the healthcare workforce and industry. In 1998, Diane founded and, until recently, was the president and CEO of the American Association Post-Acute Nursing, a professional nursing organization that represents some 17,000 long-term care nurses nationwide providing education and advocacy for Post-Acute Care Nurses. Her knowledge and experience in the field includes clinical practice, health policy research, development of data systems, and development and implementation of programs across the post-acute care continuum. She has worked extensively in nursing homes and assisted living policy and

care. She holds bachelors degrees both in English and nursing, and a Master of Science in nursing administration and a clinical specialty in psychiatric nursing.

Terry Casey-

Terry Casey has a BA from St. Anselm College (Manchester, NH), a MA in History from UConn and a Master’s in Urban Affairs & Policy Analysis from The New School for Social Research (NYC). He has been a County Administrator in New Hampshire and since 1986 a Managing Director in the Capital Markets office of Dain Bosworth which became RBC Capital Markets in the early 2000s. His clients over the years included the states of Colorado and Wyoming, many of the major K-12 school districts in Colorado, Colorado Springs Memorial Hospital, Wyoming Medical Center (Casper), Cheyenne Memorial Hospital, Aspen Hospital and the Wyoming Student Loan Corporation. He retired from RBC in 2011.

Wayne Cassell-

Wayne Cassell has facilitated several classes at OLLI, mostly in-person history classes. He has facilitated at South, East, Central, and West. He took the Beginner American Mahjongg class at South in Spring 2018 and played on average once a week until the shutdown in 2020. He has been playing weekly again since January 2022. He taught American Mahjongg for Beginners at South in Fall 2022 and Winter 2023 and Intermediate Mahjongg in Spring 2023. He has helped establish weekly groups with students from his beginners’ class.

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / MEET OUR FACILITATORS

Anne Christner-

Anne Marshall Christner, Ph.D., Platinum Facilitator, who, as a lifelong concerned citizen and former professor, has been watching the dramatic increase in calls for banning books from U.S. schools and public libraries. So, she did some research on past and current precedents to determine what is behind this latest trend toward censorship, then decided to share her findings with OLLI participants.

Ann Cohen-

Dr. Ann Cohen has been teaching at OLLI for many years and is now a designated Diamond Facilitator. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of literature through discussion, and finds she often learns much from her students. She attended Smith College and the University of Minnesota, where she received her PhD in literature.

Rabbi Sandra Cohen-

Rabbi Sandra Cohen is a passionate teacher of rabbinic and medieval Jewish texts. She believes that learning together, in conversation, can be transformational for all concerned. In addition to teaching (which she has been doing in various forums for 28 years in Denver), she also works in mental health outreach in religious communities: to expand how can we make our places of worship inclusive and welcoming to all. She works nationally, as a scholarin-residence, as a teacher of classes and workshops, and as a preacher. She sits on the NAMIColorado state board. She was ordained 28 years ago from HUC-JIR.

Gene Cole-

Gene Cole is an engineering management professional with over 30 years of experience in leading the development of new medical products, the support of existing products, and the improvement of product quality. He has participated in OLLI for seven years and has previously facilitated Great Decisions and Ted Talks.

Natalie Conklin-

Natalie Conklin has facilitated classes at OLLI South for many years since retiring from a career in education. Many of the classes have been in the arts, particularly music. She has also facilitated classes in history and literature. Having many diverse interests, Ted Talks is a great fit for her, since it gives her an opportunity to listen to dynamic people who are passionate in their respective areas of interest. Natalie hopes this class will open a whole new world of ideas to the class as well.

Hille Dais-

Hille Dais, OLLI Senior Facilitator, grew up and completed high school in Hamburg, Germany and has lived in the United States since the late 1960s. She retired from public administration positions with the State of Colorado in 2003. Hille is an amateur pianist and enjoys live symphony and chamber concerts. Hille has facilitated OLLI courses on classical era music and composers and on European history.

Carol Darrow-

Carol Cooke Darrow has been a professional genealogist for more than 20 years. She teaches all levels of genealogy classes and facilitates a genealogy writing group. Her goal is to help people trace their ancestors and understand their lives and the times they lived in.

Mary Dudzinski-

After leaving a career in nursing caring for newborns, and raising two children, Mary Dudzinski still had a passion for nurturing. So, she turned to kittens. For the past 13 years, Mary has been fostering kittens, often nursing them to good health, always socializing them for adoption into loving homes. Along the way, she has guided nearly a dozen pregnant cats through delivery and fostered more than 300 kittens.

Kent Epperson-

Kent Epperson is a graduate of Denver East High School and the University of Colorado. He has been involved with public education for 45 years as a teacher, instructional coach, school administrator and central office support staff member. He has served three Denver area districts and currently works part time with Denver Public Schools.

Chris Evans-Klock-

Chris Evans-Klock retired from the UN in 2019, completing four years as the UN Representative to Ghana and 21 years working for UN Specialized Agencies in Geneva, Bangkok and Vienna. She has a PhD in economics from Boston University and a Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University. She has enjoyed facilitating OLLI classes on the United Nations for the past few years.

Joseph Feldstein-

Joseph Feldstein is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, having served from 1967 to 1971. He graduated from CSU with a major in physics and chemistry in 1976. He worked in the energy mineral industry until he retired in 2008. He has facilitated for OLLI before and enjoys following global events.

Alan Folkestad-

Alan Folkestad has been a student of history almost his entire life. In his world travels his knowledge of history only expanded. For a time, he lived in Thailand, Italy and Turkey. Alan obtained a BA from the University of Minnesota and a masters from Texas Christian University.

Fran Fraser-

Fran Fraser is an OLLI-West Master Facilitator. Wisconsin born, Fran graduated with a BS in Geology, and retired from the US Bureau of Reclamation having worked on Federal dams, powerplants, and irrigation projects from Arizona/New Mexico to Washington State/Idaho. She spent two years in Blantyre, Malawi, Africa, and 12 years on Colorado’s far Western Slope. She is interested in native plants, birds, rocks, spiders, bees, and peoples. Fran is the Queen of mostly non-essential….but INTERESTING…..fun, informative, historical trivia.

Gretchen FreyDr. Gretchen Frey is a retired OBGYN physician and menopause specialist who completed her medical training and residency at the University of Colorado and practiced in the Denver metro area for over 30 years. She holds an Assistant Clinical Faculty appointment in the CU Department of Family Medicine. Her interests extend from menopause to healthy aging, healthy sexuality and the role of hormones and hormone therapy. She currently speaks and writes about topics related to menopause, sexuality and aging for both professional and community audiences.

Jan FriedlanderJan Friedlander’s travel experiences with various organizations like National Geographic, Natural Habitat, Reef to Rockies, and others, both domestic and international, have taught her much of what it takes to organize interesting, educational and fun “off road” excursions into nature for people with varying backgrounds and abilities. Her TRAIL WALKING class has become an OLLI favorite and this term promises to continue the tradition of learning and fun!

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / MEET OUR FACILITATORS

Ed Friedman-

Dr. Ed Friedman is an award-winning expert on astrophysical space telescopes. During his 50-year career, he consulted for NASA and the National Academy of Sciences, authored four optical engineering books and 79 professional journal articles. He was successful guiding the work of two aerospace engineering PhD candidates. He lectures on cosmology to adult education students at both The University of Denver and Colorado State University, on cruise ships and to community groups. He is writing a book on cosmology for intelligent non-scientists. He last taught this course at DU OLLI in the winter semester of 2020.

Christopher GarciaChristopher M. Garcia serves as an Assistant Professor, faculty advisor, and the program director for the Master of Science in Information and Cyber Security degree program at Regis University. For 40 years he served as a certificated command pilot, flight instructor, mainframe automation programmer, and as a career air traffic control tower and RADAR specialist with the Federal Aviation Administration. He retired from 35 years of civil service as the Chief Information Security Officer and the Director of the US Department of Transportation Security Operations Center of Excellence, specializing in the design, implementation, and management of Security Operations Centers of Excellence. He is a graduate of Regis University, Vanderbilt University, Villanova University, the Brookings Institution and Valley Forge Military College.

Wayne Gardner-

Wayne Gardner’s family has been involved in music his entire life. He is an amateur music historian, musician, and lover of most musical genres. Wayne plays guitar, ukulele, mandolin, and bouzouki. He spent time early in life as the manager of a talented singer/songwriter and recording artist. He has recorded numerous songs.

Stuart Gentry-

Stuart Gentry has degrees in Chemistry and Physics. He spent the first 20 years of his professional career in the chemical industry. He then switched directions and became a professor of chemistry at La Salle University in Philadelphia. His passion is linking the fundamentals of science to the practical technology that we experience in the world around us.

Glenn Gravlee-

Glenn Gravlee is a Professor Emeritus of the Department of Anesthesiology at CU Anschutz Medical Campus and a Master Facilitator. He has facilitated a number of courses for OLLI at DU, most of which were co-facilitated with Paul Simon. Several have 20th Century music or culture, e.g., 1960s Music (Parts 1 and 2), 1950s Music, British Invasion, and a Zoom-based version of America’s Love Affair with the Car, all of which received favorable reviews. Others include Royal British Navy under King George III, Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall, and Elvis the King (the latter with Larry Tannenbaum).

Shellie HochstadtShellie Hochstadt graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in history and a minor in political science. She was a divisional merchandise manager for a department store until 1994, when she returned to her core interest and passion for world history. She taught AP World History, AP Government, and economics until her retirement in 2010. She combines her interests in history, travel, and reading into her teaching, where she endeavors to bring a thoughtful global perspective.

Carri HolmanCarri’s career was in IT beginning as a computer programmer and ending as the owner of a computer consulting company. She took up painting as a hobby to get on the “other side” of her brain and was in a cooperative gallery for 6 years.  She loves to travel and circumnavigated Africa last year and went on a cruise around the British Isles, Norway and Iceland in the summer of 2023.  She continues to paint and love her two cats.   She’s fostered about 20 kittens.  She loves to share her knowledge about cats with others.  She’s facilitated several classes at OLLI over the years including the history of food.

Barbara HolmeBarbara Holme graduated from Stanford and was a Colorado State Senator, 1974-84. She represented East Central Denver and served as Democratic Caucus Chair and Democratic Assistant Minority Leader. Barbara was appointed by the governor to the Supreme Court Nominating Committee and to the Metro Air Quality Commission. She worked for 12 years for AIMCO, a Denver-based Real Estate Investment Trust. She served as president of the Denver Association of Gifted & Talented, member of the Common Cause board, Planned Parenthood Advisory Committee, and numerous other volunteer positions.

Michael HolmesDr. Michael Holmes worked in public education for 37 years. He has taught the game of bridge for over 18 years and is a Certified ACBL Online Bridge Teacher & Audrey Grant Bridge Teacher, Gold Life Master, ACBL Certified Club Director and ACBL Certified Tournament Assistant Director, and board member of the American Bridge Teachers Association (ABTA).

Charles Holt-

Charles F Holt, an OLLI Platinum Facilitator (facilitated over 50 classes) is a retired engineer, with over 34 years in R&D management for several international organizations. Charlie is an avid reader with a strong interest in science & technology and the impact on culture. Additionally, he has a strong interest in history and diplomacy focusing on the personalities shaping that history. He holds a Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from the University of Illinois, and an MS, and BS in Aeronautical Engineering, from Pennsylvania State University. He has served in the US Army in Vietnam and at the US Army Foreign Science and Technology Center in Military Intelligence.

Colleen HopeColleen Hope was an educator with Jefferson County Public Schools for 32 years. After learning how to play American Mahjongg, it was a natural progression to teaching the game to others. She currently teaches and plays at Golden Rec Center. It is her passion to share this social and stimulating game with as many people as possible.

Alice Howard-

Alice Howard is a long-distance OLLI member having joined three years ago from Charlottesville, Virginia. She has taken courses in History, Public Affairs, Literature and Music. She is a retired academic information technology support specialist at University of Virginia.

Ralph Hughes-

Ralph got his start studying economics and business forecasting at Stanford. He worked for 30 years as a consultant in business analytics systems and has published three books on technical project management. He now teaches political economy, runs local political chapters for groups such as Represent.Us and Braver Angels, and performs as a horn player in a jazz standards band. He and Alec Tsoucatos have facilitated discussion classes on political economy for several years now and thoroughly enjoy the lively conversations that such topics stimulate.

Fred Johnson-

Dr. Fred L. Johnson III earned his Bachelor of Science degree in History & Teacher Education from Bowie State College (now University) in Bowie, Maryland, and his Masters and Doctorate degrees at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. In 2015, he graduated with his Masters of Divinity degree from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Prior to teaching at Hope College, Dr. Johnson served in the United States Marine Corps as a CommunicationsElectronics Officer and as an Infantry Officer in the Marine Corps Reserve. After the military, he worked as a Production-Scheduler for Packard Electric Division of General Motors; an Operations Specialist for Continental-Page Telecommunications; and as a Corporate Trainer for Goodyear Aerospace Corporation (now Aircraft Braking Systems). While at Hope College, Dr. Johnson has earned numerous awards including the Hope College Favorite Professor Award (2002 & 2013), the Hope

Outstanding Professor Educator [H.O.P.E] award (2005), and the Ruth and John Reed Faculty Achievement Award (2013).

Stewart JonesStewart Jones is an Episcopal priest and a Systems and Software Engineer. He was a parish priest for 11 years and worked for Martin Marietta for 22 years and Gates Rubber for 9 years.

Ben KempinenBen Kempinen taught at the University of Wisconsin Law School for more than four decades until his retirement in 2018. He graduated with a BA in Clinical Psychology from UW and received his JD from the Law School at UW. His focus was criminal law and professional responsibility. His teaching included both traditional classroom teaching and experiential learning, where law students gained experience by working on actual cases under the supervision of faculty. While at the Law School, he was a member of several legislative committees and a frequent speaker at continuing education conferences.

Since 2018 he has served on the Wisconsin State Bar’s Standing Committee on Professional Ethics and currently chairs the committee.

Tom KleinschmidtTom Kleinschmidt earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Kearney (Nebraska) State College, now known as the University of Nebraska-Kearney and an MBA from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Tom worked for Caterpillar, Inc. and its dealers for over 35 years arranging financing for equipment and projects. He spent the last 15 years arranging financing for power generation projects in the United State and eleven other countries. A life-long history buff, Tom has read extensively in eighteenth and nineteenth century American history.

Ronald KnoxRon Knox’s education was completed at Colorado State University with a BS in Mathematics (major) and a Chemistry (minor). He had a 40+year career leading/ managing teams in the development of computer software and data systems for the banking, telecommunications, military aerospace contractor, government, electronics, computer, and utilities industries. He completed systems for Arrow Electronics, Honeywell Test Instruments Division, Citicorp Diners Club, AT&T Telecommunications, Information Handling Services, and McDonnell Douglas Systems.

Timothy Krueger-

Timothy J. Krueger studied musicology at the Wheaton Conservatory of Music, the University of Colorado, Boulder, the Universität Hamburg, Germany, and the University of London’s Royal Holloway College, where his doctoral dissertation was on the sacred music of Charles Villiers Stanford. He studied conducting with Dr. Paul Wiens and privately with Dennis Keene of the Voices of Ascension in NYC. He has sung professionally with the Santa Fe Opera, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Chicago A Cappella, the Vox Early Music Ensemble and the Ars Nova Singers, as well as several Episcopal cathedral choirs. In 1994 he

founded St. Martin’s Chamber Choir, Denver’s first all-professional choral ensemble. Krueger also served as Chorus Director for the Boulder Bach Festival, the Colorado Music Festival, and the Boulder Philharmonic. He is an Affiliate Faculty member in the Music Department of Metropolitan State University of Denver. He is Choirmaster of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, overseeing one of Denver’s finest classical church music programs.

James KunkelJames R. (Jim) Kunkel (BSCE, M.S. & Ph.D.) is a semi-retired professional hydrologic engineer (P.E.) with over 50 years of domestic and international experience in hydrology and water resources. He has worked on water resources projects in 32 states and 22 foreign countries. He has lived in Mexico, Peru, Colombia, and Chile during his career. His academic experience includes 17 years as an adjunct associate professor at Colorado School of Mines, where he taught graduate hydrologic engineering courses in the Department of Geological Engineering. He has given presentations, professional technical lectures and short courses to news media, government agencies and professional societies related to water rights and water use in the USA, Colombia, Ecuador, Perú and México. Dr. Kunkel’s recent work has been as an expert technical witness for environmental attorneys representing large environmental organizations in the USA.

Linda LangeVoracious reader of mystery and science fiction, enthusiastic gardener, and amateur tai chi practitioner, Linda S Lange is retired from teaching finance and accounting at Regis University. She created the first Mysterious Places class in 2019 to enthusiastic response and has built the series from there choosing different themes each term and occasionally revisiting a popular theme to update author choices.

Michael Levin-

Michael Levin is a Denver native with a BA from Grinnell College and an MA from the University of Colorado, both in math. He retired from Raytheon in 2006 as a Senior Principal Systems Engineer. Michael has been engaged in Great Books and adult Jewish education since the mid 1980’s. He inherited leadership of a southeast Denver Great Books group in 2008. Michael has facilitated OLLI short story and Jewish text discussions.

Elaine Levy-

Elaine Levy, a retired senior, was born in Youngstown, Ohio. She has lived in Colorado since 1970 when her family moved to Breckenridge for 8 years. She has been a skier and hiker for over 50 years. She was a distributor of products for small businesses including accounting systems, printed forms, and personalized promotional products. Elaine has served as a board member for women’s’ business organizations, Aurora Chamber of Commerce, and genealogy groups.

Barbara Lilly-

Barbara Lilly has facilitated more than a dozen OLLI at DU courses, primarily in the Public Affairs area. She is an avid reader, a mystery buff and a pragmatic political junkie.

David Lindsey

David Lindsey is retired from the US Geological Survey. He spent many field seasons doing geologic mapping and research in the Rocky Mountain West including the desert mountains of western Utah and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Colorado. He loves exploring new places and sharing his discoveries with others. He has led geology field trips over Trail Ridge Road for OLLI and the Rocky Mountain Conservancy and has facilitated geology classes for OLLI.

David Lippman-

David Lippman earned degrees in the social sciences from the University of Southern California and the University of Chicago. He began his career doing social science research in legal areas for the American Bar Foundation. David spent most of his career in school textbook publishing, where he directed the development of texts in many subjects including science, literature, government, and history.

John Lungerhausen-

John Lungerhausen joined OLLI soon after he retired from CenturyLink in 2016 where he enjoyed a 17-year career (including US West and Qwest) as a software developer, team lead, and development manager. Prior to his career at CenturyLink, he and his brother, Rich, owned a software development and consulting business in Golden. John and his longtime partner, Dixie, have been living in Golden with their bevy of cats since 1987. They have collaborated in putting together a number of film classes for OLLI and share a deep enjoyment of foreign films, which offer a far more engaging perspective than most of the typical Hollywood fare. John received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan.

Bob Magnani-

Bob grew up in Brooklyn, went to Brooklyn Tech then Columbia on scholarship, getting an AB, BSEE and MSEE, and did all the coursework toward a PhD at NYU. He joined Bell Laboratories in 1962 in systems engineering. After 13 years designing 911 service, cellular telephone, and other switching projects, he moved to product management at AT&T (running an $850 million/year product line) and, 10 years later, into data processing systems. Bob took a voluntary retirement plan in 1990 and moved to Colorado, into information systems development at US West, where his group engineered data communications for the new DIA airport. Bob and his wife Kathy (both widowed and remarried) have a combined family of 6 children and 10 grandchildren. Retired, Bob has facilitated over 50 OLLI classes in Chess, Acting, Oscar Movies, Art of Making Films, and Comedy at 4 OLLI locations and On-Line.

Bob Manning-

Bob has been painting for over twenty years primarily because it makes him feel good. He finds value in the doing and is consistently fascinated by the learning possibilities within the world of the creatives. For the past three years Bob has been a volunteer with the Justice Arts Coalition communicating via leTer with incarcerated artists, supporting their study and curiosity, learning how and why it’s done under less-than-ideal circumstances.

Larry MattenLarry Matten has facilitated seventeen film courses. He is an enthusiastic movie buff and wants to share his enthusiasm with other OLLI members. His career was spent as a professor of Botany at Southern Illinois University and as an Elder Law attorney in Englewood, Colorado.

Mac McHughMac McHugh, platinum facilitator, joined OLLI Denver in 2011. Mac spent 38 years with the Department of Defense in the areas of accounting, auditing, and systems development. He is a lifelong movie buff.

Jerry MercureJerry Mercure was a Systems Engineer in the defense industry and a Friend of Asian Art with the Denver Art Museum. He’s always been an art and music lover. He’s been collecting Asian art and decor since the early 1980’s. Since retirement, and because of his love for Chinese and Japanese art and aesthetics, he devotes time to studying and admiring this art and volunteering at OLLI. He landed in Colorado in 1998 and enjoys hiking, biking, skiing and OLLI classes.

Sydney MyersSydney Myers, OLLI Platinum Facilitator, is a former retail executive who lived in Mexico for seven years. She returned to Denver in 2006.

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / MEET OUR FACILITATORS

Phil NelsonPhil Nelson has been offering OLLI courses on climate change and the energy transition since 2017. Currently he offers OLLI three courses: (1) Living in the Energy Transition, (2) How Bad Is It, Really? and (3) The Ministry for the Future—A Climate Change Adventure. Phil is a member of the Golden Chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby, offers presentations to civic organizations, and hosts a weekly zoom call on the energy transition. He holds B.S. and PhD degrees from MIT and is retired from a career in mineral and oil and gas exploration.

Sarah NicholsSarah is a term faculty member in the Visual Arts Program, teaching art history and art appreciation. She holds a BA in art history from the University of Northern Iowa and an MA in art history from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She has taught art history for CU Boulder, CU Denver, Naropa University, the Colorado Community College System, and Regis. As a social art historian, she is drawn to a diverse range of topics in the field of art history and visual culture that are bound together by common themes. These themes include politics, power, cultural interaction, identity, and shifting in the “canon” of art history. Her primary field of research is late Roman art history and numismatics (the study of coins), which she finds to be a fertile ground for the exploration of the use of the image as a vehicle for political rhetoric and indications of cultural interaction. Her most recent research focuses on how cultural perceptions of classical (Greek and Roman) have shifted over time and have informed the history of art and the trajectory of popular culture.

Maryann O’Brien-

Maryann O’Brien has a BA in Latin, an MA in English, is a Lifetime Member of The Jane Austen Society and an OLLI facilitator. She is a life-long learner herself and enjoys nothing more than great discussions with great minds.

Eileen O’Brien-

Eileen O’Brien has been a teacher her entire working life, and for the last 30 years has taught older adult students at Regis University. She holds an MA in counseling with a Special Certificate in Spirituality. In addition to teaching, Eileen has served as university minister leading retreats which explore diverse spiritual traditions.

Terry OrtliebTerry Ortlieb is a retired entrepreneur who sold his technology consulting company to Oracle. He has been working with information technology since he put engineering changes on IBM equipment in high school. His formal education was in Philosophy and he has maintained a strong interest in Political Philosophy and the Philosophy of science and history. He has facilitated and co-facilitated over 25 classes on Harari and numerous classes on AI.

Paul PaivaPaul Paiva, MDiv, MA, works with couples to harmonize differences in communication and intimacy styles. He is a sex educator, couples’ counselor, and certified intimacy and sex coach who teaches the Erotic Blueprints™ to singles and couples who want to ignite their passion. He uses the Enneagram, somatic testing for intimacy style, and a traumainformed style of counseling & coaching. His clients range from having atheist, spiritual, or Christian beliefs. Yet they all struggle with intimacy. Paul was on the board of directors of Enneagram Colorado for nine years, and is a former president of the organization. A former Roman Catholic priest, he is a vocal feminist who espouses and blogs about an egalitarian, LGBTQ-embracing, and sex-positive Christianity. He also does pre-marital counseling and has officiated over 80 heartfelt and entertaining wedding ceremonies. CoCreativeIntimacy.com, CoCreativeEnneagram.com.

Patricia Paul-

Patricia Paul is a retired American studies teacher, has enjoyed facilitating OLLI classes for 14 years. Since living and teaching in Papua New Guinea, she has been interested in civil rights and social justice. Lately, she has concentrated her OLLI classes on fiction and nonfiction by Black authors.

Mark Payler-

Mark A. Payler is a practicing Colorado landscape, street, and travel photographer. With over a four and a half decades of photography teaching experience, Mark’s work has also been highlighted in the landmark book, “A Day in the Life of America” as well as the featured double-spread photograph in the 50th anniversary issue of “Popular Photography” magazine. Mark’s Route 66 travel photography was also presented in a feature portfolio-style spread in “Route” Magazine.

Miriam Pemberton-

Miriam Pemberton has studied the U.S. military economy and economic conversion for decades, first as Director of the National Commission for Economic Conversion and Disarmament and then as a Research Fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS), in Washington, D.C. At IPS she was the co-head of a task force that produced the annual “Unified Security Budget of the United State” and headed up the team that produced three successive versions of “Military vs Climate Security: The Budgets Compared.” She holds a PhD from the University of Michigan.

Greg Petty-

Greg Petty has co-facilitated 12 movie courses with Larry Matten on eight different topics. He particularly enjoys class discussions and getting to know members of the class. His career was spent leading a not-for-profit organization and in various administrative positions in colleges and universities in Illinois and Colorado.

Arlene Pickett-

Arlene Pickett has been attending OLLI since the fall of 2010. In her working life, she was a tax accountant with a master’s degree in the law of taxation from the University of Denver law school. She escaped the mental torture of that demanding career by using her spare time for movies, reading and music. When the VCR came along, followed by DVD’s and now streaming services, she has been able to indulge her love of film, watching films that intrigue her over and over and doing her best to dissect what makes a film memorable. She enjoys sharing her love of film and her intrigue in film technique.

Marcus PohlmannProfessor Marcus D. Pohlmann did his undergraduate work at Cornell College and his graduate work at Columbia University. He taught at Bates College, Rhodes College, Denver University, Colorado State University, and was the first political scientist to teach in the Soviet Union as a Fulbright Senior Lecturer. He was at Rhodes from 1986 to 2018 where he chaired the Department of Political Science for more than half of those years. He currently teaches courses on U.S. Politics, Black Political Thought, Urban Education Policy, and Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties. He is the only Rhodes faculty member ever to win all three of the school’s top annual awards: the Clarence Day Award for teaching, the Jameson Jones Award for service, and the Clarence Day Award for scholarship. He was also a two-time winner of the Rhodes Student Government’s “Outstanding Faculty Member Award.” His writing has appeared in Political Science Quarterly, The Journal of Politics, and New Political Science, as well as other professional publications. He is the author of several books including Opportunity Lost: Race and Poverty in the Memphis City Schools (2 editions) and Black Politics in Conservative America (4 editions). He also has given expert testimony on racial voting patterns in Memphis and served as a consultant for the Memphis City School Board.

Leanne Puglielli-

Leanne Puglielli is a retired Professional and Organizational Design and Development expert. Her primary area of interest was, and still is, leadership skills and organizational systems focused on developing people to reach their full potential as she consulted primarily with State agencies. She taught in Schools of Management at Edgewood College, Capital University and the John Glenn School of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University in addition to serving as regular faculty for the Ohio and Nevada Certified Public Manager Programs and the MAPS program at Ohio State.

She taught JustFaith – a 30-week course on the justice tradition of scripture. She became an active member of Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church (Black congregation) for 8 years, working closely with The Hon. Everett Mitchell on racial disparities in Madison, Wisconsin and created “The Evolution of Systemic Racism” which she has taught for the past six years.

Dr. Puglielli has a B.A. from Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa, an M.A. from Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, and a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.

Dan Putnam-

Dan Putman is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy. He received his B.A. from Marquette University, his M.A. from the University of Wisconsin –Madison, and his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California. Dan taught Philosophy for 37 years at the University of Wisconsin – Fox Valley, a freshman-sophomore branch of the UW. (Since his retirement in 2011 UW-Fox Valley has become part of UW-Oshkosh.) Dan has published over 40 articles in Philosophy. He and his wife Elaine have two children, one in New York City and the other in Boulder. Dan started teaching OLLI courses in winter for OLLI-UA in Green Valley, Arizona in 2013. In 2014 he and Elaine moved from Wisconsin to Colorado to be near the grandchildren. He has facilitated courses for OLLI-DU since 2015.

Patricia Raybon-

Patricia Raybon is a Christy Award-winning Colorado author, essayist, and novelist who writes daring and exciting books and novels at the intersection of faith and race. Double the Lies, the sequel to her “thrilling,” “captivating” 1920s mystery All That Is Secret, is available now.

Dick ReinishDick Reinish,OLLI Platinum Facilitator, is a former antitrust attorney. He and his wife Barbara moved from Chicago in 2001.

Yi Ren-

Yi Ren has been teaching Mandarin Chinese language and culture for American students and adults over 25 years. She also wrote four learning Mandarin Chinese books that were published by Tuttle Publishing and have been marketed on Amazon.com since 2012. Yi Ren taught Mandarin Chinese for OLLI in 2019 and 2020.

Myra Rich-

Myra Rich grew up in Detroit, received her B.A. from Radcliffe College and her PhD in History from Yale University. She taught at Hunter College and then, after moving to Denver, at the University of Colorado-Denver. Her primary interest is early American History but she also teaches the history of women in America and the history of immigration to the United States.

Marilyn Rifkin-

Marilyn Rifkin graduated from Hunter College with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She worked as a Head Nurse in the New York City Hospital System, as well as the private Montefiore Hospital in the areas of ICU, Male Surgery and Public Health. She also worked for Weight Watchers for 15 years. She is an avid Bridge and Mahjongg player and loves spending time with her grandkids.

Marc Rochkind-

Marc Rochkind is a retired software developer and entrepreneur; he worked at Bell Labs starting in 1970, and since then as an entrepreneur, consultant, and author. He has five published computer books and two self-published novels. He has taught professional seminars, computer science courses at CU Boulder, and five OLLI courses (How Computers Work; Issues in Technology; Introduction to 3D Printing; co-facilitated with Al: Understanding the World’s Greatest Structures; Robots: How They Work and What They Do; Epic Engineering Failures and the Lessons they Teach).

Rick RokoszRick Rokosz resides in Cottonwood, AZ. He is the president/owner of Peak Performance Group, an award-winning faculty member with Regis University, an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) facilitator in AZ & CO, a member of Alpha Sigma Nu (the Jesuit honor society), retired Certified SCORE mentor, authorized trainer of the TRACOM Group, award winning author, and a decorated Vietnam Veteran.

Leonard Sahling-

Leonard Sahling received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Michigan and has worked for 50 years as a professional economist in a variety of capacities. His first job was at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, where he worked for 14 years. Among his responsibilities were to brief the President of the FRBNY prior to Open Market Committee Meetings. He spent three years at Fannie Mae, the housing mortgage goliath, in Washington DC. Next, Leonard worked for 25 years as a real estate economist, first at Merrill Lynch in its equity research department writing about commercial real estate markets and Real Estate Investment Trusts; and then at ProLogis, a developer, owner, investor, and Real Estate Investment Trust in Denver. He

closed out his career creating an economic research department at CoBank, one of the bulwarks of the Farm Credit System. He remains keenly interested in public policy issues.

David SavitzDavid Savitz is an attorney from Golden, Colorado, who graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1965 with a degree in psychology. He obtained his Juris Doctorate from the University of Colorado School of Law at Boulder in 1968. His practice has emphasized the criminal defense of felony offenses and civil medical-malpractice cases, particularly in mental health. He served as a board member for 25 years of the Kempe Children’s Foundation (www.kempe.org) located at Anschutz Medical Campus during which time he gave scores of presentations throughout Colorado on the issues of child abuse and neglect. His newest book Just in the Nick of Time, which chronicles the Colorado case of a 19-year-old who murdered his parents, has been published by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and is available through www.RossCarlsonTrial.com or the NACDL or Amazon websites.

Megan Schulz-

Megan Schulz is the Adult Programs Coordinator at Butterfly Pavilion, with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology from Colorado State University and in pursuit of a master’s degree in the Arts of Biology through Miami University’s Project Dragonfly. Megan is known as the “bug lady” and is dedicated to exploring the relationships between all living and non-living entities and promoting their conservation for future generations. She looks forward to engaging in a collective learning experience with all.

Betsy Schwarm-

Classical radio host — music professor — preperformance speaker — author of ten full-length books on classical music: Betsy Schwarm has been part of the Denver area arts community for some years. A frequent OLLI instructor, she takes a user-friendly approach to her music classes: no music reading required, just an active interest in how great music came to be and how we, as listeners, can get the most out of our listening experiences.

Al Segal-

Al Segal has degrees in Computer Science from University of Michigan. He has 38 years of experience in computer science and telecommunications software engineering at: Cray Research, NBI, AT&T Bell Laboratories, Lucent Technologies, Intrado, Avaya, and Polycom. During his career, he frequently developed and delivered technical training on many topics. Since retiring, he teaches pottery at the Studio Arts Boulder Pottery Lab and has facilitated and co-facilitated four classes (Artificial Intelligence for Beginners; Introduction to Arduino Programming and Physical Computing; co-facilitated: Understanding the World’s Greatest Structures; Robots: How They Work and What They Do; Epic Engineering Failures and the Lessons they Teach).

Bill ShawDr. Bill Shaw earned his MD degree from New York University in 1971 and got further postgraduate training in Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease, Public Health, and Occupational/Environmental Medicine at the Universities of Wisconsin — Madison, Washington — Seattle, and Texas — Houston. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Preventive/Occupational Medicine. Bill served in the United States Air Force and has functioned as Medical Director for a University of Washington clinic for the homeless, Medical Advisor to the King County (Seattle) Emergency Medical Services Division, Co-Director of the Nurse Practitioner training program at Seattle Pacific University, and as Gulf Coast Regional Medical Director for ARCO Chemical Company. He was Director of Occupational Health Services at The Billings (Montana) Clinic and had his own private practice of Occupational Medicine in Denver. He has been on the clinical faculties of the University of Washington and University of Colorado.

Sharon Sherman-

Sharon Sherman has trained and consulted for thousands on various platforms with over 30 years in the technology sector; she is CompTia certified, an Excel expert, with an MBA/ MIS focus. She currently troubleshoots, repairs, and solves technology problems. Her work with mobile technology includes both iPhones and Androids and experience with multiple carriers. She loves her geek life.

Thomas ShugrueThomas Shugrue has taught adult learners for the past fifteen years at Regis in courses on Religious Studies, Humanities, and Capstone. Prior to his work at Regis, he was a parish director and religious studies director. His education includes a MA from St. Thomas Seminary, a MA in Multimedia, and a Colorado Teacher’s License. He enjoys teaching adult learners, traveling, painting, and spending time with his family.

Jim Sieke-

Jim Sieke grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in Speech-Communication and a minor in Broadcasting. After spending 3 years working in television advertising in New York and Chicago, he came to KMGH-TV Channel 7 in Denver where he worked for 34 years in sales and sales management. Jim joined OLLI after retiring and has facilitated Comedy Appreciation numerous times as well as classes on The Great Silent Film Comedians and Science Tours in the Denver-Boulder area.

Paul Simon-

Paul Simon is a retired journalist and manager who worked many years for the Associated Press as well as the Denver Post. He is a Master Facilitator and has held several management positions for OLLI at DU, including site manager. He continues to work for OLLI as the manager for OLLI on the Move and as Community Outreach Manager. He has facilitated and co-facilitated a number of OLLI at DU interactive courses.

Patricia SmilanicAfter completing her terminal degree in 19th-century American Literature, Patricia Smilanic found herself very much unemployed, and then, woefully underemployed. She eventually secured employment in the financial industry, where she was modestly successful in each role she assumed. Upon retiring, she returned to her passions. OLLI allows her numerous opportunities to engage her grey matter and explore new areas of interest. As a facilitator, she learns from her participants and thoroughly enjoys preparing courses.

Douglas Sparks-

Douglas Sparks, PhD, has extensive teaching experience in graduate school, five years teaching in an MBA program and providing many presentations in an international business career in Francophone Africa, China, Canada and France working as an executive and technology professional. His research in Cultural Anthropology for his PhD focused on traditional Chinese religious practice. He has facilitated Introduction to Kabbalah and the Mythology of Judaism in OLLI classes, and he continued his studies through courses taken at CU Boulder in Jewish and Religious Studies and with numerous Rabbis and educators. Current interests focus on the mythology of Judaism, Second Temple Judaism, noncanonical literature in the latter, and Kabbalah. Although he has studied intensively, he is not an expert in these subjects.

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / MEET OUR FACILITATORS

Steve Spirn-

Steve was born in the Bronx, moved to the MidWest and ended up in Denver. He has lived in Denver for 11 years. The sticker on his car says it all: “Not a Native But Got Here As Quick As I Could.” Steve has held lots of jobs along the way from running a newsstand in Grand Central Station to professional sports agent but spent the last 45 years in a dual career of college professor and labor relations consultant. Along the way he received a Ph.D. and a J.D. which means he is over-educated, but still can’t put a nail straight in the wall. Steve has facilitated seven other OLLI classes.

Timothy Steele-

Timothy D. (Tim) Steele (Master Facilitator) studied chemistry (A.B. magna cum laude) and hydrology (M.S. & Ph.D. degrees). He has been involved in water-quality hydrology and regional (watershed) assessments and data programs for over 54 years. He has managed numerous multidisciplinary projects and directed hydrologic baseline and modeling studies for characterizing water-quantity and -quality conditions. He has helped prepare permits and documents for local, State, and Federal agencies and has given expert testimony or litigation support on a range of technical areas. He has consulted on projects dealing with various water-quality contaminants, hydrologic and water-quality monitoring network design/ operations/data assessments, and watershed/ river-basin planning. He has taught in short courses and seminars and has been an Affiliate Faculty Member at Colorado State University (CSU) and several German universities. He has worked in 13 countries for The World Bank, UN agencies, and consultants. Since 2012, he has given lectures and courses at various OLLI-DU locations.

Mitchell Stewart-

Mitchell Stewart received his BA in International Studies from The American University and his MPA from Harvard University.  He spent 16 years with the State Department and then 21 years with the Bureau of Reclamation (Interior Department) before retiring.  He began taking OLLI courses in 2010 in lieu of returning to graduate school, and started facilitating in 2014, leading seminars in political and moral philosophy with occasional side trips into political theory and intellectual history.  In addition to taking OLLI courses, he sits in on political theory courses in DU’s Korbel School of International Studies and philosophy courses in DU’s philosophy department.  He is a member of the Hunting Working Airedales, Inc., though he does not hunt and his Airedale does not work.

Sally Stich-

Sally Stich taught writing at UCD (undergrad) and DU (Masters of Humanities) for approximately 30 years. At the same time she established a freelance writing career and wrote for such publications as TIME, Ladies Home Journal, as well as taught a variety of classes at the Academy of Lifelong Learning.

Becky Stout-

Becky Stout took a deep dive into facilitating after several terms at OLLI South as a participant. While literature is her primary focus, her classes feature such complementary facets of history, art, herbal medicine, music and more. She enjoys the process of researching and organizing her presentations for what she hopes is an enjoyable and fully realized OLLI experience.

Dan Strammiello-

Dan worked in government service as a China analyst producing writings focused on China’s economic growth models, political strategy both long and short term, military forces developments, and the tendencies of both countries to be natural allies and mercantile competitors. While working there, he was a regular contributor to the President’s Daily Brief. He holds a BA from Trinity College, an MA from the Elliott School for International Affairs (formerly the Sino-Soviet Institute) at George Washington University and studied at Georgetown Law School. Dan was a member of the Political Science faculty at the Air Force Academy and taught as an adjunct at CU Denver for many years.

Linda Susak-

Linda Susak has a B.A and M.A. in German Language and Studies and a BFA in Painting. She taught German at the high school level and, since 2008, on the college level, both at the main University of Denver campus and at University College and, now, for the Center for World Languages. As of Winter Quarter 2020, she has been teaching German Art History through OLLI.

Daniel Teitelbaum-

Daniel has been a photographer and print maker for many years. He has worked in virtually every format and film type that has been available in the 20th Century and continues to be available. Over the years his preferred camera has been the 35mm Leica. His particular interest is in street photography. His work has been shown in both local and national shows over the past 25 years. Daniel has taught courses at the Academy for Lifelong Learning in the history of photography, focusing on individual photographers and on subjects such as The Great Depression and American landscape photography. He is currently adjunct professor of Occupational and Environmental

Health at the Colorado School of Public Health. He has been on the Medical School faculty and the School of Public Health faculty since 1967.

Alec TsoucatosMaster Facilitator, Alec Tsoucatos was born to Greek parents in Alexandria Egypt. He attended a British primary school in Egypt and finished junior and senior high school in Athens. He received his B.A. and M.A. at UC Berkley and his PhD from the University of Colorado at Boulder under the tutelage of Kenneth Boulding. His main interests are New Economics, Positive Psychology, Integrative Medicine and Mystical Christianity.

Peter Van ArsdaleNamed by the Denver Museum of Nature and Science as “Denver’s own Indiana Jones,” Peter Van Arsdale, Ph.D., has had the opportunity to span the world during a 50-year career. He has worked or traveled on all seven continents, as well as the major island groups in the Caribbean, Pacific, and Mediterranean. In the humanitarian sphere, he is the co-founder of The Denver Hospice, the Rocky Mountain Survivors Center, and the Humanitarian Assistance Program at the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies. Although retired from the University of Denver in 2020, he remains active there as a Global Fellow. Many of his current projects involve Rotary International, while also advising (pro bono) on several other initiatives in East Africa. He is the author or editor of 10 books, the most recent being “Encounters: 50 Fascinating Strangers from My Life on the Road.” One of his encounters, during a voyage in New Guinea, will be featured in this course.

Donna Van Dusen-

Donna Van Dusen is Professor Emerita at Regis University. Upon retirement after 35 years in higher education, she continued her academic interest in identity and life transitions, focusing this time on the experience of older individuals.

Mitra Verma-

Mitra Verma is an art educator, an artist, and a craft designer. She has a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts (BFA) and completed her master’s from a distinctive handicraft design institute in India. She creates because she loves and wants to feel colors, forms, and nature in her creations. Working in various mediums her paintings celebrate the Indian culture and tradition with distinctive colorful designs, which are treated with religious and mystical motifs and patterns. She is a self-motivated, conscientious, passionate artist and for the past twelve years she held classes and workshops in painting and crafts. She is eager to share her love of art with students who want to venture into new areas.

Dixie Vice-

Dixie Vice retired in 2015 from state and federal government where she worked as a computer programmer/analyst and has been taking OLLI classes in music, literature, and film ever since. Her background includes a degree in Anthropology from CU with an effective minor in Film Studies. Her interest in foreign films began at age 16 when she was finally old enough to be admitted to the art film theatres in Indianapolis. She lives with her longtime partner, John, and their 3 orange kitty boys Jimmy, Eddie, and Sparky.

Judith VlasinJudith Vlasin is happily retired after having taught English, language arts, film and composition to high school students for 42 years. After discovering OLLI twelve years ago, she has taken and facilitated many classes and has an active interest in reading fiction and nonfiction from the US and other countries.

James WalshDr. James Walsh is an Associate Professor in Political Science at the University of Colorado Denver, where he has taught for twenty-two years. He specializes in Irish Diasporic Studies, as well as Labor and Immigration History and Politics. Walsh is also the founder of the Romero Theater Troupe, an all-volunteer “organic” community theater that uses the stage to preserve the history of human rights struggles.

Barb WardenBarb Warden has lived in Golden since 1987. She runs the local news website GOLDENTODAY.COM and writes a daily column about Golden history. Barb has written three books about Golden (Guidebook to Golden Colorado, Funiculars of Golden Colorado, and Olde Golden Christmas).

Barbara WerrenBarbara was born in New Orleans. She moved to Colorado when she was 14 and rapidly adopted the Colorado lifestyle, becoming an avid skier, hiker, biker and traveler. She has hiked on all 7 continents and traveled to 100 countries. She has been on both sides of the travel business, having been a hiking and skiing guide for adventures in the mountains of the world, and more recently a participant in less strenuous journeys with Overseas Adventure Travel (31 trips), Road Scholar, Viking, Vantage, etc.

Barbara has combined a passion for travel with her passion for photography. She is a noted travel journalist, giving travel presentations to groups throughout Colorado. As much as she has seen of the world’s most beautiful and interesting places, she realizes her great fortune to live in the very best place - our beautiful state, Colorado!

William WestWilliam West, Master Facilitator, received his BA degree at Ohio Wesleyan, his MA at Columbia University, and his PhD at the University of Michigan/Ann Arbor. He began his teaching career at the University of North Carolina/Chapel Hill from which he moved to Denver to continue teaching at the University of Colorado/UCD. His academic specialties are Victorian Literature and the English Novel.

Wilson WiedenheftWilson Wiedenheft has degrees in Electrical Engineering, a Master’s in Business Administration, and a Master’s of Science in geology. After spending most of his engineering career directing software and hardware development programs at Motorola, Wilson retired in 2012 to finally engage with his love for science. His interest and research have ranged broadly and are reflected in the classes he teaches for OLLI at DU since 2016, which include physics, cosmology, geology, and the history of science. His passion is making the complex and fascinating topics of science accessible to the curious general public.

Diana Williams-

Diana has taught History and Art History at the college level. Her areas of interest are the Italian Baroque for Art History and Ancient through the Renaissance for History. She has lived in Italy, studying with the Latin Secretary to the Pope and done research at the Vatican Library and the British Library. She loves to share her passion for Italian art and history.

David WilliamsDavid is a retired marketing executive and has been a member at OLLI South since its beginning. He has facilitated more than 30 courses—mostly in history or literature—and has never repeated a course. He served on the OLLI South Curriculum Committee for eight years and as Chairman for three years before moving from Lone Tree, CO to Fishers, IN six years ago.

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / MEET OUR FACILITATORS

Steve WinberSteve Winber, retired Denver dentist, has facilitated OLLI courses for the last nine years, principally in history, economics, and Great Decisions. He has traveled extensively and for two years supervised the postgraduate education program of the Metropolitan Denver Dental Society.

Vincent WincelowiczDr. Vincent C. Wincelowicz, former Chief of Undercover and Sensitive Operations for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has over 30 years of law enforcement experience at local, state and federal levels. He started his career working as a New York State Probation Officer. He served on the New York State Commission of Corrections and received numerous awards for innovative training and community programs. From 1991 to 1998 Dr. Wincelowicz, was the Chief of Undercover and Sensitive Operations at FBI Headquarters. Dr. Wincelowicz was director of the FBI’s Covert Operations School and wrote several key publications for the Bureau. At the New York Office of the FBI, he worked in an undercover capacity for approximately 10 years. He holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from John Jay College of New York and a Doctoral Degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. He was awarded Professor Emeritus from Regis University in 2020. He continues to teach part time at Regis and Denver Universities in the areas of Criminology and Security Management.

Arnie WrightArnie Wright was a professor at Boston College and Northeastern University in the School of Business. He loves reading and traveling. He is an avid movie and theatre fan. His interest in this study group is that one of his favorite movie directors is Steven Spielberg. The upcoming course is a sequel to four previous OLLI film classes he facilitated at Osher Tufts University and Osher Rhode Island.

Gary WyngardenGary has a BA from the University of Iliinois and an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago. He spent his working career in the healthcare industry which included tenure as CEO of a $2 billion company. He is a Master Facilitator for OLLI and has been very active with OLLI for over 10 years.

MEET THE STAFF

Tamara Barkdoll, OLLI at DU West Campus Program Coordinator

Tamara Barkdoll, West Program Coordinator, comes to OLLI with a background in adult training and administering adult classes in a non-profit setting, as well as with several volunteer groups. She is very active with a variety of volunteer activities throughout the Denver Metro area. She is an alumnus of the University of Denver and a strong believer in lifelong learning.

John Baumgartner, OLLI at DU Central Campus Manager

John Baumgartner, Central Campus Manager, is a graduate with a BA from DePauw University and an MBA from the University of Michigan.  He was a partner with a large public accounting firm and was Director of the Denver Consulting Division. He later went on to become a Senior Vice President of a subsidiary of a large financial services company. Subsequent to that he moved on as an administrator, consultant or manager of a variety of professional services organizations.

Bruce Caughey, OLLI at DU Marketing and Communications Director

After a year in a consulting role, Bruce Caughey is now OLLI at DU’s Marketing and Communications Director; he is also a longterm facilitator. His work history includes writing travel books, education and nonprofit leadership, public speaking, consulting, and board leadership. For 11 years he served as Executive Director for CASE (Colorado Association of School Executives) and for 16 years prior to that was Director of Communications and Legislative Liaison for Douglas County School District.

Sherry Feinbaum, OLLI at DU West Campus Manager

Sherry Feinbaum joined OLLI as a member in 2019 after a long career in sales selling in both business to business and directly to non-profits. She became the program assistant at Boulder campus before becoming the West Campus Site Manager in May 2022. In addition to work life, she spent many years as a volunteer for multiple nonprofits in the Boulder area and now serves on the board of Congregation Har Ha Shem in Boulder. She is an avid outdoor person and especially enjoys time hiking or bicycling in addition to traveling and taking dance classes.

Marie Friedemann, Manager, OLLI at DU in partnership with Regis University

Marie Friedemann began facilitating adult learning in 1986 teaching communication courses at University College, University of Denver while serving as the Associate Dean of DU Admissions. When Marie joined Regis University in 1991, she continued teaching in the Regis College for Professional Studies. At Regis, Marie served in several administrative positions, most recently as the Associate Dean and the Regis Director for Jesuit Worldwide Learning. Marie holds a BA, MA and Ph.D. from DU and an MBA from Regis.

DU / 2023 FALL / MEET THE STAFF

Maria Elena Garcia, OLLI at DU Curriculum Manager and On Campus Manager

Maria Elena Garcia has over 30 years’ educational leadership experience in schools, school districts, universities, and state departments of education. She was a managing consultant, program designer, and trainer with an international, educational research and development organization. Her focus areas are systems improvement and organizational development.

She enjoys working for OLLI at DU and thinks she saved the best workplace for last!

Faye Hastings, OLLI at DU Technology Coordinator

Prior to being involved with OLLI, Faye Hasting’s background was in office administration, HR and local IT support. She started at the OLLI at DU South site over 10 years ago. While there, she performed many volunteer positions as a facilitator, history chair for the curriculum committee, facilitator trainer, and program developer. She moved into an administrator position for OLLI at DU and came back in her current position as Technology Coordinator.

Dave Johnson, OLLI at DU Support Specialist

Dave Johnson has been employed as Support Specialist by OLLI at DU since June of 2022. He is semi-retired with a background in theater. He has worked for the Denver Center for Performing Arts, Chicken Lips Comedy Theater, Town Hall Arts Center and was a co-owner of the Avenue Theater in downtown Denver. He’s worked in all areas of theater including box office, administration, marketing, performing, maintenance and cleaning.

Mary Ann Laurich, OLLI at DU Central Campus Assistant Manager and Program Coordinator

Mary Ann Laurich, Central Campus Assistant Manager, comes from a history of working with lifelong learning and has an ongoing passion for education at all levels. Her past experiences include working in social work and the court system with children, adolescents & families. She takes great pride in being a part of the healing process of abuse, neglect and at risk, spending time with family, gardening, reading, hiking, and horses.

Christine Liptak, OLLI at DU Marketing and Communications Assistant and Zoom Support

Christine Liptak has an undergraduate degree in Psychology, a Master’s of Business Administration and over 30 years of experience in business administration consulting with start-ups, training and analysis for the telecommunications industry, retail management and office administration.

Kim Penoyer, OLLI at DU Program and Operations Coordinator

When Kim Penoyer retired from the University of Colorado, a friend introduced her to OLLI at DU. She decided that OLLI was a wonderful way to ease into retirement. While working for CU Kim was Manager of the Online Program Development for CU Online/Office of Digital Education, Director of CU at Interlocken and Executive Director of the Continuing Engineering Education Program. Her CU experience has proven helpful with her work at OLLI. Kim earned her MBA from the University of Colorado Denver and her BS in Education from Michigan State University.

Sherilee Selby, OLLI at DU South Campus Program Coordinator and Curriculum Assistant

Sherilee Selby joined OLLI in 2009 after retiring, first from her role as a child and family therapist, then from retail management. She holds a Masters in Social Work from Indiana University. She has traveled to Sudan while a Board Member for Nuba Water Project, a non-profit focused on clean water. Sherilee accepted the OLLI South Program Assistant role in 2017 and now also serves as Curriculum Assistant. Sherilee and her husband live in the Denver area and treasure time with their adult grandchildren and son. Connection with OLLI members has enriched her life.

Paul Simon, OLLI at DU Community Outreach Manager

Paul Simon is a retired journalist and manager who worked many years for the Associated Press as well as the Denver Post.  He is a Master Facilitator and has held several management positions for OLLI at DU, including site manager.  He continues to work for OLLI as the manager for OLLI on the Move and as Community Outreach Manager.

Darcey VanWagner, OLLI at DU South Campus Manager

Darcey VanWagner, South Campus Manager, joined OLLI at DU in 2016. Prior to working at OLLI at DU she worked in the financial industry and has been actively involved in public education. She is a Colorado native and graduate of Colorado State University. She is married and parent to two great kids. She enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, gardening and exploring Colorado. She is honored to be part of OLLI and getting to know and work with a wonderful diverse group of people.

Mitra Verma, OLLI at DU On Campus Program Coordinator, Graphic Designer, and Zoom Support

Mitra Verma joined OLLI in December 2021 and has more than 20 years of expertise in the fields of art, design, and education. She holds a master’s degree in handicraft designing and was assigned empanelment as a Handicraft Designer by Development Commissioner Handicraft (DCHC) India. She worked as a design faculty teaching art, design fundamentals, and handicraft-related research and documentation. She also teaches art to OLLI members, and her diverse cultural background is reflected in that work.

Jacqueline Wyant, OLLI at DU Executive Director

Jacqueline (Jackie) Wyant has served as Executive Director of the OLLI at DU program since May of 2022. She served as Manager for the OLLI on Campus program from 201822 and has been a member since 2012.

During Jackie’s career in education, she held teaching and administrative positions in public schools and at the university level. As a program designer and project manager, she has designed comprehensive organizationaland state-wide leadership development programs.

Jackie’s passion is strategic planning and during the past year, Jackie formed teams to design a new website, registration system, pricing plan, and membership program. Other key initiatives this year included OLLI on the Move to bring programming to senior living communities and public libraries and OLLI at DU Fit offering free fitness courses online and in-person.

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / DONOR RECOGNITION THANK YOU

2023 OLLI Donor Recognition

OLLI at DU provides a remarkable opportunity for active adults to gain new knowledge, learn a new skill, and meet other like-minded people. Learning and social connections are a major key to happiness and longevity. We have been described as a volunteer-driven organization and we are fortunate to have our members volunteer as facilitators, as class assistants and on committees. Your donations make a real difference. In fact, our new user-friendly registration system is thanks to generous donations made by the members below in 2022–23. Our membership fees only cover about 60% of our operating budget with the remaining coming from an endowment by the Osher Foundation and through donations.

OLLI at DU would like to thank the following members who have generously donated to our program over the past twelve months.

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / DONOR RECOGNITION

Sarah Amirani

David Arvin

Leah Audin

Allyson Bailey

Bill Baird

Diane Balkin

Nancy Bechtol

Larry Bell

Elise and Scott Bennett

Bix and Sue Bicknell

Carole Bogart

Nancy Brink

Susan Brandes

Peggy Brody

Robin Bronk

Lois Calvert

Hilary Carlson

Bruce and Tanya Caughey

Anne Christner

Susan K Cooper

Tom Corona

Hille and Jack Dais

Gordon and Alice Dalby

Robbin Danzig

Patsy Davidson

Kathleen Doyle

Maureen Dudley

Dorothy Emery

Ginny Ennis

Vivian Epstein

Marilyn Faye

Louise R Firth

Jeraldine Fitzgerald

Barbara and Jeffrey Forsythe

Lowell and Beverly Fortune

Pamela Foster

Janet R Frauenfelder

Penny and Jean Friedberg

Jan Friedlander

Judi Friedson

Friends at XML Securities, LLC

Wayne Gardner

Joanne Gipple

Frank and Hedy Gold

Dinah Gow

Andrea Green

Donald and Antoinette Hagengruber

Janet Haley

John R Ham

Barbara Hart

Miriam Hinnant

Joan Hoberman

Karen Hodges

Tom and Linda Hughes

David and Judy Hutchinson

Marcia Hyde

Jean Jasmine

Herb Josepher

Duane Johnson

Janet R Kester

Gerald and Anita Klever

Donald W Korte

James and Jeanne Kunkel

Carol Kunz

Christopher Lane

Linda Lange

Molly Lecheler

Gail Levy

Gayle Lipson

John Lungerhausen

Robert and Kathy Magnani

Jeff Marsh

Linda Marx

Larry Matten

Robin McGehee

Shelly and Mac McHugh

Kathy McInerney

BJ and Bud Meadows

Ronnie Menaker

Dr. and Mrs Ronald Meyer

Charles Minter

Eileen Naiman

Kathy North

Stuart Pack

Mark & Cynthia Payler

James Pierce

Sarah Przekwas

Daniel Putnam

Susan and Randy Putnam

Kate Raabe

Joan Ringel

Joan Rinner

Mrs Dorothy Rose

Deborah and Ed Rosenfeld

Jim Ruden

Dr. and Mrs Donald Safer

Len Sahling

Dena and Frank Schneider

Sam Searcy

Betsy Shea

Sandra Soule

Terry Stalker

Bob and Carol Steele

Don and Antoinette Strammiello

Art and Stevie Strasburger

Robert and Lexie Stremel

Lola Stretesky

Ed Struzeski

Antoinette Tadolini

Larry D Tannenbaum

Sheila and David Teitelbaum

Dave and Mary Uppinghouse

Dennis and Cynthia

Valentine

Carolyn Varvel

Cynthia Ward

Mary and Robert Werner

Alan Wernz

Al White

Nancy Whitsel

Jerry Wischmeyer

Anne Wormley

J Elizabeth Wright

Jackie and Lee Wyant

Richard and Linda Wyse

Paulette Yeatts

Anonymous

OLLI@DU / 2023 FALL / THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO

OLLI thrives because of its volunteers! Thank you to our facilitators, class assistants, and our Site and Core Curriculum Committees.

Curriculum Committees work diligently to create a robust catalog of in-person and online courses. Thank you to each committee and to individual committee members. You have made this extraordinary lineup of courses possible!

OLLI at DU Core Curriculum Committee

Maria Elena Garcia

OLLI at DU Curriculum Manager

Jacqueline Wyant

OLLI at DU Executive Director

John Baumgartner, Central

Darcey VanWagner, South

David Lippman, Central

Sherilee Selby, South

Mitch Stewart, Central

Patty Smilc, South

Michael Prevedel

Core Curriculum Chair, Central

Patricia Paul, South

Maria Elena Garcia, On Campus

Paul Simon, OLLI on the Move

Marie Friedemann, Regis

Sherry Feinbaum, West

Linda Lange, Regis

Larry Tannenbaum, West

Shelly McHugh, Ad Hoc

Penny Friedberg, Ad Hoc

Dennis Wanebo, Ad Hoc

Central Campus

Curriculum Committee

Tom Bieging

Susan Lauscher

Barbara Holme

Mike Prevedel

Gordon Appell

Lynn Peyton

David Lippman

South Campus

Curriculum Committee

Becky Stout

Bill Gernert

Patty Smilanic

Jan Friedlander

Janet Burda

Mary Morris

West Campus

Curriculum Committee

Bob Magnani

Jim Keller

Fran Fraser

Penny Friedman

Larry Tannenbaum

Susan Labovitz

Tom Hughes

Dennis Wanebo

Dixie Vice

OLLI On the Move Committee

Nancy Reisdorff

Bill Elfenbein

Gordon Appell

Janet Kester

Charles Holt

Glenn Gravlee

The Executive Advisory Committee is comprised of representatives from the OLLI at DU Committees, Site Curriculum Committees, site volunteers, staff, and other members at large. The committee serves as the voice of the membership of OLLI, bringing ideas both to the Committee for consideration and to OLLI at DU members for clarification and input. The Executive Advisory Committee is advisory in nature, it is not a governing board.

Jacqueline Wyant Executive Director

Maria Elena Garcia Curriculum Manager

Michael Prevedel Core Curriculum Committee Chair

Marie Friedemann Facilitator Manager

Jean Friedberg Finance Committee Chair

John Rough Finance Committee Liaison

TBD Fundraising & Development Chair

Bruce Caughey Marketing & Communications Director

Gary Burandt Marketing & Communications Chair

Paul Simon Community Outreach Manager

Sherry Feinbaum Volunteer Manager

TBD Volunteer Committee Chair

Darcey VanWagner Membership Manager

TBD Membership Chair

Faye Hastings Technology Coordinator

John Baumgartner Central Manager

Mary Ann Laurich Central Assistant Manager

Tom Bieging Central Curriculum Chair

Barbara Holme Central Ad Hoc Member

Maria Elena Garcia On-Campus Manager

Marie Friedemann Regis Manager

Bryan Hall Regis Ad Hoc Member

Darcey VanWagner South Manager

Pat Paul South Curriculum Committee

Jim Ruden South Ad Hoc Member

Sherry Feinbaum West Manager

Larry Tannenbaum West Curriculum Co-Chair

Fran Fraser West Ad Hoc Member

Penny Friedberg Boulder area Ad Hoc Member/West Curriculum Co-Chair

Glenn Gravlee East area Ad Hoc Member

TBD Ad Hoc - from Executive Director