Catalog of Classes FALL 2016
OLLIWest Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Denver
For more information about OLLI West please visit our website: http://portfolio.du.edu/olliwest Or contact: Susan Schmetzer susanolliwest@gmail.com (303) 503-3992
OLLI West classes are held at: Jefferson Unitarian Church (JUC) 14350 West 32nd Avenue Golden, CO 80401 And at: Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church (SoH) 11500 West 20th Avenue Lakewood, CO 80215 Maps located at back of catalog
OLLI at the University of Denver The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Denver is an adult learning membership program designed for men and women age 50 and "better" who wish to pursue lifelong learning in a relaxed, non-competitive atmosphere. We are proudly celebrating 20 years of providing stimulating classes at three OLLI sites in the Metro Denver area.
About the Bernard Osher Foundation Thanks to the generosity of The Bernard Osher Foundation, OLLI at the University of Denver joins a network of more than 119 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes across the United States that are meeting the needs of older learners who want to learn simply for the joy of learning and personal fulfillment.
Welcome to OLLI West at DU‌
Where curiosity never retires!
Go online to learn more about OLLI: http://universitycollege.du.edu/olli/ Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at DU (OLLI) 2211 South Josephine Street Denver, CO 80208 1
Dear Friends, Welcome to the OLLI West Fall Term starting the week of September 19th and ending November 11th. Classes vary in the number of weeks they are provided; some may be one-day presentations while many take place once a week for up to eight weeks. To assist you in the selection of classes, there is a summary of the classes by topic and another summary listing the classes by the day of the week and number of sessions per class. We hope you find this helpful! For those who are returning OLLI members, you will notice a couple other changes in the catalog. One change is that we’ve added a course numbering system which we believe will facilitate the enrollment process. Another change is that the OLLI West fall facilitator bios are located at the end of the catalog in alphabetical order. As we were putting together this catalog, I was again impressed by the robust, interesting and engaging topics that the Curriculum Committee and dedicated facilitators have assembled. There are so many wonderful classes being offered, it will be hard to choose—but easy to get involved! It is our hope you will also share information about OLLI with your friends and neighbors and invite them to become a member of a community where “curiosity never retires!” Please also note that on Friday mornings this term we will be having a series of speakers. Nonmembers are invited to attend for only $10 each session to give them a chance to experience OLLI and what this community of active adults has to offer. We look forward to welcoming longtime friends back and engaging new members in the OLLI lifelong learning community. Enjoy the fall term!
Susan Schmetzer OLLI West Manager 2
OLLI Policy Statement In the spirit of fostering understanding, each OLLI member is encouraged to share opinions and ideas. OLLI class participants do not attempt to “convert” others because there is a mutual respect for each member’s experiences, ideas, value systems and beliefs. The true focus of an OLLI class is the critical examination of issues and opinions. Each participant’s point of view carries equal weight. Consensus is not a goal. We encourage participants with all points of view to attend and become engaged through discussion and civil debate. Membership Fee Information Membership in OLLI is based on per-term enrollment. Fee (Membership): $130 per term for unlimited classes. Benefits: ● Participation in as many classes as desired at any of the three OLLI sites – Central, West and South (contingent upon space availability) ● Opportunity to participate in InterActive Learning classes (extra-curricular classes for additional per-class fee if applicable) ● Special member price for “The Summer Seminars of OLLI” ● OLLI Newsletter (one per term) ● Notice of unadvertised DU events (many at no cost because of DU affiliation) ● Invitations to annual social events ● Newman Center Presents Concerts - 20% discount (some restrictions apply) ● Penrose Library borrowing privileges ● The Enrichment Program – 20% discount (some restrictions apply) ● DU Athletics – 10% off athletic tickets ● DU Bookstore – Participate in “Pioneer Perks” Rewards Program ● Opportunity for full-year membership to the Coors Fitness Center at DU for $20/month 3
Other Fees There may be a materials fee or InterActive fee associated with the class. If there is, it will be noted with the course description. A class may indicate “Required Reading” or “Suggested Reading.” In those cases, you will need to, or may want to, purchase the book noted with the class description prior to the start of the class. We have provided you approximate costs based on whether it is a new or used book. Used books can be found on the internet at such sites as Amazon.com or you may find them locally at used book stores, ARC or Goodwill. You may also want to see if the book is available at your local library. Fees, other than for Membership, must be provided in cash or by separate check. Those who are not registered for Fall Term classes will be required to pay $10 for each Friday Bonus Speakers Series class taken. Payment for those one-time classes will be collected at the door prior to the start of the session.
Scholarships Partial or full scholarships are available. Please contact Susan Schmetzer, OLLI West Manager, for more information. Refund Policy A full refund, per term, may be provided if requested no later than 10 days into the term. No refunds are provided for InterActive Learning classes or Friday Bonus Series classes. We hope you will access future OLLI curriculum information and registration forms from the OLLI website, http://www.portfolio.du.edu/olliwest. Thank you for helping us reduce our printing and postage costs.
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How to Register 1)
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Complete the registration form that can be found in the center of this catalog or on the OLLI West website (go to the ‘Fall 16’ tab) - http://portfolio.du.edu/olliwest A check made out to OLLI West for the membership/registration fee of $130 should accompany the form. A separate check, also made out to OLLI West, should be included for any classes that require an additional fee. Mail completed registrations and checks to: OLLI West, 12081 West Alameda Pkwy, #436, Lakewood, CO 80228 Registrations will be processed only after the membership fee is paid. Courses have a limited number of seats, so list your classes in order of priority. We will make every effort to get you into your first three choices. Be sure to include the course code (only OLLI West classes have a course code) and course title for each class. DO NOT sign up for multiple courses in the same time slot. DO sign up for the Friday Bonus Speaker Series classes by just checking the box by the Friday session(s) you would like to attend. In-person registration will be available. Please check our website for the date this will occur, http://www.portfolio.du.edu/olliwest. We will also send email notification when that date is scheduled to all who have signed up online for OLLI West notifications. Confirmations will be sent to registrants beginning August 22nd. Confirmations are sent by email so it is critical for you to provide your current and accurate email address.
Email Address Providing your email address is extremely important: We provide class confirmations via email. Your facilitator provides you class information via email. We can contact you quickly with any class changes via email. 5
OLLI West Classes by Topic
WM82 WW61
Arts/ Literature/ Writing Discovering the Writings of Nadine Gordimer First Ladies Journeys: Learning Through Travel
WTH43
Language: Ours and Theirs
WTH83 WTH85
The Movies Writing Poetry is Hard Work – But Fun!
WT81
WT87
Current Events/ Politics 2016 Elections: The Candidates and The Issues Current Events
WT88 WW62
Great Decisions Know Your Ballot From Top to Bottom
WT89
TED Talks
WTH86
History/ Economics Denver Mountain Parks Experiencing America: A Smithsonian Tour Through American History WTH811 The Gi l ded Age: A Turning Point in U.S. H i story WTH812 History of The Industrial Revolution In America WW813 The Life and Times Crimes of Adolf Hitler WM42 Wealth and Well-Being: National Economic Indicators WW63 WT810
Linda Ropes Jane VanderKolk Barbara Werren, Marcia Croft Joanne Greenberg Bob Magnani Art Elser
Joe Masi Blu Wagner, Steve Nelson Peter Lohaus Margie Beal, Tom Hughes, Nancy Murray Tom Hughes, Joe Woodson
Karen Lindsay Mamie Thompson, Nick Muller Anne Christner
CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED
WM41 WW63 WT51
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Interactive Learning* Birding 101 Denver Mountain Parks Fit After 50
Leonard Cole
Alan Folkestad Dennis Grogan
Mike Foster Karen Lindsay Sandy Mortensen
WT71
Al and Nancy White WTH85 Writing Poetry is Hard Work, But Fun! Art Elser *Interactive classes give members an opportunity to participate in a variety of hands-on learning activities.
WTH31
WM64 WT814
Tuesday Trots
Philosophy/ Religion/ Psychology Science(s) and Religion: Friends, Don Maloney Competitors or Foes? Contemporary Perspectives Awakening From the Dream of Bob Mischke Thought Four Asian Religions Dan Putman
Science/ Technology/ Environmental/Engineering/ Math (STEM) WM41 Birding 101 Mike Foster WW21 Current Topics in Behavioral Health Marjory Beal, Moe Keller WW815 How Does the American Health Care John Viets System Compare with the Rest of the World? WTH816 Life in the Milky Way: Are We Alone? Gary Jorgensen WM817 Politics and the Science of Food Bill Hyde WW818 Science Fiction to Reality Barb Adams
WF11 WF12 WF13 WF14 WF15 WF16
WF17
Speakers Series – Friday Bonus Series U.S. Healthcare/Colorado Initiative Vince Markovchick 69 Modern Money, the Federal Reserve Matt Hergott and the 2016 Presidential Election The U.S. Today: How Did We Get Matjaz Bren Here? The National Park Service: 100 J.M. (Jerry) Years of Love and Conflict Mitchell Economics, Trade and Finance Matjaz Bren Playing the Moonlight Sonata from Larry Hergott Memory: Lessons Learned from a Life in Medicine Journey of the Heart – War Baby Patricia GaffneyKindig WellAware
WT51 WT71
Fit After 50 Tuesday Trots
Sandy Mortensen Al and Nancy White
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OLLI West Classes by Day and Number of Sessions MONDAY 1:00 – 3:00 WM82 1:00 – 3:00 WM817 TUESDAY 9:30–11:30 WT810 9:30–11:30 WT87 9:30–11:30 WT814 1:00 – 3:00 WT88 1:00 – 3:00 WT81 1:00 – 3:00 WT89 WEDNESDAY 9:30–11:30 WW815
EIGHT SESSIONS First Ladies Politics and the Science of Food
Sep 19 – Nov 7 Sep 19 – Nov 7
Smithsonian Current Events Four Asian Religions Great Decisions Writings of Nadine Gordimer TED Talks
Sep 20 – Nov 8 Sep 20 – Nov 8 Sep 20 – Nov 8 Sep 20 – Nov 8 Sep 20 – Nov 8 Sep 20 – Nov 8
How Does the American Health Care System Compare to the Rest of the World? Life and Times Crimes of Adolf Hitler Science Fiction to Reality
Sep 21 – Nov 9
1:00 – 3:00 WW813 1:00 – 3:00 WW818 THURSDAY 9:30–11:30 WTH812 History of the Industrial Revolution in America 9:30–11:30 WTH83 The Movies *no class Sept 27th 9:30–11:30 WTH86 2016 Elections: The Candidates and The Issues 1:00 – 3:00 WTH85 Writing Poetry is Hard Work – But Fun! 1:00 – 3:00 WTH816 Life in the Milky Way: Are We Alone? 1:00 – 3:00 WTH811 The Gilded Age: A Turning Point in U.S. History
Sep 21 – Nov 9 Sep 21 – Nov 9 Sep 22 – Nov 10 Sep 22 – Nov 17 Sep 22 – Nov 10 Sep 22 – Nov 10 Sep 22 – Nov 10 Sep 22 – Nov 10
CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED
TUESDAY 11:30-1:00 MONDAY 9:30–11:30
SEVEN SESSIONS WT71
Sep 27 – Nov 8
SIX SESSIONS WM64
WEDNESDAY 9:30–11:30 WW61 9:30–11:30 WW62 1:00 – 3:00 WW63
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Tuesday Trots
Awakening From the Dream of Thought (No class Oct 17th)
Sep 26 – Nov 7
Journeys: Learning Through Travel Know Your Ballot from Top to Bottom Denver Mountain Parks
Sep 21 – Oct 26 Sep 21 – Oct 26 Sep 28 – Nov 2
TUESDAY 1:00 - 3:00
FIVE SESSIONS WT51
Fit After 50
Sep 20 – Oct 18
FOUR SESSIONS
MONDAY 9:30–11:30 9:30–11:30
WM41 WM42
Birding 101 Wealth and Well-Being: National Economic Indicators
Sep 19 – Oct 10 Sep 19 – Oct 10
THURSDAY 1:00 – 3:00
WTH43
Language: Ours and Theirs
Sep 22 – Oct 13
THURSDAY 1:00 – 3:00
THREE SESSIONS WTH31
WEDNESDAY 9:30–11:30 WW21
Science(s) and Religion: Friends, Competitors or Foes? Contemporary Perspectives
Sep 22 – Oct 6
TWO SESSIONS Current Topics in Behavioral Health
Nov 2 – Nov 9
ONE SESSION
FRIDAY 9:30–11:30 9:30–11:30
WF11 WF12
U.S. Healthcare/Colorado Initiative 69 Modern Money, the Federal Reserve and the 2016 Presidential Election
September 30 October 7
9:30–11:30
WF13
October 14
9:30–11:30
WF14
The U.S .Today: How Did We Get Here? The National Park Service: 100 Years of Love and Conflict
9:30–11:30 9:30–11:30
WF15 WF16
October 28 November 4
9:30–11:30
WF17
Economics, Trade and Finance Playing the Moonlight Sonata from Memory: Lessons Learned from a Life in Medicine Journey of the Heart – War Baby
October 21
November 11
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OLLI West Weekly Class Overview - Morning Classes - Fall 2016 Begins week of Monday Sept 19 and ends Friday Nov 11 (unless otherwise noted) Morning Classes - 9:30 - 11:30 AM (unless otherwise noted) Locations: JUC - Jefferson Unitarian Church, 14350 West 32nd Avenue SoH - Shepherd of the Hills, 11500 West 20th Avenue MONDAY AM
TUESDAY AM
WEDNESDAY AM
THURSDAY AM
FRIDAY AM
JUC
JUC
JUC
JUC
JUC
WM41 - Birding 101 (4 weeks - 9/19-10/10)
WT87 - CURRENT EVENTS
WM42 - WEALTH AND WELL-BEING: NATIONAL ECONOMIC INDICATORS (4 weeks - 9/19-10/10)
WT810 - EXPERIENCING AMERICA: A SMITHSONIAN TOUR THROUGH AMERICAN HISTORY
WW61 - JOURNEYS: LEARNING THROUGH TRAVEL (6 weeks - 9/21-10/26)
WTH86 - 2016 ELECTIONS: THE CANDIDATES AND THE ISSUES
FRIDAY BONUS SPEAKER SERIES: September 30th WF11- U.S. Healthcare/Colorado Initiative 69
WM64 - AWAKENING FROM THE DREAM OF THOUGHT (THROUGH MEDITATION AND PRESENCE) (6 weeks - 9/26-11/7) ** no class 10/17
WT814 - FOUR ASIAN RELIGIONS WellAware - Off Site WT71 - TUESDAY TROTS (7 weeks - 9/27-11/8 11:30 - returning in time for PM classes)
WW62 - KNOW YOUR BALLOT FROM TOP TO BOTTOM (6 weeks - 9/21-10/26) WW21 - CURRENT TOPICS IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (2 weeks - 11/2-11/9) WW815 - HOW DOES THE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM COMPARE TO THE REST OF THE WORLD?
WTH812 - HISTORY OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION IN AMERICA WTH83 - THE MOVIES ** no class 9/27 this class will end on 11/17
October 7th WF12 - Modern Money, The Federal Reserve, and The Presidential Election October 14th WF13 - The U.S. Today, How Did We Get Here? October 21st WF14 - The National Park Service: 100 Years of Love and Conflict October 28th WF15 - Economics, Trade and Finance November 4th WF16 - Playing the Moonlight Sonata from Memory: Lessons Learned from a Life in Medicine
November 11th WF17 - Journey of the Heart -- War Baby
OLLI West Weekly Class Overview - Afternoon Classes - Fall 2016 Begins week of Monday Sept 19 and ends Friday Nov 11 (unless otherwise noted) Afternoon Classes - 1:00 - 3:00 AM (unless otherwise noted) OLLI West Locations: JUC - Jefferson Unitarian Church, 14350 West 32nd Avenue
SoH - Shepherd of the Hills, 11500 West 20th Avenue
MONDAY PM
TUESDAY PM
WEDNESDAY PM
THURSDAY PM
FRIDAY PM
JUC
JUC
JUC
JUC
JUC
WM82 - FIRST LADIES
WT81 - DISCOVERING THE WRITINGS OF NADINE GORDIMER
WW813 - LIFE AND TIMES CRIMES OF ADOLF HITLER
No classes on Friday afternoons
WT88 - GREAT DECISIONS 2016
WW818 - SCIENCE FICTION TO REALITY
WTH31 - SCIENCE(S) AND RELIGION: FRIENDS, COMPETITORS OR FOES? CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES (3 weeks - 9/22-10/6)
WT89 - TED TALKS
WW63 - DENVER MOUNTAIN PARKS (6 weeks - 9/28-11/2)
WM817 - POLITICS AND THE SCIENCE OF FOOD
SoH WT51 - FIT AFTER 50 (5 weeks - 9/20-10/18) Sandy Mortensen
WTH43 - LANGUAGE: OURS AND THEIRS (4 weeks - 9/22-10/13) WTH85 - WRITING POETRY IS HARD WORK – BUT FUN! WTH811 - THE GILDED AGE: A TURNING POINT IN U.S. HISTORY WTH816 - LIFE IN THE MILKY WAY: ARE WE ALONE?
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In response to OLLI at DU members’ strong desire for internationally focused classes and educational travel, WorldView was designed to bring both to OLLI. Each year we focus on a different country providing classes and InterActive activities throughout the academic year. We top off the year with an adventure relating to that country. The 2016-2017 Academic year will highlight Spain. Throughout the year each site will offer classes and programs designed to bring an up-close and personal look at this intriguing country, from its history and politics to its culture and beauty. The year will culminate with a custom-designed trip to Southern Spain. If you have Spain connections or ideas, let the Curriculum Committee (CC) know. The CC members are listed in the back of this publication.
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Monday 9:30-11:30 AM Class #: #Weeks: Sep 19 – Oct 10 Location: JUC WM42 4 Title: Wealth and Well-Being: National Economic Indicators Facilitator: Dennis Grogan Class Description: This class will explore a variety of national economic indicators that have been developed and modified during the 20th and 21st centuries. They are important because our financial and economic future is largely guided by these statistics. Governments, central banks and investors closely monitor these numbers for policy guidance and investing success. Movements in these statistics influence elections and markets. We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and other national indicators; specifically, The Human Development Index, The Index of Economic Freedom, and The Gross National Happiness, developed by the nation of Bhutan. Class Size: 25 Books/Materials: Some handouts / material will be provided. Class Type: Video/ active discussion Materials Fee: None Class #: #Weeks: Location: Sep 26 – Nov 7 WM64 6* *No class Oct 17 JUC Title: Awakening from The Dream of Thought (Through Meditation and Presence) Facilitator: Bob Mischke Class Description: This class will be an opportunity to learn more about meditation, contemplative prayer, and the practice of presence. We will look at what the wisdom teachings have in common, both ancient and modern; and more importantly, the class will address how this might benefit our lives: freedom from suffering and more joy. While there will be abundant information in the form of handouts and DVD segments, emphasis will be placed on personal experiential understanding and appreciation, not just head knowledge. Wisdom teachings will include those from Jesus and Buddha, as well as some modern teachers such as Eckhart Tolle, Thomas Keating, Jon Kabat-Zinn and Francis Bennett. Silent time 13
will be part of each session, and a personal daily contemplative or awareness practice will be encouraged. Class Size: Unlimited Recommended Reading: I Am That I Am, by Francis Bennett (Depending on whether it is used or new, cost varies between $6 and $14.) Class Type: Lecture/Discussion/Video. Participants will be given handouts of the presented material with reflection questions for each week and will be given opportunities to share personal insights and ask questions. Materials Fee: None Class #: #Weeks: WM41 4 Title: Birding 101 Facilitator: Mike Foster
Sep 19 – Oct 10
Location: JUC
Class Description: This course is designed for the novice birder who is comfortable in the outdoors, but who has had little or no experience studying birds. Using a DVD program in the first and third classes, we will learn a technique for identifying unfamiliar birds. In the classroom we preview the birds we will likely see during field trips and engage in a lively question-and-answer format. For the second and fourth classes we will visit local hotspots and practice identifying real birds as we observe their behaviors and habitats. In the field, we take turns locating and identifying birds. We will talk about the lifestyle of the birds we encounter, noting how different birds handle similar situations in different ways, but also what is common to all birds. During autumn we will find both the year-round residents as well as a variety of songbirds that are headed south for the winter. Field trips will last half a day, and you are encouraged to bring a sack lunch to enjoy while we discuss the day’s results. Class Size: 15 Required Text: (please purchase in advance) Kenn Kaufman’s Field Guide to Birds of North America. (Depending on whether it is used or new, cost varies between $4.50 and $19.) We will use it in the classroom and in the field. Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion/ DVD/ Field Trips Materials Fee: None 14
Monday 1:00-3:00 PM Class #: #Weeks: Sep 19 – Nov 7 WM82 8 Title: First Ladies Facilitator: Jane VanderKolk
Location: JUC
Class Description: A study of the history and contributions of the First Ladies from 1789 to the present. Two First Ladies will be discussed in each class session, merging information about their background, influence they had during their tenure as First Lady and causes they fostered during (and oftentimes after) their husbands’ term of office. Class Size: 25 Books/Materials: None Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion/ Videos Materials Fee: None Class #: #Weeks: Sep 19 – Nov 7 WM817 8 Title: Politics and The Science of Food Facilitator: Bill Hyde
Location: JUC
Class Description: Food is as basic as it gets and yet, despite its universality, there is seldom agreement on what foods are healthy for us. This apparent quandary is the result of the fact that we have lost touch with how and what food is produced and that corporate agriculture has a different agenda than we the consumers do. We will explore in detail how many foods, especially many food staples, with the blessings of governmental regulators, have drastically changed within our own lifetime and how they affect our health. Topics will include sustainability, GMOs and organics, the dietheart hypothesis, statins, epigenetics, the green and gene revolutions, and, of course, a food demonstration and tasting. Class Size: 40 Books/Materials: None Class Type: Lecture with DVD, Online Video, PowerPoint/ Discussion/ Food Sampling Materials Fee: None 15
Tuesday 9:30-11:30 AM Class #: #Weeks: Sep 20 – Nov 8 WT87 8 Title: Current Events Facilitator: Blu Wagner and Steve Nelson
Location: JUC
Class Description: Each week's class will have two segments. First, we will discuss readings covering a few (usually two) timely topics which will be emailed in advance each week by the facilitators. The readings may come from news/opinion sources such as The Economist, The Atlantic Monthly, The New Yorker, Foreign Affairs, The New York Times, Washington Post, the Internet, and others. Second, we will discuss the week’s more important news stories that the class members are interested in introducing. The objective of the class is informed discussion among class members of important and timely topics. The facilitators promise lively discussions of a variety of interesting topics, with the outcome to be a sharing of ideas on important current happenings. Bring an open mind and a good sense of humor! Class size: 25 Books/Materials: Articles will be selected and sent by email from the facilitators Class Type: Discussion Materials Fee: None Class #: #Weeks: Location: Sep 20 – Nov 8 WT810 8 JUC Title: Experiencing America: A Smithsonian Tour Through American History Facilitator: Mamie Thompson, Nick Muller Class Description: This class is a study of American history through objects that define America and define us. It is based on the Great Courses program of the same name. It is told in an interesting format of videos of notable American objects and history. The objects, and the subjects, are selected to provide diversity and to help with indepth discussions of important developments in our country through the generations. Subjects and individuals will be covered such as religious freedom and Thomas Jefferson’s Bible, slavery 16
and Harriet Tubman’s hymnal, development of the West and Albert Bierstadt’s paintings and Sitting Bull’s drawing book, immigrant dreams and struggles and the Statue of Liberty, national tragedies including Pearl Harbor and 9/11, women making history including Susan B. Anthony, Helen Keller and Amelia Earhart, and the power of portraits including Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. The best part of the class will be sharing of objects that are important to us in our individual histories, combined with good discussion and sharing our own insights. We will learn more about American history, and about each other, in the process. Class Size: 25 Books/Materials: Handouts will be provided along with suggested reading and films. Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion/ Videos Materials Fee: None Class #: #Weeks: WT814 8 Title: Four Asian Religions Facilitator: Dan Putman
Sep 20 – Nov 8
Location: JUC
Class Description: When the word “God” is mentioned, most people in the West automatically assume a particular concept of God. The Asian religions challenge that concept. In this class we will look at the Hindu concept of Brahman, the Buddhist concept of Oneness, the Taoist concept of Nature, and the Confucian concept of how religion ties into social mores. The class will not just be about the concept of God. It is inevitable, especially in the East, that many practicing aspects of the religions will be part of the course, i.e., their rituals, lifestyles, etc. Moreover, the ethical perspective of each religion will be central, as well as the concept of an afterlife in each one. But, as religions, their ideas of an ultimate reality will be the focus. This will primarily be a philosophy course about the ideas involved in the Asian religions and how we respond to them. Personally, I have found the Asian religions a rich challenge to the beliefs with which I grew up, and they have opened the door to other ways of seeing the world. 17
At our October 18th class meeting, we will enjoy a Special Presentation on Shintoism by guest speaker Diane Hergott. Diane will also touch on Japanese Buddhism and how the Japanese people intertwine these two religions into their lives. Diane taught World Religions for 15 years at Front Range Community College in Westminster, and spent six weeks in Japan studying this ancient religion. See the full Facilitator’s Bios at the end of the class listings. Class Size: 35 Books/Materials: None Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion Materials Fee: None
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Tuesday 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Tuesday 9:30-11:30 AM Class #: #Weeks: Sep 27 – Nov 8 WT71 7 Title: Tuesday Trots Facilitators: Al and Nancy White
Location: See Below
Class Description: Tuesday “Trots” (named for the sake of alliteration, not for our speed), part of our WellAware program, are designed to get us out and moving with other OLLI members on short, easy nearby walks. We will start at 11:30 am from the JUC parking lot with the intent of being back in time for 1:00 PM classes. You can also meet us at our walk starting point. Please bring a lunch-or-snack-to-eatas-we-walk, water, a hat, windbreaker, and sunscreen. In case of snowy, cold weather, we will cancel for that week. Note that the first walk begins the second week of Fall Term. Each week, we will send an email on Monday evening to let you know where we are headed. Please contact us if you are meeting us at the trailhead, so we know to connect with you (Al 303.601.1567 or Nancy White 303.588.1222, alwhite7638@comcast.net). The following list are possibilities from which to choose, depending on the weather and the will of our group members: Clear Creek Trail heading west from the Golden library parking lot that is west of Washington on 10th Street in Golden. Crown Hill Memorial Park, around the lake and into the bird sanctuary. Go east on 26th Avenue from Kipling to the second parking lot. South Table Mountain is a steeper hike, but short, with flat walking on top of the mesa. We will park in the neighborhood near the beginning of the path. Clear Creek Trail eastbound from Youngfield Street in Wheat Ridge. Parking is north of 38th and south of 44th Avenues on the east side of Youngfield St. Eldridge Avenue neighborhood walk west to the park on 32nd, then south around the residential streets close to JUC. Van Bibber Open Space west from 56th and Ward Rd. Van Bibber Creek Trail west from 60th Avenue and Virgil Ct. All OLLI members and friends are welcome. There is no charge and parking is free at all the trails. Please register with your email so that we can contact you each week.
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Tuesday 1:00 – 3:00 PM Class #: #Weeks: Sep 20 – Oct 18 WT51 5 Title: Fit After 50 Facilitators: Sandy Mortensen
Location: SoH
Class Description: Strength, flexibility and balance: no equipment - in your home or on a beach, camping or cruising. Did you used to go to the gym, but don't anymore? Or did you never step in their door? You planned for retirement or are planning for retirement, but did you make a plan to bring your body along to do everything on your list? This is how to begin--or learn new routines if you already work out. Class size: 25 Books/Materials: None Class Type: Discussion/ Physical Activity (the exercises being taught) Materials Fee: None Class #: #Weeks: Sep 20 – Nov 8 WT89 8 Title: TED Talks Facilitators: Tom Hughes, Joe Woodson
Location: JUC
Class Description: TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks. TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers topics from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages. There are more than 2,100 TED Talks ranging from persuasive to ingenious to laugh-out-loud funny. As a class, we will watch selected TED Talks and follow up with discussions on the topics and ideas presented. Our objective is to educate, entertain and inspire us all in new ways of thinking and living. If you would like to check out a TED Talk, you can find them at www.TED.com. You can also listen to an expanded talk as well as interviews at the TED Radio Hour at http://www.wnyc.org/shows/ted-radio-hour/. Class size: 35 20
Books/Materials: None Class Type: Video and Discussion Materials Fee: None Class #: #Weeks: WT88 8 Title: Great Decisions 2016 Facilitator: Peter Lohaus
Sep 20 – Nov 8
Location: JUC
Class Description: This class encourages continued participation by its members in the form of pre-preparation, personal knowledge, and willingness to share experiences with the group. The facilitator will hand out additional material prior to the classes to enhance timeliness of the subject and to stimulate dialog. Planned topics: Middle Eastern Alliances, The Rise of ISIS, The Future of Kurdistan, Migration, The Koreas, United Nations, Climate Change, Cuba and the U.S. More details will be offered in the Syllabus. Class Size: 25 Books/Materials: Great Decisions 2016 Edition; (If you sign up more than one-week prior to the start of the Fall Term, you will receive the booklet by mail prior to class. If you register within a week of the start of the Fall Term, you will receive the booklet the first day of class.) Class Type: Reading and discussion Fee: $25 for Great Decisions booklet (please issue separate check for materials, payable to OLLI West) Class #: #Weeks: Location: Sep 20 – Nov 8 WT81 8 JUC Title: Discovering The Writings of Nadine Gordimer Facilitator: Linda Ropes Class Description: South African writer Nadine Gordimer combines admirable storytelling skill with an acute social conscience. She received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1991 for numerous books and articles about moral and social issues. Gordimer helped Nelson Mandela edit his famous “I Am Prepared to Die” speech given at his trial in 1962, and she was one of the first people he wanted to see when 21
he was released from prison in 1990. In this class you will read the novel July’s People, which demonstrates clearly the tensions and complex interdependencies between whites and blacks in South Africa. The story follows a white couple and their young children as they come face-to-face with total revolution. The ambiguities of South African life are explored through their struggles to cope with living in an African hut in an isolated village, where they are being hidden by their former black servant. This book is written so well that every one of its events seems ominously possible. In addition to July’s People, the class will discuss portions from several of Gordimer’s books and short stories set both before and after the end of apartheid in South Africa. Class Size: 25 Books/Materials: Handouts will be provided. Reading: July’s People by Nadine Gordimer (Penguin) (Depending on whether it is used or new, cost varies between $1 and $16.) Class Type: Lecture/ Reading/ Discussion Materials Fee: None
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Wednesday 9:30 – 11:30 AM Class #: #Weeks: Sep 21 – Oct 26 WW61 6 Title: Journeys: Learning Through Travel Facilitator: Marcia Croft, Barbara Werren
Location: JUC
Class Description: Travel is Barbara Werren’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. With her husband, Ernie Werren, Barbara has explored all seven continents and learned and seen so much--even the penguins in Antarctica! The opportunity to experience the culture, music, art, religion, geography, and especially the people of the world has been the Werrens’ greatest learning experience. So, go, and see the world as Barbara shares her more recent trips to six different areas, on four continents...North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. The adventures will be: Week 1: Cuba! It’s Complicated! Week 2: Morocco and Spain Week 3: Burma/Myanmar and Laos Week 4: Ireland and Iceland Week 5: Danube Cruise to the Black Sea and Transylvania Week 6: Sicily and Calabria, Italy’s Toe! Class Size: 35 Books/Materials: None Class Type: Presentation Materials Fee: None Class #: #Weeks: Location: Sep 21 – Oct 26 WW62 6 JUC Title: Know Your Ballot from Top to Bottom Facilitators: Margie Beal, Tom Hughes, Nancy Murray Class Description: The series of classes will address the pros and cons of state-wide ballot issues on the November ballot. In addition, a review of the judicial selection system in Colorado and how the election process works in Jefferson County will be presented. Class Size: Unlimited 23
Books/Materials: Handouts will be provided during class. Class Type: Presentation/Discussion Materials Fee: None Class #: #Weeks: Nov 2 – Nov 9 WW21 2 Title: Current Topics in Behavioral Health Facilitator: Margie Beal, Moe Keller
Location: JUC
Class Description: This two-session class will deal with relevant issues related to mental illness and substance abuse. The first session will address behavioral health issues related to seniors and services available for caregivers. The second session will be devoted to current trends in treatment for children and youth and the integrated care model being tried in our area. Class Size: Unlimited Books/Materials: Handouts will be provided during class. Class Type: Presentation/Discussion Materials Fee: None Class #: #Weeks: Location: Sep 21 – Nov 9 WW815 8 JUC Title: How Does the American Health Care System Compare to the Rest of the World? Facilitator: John Viets Class Description: Good health care is important to everyone. America is the world’s leader in drug development, medical technology and state of the art medical procedures. However, health care in America is far more expensive than in other developed countries and is not available to many of our citizens. Medical statistics for the average American do not compare well with those of other developed countries. At least 20,000 Americans die each year from curable diseases because they lack health insurance. Many more Americans declare bankruptcy each year because of huge medical bills. The Affordable Care Act or Obama Care attempts to remedy our health care crisis and has made many improvements, but our health care system is still very expensive and not available to everyone. In this class we examine T.R. Reid’s excellent book 24
about different health care models used around the world to see how we might improve access, quality and cost of our health care system for all Americans. Class Size: 25 Books/Materials: The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care by T.R. Reid, ISBN # 978-0-14-311821-3, Penguin Books 268 pp (Depending on whether it is used or new, cost varies between $1 and $17.) Class Type: Reading/Presentation/Discussion/Class presentations/Video Materials Fee: None
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Wednesday 1:00 – 3:00 PM Class #: #Weeks: Sep 21 – Nov 9 WW813 8 Title: Life and Times Crimes of Adolf Hitler Facilitator: Alan Folkestad
Location: JUC
Class Description: Perhaps no one person in recent history is more reviled than Adolf Hitler. The objective is to enhance the understanding of the man, but not idolize him. The course will cover the childhood days of Hitler, such as when he considered being a priest, his war record in WW I, and how by chance he attended a meeting of the embryonic Nazi Party. As leader of the Nazi Party, Hitler took it from a mere blip on the radar to the most powerful political party in Germany. How did his early diplomatic successes lead to his momentous military disasters in WW II? The course will reveal the shaping of Hitler’s personality and leadership ability, aspects that participants might not have considered, and reveal some unintended consequences of events. Class Size: 25 Books/Materials: Handouts will be provided. Class Type: Facilitator presentations, videos, discussion and topics for the class members to present Materials Fee: None Class #: #Weeks: Location: Sep 21 – Nov 9 WW818 8 JUC Title: Science Fiction to Reality Facilitator: Barb Adams Class Description: Do you want to be DAZZLED? We’re the first generation to experience science fiction in film, and the first to experience Sputnik, the space program, and artificial intelligence. A long time ago in a studio far, far away, George Lucas revolutionized science fiction for the world, and the scientists of that era were born into a world of “Why Nots.” Are we now the Jetsons? What happened to our dreams of future medicine, communication, travel and space aliens? What has NASA given us other than travel in space and a trip to the moon and back? As we view parts of films and 26
documentaries on science fiction and the future, we’ll answer these questions and more. Science fiction may not be fiction but reality. Class Size: 40 Books/Materials: None Class Type: Films/ Presentation/ Discussion Materials Fee: None Class #: #Weeks: WW63 6 Title: Denver Mountain Parks Facilitator: Karen Lindsay
Sep 28 – Nov 2
Location: JUC
Class Description: The Denver Mountain Parks System was created in 1912 to preserve, celebrate and open up more than 14,000 acres of land outside municipal Denver to sightseers, picnickers, anglers, campers, hikers and skiers. From the oak woodlands of Daniels Park, where legendary frontiersman Kit Carson built his last campfire, to the alpine lake near Mount Evans with plants found nowhere else outside the Arctic Circle, the parks showcase an extraordinary variety of settings. We will explore the early history of the park system, learn about the struggles to maintain the parks, visit some of these parks for picnics and/or hikes, and enjoy art created in these parks. Class Size: 25 Books/Materials: None Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion/ Field Trips Materials Fee: None
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Thursday 9:30 – 11:30 AM Class #: #Weeks: Sep 22 – Nov 10 Location: WTH86 8 JUC Title: 2016 Elections: The Candidates and The Issues Facilitator: Joe Masi Class Description: This course is a major update to the 2016 Election-The Issues That Divide Us. Those who took the course last winter or spring will find the Fall Term offering different in the following respects. • • • •
There will be less formal presentation and more class discussion. Presentation and discussion will focus on presidential candidates chosen in each party’s summer convention. The key issues will remain the same but be updated to reflect their current circumstances and discussion during the Winter and Spring Terms. Each issue will include a proposed solution that may or may not agree with the positions taken by each candidate.
We begin the course with a focus on the 2012 voters. We describe the attitudes and opinions that influenced their 2012 vote. We then speculate on what may cause them to vote differently in 2016, given today’s issues and the positions and personalities of the candidates. After describing the voters, we take on the issues. We compare our healthcare system to other countries and assess Obamacare’s impact on that comparison. We address our competing economic philosophies and trade rivals; the 2008 recession; and the impact of globalization and automation on jobs, growth, income distribution and debt. Our foreign policy discussion focuses on Islam and its impact on our Middle East foreign policy approach to Iran and ISIS. We round out the course with other lively issues: gun rights versus control, voter fraud versus suppression, immigrant citizenship versus deportation, human versus natural impacts on our climate. Last, but not least, are women’s rights versus male-dominated institutions.
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Class size: 40 Books/Materials: Prior to each session, the facilitator e-mails class members that session’s presentation slides and a poem to highlight the lesson’s major theme. Attendees will gain the most from the lesson if they review the slides and read the poem before the class. Class Type: Presentation/ Discussion Material Fee: None Class #: #Weeks: WTH83 8 Title: The Movies Facilitator: Bob Magnani
Sep 22 – Nov 17 ** no class 9/27
Location: JUC
Class Description: Ah, movies!! We are going to explore together some of the greatest films of our lifetime, 40 years of Academy Award winners, spanning the early years from 1936 to 1975, when we were kids to young adults. If it’s successful, there will be a follow-on course to tackle the most recent four decades, 1976 to 2016. We will do about 5 films a week, using “clip notes” (approximately 15 minute versions of each film). This course pulls together videos of important scenes and the full plot line; in some cases, there will be critical reviews as well so that we have a basis for the discussion of each film. Our intent is to evoke, in you, the feelings you had about these major films and to share those thoughts with each other. What makes a great film? Was this the best of its year? Has it survived the test of time? Class Size: 25 Books/Materials: None Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion/ Video/ Reports Materials Fee: None
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Class #: #Weeks: Location: Sep 22 – Nov 10 WTH812 8 JUC Title: History of The Industrial Revolution in America Facilitator: Leonard Cole Class Description: The single greatest cause of an increase in wealth has been industrialization. The course consists of half hour lectures with DVD illustrations of the inventions and men responsible for industrial advances. Discussion will follow. You will understand the processes of comfort, convenience, and user-friendly technologies that will help you and your descendants in the coming decade. Class Size: 25 Books/Materials: None Class Type: Lecture/ DVD/ Discussion Materials Fee: None
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Thursday 1:00 – 3:00 PM Class #: #Weeks: Sep 22 – Nov 10 WTH85 8 Title: Writing Poetry Is Hard Work – But Fun! Facilitator: Art Elser
Location: JUC
Class Description: In this 8-week workshop, we'll spend a small bit of time discussing writing processes, topics, types of poetry, poetry mechanics, revising, and getting published. It is a writing workshop in which you'll spend most of your time reading poetry, writing poetry, sharing your work, helping others learn, and enjoying writing poetry. Class Size: 15 Required Text: A Poetry Handbook, Mary Oliver, Harcourt Brace, 1944. Purchase prior to class—Depending on whether it is used or new, cost varies between $4 and $15.) Other Books/Materials It is recommended you bring a 3-ring (1/2 inch) binder to hold a 50-page handout which will be provided at the beginning of the term. Class Type: Lecture/Discussion. Questions, comments and interaction between class members is important and encouraged. Materials Fee: None Class #: #Weeks: Location: Sep 22 – Oct 6 WTH31 3 JUC Title: Science(s) and Religion: Friends, Competitors or Foes? Contemporary Perspectives Facilitator: Don Maloney Class Description: This class offers a survey of the various modern sciences which challenge the perspectives of the world's major religions. Discussion will follow on how to form reasonable positions on the issues. Class Size: Unlimited Books/Materials: Selected handouts Class Type: Lecture/Discussion Materials Fee: None
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Class #: #Weeks: 4 Sep 22 – Oct 13 WTH43 Title: Language: Ours and Theirs Facilitator: Joanne Greenberg
Location: JUC
Class Description: We will look into the languages of others and some of the history of ours. Do we think in the structured way our language dictates? Why do we call them "noodles?" We will fill our time together with an enlightening and enjoyable exploration of language and writing! Class Size: 25 Books/Materials: Class Type: Lecture/Discussion Materials Fee: None Class #: #Weeks: Location: Sep 22 – Nov 10 WTH811 8 JUC Title: The Gilded Age: A Turning Point in U.S. History Facilitator: Anne Christner Class Description: Severe income inequality. Powerful corporations that want no regulations but expect government support for bailouts and infrastructure. Immigrants filling low-wage jobs. Calls for education reform. Think these are only recent issues? Take a look at the Gilded Age for a baseline. The “Gilded Age” refers to the amazing boom in industrial output and prosperity in the United States between 1870 and 1900. It witnessed the rise of self-made men and captains of industry, powerful corporations, unimaginable wealth and opulence, and a sizable middle class. This late 19th century phenomenon, which primarily affected the North and West, including Colorado, was characterized by get-rich schemes and laissez-faire attitudes and policies that clearly enriched the few. But was it beneficial for everyone and for the country as a whole? Higher productivity did lead to higher wages, which attracted workers to our urban areas and immigrants to the country. But rapid urbanization and industrialization led to a number of new social problems largely ignored by those in power. These detrimental effects of the economic boom produced many reform movements that sought to level the playing field or at least lessen the inequalities. The term, “Gilded Age,” was introduced by Mark Twain in 1873, but was not adopted as an “official” label 32
for the period until the 1920s and 1930s. During that later period, social commentators and historians used "Gilded Age" as a pejorative term to describe a time of materialistic excesses combined with extreme poverty. “Captains of Industry” were renamed “Robber Barons.” Hindsight can be a powerful vantage point! This course will consider questions about why historians believe that the Gilded Age witnessed the birth of modern America, including American ideas and ideals that continue to be held and debated today. Class Size: 25 Books/Materials: None Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion with use of video/ PowerPoint Materials Fee: None Class #: #Weeks: Sep 22 – Nov 10 WTH816 8 Title: Life in The Milky Way: Are We Alone? Facilitator: Gary Jorgensen
Location: JUC
Class Description: Human civilization stands at the precipice of being able to answer one of the most profound questions ever pondered: Are we alone? Arthur C. Clarke, author of 2001: A Space Odyssey (and prolific science writer) maintained that, “Two possibilities exist: Either we are alone in the universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.” Until recently, answers to such questions have been limited to philosophical speculation. This course will provide an introduction and overview of why scientists believe that life exists elsewhere in our galaxy and how/why they go about trying to confirm whether this is so. We will survey the tremendous technological strides that have been made during the past century that have made these explorations possible. Class topics will include discussions about the nature of “life,” including requirements and types of life; candidate locations for life in our solar system and in our galaxy; detection technologies and search strategies; the probability of discovery; and the Fermi Paradox. The class will make use of The Great Courses DVD series titled “Life in Our Universe” by Dr. Laird Close (2013); selected lectures/topics will be viewed and discussed. Additional online video and presentation resources will be incorporated as appropriate. 33
Class Size: 25 Books/Materials: Information from a number of textbooks will be shared with the class but are not required as reading or to be purchased. Class Type: Lecture/ Discussion/ Online Video/ DVD Materials Fee: None
Give the gift of learning for the holidays. Order an OLLI Gift Certificate!
Contact Dara Hughes daraolliwest@gmail.com
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Friday 9:30 – 11:30 AM This term we will be offering a series of seven lectures, one each week, beginning September 30th. The speakers are wellinformed experts who will share their specialized knowledge in an engaging manner. There is no cost for OLLI members who are registered for other classes this Fall Term. The cost for non-members, for each lecture, is a nominal $10 payable at the door (by cash or check made out to OLLI West).
Class #: #Weeks: September WF11 1 30th Title: US Healthcare/Colorado Initiative 69 Facilitator: Vince Markovchick
Location: JUC
This presentation will discuss the major reasons why the US has the most expensive dysfunctional health care system in the world. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly aspects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, will be discussed in detail. Proposed improvements to this unsustainable system, including an objective analysis of Colorado Amendment 69, will be presented.
Class #: #Weeks: Location: October 7th WF12 1 JUC Title: Modern Money, The Federal Reserve, and The Presidential Election Facilitator: Matt Hergott Today, the world's economies use fiat currency--money that is not backed by a tangible material of value such as gold. Modern money influences the jobs we hold, it impacts the mortgages we pay, and it can even affect the fortunes of entire nations. Yet the nature of modern money remains mysterious to many; most people currently receive an informal, fragmented education in fiat currency through various economics and world events stories. This lecture will describe the nature of modern money. The session will focus on current events involving fiat currency such as the national debt, how modern money affects international 35
relations, and whether the Federal Reserve's use of fiat currency could even influence a presidential election. This is not an investment seminar, and the course will not address investment strategies or topics in personal finance. Instead, this session is about modern money and how it is used by policymakers to try to achieve specific outcomes.
Class #: #Weeks: Location: October 14th WF13 1 JUC Title: The United States Today, How Did We Get Here? Facilitator: Matjaz Bren A fun and enlightening look at how U.S. history shaped us and molded us into what we are today. You will be surprised by some cultural, economic and political insights that still carry the taste of the Mayflower, the cowboys, the miners and gold-seekers as well as all sorts of people and events that you probably did not realize shaped who you are and how you think today. Understanding our history can also give us a preview of where we might be heading in the future. Whether you are a history buff or not, you will find it interesting and enlightening, and this interactive trip through time will help you understand where we are as a country today and why, and help to peek into our probable future.
Class #: #Weeks: Location: October 21st WF14 1 JUC Title: The National Park Service: 100 Years of Love and Conflict Facilitator: Jerry Mitchell This class will cover the one-hundred-year history of the National Park Service (2016 is the NPS Centennial), the reasons the agency came to be established years after the creation of the first national parks, and the important conflicts that came to define the agency and help establish its place in the hearts and minds of the public. The national parks, which Wallace Stegner called America's Best Idea, did not automatically come with an agency caretaker. The need for such an agency arose in the years that followed. We'll discuss those reasons and why they were important and hotly debated then, as well as today. Although loved as they are, few national parks were created without conflict. 36
We will discuss this reality, as well as examples of the kinds of controversies that have embroiled national parks in the past and at present, and we'll consider the forces that competed to cause those controversies. And last, we'll discuss the image and reputation of the agency's iconic "ranger."
Class #: #Weeks: Location: October 28th WF15 1 JUC Title: Economics, Trade and Finance -- Not My Cup of Tea! Facilitator: Matjaz Bren Do your eyes glaze over and does your brain rebel when those topics come up? This is an opportunity to learn about these complex subjects in a simple, delightful and easy to understand approach. Next time you see news about currencies and NAFTA and trade wars and immigration – you are going to say: “Hey, I know about this stuff!” If you are already knowledgeable in these areas, come and see how much you really know, and what you can add to it. The fact that it is presented in a simple-tounderstand manner does not mean it is dealt with in a simplistic way. For those who want to learn more and those who want to share their knowledge, this is a good interactive way to look at the global interdependency and impact of these on us collectively, and on you individually, in ways you might not even be aware of.
Class #: #Weeks: Location: November 4th WF16 1 JUC Title: Playing the Moonlight Sonata from Memory: Lessons Learned from a Life in Medicine Facilitator: Larry Hergott, M.D. In this soulful and revelatory lecture, Dr. Hergott will share stories and readings, of others and his, that demonstrate lessons that can be learned from a life in medicine. The lessons are not specific to medical practitioners and their loved ones, but will be recognizable to people of many backgrounds.
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Class #: #Weeks: November 11th WF17 1 Title: Journey of the Heart - War Baby Facilitator: Patricia Gaffney-Kindig
Location: JUC
In 1995, Patricia went to Papua, New Guinea, where her father, 2nd Lt George P. Gaffney, Jr., had gone missing in action three months before she was born in June 1944. She initiated a search that would yield her father’s aircraft wreck and remains. Following a recovery mission by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command and repatriation, her father was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery in June 1999. Patricia served as President of the Board of Directors of the national American WWII Orphan’s Network for five years. She shepherded the group’s involvement in the Dedication of the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC. In 2003, Patricia was one of one-hundred fellows invited from the U. S. to participate in the National Security Seminar at the Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, PA. She has presented “Journey of the Heart” at the WWII Museum in New Orleans, Museum of the Pacific in Fredericksburg, TX, and various other public forums nationwide.
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OLLI West Facilitators At the heart of OLLI are our facilitators and curriculum. OLLI is successful because every term we have an intriguing curriculum and a “faculty” of dedicated people volunteering their time to make it happen. They all find many different ways to organize a class based on the topic and their style – some prepare discussion questions from the text they have chosen; some prefer using lecture tapes and building a discussion around them; others have members of the class give reports; and many invite guest lecturers. These are our Fall Term Facilitators: Barbara Adams, PhD. Barb obtained her PhD in Neuroscience/Psychology and went into research science at the University of Arizona. She was active in the fields of research in oncology, gastrointestinal, women’s health, HIV, and cardiovascular, as well as an active investigator in Alzheimer’s Disease. As her own practice grew over 20 years, she became known as a primary Principal Investigator for sleep disorders and psychiatry. It was due to her efforts that Zolpidem CR (Ambien) was approved by the FDA and marketed. She was also a principal in the development of Namenda for Alzheimer’s, Seroquel for psychiatric disorders, and Remerol for sleep problems. As a CEO, she oversaw ten offices worldwide with a staff of over 100, including substantial work in China. Some awards include the Congressional Medal of Distinction, Business Woman of the year for 2006 and 2007, and Senatorial Inner Circle Commission. Retired now, she lives in Denver and is still active in stem cell therapy. She is the scientific speaker for Royal Caribbean Cruise lines, speaking on medical breakthroughs in cancer, cardiovascular, Alzheimer’s, sleep, memory, psychiatry/brain, and stem cell therapy. Margie Beal is a retired speech pathologist and teacher of the hearing impaired. She has worked in Jefferson County Schools and Children’s Hospital for more than 30 years. After retirement, she became active in League of Women Voters, serving as Jefferson County President and Colorado President as well as participating on many committees studying education, 39
transportation and housing. She attends OLLI classes and has co-facilitated several classes. Margie has become an advocate for ensuring that voters become informed before casting their ballots. Matjaz Bren is an international business consultant who has worked with corporations, the U.S. government, and non-profit organizations for the last 25 years. He teaches a variety of business, economics and international courses at University of Colorado, Regis University and University of Denver. Matjaz grew up in former Yugoslavia, lived in Spain and Morocco, likes international travel, and enjoys Colorado’s sunshine and inspiring outdoors. He is perpetually curious and loves to spend his time trying to learn the answers to all sorts of interesting questions. Anne Marshall Christner, OLLI Master Facilitator, has a long interest in social and economic change -- how it comes about, who benefits, and what are the outcomes? She earned a PhD in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst, and her BS and MS from the University of Oklahoma. Anne has facilitated many courses at OLLI. Leonard Cole, OLLI Senior Facilitator, was raised in a small Iowa town during the hard-scrabble depression decade of the thirties. Leonard is a WWII Navy combat veteran, retired colonel in the Army Reserve and retired civil service employee. He holds a B.S. from the University of Denver and a M.A. from the University of Northern Colorado. Marcia Croft has been an OLLI enthusiast since she first joined OLLI West eight years ago. Since then it has taken over her life, and she finds great enjoyment and fulfillment in volunteering her time and taking too many classes each term. Art Elser is a professional writer and published poet. He retired after 20 years as an Air Force pilot and 30 as a technical writer. He has taught writing for over 30 years. He’s been published in Owen Wister Review, High Plains Register, The Avocet, The Human Touch. His chapbook, We Leave the Safety of the Sea, received the Colorado Authors' League Poetry award for 2014. 40
Alan Folkestad, OLLI Senior Facilitator, has been a student of history throughout his life. At the University of Minnesota, he majored in political science and earned a MPA degree from Texas Christian University. Mike Foster, a fourth generation Coloradan, grew up swimming, skiing and climbing mountains. He has enjoyed three partly overlapping careers: history professor, executive in the non-profit sector, and freelance writer. He has written four books and over 70 articles on history, biography, mountaineering, business, natural history and birds. Drawn to birds from the age of ten, in his sixties he returned to college to complete courses in biology, ecology, evolution and ornithology. He leads birding trips for two local Audubon chapters, the Denver Field Ornithologists and the Colorado Mountain Club. Patricia Gaffney-Kindig has a Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Arts, with a major in figure drawing from Connecticut State University, a Master’s Degree in Education and a second Master’s Degree in Supervision and Administration. She had four fellowships at Yale University’s School of Art & Architecture where was she was accepted to the Master’s Degree Program in Environmental Design. Patricia also held a Pimms fellowship at Wesleyan University focusing on the relationship between mathematics and art. Patricia painted murals in schools in New Haven, CT; Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and in the pediatric emergency room at Yale-New Haven Hospital. She also developed a workplace art gallery in New Haven. Patricia has studied art history and architecture extensively. She’s inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and Louise Nevelson, among others. Joanne Greenberg was born in Brooklyn, NY. She is a graduate of American University in Washington, D.C. She has degrees in English and Anthropology, four honorary degrees, with time also spent at the University of Colorado and the University of London. She taught writing and anthropology at the Colorado School of Mines from 1984 to 2013. She has 17 published works in 15 translations to include "The King's Persons" (1961) and "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden" (1964).
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Dennis Grogan has degrees from Dartmouth College and the University of Colorado, Boulder, in Economic History. Before retirement he worked as the Education Program Director for the Colorado Council for Economic Education where he trained K12 teachers in economics and personal finance. He has taught courses in economics for OLLI since 2010. He lives in Park Hill with his wife. Diane Hergott is a native of Minnesota, graduating from the University of Minnesota with a major in physiology. She then went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. She taught middle school science for three years before raising three children. After raising her children, Diane received a Master’s Degree in Religion with a main emphasis on Ethics from the Iliff School of Theology, then taught World Religions, Ethics, Philosophy of Religion, and Biomedical Ethics for 17 years at Front Range Community College. She was a member of the Kaiser Permanente Biomedical Ethics Committee for 17 years. Larry Hergott, M.D., is Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Senior Scholar in Creative Writing at the Center for Bioethics and Humanities at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is an internationally known writer of philosophical essays and poems, largely dealing with how medical practitioners and their loved ones lead the medical life. Several of his writings have been incorporated into medical school curricula, including the University of Chicago and the University of Edinburgh. Dr. Hergott has had two writing awards named after him, one at the University of Colorado and the second cosponsored by Southern Methodist University and Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. Recipients of the latter award include Pulitzer prize-winning author Tracy Kidder and medical writer Dr. Abraham Verghese. As a cardiologist, Dr. Hergott has received numerous awards in clinical excellence and teaching. He is listed annually in Best Doctors in America and Best Doctors in Colorado.
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Matthew Hergott is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. He has been a CFAÂŽ Charter holder since 2001. He has over 15 years of experience in investments and economic analysis and holds particular expertise in asset allocation strategies and hedge fund trading techniques. Matt has also written on the topics of antitrust economics, hedge fund replication strategies, and the performance evaluation of investment funds. Tom Hughes is a veteran OLLI West student who has enjoyed every one of his classes. He is a life-long learner who loves to join with others in discussing the issues of the day. His background includes a varied career in the financial services industry, as well as significant experience as a volunteer in a number of not-for-profit organizations. Tom has a B.A. from CUBoulder and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. Bill Hyde, PhD, reached retirement age without retiring from much of anything. His earlier life was as an economist working on educational issues. In the mid-1980s he went into business for himself. In 1996 he sold the business and since then he and his wife have been undertaking adventures. They built an offthe-grid alternative home in Taos, New Mexico, taught school in Venezuela, created a natural farm just north of Denver, started and ran a Montessori preschool for gifted toddlers, and he apprenticed as a day trader in Las Vegas. He currently writes and speaks about the pitfalls of being an old, new farmer and sustainable farming, food and health, and alternative lifestyles. His latest publications focus on these topics. Gary Jorgensen received his M.S. degree in astrophysics from CU Boulder and has had a lifelong interest in the search for extraterrestrial life. His professional career spanned over 35 years as a materials scientist at the National Renewable Research Laboratory and elsewhere within the renewable energy research and development community.
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Moe Keller is a former member of the Colorado Legislature eight years as a Representative and eight years as a Senator. She served for five years on the Joint budget committee and concentrated much of her legislative efforts on mental health policies, including the passage of two mental health parity bills. She also worked to pass legislation on the reduction of the use of seclusion and restraint in all state and local agencies and helped to pass the Children's Mental Health Treatment Act into law. Prior to her legislative experience, Moe served for six years on Wheat Ridge City Council and was a teacher of deaf and hearing-impaired children, as well as a sign language interpreter for 25 years. Since 2010, Moe has been the Vice President of Public Policy for Mental Health Colorado, a non-profit, nonpartisan advocacy organization. Moe has been married to Stephan for 44 years, and they have two adult children and one grandchild. Karen Lindsay, OLLI Senior Facilitator, graduated with a degree in Education from the University of Denver. Although she has no artistic talent, she is an art enthusiast and is currently an advisory member of Sculpture Evergreen, a 501(c)3 whose mission is to acquire public art for the mountain communities of Jefferson County. She has facilitated many classes at OLLI including The Group of Seven, The Broadmoor Academy, Colorado Women Artists of the 20th Century, Museum Moments, Picasso to Pollock, Women of Abstract Expressionism, The Taos Six and Passport to Paris. Peter Lohaus has an extensive career with CoorsTek and Sefar America CO, predominately in international business. After his retirement, he became Associate Professor of International Business at Johnson & Wales University in Denver for ten years. He holds a B.A. from the Free University of Berlin and an MBA from the University of Minnesota. Bob Magnani has been an OLLI member for many years-attending classes at all three Denver locations. His background includes both Arts and Engineering degrees, telecommunications design work and management at Bell Laboratories and US West Advanced Technologies and Product Management at AT&T. 44
George Donald Maloney, a native of San Francisco, is collegiate Professor of psychology and philosophy for UMUC (University of Maryland University College-- European Division) He received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Gonzaga University in Spokane, his S.T.L. from Boston College, and his Ph.D. from the University of Strasbourg, France. He also spent a year of doctoral preparation at the University of Muenster, Germany. He has taught for both the UMUC European and Asian Divisions and is presently Affiliate Professor at Metro State College of Denver and the University of Colorado Denver. Vince Markovchick, M.D., is a Professor Emeritus of Emergency Medicine in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Colorado Denver. He is a former Director of Emergency Medicine at Denver Health, past President of the American Board of Emergency Medicine, member of Physicians for a National Healthcare Program, and President of Healthcare for All Colorado Foundation. Joe Masi, OLLI Master Facilitator, graduated with honors in Economics from Princeton University, served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, and takes graduate level courses in Economics and Politics at the University of Chicago. He has an extensive business career in manufacturing (Fortune 500 companies), professional services (Deloitte), and healthcare (Denver Health). At different periods in his life, he has been, with conviction, a conservative and a liberal. He is a life-long student of American history. Since his retirement in March 2010, he devotes his time to researching our conservative and liberal political philosophies and how their present day polarization threatens the achievement of the good life by current and future generations. Bob Mischke, M.D. practiced Ear Surgery in Denver, Colorado, retiring early in 1992 in order to more fully pursue spiritual disciplines, including Fr. Thomas Keating’s Centering Prayer, Vipassana Meditation, the teachings of Eckhart Tolle and inter-spiritual ministry. Bob and his wife, Genca, offered retreats on the teachings of Jesus and Buddha at their retreat center in the Colorado mountains through their non-profit: The Center for Spiritual Transformation. Bob previously coordinated the inter-spiritual services at St. Paul’s United Methodist church, 45
and has been on the volunteer staff at the Center for Contemplative Living in Denver for 23 years. J.M. (Jerry) Mitchell had a long career with the National Park Service, knew the conflict over public policy, and knows where the bodies are buried. He was Chief of the agency's Biological Resource Management Division and retired after 36 years of service, having worked in Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Zion National Parks, Washington, D.C., and Fort Collins, Colorado. His second novel, The Height of Secrecy, received the Colorado Author's League 2015 Award for Mainstream Fiction, and was a finalist in the New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards. He is currently finishing his third novel, Godiva's Horse. He remains engaged with the National Park Service, developing training for the Natural Resource Career Field Academy. He serves on the Boards of Directors for George Wright Society (scientists and resource managers working in parks and protected areas), the Nature Fund for National Parks (a philanthropy supporting science in national parks) and the Colorado Author's League. Sandy Mortensen was born in New Jersey and raised there as well as Denver. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1977 she moved from Madison to Frisco, Colorado. She is a physical therapist, focusing on sports- and work-related injuries and pain management. Her profession gave her an outlet for her passion to help folks of all ages with strength, flexibility and balance for quality of life. She also taught childbirth, parenting and breast feeding classes from 1970 to 1984. She likes to ski every winter, hike in the summer, play golf, read and travel. Nick Muller is a Denver attorney and business person who was the General Counsel for Samsonite and Gates. He then headed up the Colorado Independent Energy Association, which built private power plants. At the same time, he taught corporate law classes at the Sturm College of Law, University of Denver, for more than twenty years. He enjoys teaching at OLLI West and being a member of its Advisory Council. He enjoys travel and sports--and quite a few years ago played football at Notre Dame.
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Nancy Murray has a B.S. from Purdue University and an MBA from Northwestern University. Her career included finance and accounting positions with Arthur Andersen, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, AMC Cancer Research Center, the Boettcher Foundation, the Colorado Symphony, as well as consulting work for a number of non-profits. She loves to travel, bike, take classes and share what she has learned with others. Steve Nelson was born in Texas but raised in Oregon. Steve graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Political Science. He then served for three years as a Marine Corps Officer before joining Electronic Data Systems in 1973. He spent the next 30 years developing and maintaining computer systems to support Health Insurance and Financial Information Systems in the United States and the Asia-Pacific region. He spent 11 years with Cognosante, LLC, as a project manager and consultant. Currently Steve serves on the board of AT HOME in Evergreen, a non-profit organization promoting affordable workforce housing in the greater Evergreen area. 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 (including Asian Philosophy for 30 years) at the University of Wisconsin – Fox Valley, a freshman-sophomore branch of the UW. He and his wife Elaine have two children, one in New York City and the other in Boulder. Dan taught OLLI courses for three years in Green Valley, Arizona, before moving to Colorado to be near the grandchildren. Linda Ropes, OLLI Master Facilitator, has a B.A. in English from the University of Wyoming. For 20 years, she was a selfemployed business writer, photographer and trainer. After retiring, she began facilitating literature classes at OLLI and has served on both the Curriculum Committee and the Advisory Board. Some of the classes she has facilitated at OLLI are: The Scarlet Letter, Passage to India, Should Mrs. Dalloway Seek Atonement for Wanting a Room with a View, Howard’s End, and The Great Gatsby.
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Mamie Thompson is the incoming Curriculum Chair at OLLI West. She was a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines and a teacher in Jefferson County for over 30 years. In addition, she was a school administrator in Adams County for ten years. Her favorite job was teaching American History to high school and middle school students. Currently, her favorite hobbies are visiting museums, teaching at OLLI West, and helping this great organization continue to offer exciting classes for its members. Jane VanderKolk attended the University of Michigan graduating with a BSN (nursing) and Master's degree in public health. Her professional activities spanned approximately 45 years in health care and included hospital nursing, nursing education and nursing administration. She could always find a job wherever she lived! She also had a fascination with history and read many books, watched movies/DVDs, and enjoyed learning about the role women often played “behind the scenes.” All the above leads to her offering a class focused on the First Ladies who were often overtly (and covertly) involved in their husbands’ tenure in the Oval Office. John Viets is neither a medical expert nor health care professional. During a career as a geochemist with the USGS, and in his retirement, he traveled internationally and quickly became aware that for the average person in many parts of the world health care is just awful. In many countries of the developed world, however, health care is excellent, affordable and available to all. The weakness of the American system became tragically apparent with the sudden death of his brother in 2004. Blu Wagner joined OLLI West after taking classes through The Academy. She has worked in several fields including journalism, art and psychology. She holds a PhD in psychology, and has practiced in public mental health clinics, the university setting, and in private practice. A lifetime learner, she greatly enjoys the intellectual stimulation and camaraderie of OLLI classes with the added bonus of not being required to write papers or pass tests.
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Barbara Werren was born in New Orleans. She moved to Colorado when she was 14 and rapidly adopted the Colorado lifestyle, becoming an avid skier, hiker and biker...and traveler. She has hiked on all seven continents and traveled to over 90 countries. Barbara has combined the passion for travel with her passion for photography. She is a noted travel journalist, giving many 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! Also, she has the great fortune to have a wonderful traveling companion, her husband, Ernie Werren. Joe Woodson, OLLI Master Facilitator, is a retired Presbyterian Minister with a Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Iliff School of Theology. He has centered his courses in philosophy and nonreligious spirituality with courses such as Existentialism, Philosophical Meandering, Spirituality for the Skeptic, and Spirituality for the Atheist. Joe is married to Arlene for more than 40 years--the best thing to have ever happened to him. Current Reading has included: At the Existentialist Cafe: Freedom, Being, and Apricot Cocktails by Sara Bakewell, Karen Joy Fowler's We Are All Beside Ourselves and Herbert R Lotttman's Albert Camus: A Biography. He is also mad about Lee Child (Reacher) and James Lee Burke (Dave Robicheaux).
How can you find out about becoming a facilitator? It is quite easy. You begin by simply indicating your interest to anyone on the Curriculum Committee. They will be delighted to answer your questions and offer suggestions.
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OLLI West Curriculum Committee Curriculum Committee Chair: Mamie Thompson
303-422-0950
mamie6318@gmail.com
Subcommittee Chairs: Arts/Literature/Writing Karen Lush 303-202-3669 LaVonne Angus 303-279-9522
karenklush@msn.com vonangus@gmail.com
Current Events Tom Hughes
eth5530@cs.com
303-278-2823
History/Economics Mamie Thompson 303-422-0950
mamie6318@gmail.com
InterActive Learning and Special Presentations Sandra Morgan 303-284-7203 skiwithsandra@comcast.net Philosophy/Religion/Psychology Joan Sample 303-526-0770
joansample@comcast.net
Science/Technology/Environmental/Engineering/Math (STEM) Barb Adams 303-642-3622 b.adamsphd@gmail.com WellAware Jim Halderman
303-989-2284
jimspeaker@comcast.net
OLLI West 2016 – 2017 Advisory Council Nick Muller, President Malcom Tarkanian, Vice President Joan Sample Tom Hughes Nancy Murray Maggie Wohlberg Jack Dais, Past President Mamie Thompson, Curriculum Committee Chair Al White, Budget Coordinator 50
Sherma Erholm Peter Lohaus Linda Ropes Judy Allison Susan Schmetzer, Manager Nancy White, Past Curriculum Chair
OLLI West Locations Classes are held at two locations –
Jefferson Unitarian Church (JUC) 14350 West 32nd Ave Golden, CO 80401
Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church (SoH) 11500 West 20th Ave Lakewood, CO 80215
Directions can be found on our website: https://portfolio.du.edu/olliwest 51
OLLI Administration OLLI at the University of Denver 2211 South Josephine Street Denver, CO 80208 Barbe Ratcliffe, OLLI Executive Director (303) 871-3090 beunlimited@aol.com Paul Simon, OLLI Central Manager (303) 300-9940 Paul.simon@du.edu Darcey Van Wagner, OLLI Central Operations Manager (303) 871-3090 Darcey.vanwagner@du.edu Debbie Loftin, OLLI Administrative Assistant (303) 871-3090 Debra.loftin@du.edu Jenny Fortenberry, OLLI South Manager (720) 339-1379 ollisouth@gmail.com Susan Schmetzer, OLLI West Manager (303) 503-3992 susanolliwest@gmail.com Dara Hughes, OLLI West Assistant (303) 912-9389 daraolliwest@gmail.com
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For information about classes at: OLLI Central http://portfolio.du.edu/olli or contact Paul Simon (303) 871-3090
OLLI South http://portfolio.du.edu/ollisouth or contact Jenny Fortenberry (720) 339-1379 or access the main OLLI DU web site www.universitycollege.du.edu/olli
Non-Profit Org U.S. Bulk Postage PAID Denver, CO Permit No. 321 at the University of Denver
2211 South Josephine, Phone 303-871-3090 Fax 303-871-3303 www.universitycollege.du.edu/olli