Courses and Shared Interest Groups
Course Registration
Registration for Winter/Spring 2026 OLLI at WMU courses begins Wednesday, January 14 at 10 a.m.
To get started, you can browse the OLLI at WMU Digital Course Catalog below, or go directly to the course registration system.
Course fees:
$10 per session for members
$20 per session for non-members
January 14
Wednesday, 10 a.m.
Shared Interest Groups (SIGs)
Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) are a free benefit for all OLLI members, offering opportunities to connect with others who share a common interest. Because SIGs are member-driven, participants must be registered OLLI members before joining.
Explore our current SIGs below:
- Downsize or Declutter for the Life of Me
- EDISON: EDucation IS ON – Resident Scholars
- German Language
- Intro to Film
- Photography
- Play Pétanque Monday Mornings!
- Readers Theater Comes Alive
- Virtual Happy Hour
Want to start a new SIG? Complete this short form to get started.
Shared Interest Group Descriptions
Downsize or Declutter for the Life of Me
This monthly group tackles the emotional and practical sides of decluttering and downsizing—whether you’re clearing out a single drawer or preparing to move from a longtime home. Together, we explore questions to ask, where to donate items, how to get help, what works (and what doesn’t), and steps to take now. If you’re looking for support, motivation, and inspiration, join us as we embrace simpler living—one drawer at a time!
Leader: Niki Nimmo
Details: Meets monthly; Contact the OLLI office for details
EDISON: EDucation IS ON – Resident Scholars
The Edison Resident Scholars SIG engages OLLI members in the exploration, research, and discussion of the history, heritage, and culture of Kalamazoo’s largest and most diverse neighborhood: Edison. Too often defined by its challenges, Edison is also home to innovation, resilience, and community-driven change.
Viewing the neighborhood through a humanities lens, this group explores educational, historical, and cultural perspectives to better understand and support positive transformation. Monthly meetings are held in the evenings at Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan.
The Edison Resident Scholars represent the diversity of the neighborhood and are committed to community-based research, lifelong learning, and sustainable change. With varied educational backgrounds and deep roots in the neighborhood, members bring lived experience and leadership to their work as change-makers in Edison and beyond.
Leader: Edison Resident Scholars Team
Schedule: Monthly dates TBD, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan, 420 E. Alcott St.
German Language
Sprechen Sie Deutsch? If you’ve taken a German course with OLLI or elsewhere, lived in a German-speaking country, or simply have prior exposure to the language, this group is for you. Participants of varying experience levels are welcome to join in casual conversation and continued language exploration.
Leader: Gail Ledbetter
Schedule: Fridays, ongoing, 10 a.m. to noon
Location: Contact the OLLI office for details
Intro to Film
Love movies? This group partners with the Kalamazoo Film Society and Celebration Cinema in Portage to explore the art of filmmaking. Each month, participants attend a selected film screening, then gather for a lively discussion about its writing, cinematography, music, editing, and direction. We’ll also touch on film theory and its influence on today’s filmmakers.
Screenings are typically midweek matinees, scheduled one month in advance. Participants will receive details by email or phone as soon as they are available. While the SIG itself is free, attendees are responsible for the cost of movie tickets—Kalamazoo Film Society members receive a discounted rate.
Visit www.kalamazoofilmsociety.com to learn more about KFS.
Leader: Michael Marchak
Schedule: TBD (midweek matinees)
Location: Celebration Cinema, 6600 Ring Rd, Portage, 49024
Photography
Calling all photography enthusiasts—whether you're using a smartphone or DSLR! This group brings together OLLI members who enjoy capturing and sharing images. Participants exchange ideas, provide feedback on each other’s work, and learn techniques for taking, editing, organizing, and displaying photos. Come sharpen your skills and be inspired by others who share your passion.
Leaders: Gillian Stoltman and Carole Smith
Details: Contact Gillian Stoltman at gillianstoltman@gmail.com or Carole Smith at carolesmith@chartermi.net for information about meeting times, dates, or other information
Play Pétanque Monday Mornings!
Join us for a relaxing and social game of pétanque, played outdoors on gravel terrain in teams of two or three. The goal is to toss or roll steel boules as close as possible to a small wooden target ball, creating ever-changing strategies with each round. This group offers a chance to learn the rules, practice your skills, and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow players. Originating in France over a century ago, pétanque remains popular across Europe and is gaining momentum in communities across the U.S.
Leaders: Stanley Sackett and Martha Beverly
Schedule: Mondays, weekly (seasonal), 10 a.m. to noon
Location: KVCC, 6767 W O Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Readers Theater Comes Alive
Ready to meet great people and tap into your dramatic side? Join the OLLI Reader’s Theater. No experience? No problem! No memorization required—just show up, have fun, and bring scripts to life with your voice. Whether you're a natural performer or simply curious, this group is your chance to laugh, learn, and shine.
Leader: Mary VanDerMaas
Schedule: Wednesdays, ongoing, 1 to 3 p.m.
Location: Parkview Hills Clubhouse
Virtual Happy Hour
Virtual Happy Hour
Do you suffer from the winter doldrums and find yourself inside more than outside? Missing events and friends due to the weather being cold, gray and snowy?
You now have an antidote thanks to your OLLI at WMU membership! Join the new “Virtual Happy Hour” starting January 8th via Zoom. What’s a Virtual Happy Hour, you ask? It’s an online group of folks who bring their favorite beverage and discuss a pre-determined topic with each other or with a special guest. This Happy Hour is scheduled to last from January through March, either monthly or bi-monthly, to be decided by the group.
OLLI at WMU’s Virtual Happy Hour launches on Thursday, January 8th at 4:00 p.m. We expect it to last 1 to 1 and ½ hours depending on how many people are attending. Your host is Judy Sivak, Co-Chair of the Membership/Marketing Team. If you are interested in participating, you can sign up when you register for winter/spring classes or contact Judy directly at judysivak@gmail.com . You will then receive an email with the Zoom link 1-2 days prior to the scheduled Happy Hour. And remember, only OLLI at WMU members are eligible to participate, so if you know of a non-member who would enjoy this, encourage them to join.
Leader: Judy Sivak
Schedule: Monthly, Starting January 8th, 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Online via Zoom