New event series explores, 'What is a life well lived?'
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Three local organizations are launching an event series this fall encouraging residents to engage with the question, “What is a life well lived?”
Across several months during the 2024-25 academic year, the series will offer a variety of opportunities, ranging from a documentary screening to a community conversation to dig into the topic. The first event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5, at 1 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Public Library’s downtown branch. Participants can register using this link: https://linktr.ee/kzoolwl
The organizations teaming up to coordinate this series are: the Kalamazoo Lyceum, Western Michigan University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI at WMU) and the University’s Center for the Study of Ethics in Society.
“Now more than ever, people are asking themselves the deepest of questions about our shared humanity,” said Matthew Miller, director of the Kalamazoo Lyceum. “As we face existential crises across the world, our own lives can seem so insignificant. Yet we know our lives are important, and living them fully is a goal we all share. We hope 'A Life Well Lived-Kalamazoo' will bring together people to explore this topic that connects us all.”
Next year marks significant anniversaries for each organization leading this series. The Kalamazoo Lyceum is celebrating its second anniversary, OLLI at WMU is celebrating its 10th and the Ethics Center is celebrating its 40th.
Although all three run different programming efforts, their collective vision to build deeper human connection and answer life’s biggest questions has brought them together. Through 2025, "A Life Well Lived-Kalamazoo" will host several connected events in the Kalamazoo area, each hoping to inspire a dialogue around living a purposeful and full life.
"There is a long tradition in the study of ethics to reflect on ways in which we can become better people and develop better communities by living lives of virtue,” said Dr. Sandra Borden, director of WMU’s Ethics Center. “The events we have planned for the coming months as part of 'A Life Well Lived-Kalamazoo' will challenge us to think about what is genuinely good for us in our relationships, our work and our life projects. We know the Kalamazoo area has so much to offer in helping us show the way towards a life well lived for all.”
The event series will seek to engage residents in a variety of ways in an effort to uncover the depth and breadth of wisdom our community holds. Ultimately, the hope is for the programs to inspire more intergenerational relationships, a stronger sense of community and a shared hopeful vision for the future. The tentative program offering includes:
- Documentary film screening
- Book club
- Community photovoice course
- Community conversation and intergenerational dialogue
- National guest speaker appearance
“The wisdom and vision held by our youngest and oldest generations is critical to helping us build a better Kalamazoo and world. We look forward to hearing those voices and more during this series,” said Dr. Toni Woolfork-Barnes, director of the WMU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Please RSVP for events.
Attendees are encouraged to support Western Michigan University’s Essential Needs office, which helps WMU students with unmet basic needs. There will be bins at all A Life Well Lived - Kalamazoo events to donate personal care items, such as toothpaste, shampoo and menstrual hygiene products. Find more information on Essential Needs.
About the Kalamazoo Lyceum
A tradition that spans back over 100 years, the Kalamazoo Lyceum hosts panels and community conversations on art, history, philosophy, and community life featuring local and regional experts with profound insight into the subjects at hand. Each event includes food, drinks, and opportunities for attendees to engage with other members of their community in meaningful conversation.
About the Center for the Study of Ethics in Society
Founded in 1985, the Western Michigan University Center for the Study of Ethics in Society creates interdisciplinary opportunities for the University and Community to engage in public reflection about ethical issues. It offers lectures, book clubs, conferences, podcasts and other programming to encourage thoughtful exploration of moral questions.
About the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at WMU offers high quality non-credit programs for mature adults in the greater Kalamazoo community. This volunteer organization, with support from WMUx, works with WMU emeriti, faculty and staff to offer courses, events and trips year-round. OLLI at WMU is proud to have created a community of lifelong learners in Kalamazoo.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.