Winter/Spring 2023 OLLI catalog

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

HappyNewYear!

Whatagreattimeoftheyear.Thereisaquietness tothestartofanewyear–afreshness,plansfor newgoals,whichsomerefertoasresolutions.The beginningoftheyearalsomeansthestartofanew semesterwithourexcitedOLLIinstructorswholove tosharetheirpassion,knowledge,andexpertise relatedtomorethan40differenttopics.

ForOLLImembers,thebeginningofthenewyear meansopportunitiestolearnaboutthewinter/spring courseofferingsattheAnnualJanuaryThaw,which willbeheldonJanuary18attheFetzerCenter.Donot forgettoshareOLLIwithyourfriendsandfamily,as theythemselvesmayhaveagoal/resolutionoftaking timetoenjoyandengageinlifelonglearningor volunteering.AndweknowthattheAnnualJanuary Thawwouldbetheperfectwayforalltoexploreour manycoursesandvolunteeropportunities.

Lastly,thisyearwillbringarenewedfocuson gettingOLLIbackontrackwithourpre-pandemic plansandstrategicplanning.YourOLLIatWMU ExecutiveCommitteeisworkinghardtoupdate andfinalizeourfutureandwelookforwardto developingandstrengtheningfruitfulpartnerships andcollaborationsthatserveourOLLImembers.

Keepyoureyesopen,weareplanningtopartner with:MillerAuditoriumincreatingOLLIcourses; WMUintheirannualalumniandfriends’community serviceevent;andwewillcontinuetopartnerwith otherOLLIsintheStateforsomenewanddifferent opportunities.Staytuned–moretofollow!

Again,happynewyearandthankyouforyour membershipinOLLIatWMU.

Sincerely,

Toni Woolfork-Barnes Director

Very inspiring and interesting.

I would use the word fun!

WHAT OUR MEMBERS SAY

OLLI gives us an opportunity to share what we know, learn from others, and meet new people.

It’s allowed me the ability to learn anything I want, anytime I want and at my own pace.

It’s good for your health. It’s good for your mind.

Western Michigan University Civility Statement

Western Michigan University is committed to creating and sustaining an environment that honors the inherent dignity and worth of all members of the WMU community. Respectful behavior expressed verbally, textually, visually, and physically should be the norm in all university communications and venues including classrooms, meetings, offices, workplaces, forums, events, social media and residential communities.

As an institution of higher education, we welcome a diverse range of perspectives and opinions and uphold the importance of civil debate. We fully support the free exchange of ideas and beliefs, as well as the expression of provocative or unpopular ideas. It is through this process that we generate knowledge and deepen our understanding of humanity.

Freedom of thought and expression may create conflict, strong emotions, and divergent ideological positions. While these effects are expected and welcomed, all members of the community have a responsibility to behave in a manner that does not harm others nor creates a hostile environment. Behavior that attacks, humiliates, belittles, or conveys hatred towards others diminishes our thriving and safe university environment.

Each member of our academic community is encouraged to be thoughtful and sensitive in their choice of words and behaviors. We should be aware of how our behavior affects others. Furthermore, we carry a responsibility to challenge those who communicate intolerance, hatred and bigotry. Words and actions matter. Everyone is asked to do their part in creating a healthy and positive university community and a culture that truly values each member’s uniqueness experiences, and perspectives.

Why Become an OLLI Member?

Intellectual discovery, personal growth, and social engagement are proven to enrich one’s quality of life, boost health, and contribute to one’s overall happiness. Those who are open to new experiences, actively involved in their communities, and cultivators of curiosity often lead more purposeful and productive lives.

From music to history or the arts to the sciences, the opportunities to expand your worldview and broaden your horizons are endless with OLLI at WMU!

OLLI Membership Fees

Memberships fees are $50 per year and are nontransferable. Our annual renewal date is July 1. Joining OLLI is simple – just head to our website at wmich.edu/olli. If you have questions about membership, call us at (269) 387-4157 or email wmu-olli@wmich.edu

Keep us growing by becoming a member and by telling your friends about OLLI at WMU! The gift of an OLLI membership also makes an excellent present for friends, family, and colleagues.

Benefits of an OLLI Membership

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at WMU is membership-based and open to anyone 50+ with a passion for learning. There are no tests, no grading and no academic credit. Your annual membership fee helps defray costs not covered by our low course fees.

There are many benefits to an OLLI at WMU membership, including:

• 25% discount for most events at the Gilmore Theatre Complex

• 15% discount for most events at Miller Auditorium

• 10% discount for most items at the WMU Bookstore

• Enrollment fee waived at West Hills Athletic Club

• Access to Special Interest Groups which are member directed

• Member-only events and tours

Visit wmich.edu/olli to register. 4

General Information and Policies

About the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

at Western

The Bernard Osher Foundation, headquartered in San Francisco, was founded in 1977 by Bernard Osher, a respected businessman and community leader. The Foundation supports a lifelong learning network for mature adults through their Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes, which can be found on the campuses of 120 colleges and universities nationwide.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Western Michigan University (OLLI at WMU) takes pride in providing intellectual and cultural stimulation, personal growth, and social engagement for adults 50+ in an informal, lively educational atmosphere. Over the last 10 years, over 1,000 members have participated in over 969 courses taught by 410+ volunteer instructors at nine different locations, in addition to over 60 events and 99 trips.

In addition, hundreds of volunteers have been an integral part of committees and leadership, helping to guide the success of OLLI at WMU. Courses and activities are developed by OLLI members with the support of the staff of WMUx. Members also volunteer as planners, instructors, committee members or advisory board members.

Scholarships

We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn. If you are unable to pay for courses, but want to experience what OLLI at WMU offers, why not take advantage of our robust Scholarship Fund?

An individual may apply for financial assistance to pay for one course per semester. The application is short and confidential. Please email us at wmu-olli@wmich.edu or call (269) 387-4157 for more information.

Trip Registration and Fees

Trips will be announced in the monthly newsletter and on our website. Dates and costs vary on a case-by-case basis. Trips are categorized as Easy, Moderate, or More Strenuous based on how active the adventure will be.

Register by calling AAA Nebraska directly at (402) 390-1000. Press 1 from the menu and enter 203 for Dave or 204 for Michelle.

Cancellations, Withdrawals, and Refunds

Cancellations: Instructors reserve the right to cancel a class and will notify course participants accordingly. The instructor will work with class members to arrange a make-up session. If you registered for a course and it is canceled, you may receive a refund or apply your course fee to another course if space is available.

If Western Michigan University classes are canceled for any reason, such as inclement weather, OLLI in-person classes are also canceled. It is the participant’s responsibility to consult the WMU website, OLLI website and/or local media regarding weather or other closures.

Withdrawals: You may withdraw from a course by contacting the OLLI office. Non-attendance or notifying solely the instructor is not an official cancellation.

Refunds: You will be eligible for a refund if you withdraw from a course at least two weeks before the first session. If you withdraw from a course less than two weeks before the first session, fees will not be refunded.

Parking Information

For in-person courses held on WMU’s campus, OLLI at WMU pays for your parking. Other course locations do not require permits. Parking permits are emailed or mailed by USPS (upon request) one to two weeks before the first session of your course.

Please let the office know if you already have a WMU permit or a disability parking placard/license plate, as you will not need a parking permit. If no handicapped parking spots are available when you arrive, you may park in any available space with a valid disability placard/license plate, including metered spots (except reserved parking).

Your Photo

When you participate in OLLI at WMU activities (courses, trips, events, etc.) your photograph may be taken and utilized to promote the Institute. Your photo may be used on the website, in our e-newsletter, in brochures, flyers, catalogs or elsewhere. If you do not want your photo to be used it is your responsibility to step out of pictures that are being taken.

Volunteers are the Heart of OLLI!

Are you eager to make a significant impact on your community? Do you want to utilize the skills you have developed over a lifetime or discover new ones? Would like to make new friends and social connections? If the answer is “yes” to any of the above, please consider volunteering with OLLI!

Teach a Course!

You do not have to be a current or past instructor to teach a course! We welcome past and present instructors from public schools and colleges as well as members of the general community who are passionate about a topic and wish to share their knowledge with others. Got an idea for a topic? Contact us via email at wmu-olli@wmich.edu.

Support OLLI at WMU

OLLI at WMU is a membership- and volunteer-driven organization. Even though instructors are unpaid volunteers, the Institute incurs other costs related to course offerings. Subsequently, membership and class fees do not cover all costs associated with operating the Institute. There are also people in the community who are committed to lifelong learning but cannot afford the cost of our courses.

Through WMU’s University Advancement and Alumni Relations Office, we accept donations to either our Operating Fund to support the day-to-day operations of OLLI at WMU, or our Scholarship Fund, which provides free or reduced course registration to individuals who are not able to otherwise participate otherwise.

Visit our website for more information about how you can support OLLI with a financial gift.

Connect with us on Facebook

Stay up to date by liking and following us on Facebook!

Search for OLLI at WMU (@WMULifelongLearning) on your Facebook account. Our posts include thought-provoking articles, upcoming details for courses, trips, and events, as well as reviews and photos from programs that have already taken place. You can also use our page to connect with fellow OLLI members, post comments, and share interesting information!

Course Locations

Air Zoo

6151 Portage Road, Portage, MI 49002

Brown Hall Western Michigan University - Main Campus Celebration Cinema 6600 Ring Rd, Portage, MI 49024

College of Health and Human Services Western Michigan University - East Campus Country Acres Village 2300 Barney Rd, Kalamazoo, MI

First United Methodist Church 212 S. Park St W, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Friendship Village of Kalamazoo 1400 N. Drake Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49006

The Fountains at Bronson Place 1700 Bronson Way, Kalamazoo, MI 49009

Heritage Community of Kalamazoo 2300 Portage Street,Kalamazoo, MI 49001

The Kalamazoo Promise 180 E Water St Suite 2005, Kalamazoo, MI 49007

KVCC Museum 230 N. Rose St,Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Oakland Hills Clubhouse Oakland Hills Circle, Portage, MI 49024

The Reading Center at Goodwill 420 E. Alcott St, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Richmond Center for Visual Arts Western Michigan University - Main Campus StoryPoint Senior Living 3951 W. Milham Aveue, Portage, MI 49024

South Kohrman Hall Western Michigan University - Main Campus Zhang Legacy Collections Center 1650 Oakland Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49008

Zhang Portage Community Senior Center 203 E Centre Avenue, Portage, MI 49002

Visit wmich.edu/olli to register. 6

Registration

Registration for the Winter/Spring semester opens Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 10 a.m. Courses are offered both in-person and online; course descriptions will indicate delivery method.

Ways to Register

Online

Call the OLLI office at (269) 387-4157

Visit room 1530 in Ellsworth Hall on Western’s main campus

Please note that there will be limited “phone-in registration” for the Winter/Spring 2023 semester. Registering online is the quickest way to secure your spot for the courses you want to take. If you need assistance doing so, email us at wmu-olli@wmich.edu or call (269) 3874157. If you have a visual or auditory disability, please make the OLLI at WMU office aware and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Online registration is not available for trips. After a trip has been announced, you can register by calling AAA Nebraska directly at (402) 390-1000. Press 1 from the menu and enter 203 for Dave or 204 for Michelle. The mailing address for AAA Nebraska is 815 N 98th St, Omaha NE 68114.

Course Fees

Current fees are based on $10 per session for members and $20 for non-members. Other fees may apply.

If you register by mail, over the phone, or online you will receive registration confirmation and a receipt of payment via email. If you do not have an email address on file, you will receive your confirmation by postal mail upon request.

Online Registration

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*Remember, members enjoy the lowest course fees and other benefits. Add a Membership to your cart if you have not yet renewed your annual membership.

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Under Courses, click on the link for the appropriate starting month for your desired course

Browse for your desired course and click the ‘Add to Cart’ button

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When you finish making all your course selections, click Cart to Checkout

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For virtual courses, online access links will be sent to you prior to your course start date

For on campus classes, parking passes will be emailed a week before your course start date, if needed

Winter/Spring

February Continued

Thursday

Starting in March

Courses: History

The Biggest Village in the USA: Kalamazoo History through 1884

Tom Deitz, Fri. 2/3, 2/10, and 2/17, 9 to 11 a.m.

College of Health and Human Services, Room #1035

This course will look at the history of Kalamazoo from it settlement until it became an incorporated municipality 1884. By 1884, it had grown substantially but had retaine its village form of government, earning it the nickname, “The Biggest Village in the USA.” We will learn about the original inhabitants of this region, the pioneering founders of the village, and the reasons for its success and growth. The course will also explore Kalamazoo’s industrial, cultural, and entertainment life from 1828-1884.

An American Family Experiences China: 1910-1923

Norma G Clack, Thur. 2/16, 3 to 5 p.m. The Fountains at Bronson Place, Auditorium

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The Amazing Wright Brothers

Randy Schau, Tues. 2/28, 10 a.m. to noon Friendship Village, Keystone

In 1900 two brothers, both single and in their thirties, made their living making and repairing bicycles. They were intrigued, however, by the possibility of inventing a flying machine. Since no one else had figured it out, they applied their intelligence, mechanical skills, willingness to risk life and limb, and an irrepressible dedication to their task – and changed the world. Through dozens of photos and videos this class will show how they did it, what obstacles they faced, and how – with the full support of their family – they overcame them.

The History of Pre-Prohibition Brewing in Kalamazoo

Keith Howard, Thur. 3/2, 3/9, and 3/16, 1 to 3 p.m. College of Health and Human Services, Room #1010

My grandparents’ story begins 112 years ago in China. At this time, China was a country in chaos after recently ending 4,000 years of rule by Imperial dynasties. Robert Clack, 23, of Iowa went to China in 1910 to teach at a Chinese college. A few months later he met Edith Gordon, 21, of California. They married in China and four of their children were born there. Class participants will hear personal observations from this couple’s letters, learn about Robert’s YMCA work and translations of ancient Chinese poetry, and see historical photos and Chinese artifacts.

Air Zoo: Women In Air and Space

Air Zoo Staff, Thur. 2/16, 10 a.m. to noon, Air Zoo

Discover the many diverse contributions of women to aviation and aerospace with this timeline exploration. Highlighted stories will include the early contributions of women in aviation and the contributions of women in World War II, including the Women Air Force Service Pilots. Modern trailblazers of aviation and space exploration will also be celebrated, and participants will have access to the museum to continue exploring exhibits featuring many of these pioneers.

During this three-session course, we’ll take a deep dive into Kalamazoo’s rich history of brewing and beer culture before Prohibition. We’ll discuss the earliest known local brewers, some of which date back to the 1830s, and examine what brought the industry to a halt in 1915. We’ll focus on the people and places behind the products, and perhaps reveal a few little-known facts about local brewing efforts during Prohibition. We’ll also discuss the various beer styles that were produced locally, and the important role that Kalamazoo’s immigrant population played in the brewing industry.

Michigan, My Michigan: The History of Michigan from the Automobile to World War II

Lynn Houghton, Tues. 3/7, 3/14 and 3/21, 10 a.m. to noon, Zhang Legacy Collections Center, Reading Room

Michigan’s colorful history in these three sessions, which will cover our state’s history from the beginning of the Twentieth century to the start of World War II. Specific emphasis will be placed on the automotive industry, which shaped Michigan tremendously during these years and continues to this day. The course will examine Michigan’s residents, its institutions, its economy and the events and issues that have shaped our state through the years.

Ladies’ Library Association of Michigan

Sharon Carlson and Marge Kars, Tues. 3/14, 3/21 and Portage Community Senior Center, Meeting Room 2A/2B - 3/28, 9 to 11 a.m., tour of the Ladies Library Association

This three-part session will focus on the history of Ladies’ Library Associations in Michigan. Session 1 will focus on the origins of the Kalamazoo Ladies’ Library Association, Session 2 will focus on the other organizations that formed in Michigan, and Session 3 will include a tour of the 1879 historic Kalamazoo Ladies’ Library Association at 333 S. Park Street.

Our Family’s Civil War Flag: Its 5,000 Mile Journey

Norma G Clack, Mon. 4/3, 1 to 3 p.m. The Fountains at Bronson Place, Auditorium

Come to this class for an in-person look at a large Civil War flag being displayed for the first time since 1928. Learn how this Regimental cavalry flag survived war battles and came to Kalamazoo 160 years later. Hear the story of its creation and follow its 5,000-mile journey from Wisconsin to Missouri to Mississippi and the Battle of Vicksburg, then finally to Washington D.C. Class attendees will see this large 75”x53” flag in person, learn about its unique history, and explore what the flag means to the family members who have been its caretakers since 1861.

Socialism In One City: Guy Lockwood, the Michigan Socialist Party, and the Kalamazoo Municipal Elections of 1912

Tom Dietz, Fri. 4/21, 9 to 11 a.m., College of Health and Human Services, Room #1035

This course will explore the political career of Guy Lockwood, the head of the Michigan Socialist Party, and the city elections of April 1912. Lockwood was a commercial artist who became a Socialist Party activist and eventually ran for the Kalamazoo City Council. The dramatic labor strike of the Kalamazoo Corset Workers that spring led to the election of two Socialist candidates to the Council.

Ron Kramer, Tues. 3/28, 4/4 and 4/11, 1 to 3 p.m., College of Health and Human Services, Room #2088

“Only the Ball Was White” is the title of a book on Negro League baseball, an important Black cultural institution that existed from 1920 to 1960. This course will examine the racial segregation of professional baseball. Three specific periods in American baseball history will be explored. First, “when baseball went white,” after the Civil War through the end of the 19th century. Second, the segregated baseball that was played in the early 20th century when Black clubs participated in barnstorming tours and eventually developed their own professional leagues. Third, the integration of Major League Baseball by Branch Ricky and Jackie Robinson after 1945.

The Memory and Legacy of Emmett Till: A Story of Geography, History and Racism

Jim Herm, Mon. 4/24, 9 to 11 a.m., College of Health and Human Services, Room #1024

The kidnapping and murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till on August 28, 1955, was a murder that shocked the world and was a major catalyst for the beginning of the civil rights movement. However, after the trial of the two defendants, the story went underground for over 50 years. It took Mississippi 49 years and 10 months to spend one dollar to memorialize Emmett’s death. Jim Herm, retired teacher and counselor, has been studying this story for the past five years. It is a story that many people do not know – but it is a story that all Americans need to hear.

Visit wmich.edu/olli to register. 12

“Only the Ball Was White:” Baseball, Racial Segregation and the Struggle for Black Civil Rights

Looking for More Income from Your Investments?

James Wigen, Mon. 1/30, 10 a.m. to noon EST, online via Webex

Generating income from bonds, bond funds, CDs, and income funds has been extremely challenging for years. Stocks paying dividends are good for earning income, however, they may not be enough. Looking for another way to earn money? Consider selling covered call options on stocks you already own. This class will teach you what selling covered call options are, how they generate additional income from dividend and non-dividend paying stocks, and how they can reduce risk in your investment portfolio. This is also a fantastic strategy inside tax-deferred or tax-free investment accounts, as income earned is not taxed.

Tai Chi

Cheng Tao, Thur. 2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Beginner Class 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Intermediate Class 12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.  College of Health and Human Services, Room #4010

Each date includes a combined Basic and Intermediate Class

Tai Chi is one of the Chinese Traditional martial arts, which was designed as a unique self-defense technique but later evolved into a self-efficacy health exercise.

Characterized as flowing, graceful, and being well balanced, Tai Chi’s movements strengthen the body as well as the mind from within, promoting a complete bodymind harmony. Through practicing Tai Chi, the balance of Yin and Yang – the essentials of the nature and relaxation – will be embedded into the practitioner. Unrestrained by age, gender, and health status, Tai Chi can serve as an ideal physical exercise for many.

Road to Balance and Relaxation (Basic Class)

This 6-session course will introduce some essential Tai Chi principles such as controlled relaxation, mental quietness, breathing in depth, and intent first. As a starting class, we will learn and practice 5 to 8 basic, yet classic, Tai Chi movements. By the end of the session, the participants are expected to grasp these essentials and be able to practice basic Tai Chi movements independently.

Increasing Harmony and Energy (Intermediate Class)

This 6-session course will introduce Cheng Man Ching 37 Form (CMC 37). CMC 37 was developed by Professor Cheng Man Ching. Regarded as the “Master of Five Excellences,” Cheng excelled in poetry, calligraphy, painting, medicine, and Tai Chi. Originated from Yang Cheng Pu style, CMC 37 incorporated Cheng’s personal understanding derived from years of practice. At the end of this class, students are expected to be able to practice CMC 37 independently, and will experience improved body-mind harmony and increased energy

7+ Life Lessons from Chaos

Robin Skitt, Mon. 2/13, 2 to 4 p.m. Friendship Village, Classroom

For a very long time, people have wondered about the phenomena of turbulence. Scientists have attempted to find equations to describe its ever-changing structure. New findings in many areas of science showed that the previous view of our world as purely mechanical was greatly flawed. In the middle of the past century, the concept of chaos came back into prominence, along with the concept of complexity. Chaos Theory investigates events that appear to us as random. It finds structure and patterns where we see none. Above all, it shows that these events can lead to novel and creative outcomes. In this course we will look at the lessons offered by Chaos Theory, and how these lessons can help us navigate the many challenges ahead.

Home Awareness: An Instruction Manual for Your Home

Jim McKinney, Thur. 2/16, 10 a.m. to noon Friendship Village, Keystone

Explore the many hidden secrets of your home that make it safe, comfortable, and well, yours. Discover maintenance services and tasks that can enhance, preserve, and maintain your “castle,” and items/features that you can test, service, and/or repair on your own! Receive information about and a list of inexpensive tools that you can purchase locally to perform tests and determine the proper functionality of safety items in your home. Learn how you can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars and days of hassles and worry waiting for hired technicians to make repairs and/or replacements. Consider this course an Instruction Manual for Your Home – and how to keep it in tiptop shape.

Getting The Last Word: Obituary Writing Basics

K. Lynn McFarlen, Wed. 2/22, 10 a.m. to noon

Portage Community Senior Center, Meeting Room 2A/2B

The joke is two things in life are certain, death and taxes, and we have control over neither. Wouldn’t it be nice to at least get the last word? Obituary writing can be left up to your funeral home, or you can tell your own story. Traditional obituaries include essential information many genealogists are happy to see, but some obituaries do more than give lineage details – they entertain! This class will cover traditional obituary writing and nontraditional forms of sharing your life’s story. We will look at examples and each participant will receive a template to use for capturing the story of their life. This repeat class has updates and new information.

Reclaiming Joy

Paula M Adrasi, Fri. 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24 and 3/31, 2 to 4 p.m., Portage Community Senior Center, Meeting Room 1A

Experiencing joy involves more than having moments of happiness. It is an overall state of well-being that comes from being successful in tending to one’s health, selfunderstanding, relationships, and spiritual development. In the past few years, many of us have lost some of our joy. We may have experienced stress and losses due to the pandemic or felt drained due to giving until we are dry.

We may feel anxious, sad, or numb. This class will teach techniques that can help you reclaim the joy you may be missing now. We will focus on gratitude, relationships, laughter, and focused awareness.

Exploring the Hidden Power, Comfort, Security and Encouragement Found in a Familiar Poem: 23rd Psalms

Penola Stephens Presley, Tues. 3/7, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Friendship Village, Classroom

Have you ever thought about why the 23rd Psalm is referred to by so many during difficult times and especially at funerals? What makes it a favorite in so many settings? In this session, we hope to answer those questions by discussing some key points and phrases that will hopefully shed some light on why the 23rd Psalm is so endearing to so many. It has a reputation for being encouraging, comforting, and offering a foundation for security. An additional objective of this discussion is to inspire others to read the 23rd Psalm more frequently with a new understanding and perspective as we negotiate the turbulent times we are living in.

Memoir Collage

Nancy Mollhagen, Wed. 3/8, 3/22 and 3/29, 3 to 5 p.m.,

The Fountains at Bronson Place, Activity Room

Collage is the art of assembling different pieces into a larger compositional piece. This class we will focus on an autobiographical collage – your visual story from the past. Items for our collages may include photos, magazine clippings, tickets, small collectibles, souvenirs – any and all mementos that are important to you. Sharing these collages with family and friends can connect, explain, and inform; hopefully not just with peers but also with a younger generation (nieces, nephews, grandchildren, neighbors) from a different time period. Viewing this history visually along with explanations and questions answered can deepen your relationships with others.

In our first session, we will look at a finished sample and start to plan our own pieces by writing a personal statement and six adjective descriptive memoirs. Your collage can be whimsical or upbeat or take on a more serious tone. We will make a list of potential collage items to bring in the following week. Preparation prior to the first session includes looking through your old photos and keepsakes.

Visit wmich.edu/olli to register. 14

Health & Wellness

Forage through magazines for words, illustrations, photographs, pieces of costume jewelry, keys, cards, tickets, brochures, postcards, and hobby items. We will be working on a Masonite board (to be provided) and your finished piece can be set up on a small frame easel, framed, or be displayed proudly on your bookshelf.

Brain Games

Norm Bober, Tues. 3/28, 10 a.m. to noon, College of Health and Human Services, Room #1087

We have creative brains. Games and problem-solving activities that encourage “thinking outside the box” are an easy way to share grins, groans, giggles, and guffaws. A stretch for thought patterns and a playful experience can be had by all in this fun-filled course!

SoulCollage®

Kayle L Rice, Tues. 4/4 and 4/11, 9 to 11 a.m., StoryPoint, Activity Room

SoulCollage®is a fun, creative tool for discovering the multi-faceted dimensions of your inner life. Allow yourself to be challenged and changed simply by using images from magazines, glue and 5x8 cards. You’ll be surprised by what your image is telling you – messages that come from your intuition, your inner voice, your energies.

The Nuts and Bolts of Researching Your Family Tree

Claire Johnson and Beverly Grambau, Wed. 4/5, 4/12, 4/19 and 4/26,10 a.m. to noon, Zhang Legacy Collections Center, Reading Room

Exercise your brain by joining us in an introduction to the wild and crazy world of genealogy research! Take a step beyond spitting in a tube to find out your ethnicity and explore ways to fill out your family tree. This course will provide a basic introduction to research best practices and techniques as well as available tools and resources (both physical and electronic). Participants will be encouraged to set a goal and find information on one or more of their session.

Arts: Written, Visual

Macbeth: Witches, Women and Patrick Stewart

Savannah Xaver, Mon. 1/23, 1/30, and 2/6, 1 to 2:30 p.m., College of Health and Human Services, Room #1024

As the title suggests, this three-session course will dive deep into William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Beginning with reading the play, we will discuss magic, the woman-like witches, Lady Macbeth’s characterization (and villainization), elements of tragedy, and contexts of Shakespeare’s stage and culture. Next, we will watch Rupert Goold’s Macbeth (2010), a BBC production starring Patrick Stewart, to discuss how literature is adapted to film. Finally, we will finish the course with dramatic readings and reimagining scenes to test our appreciation and application of Shakespearean tragedy.

Hollywood’s Cold War

Ed Martini, Wed, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8 and 2/15, 4 to 6:30 p.m., College of Health and Human Services, Room #2089

This course examines the ways in which American films during the first three decades of the Cold War expressed cultural tensions about the conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union. Exploring multiple genres and styles of films, each week we will learn about the historical context of the films under consideration, followed by a screening and discussion. Among the films we will screen are Dr. Strangelove, The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Manchurian Candidate, and High Noon.

Learn to Make Cyanotypes, A Historical Photographic Process

Ginger Owen-Murakami

Artist Lecture on Thur. 2/2, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., College of Fine Arts, Richmond Center for Visual Arts, Room #2008; Cyanotype Process Workshop on Fri. 2/3 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., College of Fine Arts, South Kohrman Hall, Room #2122

Artist Lecture - This lecture will introduce students to Dr. Ginger Owen-Murakami’s portfolio and her perspective on a variety of alternative photographic processes, their histories, and contemporary uses. Following, students will visit the artist’s exhibit in the RCVA gallery.

Cyanotype Process Workshop - Invented in 1842, cyanotype is an alternative photographic process that is still used by fine artists to produce prints on varieties of substrates, such as fabric and paper. This workshop will teach students how to make photograms – a camera-free photographic print. Following instruction, students will also learn how they can continue their creative work in their own homes.

Experiencing Dance at WMU

Patricia Plasko, Wed. 2/8, 10 a.m. to noon, Gilmore Theater Complex, Atrium Fri. 2/10 8:00 p.m. Winter Gala Dance Concert Shaw Theatre, Gilmore Theatre Complex WMU

*Participants required to purchase tickets Dance is inherently ephemeral – existing only in the moment of performance – but in that instant is the embodiment of human expression, vulnerability, and purpose. WMU Dance Alum Patricia Plasko will introduce participants to the elements of dance and share insights into the choreography and dance performances included in the 2023 Winter Gala Dance Concert. The class will include a behind-the-scenes look at concert preparations including dancer warm-ups, and WMU Dance faculty will discuss their choreography and stage production work on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. Participants are required to purchase a ticket for the Friday, February 10, 2023 concert.

History of Racism: An Experiential Journey via the Power of Film

Mark D Stucky, Mon. 2/13, 2/20, and 2/27, 2 to 3:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church

You are invited to an immersive experience of what Black brothers and sisters have endured for centuries through images, sounds, and music from Hollywood movies and other video sources. The three sessions will ponder the periods of slavery (18th through mid-19th centuries), the Ku Klux Klan and Jim Crow era (mid-19th through mid20th centuries), and then examine current issues, including police killings and reparations (late-20th through early-21st centuries). Clips from a large variety of movies and videos will be viewed and their stories’ historical contexts will be discussed. Expect to be enlightened and emotionally moved.

Love & Samba: A Musical Journey to Brazil

Barry Kitch, Tues. 2/21 and 2/28, 2 to 4 p.m., College of Health and Human Services, Room #1093

Join us for an introduction to the music and culture of Brazil as told in song, featuring video performances by many of Brazil’s leading musical artists!

Visit wmich.edu/olli to register. 16

Arts: Written, Visual & Performing

YOU GO GIRL: Four Formidable Females from Four Great Plays

D. Terry Williams, Wed. 3/8, 3/15, 3/22 and 3/29, 1 to 3 p.m., College of Health and Human Services, Room #1087

An in-depth analysis of four thought-provoking plays showcasing strong female characters in leading roles. Plays are to be read before each class in the following order: Antigone by Sophocles (March 8), Macbeth by Shakespeare (March 15), Mrs. Warren’s Profession (March 22) and Fences by August Wilson (March 29).

Jane Austen: So Much More Than Mr. Darcy

Carol Hodges, Mon. 3/13, 3/20 and 3/27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friendship Village, Classroom

Although author Jane Austen died more than 200 years ago, her books have an enduring fascination for many of us. In this class, we will look at some of the issues of her day. What effect did agricultural reform have on her writing? What about the British slave trade? Or the picturesque movement? We will explore the background knowledge her contemporaries brought to her novels, providing crucial context that is often missing for modern readers. In addition, we will look at her struggles as a female author.

On The Town – A Musical Theater Classic

Jay Berkow, Tues. 3/21, 4 to 6 p.m., Gilmore Theater Complex; 3/23, 7:30 p.m. or 3/26, 7:30 p.m., Shaw Theatre

This course covers the history and development of one of America’s greatest musicals, On the Town. Topics studied will include background on the original creative artists, the history of the production and revivals, a deep dive into the development of a new production from concept to performance, the opportunity to see the show, and to engage in a post-performance conversation with the cast and creatives.

What It Was: Growing Up When the Music Mattered

James Pagliasotti, Wed. 3/22, 2 to 4 p.m. EST, online via Webex

The Classic Era of rock & roll music was a time of incredible creativity in the arts and in ways of living. It was a tumultuous time, too, when struggles over civil rights, the Vietnam war, political assassinations, and gender equity sometimes made it seem like the world was coming apart – but the music helped us get through it. It gave us a voice, an anthem, and a gathering place where we shared our dreams and our fears. This is a memoir of those times as experienced by a writer wielding press credentials and a backstage pass.

Wigging

Out with Garrylee McCormick

Garrylee McCormick, Fri. 3/24, 2 to 4 p.m., Gilmore Theater Complex, Atrium

Join Wig Master Garrylee McCormick to learn all about the creation of wigs for the WMU Theatre production of On the Town and enjoy the show that evening!

Step 1: Learn the ways to get various 1940’s Hairstyles— Setting and Comb Out.

Air Zoo: Creating a Cosmic Connection with Art

Air Zoo Staff, Thur. 3/16, 10 a.m. to noon, Air Zoo

Dive into the cosmos and discover how astrophotos are created with a tour of the Air Zoo space wall! You will be introduced to elements of art and basic pastel techniques, and the fascinating ways they relate to planetary and galactic forms. Connect what you have learned to create a unique piece of cosmic art using pastels.

Step 2: Learn the different ways to prep the actor’s hair prior to placing the wig.

Step 3: Learn all the various things that happen with wigs and hair prior to the start of the show. This includes setup, hair prep, mic placement, wig placement, hats, and other accessories.

Step 4: See a variety of wigs that will be used in the evening performance of On The Town.

We hope that by the end of the session you will have gained a better understanding about what goes into the styling and wearing of wigs for the stage!

Getting Crafty: Understanding and Creating Picture Books

Jamie Bienhoff, Fri. 4/7 and 4/14, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

EST, online via Webex, and Fri. 4/21, College of Health and Human Services, Room #1024

Engage with the young people in your life through picture books! A common misconception of picture books is that they are “simple” and “easy,” but in reality, they can be quite complex to create. Authors and illustrators pay particular attention to the medium, design, colors, and words. Come learn about the history and terminology of picture books. Utilize your new skills to create your very own picture book scene from a fairytale, folktale, or nursery rhyme. All materials for the in-person component of the course will be supplied by the instructor.

Readings in Existentialist Philosophies

David Paul, Tues. 1/10, 1/17, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28, 3/14, 3/21, 3/28, 4/4, 4/11 and 4/18, 2 to 4:30 p.m., Brown Hall, Room #4035

This course explores questions about the meaning of existence through readings including the biblical book of Job, Carl Jung’s book, Answer to Job, and selected texts from the philosophers Plato, Descartes, Kant, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, and Sartre. Together, with a class of WMU’s undergraduate students who are taking this Existentialist Philosophies course for credit, we’ll explore these deepest of questions together through facilitated dialogue. This course will meet once a week for two and a half hours, engaging in multiple small-group discussions focused on prompts selected by the professor to help everyone connect intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually with the readings.

Beginning Mah Jongg

Jane Duran,

January: Mon. 1/23, 1/30, Wed. 1/25, 2/1; March: Mon. 3/6, 3/13, Wed. 3/8, 3/15; 10 a.m. to noon, Oakland Hills Clubhouse

The History and the Literature: “The Lincoln Highway”

Stan and Diane Henderson, Mon. 4/24, 1 to 3 p.m., The Fountains at Bronson Place, Auditorium

Historical novels tell interesting stories about a time and its people, requiring authors to do extensive research so their writing accurately reflects history. Using The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles as our launching point, this class will offer a one-hour look at the history of United States in the 50s, as the country confronted the Cold War, embraced TV, danced to rock and roll, and fought for civil rights. We will continue with a discussion of the novel as contemporary literature. Participants should read The Lincoln Highway before class. Readers and history buffs welcome!

Mah Jongg is a Chinese game played with tiles, usually by four people. It is a fun game that is very addictive! It is also excellent exercise for your brain, too. The object is to collect winning sets or “hands,” like gin rummy. We will begin with the naming and familiarization with the rules card along with strategies for playing the game. Each player needs a new card each year, so participants will need to buy one before the course begins. Mah Jongg sets will be provided for the class. Once you learn how to play you will want to start your own group of players to keep up with the enthusiasm and fine tune your skills.

Visit wmich.edu/olli to register.

Environmental Justice

Cybelle Shattuck, Wed. 2/1 and 2/8, 1 to 3 p.m., College of Health and Human Services, Room #1087

Environmental Justice (EJ) has become central to current discussions about Covid-19, community development, and responses to the climate crisis. EJ recognizes that there are widespread inequities in exposure to environmental harms, such as pollution and access to environmental benefits like clean air and water. This course will explore the history of the U.S. Environmental Justice Movement, including its origins in protests of waste facility siting through decades of coalition-building among grassroots groups concerned about contamination of air and water, access to nutritious food and safe housing, and the need for attention to justice as societies respond to climate change. Using stories of specific cases, we’ll learn how EJ advocates have become leaders in community efforts to ensure that all people are able to live, work, learn, and play in safe and healthy environments.

Is An Electric Car Right for Me?

Steve Grieve, Tues. 2/7 and 2/14, 9 to 11 a.m., The Fountains at Bronson Place, Auditorium

Battery Electric vehicles (BEV) are becoming common on Michigan roadways and the numbers are growing quickly. This course will help you learn if a BEV is the right car for you. We will briefly explore the differences between hybrids and BEVs, then focus on full-battery electric vehicles. The class will help you make the right decisions regarding the possible purchase of an electric vehicle. We will look at your intended use of the car and then explore if existing vehicles and charging infrastructure will support your needs.

Justice, Equity, and the Human Experience

Dr. Dini Metro-Roland, Mr. Dale Brown, Thur 2/16, 2/23, 3/2, 3/16, 3/23, 6 to 8 p.m., The Kalamazoo Promise

Grounded in the humanities, this course will explore contemporary social issues through the lens of intersectionality, dealing briefly with major themes such as race, class, ethnicity, sexual identity, gender identity, mass incarceration, and higher education. We will ask questions of these topics—for example, What is race? What is cultural appropriation? What is the point of higher education?—and see what questions they ask of us. Participants of all academic skill levels are welcome. Readings and assignments will be responsive to students’ interest and tiered depending on students’ requested level of engagement.

Self Driving Cars: The Future of Transportation?

Internet of Things (IoT)

Charlie Olszewski, Tues. 2/7, 2 to 4 p.m. EST, online via Webex

What is it? Is Alexa part of it? Do I want it? Should I want it? Should I be concerned about it? This course will explain what the Internet of Things (IoT) is and how pervasive it already is in our lives, as well as issues regarding its growth and security concerns. Topics include a definition of IoT, examples of IoT in the home and everyday life, enough technical information so that you will know when a device or “connection” is part of the IoT infrastructure, and information about security and privacy issues with IoT.

Farhang Motallebiaraghi, Thur. 3/2, 3/9 and 3/16, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., College of Health and Human Services, Room #1284

Whom would you trust more: a car that drives itself or a person behind the wheel? Through this interactive course, you will learn about the fundamentals of self-driving cars, why self-driving cars are a necessity, and how exactly selfdriving cars work. In addition, you will learn about the future effects of self-driving cars on the environment and society. We will wrap up by taking a ride in a pilot-version of a real self-driving car!

Migrating Children in Alan Gratz’s Refugee

Hana Saaed, Thur. 3/2 and Tues. 3/14 and 3/21, 10:30 a.m. to noon, College of Health and Human Services, Room #1057

Explore the challenges that refugees experience in Alan Gratz’s celebrated novel Refugee. Three families from different backgrounds and eras put their lives and those of their children in danger to escape hunger, wars, and oppression. Please consider joining this course if you are interested in learning what struggles refugees go through before their boats make it to safety. Please read the required text, Refugee by Alan Gratz (2017), prior to class. It is available in multiple formats at Waldo Library, the Kalamazoo Public Library, and Portage Public Library.

Place Matters! The Education IS ON:

The Edison Neighborhood Project

Karika Parker, Thur. 4/6 and Fri. 4/7, 3:00pm to 5:30 p.m. The Reading Center at Goodwill

Place Matters! The EDucation IS ON (Edison) Project in the Edison neighborhood represents a vibrant educational community. In this neighborhood, people matter, as citizens work, live, play, eat and socialize together. Through facilitated dialogue, participants will learn about the history, educational opportunities, and demographic trends of the Edison neighborhood. Using a photographic history, sessions will illuminate racism, cultural (in) sensitivity, and structural inequities from the 1890s to present day as we explore the naming of the neighborhood and certain streets, the establishment of a corset company, the paper industry, a horse racetrack, the land and housing development of Charles Hays and others.

Western Economic Theories from Colbert to Keynes

James Wright, Thur. 4/13, 4/20 and 4/27, 9 to 11 a.m., College of Health and Human Services, Room #1093

The first economic theory was advanced by Louis XIV’s finance minister, Jean-Baptiste Colbert. The second theory was Adam Smith’s reaction to Colbert’s Mercantilism in his theory of the Free Market. Utopian Socialists reacted to Smith and Karl Marx responded to the Socialists. Keynes proposed to save market capitalism by preventing another depression and regulating markets to ensure prosperity. This course proposes to lay out the theories only, not to compare the success or failure of socialism or capitalism.

A Guided Tour

of “Wonder Media:”

A Musuem Exhibit About Media and News Literacy

Sue Ellen Christian, Fri. 4/21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., KVCC Museum

Tour the “Wonder Media: Ask the Questions!” exhibition at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum with the creator and guest curator. This is a half-day course that is a guided visit to the museum with a discussion afterward.

Visit wmich.edu/olli to register.

Special Interest Groups

German Conversation SIG

Thomas Coughlin, Fridays, on-going, 10 a.m. to noon, Country Acres Village, Clubhouse

Introduction to Film SIG

Michael Marchak, Celebration Cinema, Portage

Senior Readers Theater SIG

Linda LaRocque, first and third Wednesdays in Feb., Mar., and Apr.

Events

OLLI January Thaw

January 18, 2023 from 2 to 4 p.m., Fetzer Center

Meet the Instructors

Air Zoo Staff

The Air Zoo’s education programs are focused on creating interactive educational programs that not only stimulate and engage audiences during their presentation, but also inspire them to continue their exploration of science and history long after the program’s conclusion.

Paula M Andrasi

Dr. Paula Andrasi earned a BA in psychology from Michigan State University, a master’s in counseling, and a doctorate in counseling psychology from Western Michigan University. Directed substance abuse treatment programs in Berrien and Kalamazoo counties and serves as faculty at WMU. Provided clinical consultation in St. Joseph and Cass counties. Training Director of the accredited Doctoral Psychology Internship program that was housed in the University Counseling and Testing Center. Taught faculty in the Integrative Holistic Health and Wellness program and Program Coordinator. Developed and taught numerous courses and workshops in the area of self-care, wellness, stress-management, relationship skills, spirituality, and meditation practices. Dr. Andrasi also continues to take training to increase her skills in all areas of emotional and spiritual health.

Jay Berkow

Jay Berkow has served as Director of Music Theatre Performance at WMU since 2004. He is the co-author and director of the Off-Broadway hit Jolson & Co. His internationally produced musical, What a Glorious Feeling, is published by Playscripts, Inc. Jay directed the OffBroadway productions of The Rink, Red Hot Mama, and The Lady in Penthouse B. Regional credits include Florida Studio Theatre, Indiana Rep, Playhouse on the Square, Adirondack Theatre Festival, Gateway Playhouse, Virginia Rep, Connecticut Rep, Coconut Grove Playhouse, American Stage, Florida Rep, the Burt Reynolds Theatre, Riverside Theatre, Circa ‘21, and many others. Recent productions include: A CHORUS LINE, CALENDAR GIRLS, HEAD OVER HEELS, SIGNIFICANT OTHER and SPELLING BEE.

Norm Bober

Norm Bober is a man who was a librarian with unending curiosity, who has embraced the many vicissitudes of country living, and who was a leading team member with the Senior Odyssey of the Mind teams that were successful in state competition for multiple years.

Sharon Carlson

Sharon Carlson retired as head of the Zhang Legacy Collections Center at WMU in 2020. Her dissertation research focused on the history of Michigan’s Ladies’ Library Associations. She presently serves as vice-president of the Kalamazoo Ladies’ Library Association.

Sue Ellen Christian

Sue Ellen Christian is the WMU Presidential Innovation Professor in Communication 2021-24. Christian, who has been a member of the faculty since 2001, teaches multimedia journalism and media literacy courses. She is the author of Everyday Media Literacy: An Analog Guide for Your Digital Life (Routledge, 2020) and Overcoming Bias: A Journalist’s Guide to Culture and Context, 2nd edition (Routledge, 2021). Before joining academia, she was a staff writer for the Chicago Tribune. She was the 2016 Michigan Professor of the Year and a 2014 recipient of the WMU Distinguished Teaching Award.

Norma G Clack

Norma Clack earned a B.A. in English from Saginaw Valley State University and an M.A. in educational administration from Central Michigan University. She was employed for 30 years as an administrator in the Development Office of Saginaw Valley State University. Her post-retirement pursuits include genealogy research and writing essays about her ancestors and their lives. She is a member of the Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society and its genealogy writers’ group.

Thomas A Dietz

Tom Dietz is the retired Curator of Local History at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. He has taught OLLI courses on Kalamazoo history for years. He has a master’s degree in American History and was a part-time instructor at Western Michigan University.

Jane Duran

Jane Duran is a retired teacher and entrepreneur. She has been playing Mah Jongg for over twenty-five years and plays many times a week. She has taught Mah Jongg over the years to many friends and has taught many sessions to OLLI members. She loves the game!

Steven Grieve

Steve Grieve retired from Pfizer in Quality and Regulatory Affairs management. He has a BS in Chemistry and an MBA. Since acquiring an electric car Steve has been educating himself on the evolving technology and marketplace of electric vehicles. The difficulty in finding good information and the confusion and misinformation regarding EVs drives Steve to continue his own education and to share information on electric vehicle ownership.

Visit wmich.edu/olli to register. 22

Stan and Diane Henderson

Stan and Diane Henderson are avid readers – Stan reads history, Diane fiction. In other lives, they would have been history and English professors. Now they team up to share their passions with OLLI. Pre-retirement, Stan was the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Life at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and Diane was an educational program planner and consultant. Both are currently failing retirement.

Jim Herm

Jim Herm spent 37 years in the Portage Public School system as both a teacher and counselor. He retired in 2010. He resides in Otsego with his wife Patti.

Carol Hodges

Carol Hodges is a retired Kalamazoo Public School science teacher and is a graduate of Carleton College in Minnesota. In 2013 she studied Janet Austen in a special summer session at England’s Oxford University. This semester’s course is based on the insights she gained there. Carol has also taught other OLLI classes.

Lynn Houghton

Lynn Houghton is the Regional History Curator at the WMU Archives and Regional History Collections. She has a bachelor’s and master’s both in History from WMU and a master’s in Library and Information Science from Wayne State University. She has been involved in the public history field for many years and is the co-author of Kalamazoo Lost and Found with Pamela O’Connor. She also leads historic walks around the community held during the summer and fall.

Marge Kars

Marge Kars is retired as head of Bronson HealthAnswers and Health Science Library. She is a past-president of the Kalamazoo Ladies’ Library Association.

Ron Kramer

Ron Kramer is a professor of sociology at Western Michigan University. Although he primarily teaches courses on criminology and law, he occasionally teaches a class on the sociological history of baseball. A lifelong baseball fan, Ron coached Little League teams for many years. A baseball player in his youth, he now confines himself to playing senior softball and rooting for the Cleveland Guardians.

Keith Howard

Keith Howard is a Digital Preservation Specialist at the Kalamazoo Public Library, but one of his true passions is exploring and documenting local history. He has authored or contributed to more than fifty articles on the KPL website, and his work has appeared in several leading publications, including Michigan History Magazine,

SW Michigan Spark, and others. Forever fascinated by “what used to be,” Keith has written extensively about the history of brewing in Kalamazoo. His article about “Early Kalamazoo Breweries” on the Kalamazoo Public Library website was published in Brewery History, Journal of the Brewery History Society in the UK, and has been cited by numerous publications, including U.S. News & World Report. Keith is a two-time Western Michigan University graduate and former instructor of business communication and information technology at Haworth College of Business. He lives in Oshtemo.

Claire Johnson and Beverly Grambau

Claire Johnson and Beverly Grambau have been researching genealogy as a hobby for a number of years and are both members of the Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society. They are genealogy enthusiasts who enjoy the many rewards of this hobby and are excited to share their interests with others.

Barry Kitch

Barry Kitch is a musician and teacher. He has been studying Brazilian music and culture for several years and has decided it is time to share what he has learned with others.

Michael Marchak

With a B.S. in medical technology from MSU, Michael Marchak spent 28 years in drug safety research supporting phase II and phase III clinical trials for the UpjohnPfizer company, leaving as a senior scientist. A film buff forever, Mike served for over 20 years as president of the Kalamazoo Film Society, overseeing its 30th anniversary in 2018. He received the 2016 Ted Cooper Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service in the Arts, bestowed by the Arts Council of Kalamazoo.

Edwin Martini

Dr. Ed Martini is Professor of History at Western Michigan University, where he currently serves as Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning and Dean of Merze Tate College. He is the author and editor of several books, including Agent Orange: History, Science, and the Politics of Uncertainty (2012), and At War: The Military and American Culture in the Twentieth Century and Beyond (2018, with David Kieran). Martini has taught several courses at WMU and other institutions, including History and Cinema, The Vietnam War, and the Cold War.

Garrylee McCormick

Garrylee McCormick is a Wig Master for WMU Theatre Department and The Barn Theatre School. Garrylee is a union Wig Master with IATSE Local 26, working on national tours for both Miller Auditorium and DeVos Hall in Grand Rapids. Additionally, he is a printmaker and photographer. He also writes Icons and has studied icon writing both in the United States and Russia at the Alexander Nevsky Lavra (Monastery) in Saint Petersburg.

K. Lynn McFarlen

K. Lynn McFarlen is the Community Outreach Director for Langeland Family Funeral Homes. A graduate of WMU (go Broncos!), twenty years as a high school educator, and now eleven years in the funeral industry, Lynn is using her experience and talents to encourage people in the greater Kalamazoo community to learn all they can about end-oflife events. These topics can be difficult to discuss, but Lynn presents in a conversational style, encouraging questions and participation. Lynn’s philosophy is the more you learn now, the more prepared your family will be later.

Jim McKinney

Jim McKinney holds a BBA Western Michigan University, Human Resources Management and has served in professional management positions in the areas of computer consulting, compensation administration, Human Resources, and as a Chief Financial Officer. Twenty years ago, I decided to trade in my three-piece suits for blue jeans and mechanical and electrical tools to provide affordable home improvement services to area residents. For eighteen years I have participated in and taught ballroom dancing. Raised two girls and one boy as a single parent.

Nancy Mollhagen

Nancy Mollhagen earned a BS/Teaching/Art degree and MA in 2D Art from WMU. She has 40 years of teaching experience from preschool through Seniors and is a practicing sculpture artist.

Charlie Olszewski

Charlie Olszewski, now retired, has spent 24 years in higher education as an Associate Professor CIS, Director Regional Cisco Networking Academy, and Department chair CIS/GRDN/OIS/BUSA. Charlie has spent 21 years in private secto with the Cleveland Advanced Manufacturing Program (consulting engineering firm) – Cleveland, OH; Ford Motor Company – Cleveland, OH; and the Industrial Metal Products Corporation (machine tool company) –Lansing, MI. His specialties include configuring sensors in manufacturing and business to business Internet connections.

Ginger Owen-Murakami

Ginger Owen-Murakami is a Professor of Photography at Western Michigan University’s Gwen Frostic School of Art. Owen-Murakami’s artwork derives imagery from narratives and themes of family history, race, gender, and culture. Her interdisciplinary practices include installation, sculpture, digital, traditional, and non-silver photographic processes. She has lectured, worked, and exhibited internationally.

James Pagliasotti

James Pagliasotti was the first rock & roll columnist for The Denver Post, where he covered music and the counterculture from 1968-74. He has written for Rolling Stone magazine and numerous other publications and is the author of three books.

Kara Ann Parker

Karika Ann Parker, Ph.D. MA is a recent graduate of the WMU Educational Leadership: Organizational Analysis program, College of Educational and Human Development. Dr. Parker is the current Community Fellow for the Kalamazoo Literacy Council. She is the former Director of Careers in Health and Medicine, Co-Director of Community and Global Health, Executive Director of the Heyl Science Scholarship Fund, and faculty member at Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, MI. Dr. Parker has an extensive background in community-based participatory research (CBPR) and the facilitation of developmental processes and structures for organizations in critical thinking, organizational assessment tools and analysis, policy development, board relations, and complex adaptive systems theory as a Certified TOPs master trainer and facilitator. She has provided coaching for educational and executive-level leaders on issues related to cultural sensitivity, equity and inclusion, institutional and structural racism, and implicit bias informed by complex adaptive systems leadership. Dr. Parker is a proud graduate of Kalamazoo Public Schools Adult Education. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Black Americana Studies, and a Master of Arts in History, both from WMU.

David Paul

David Paul has been teaching philosophy courses at WMU and elsewhere since 1994. His focus is biomedical ethics but he has a particular interest in existential philosophy. He is currently the chair of the philosophy department at WMU and continues to teach undergraduate courses.

Visit wmich.edu/olli to register. 24

Meet the Instructors Continued

Patricia Plasko

Patricia Plasko is a lifelong dancer and creative who holds a BFA from Western Michigan University in Dance, MFA from the University of Michigan in dance, is a cofounding member of Cori Terry/Wellspring Dance, a State of Michigan Certified K-12 Dance Educator for Education for the Arts 23 years, a Certified ERYT from Yoga Alliance, a Dance for Parkinson’s Educator, choreographer, costume designer, jewelry designer, and owner of Plasko Design on Etsy. In 2022, Ms. Plasko stepped into her newest dance career as a certified instructor for BeMoved®, a dance exercise program, continuing to share her passion for dance and the joy of moving for all bodies and abilities.

Kayle L Rice

Kayle Rice is a certified SoulCollage® Facilitator and previous co-instructor of the course on walking the labyrinth.

Randall Schau

Randy Schau has been a high school football referee for the past 14 years (and though recently retired from it, also refereed basketball for 33 years). Until his retirement, he was Kalamazoo’s Deputy City Attorney. He has also presented classes on Fascinating Facts about Birds, How the U.S. States Got Their Borders, the Story behind the Hit Television Shows of the 60s, the Rules of Basketball, and others.

Cybelle Shattuck

Dr. Cybelle T. Shattuck has a joint position in the WMU Institute of the Environment and Sustainability and the Department of Comparative Religion. She has a PhD in Natural Resources and Environment from the University of Michigan and an MA in Religious Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her book, Faith, Hope, and Sustainability: The Greening of US Faith Communities, explores the earth care activities of 15 congregations.

Robin Skitt

Robin Skitt retired after forty years of working in the corporate world. Her area of expertise was quantitative models and statistics. She worked for industry leaders like Procter & Gamble, Peabody Energy and Whirlpool. Her assignments touched almost every functional business area, including government relations. Robin’s passion is to help people learn to function well in the current and future environment. Her belief is that we must stop thinking of our environment as a collection of parts with minimal interaction. Many of the solutions put forth for today’s problems are simply looking at only a small part of the system involved. The subject of Complex Adaptive Systems

provides a much more accurate view of reality. Robin hopes to incentivize people to explore new paradigms, new metaphors, and new ways of viewing our world in order to make it safe today and sustainable for future generations.

Penola Stephens Presley

Penola Stephens Presley is a longtime resident of Kalamazoo. She is a former WMU Admissions Counselor and Director of Admissions at KVCC. She has a B.S. Degree in Sociology from Tuskegee (Institute) University, a M.A. Degree in Counseling and Personnel from WMU and is a recent graduate of Moody Theological Seminary—Chicago with a M.A. Degree in Biblical Studies.

Mark D Stucky

Mark Stucky has degrees in religious studies, pastoral ministry, and communications. After being a pastor, he moved into communications and was a technical and freelance communicator for three decades. He received over three dozen writing and publication awards. Among other subjects, he has previously led several classes on racism, including at FUMC. Mark believes in understanding other perspectives, protecting the vulnerable, and saving the world (or at least trying to).

Cheng Tao

Cheng Tao is a professor of education at Jiangsu Maritime Institute, Jiangsu, China and a Visiting Scholar at the Haenicke Institute for Global Education, Western Michigan University. Tao has more than 30 years of teaching experience. He joined Jiangsu Maritime Institute in September 2005 and has been teaching English, Tai Chi, and other subjects there ever since. Prior to that, Tao worked as an English teacher for grades 7-12 from September 1988 to July 2002 in Jiangsu, China. Along with his academic teaching, Tao has practiced Tai Chi for over 20 years and has taught different age groups. In 2019, Tao had the opportunity to teach Tai Chi at WMU. His instruction was well received. During the years of teaching, Tao received organizational recognition such as “Most Popular Teacher Award at Jiangsu Maritime Institute, June 2011”, “Outstanding Teacher Award, Jiangsu Maritime Institute, February 2014” and “Excellent Teacher Award, Jiangsu Maritime Institute, September 2017”. Tao’s wife is currently pursuing her Ph. D. degree at WMU, his two boys are attending elementary school in Kalamazoo, MI.

James Wigen

James’s primary focus is on private portfolio management & wealth management for individuals, businesses, and non-profits. He has been working in the financial services business since 1996, ran the training department for two international investment firms, and has been teaching non-credit investment classes since 1998 for universities, community colleges, and OLLI.

D. Terry Williams

Dr. D. Terry Williams is professor and chair emeritus of theatre at WMU. He has taught script analysis and theatre history for over 50 years and has directed almost 100 productions for university, community, and professional theatres. Dr. Williams is a founding member of OLLI at WMU and a current member of the Advisory Board.

James Wright

Jim Wright has master’s degrees from the University of Michigan and Northwestern and did advanced study at the University of Illinois. He taught Social Science, Humanities and Western Civilization for forty years at Triton College in Illinois. He is one course short (a practicum) of a degree in public administration. He realized he was not capable of working a set forty-hour week.

Graduate Students

Jamie Bienhoff

Jamie Bienhoff is a doctoral student and graduate instructor in the Department of English at Western Michigan University, where she teaches children’s literature, including a recent course on race, representation, and censorship in children’s texts.

Farhang Motallebiaraghi

Farhang Motallebi Araghi is a Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. student, working under Dr. Zachary Asher in the Energy Efficient & Autonomous Vehicles (EEAVs) Lab. He received his M.S in Automotive Engineering at Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST). His research interest is in vehicle automation and intelligent transportation infrastructure. He is currently focusing on developing technologies in optimization, control, and machine learning to improve energy efficiency and mobility for automated vehicles.

Hana Saaed

Hana Saeed is a doctoral student at WMU. She is interested in the theme of human immobility across various literary genres. She is particularly impressed by how different forms of literature can humanize refugees, while at the same time evoking a sense of compassion and sympathy in their readers.

Savannah Xaver

Savannah Xaver is a doctoral candidate at WMU specializing in Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Savannah’s dissertation focuses on gendered slurs and insults on the Renaissance stage and she is always happy to talk about it!

Visit wmich.edu/olli to register. 26

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute 1903 W Michigan Ave Kalamazoo MI 49008-5263