Director's Note
OLLI at WMU has a new Home!
Effective January 1, 2026, OLLI at WMU now reports to the Vice President for Government Relations and External Partnerships, Jeff Breneman. The OLLI Leadership Team and staff are energized by this transition and confident that it will elevate OLLI’s visibility on campus, throughout the community, and beyond.
This change also means the OLLI office will relocate to Walwood Hall off Oakland Drive. The new space offers more convenient parking, upgraded facilities, and the potential to host OLLI team meetings and social gatherings. Once the move is complete, we will share the updated address. Our phone number and email address are expected to remain the same.
In short, this transition positions OLLI for:
- A stronger voice and greater representation within WMU’s administration
- Expanded opportunities for collaborative programming for our members
- Increased support for fundraising and resource development
OLLI at WMU has a bright and promising future. We want—and need—our members to be part of this next chapter, because we move forward together.
Here’s to OLLI’s future shining even more brightly and advancing toward long-term sustainability.
Together in Learning,
Toni Woolfork-Barnes, Ed.D.
Director, Osher Lifelong Learning at WMU
Save the Date
We Talk!
We Talk! February 19, 2026: Balancing Collaboration and Innovation with National Security, A Two Panel Exploration: For more than a century, the United States and Western Michigan University have partnered with countries worldwide to welcome international students. Their presence strengthens political, cultural, and diplomatic ties, drives innovation, and supports the U.S. STEM and talent pipeline. International students also generate significant economic benefits at national, state, and local levels. However, immigration challenges are hindering recruitment and retention, and losing global talent poses national security risks. At the same time, educating international students in certain fields and granting access to specific research environments presents its own security considerations.
- Panel 1 will address the value of international education to the innovation economy and the risks of discouraging top global talent from studying and conducting research in the United States. Led by Dr. Rosemary Max, Associate Vice President of the Haenicke Institute for Global Education, this panel will include perspectives from WMU international students. Theresa Cardinal Brown, former Senior Advisor for Immigration and Border Policy and author of Bipartisan Efforts to Keep Talented International Students in the U.S. After Graduation, is confirmed. A representative from the National Science Foundation will also participate.
- Panel 2 will focus on national security concerns related to foreign actors using university access for espionage, intellectual property theft, and other risks. Given your expertise as Senior Investigator, Investigations and Oversight, Select Committee on China, we would be honored to have you serve as the interviewee, particularly to discuss the report Joint Institutes, Divided Loyalties and related committee findings. Jeff Breneman, WMU’s Vice President for Government Relations and External Partnerships, will serve as interviewer.
Launched in 2020, We Talk promotes free speech, free expression, viewpoint diversity, and constructive dialogue on difficult issues. WMU and We Talk were recently recognized by the Heterodox Academy with the national “Open Inquiry” award, highlighting our commitment to fostering open, respectful discussion.
In This Issue
Curriculum
Winter/Spring Semester 2026 Is Here
There is an incredible array of course offerings this winter/spring semester—and thanks to our continued partnership with the wonderful Osher Online program, the total OLLI offerings are robust as many of you are already aware.
Some of the courses have already filled. Where possible we will open additional seats if the instructor agrees that they can accept more students and the space can accommodate more students. If we find that we can register additional students, we will contact those on the waitlist to get you registered. Please do not just show up to a course without having registered. We want to ensure that we are adhering to the instructor’s request and that we can safely accommodate the space requirements, and to ensure that everyone who is registered has a seat in the course. So, if you were interested in a class that is closed, add your name to the waitlist, a seat may become available.
Thank you for your understanding and your assistance.
OLLI Shared Interest Groups
January Virtual Happy Hour A Success!
Six fun OLLI members brought their favorite beverage to the Happy Hour and conversed about how they got to the Kalamazoo area and more. We learned there is a wine club in the area, and that some of us have caregiving responsibilities for a family member.
The group decided to have happy hours once a month on the second Thursday, 4:00-5:30 p.m. The next meeting is February 12th, and the topic is favorite travel destinations.
More OLLI members are welcome to attend the happy hour. All you need to do is email the host, @email or sign up via SIG and Events on the OLLI website. An email will be sent to you a few days before with the Zoom link.
Cheers!
Events
January Thaw Rescheduled!
We looked over the survey results from November’s Annual meeting and have taken into consideration your comments. Many of you requested more opportunities for socializing on small scales, and we intend to offer some get-togethers in the coming year. If you have ideas for rent-free venues, let Sharon Wade or another committee member know: Valerie Denghel, Mary Doud, Connie Ferguson, Stephanie Grathwol, Joan Gray, Marylan Hightree, Irene Loczi-Belden, Joey Miller, Kelly O'Leary, Mary Roberts, Ginny Spenner, Katy Steadman, Sharon Wherry, or Shirley Wise.
In addition, you requested that the Taste of OLLI and the January Thaw precede registration so that you can meet the instructors ahead of time. We may be able to wrangle that for the Taste of OLLI, but unfortunately, we can’t reschedule the January Thaw beforehand since the office is on vacation. Keep filling out those surveys because we do discuss them in our Events meetings and make changes to accommodate your preferences.
Wellness Moment
Tech Neck and How to Fix it
Written by Tyler Norman, Ph.D.
Manager of Corporate Outreach
ACSM Exercise Physiologist
NCFI Corporate Fitness Specialist
West Hills Athletic Club, WMU
It’s official, we’ve got a term now that refers to physical problems caused by poor posture, caused by prolonged sessions of looking down at our phones or slouching at our computers. Tech Neck is associated with chronic pain in our back, neck, and shoulder areas, but also causes headaches, numbness in arms and hands, and limited range of motion. This is a set-up to discuss two of my favorite topics that also happen to fix Tech Neck, posture and strength training.
The old philosophy of stretching can actually be counterproductive for Tech Neck. By stretching the already overstretched muscles that connect the neck, shoulder blades, and upper back we are adding to the problem. The forward-thinking school of thought is to do the opposite, use strength training to tighten them back up. Strength training is simply resistance training that causes muscle fatigue after 6-10 repetitions. If you can do 12 or more repetitions, you’re improving your muscular endurance more than strength which is not the goal here.
As a personal trainer, 90% of form correction is posture correction. Maintaining good posture (I sense you sitting up straight as you read this) has a cascading effect on many areas of health and is now being used as an indicator for longevity (link below). People with good posture live longer! For retiree aged individuals, the importance of good posture is greater because of osteoporosis and age-related muscular disintegration (sarcopenia).
My wife has a job that requires her to be on her computer all day, which has caused her neck problems. Ergonomic chairs and taking scheduled breaks help, but without strength training, the pain still lingers. The fact is, strength training is ESSENTIAL for vitality and functionality as we age. Building strength causes an increase in bone density, which prevents osteoporosis and keeps our spine erect. You’re not too old, studies have shown that 20 years of sarcopenia can be recovered in six months of strength training. Strength training stimulates the metabolism, makes day to day activities easier, increases energy and sleep quality, reduces the risk of many forms of cancer, reduces the risk of a broken hip, helps manage stress and anxiety, and fixes Teck Neck to name a VERY few. I’m as guilty as anyone when it comes to spending too much time looking at screens, but luckily, I don’t have any neck or back pain because of it, because I lift weights 5 days a week. Happy February!
Community Connections
Kalamazoo Literacy Council
Kito Jumanne-Marshall - Marketing and Development Manager
Albert White - Bust Unveiling
Please join the Edison Resident Scholars, Kalamazoo Literacy Council, and Kalamazoo Public Library for an unveiling of a bust of Albert J. White, by local artist & sculptor James Palmore.
Friday, February 6, 2026
4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Kalamazoo Public Library - Van Deusen Rm.
315 S. Rose St.
This event is in honor of Black History Month and falls on White's birthday. White was an African-American builder who broke barriers in the late 19th and early 20th century to become a successful businessman responsible for some of Kalamazoo's iconic structures. WMU's Heritage Hall is home to a beautiful wall display honoring him, and Palmore created a portrait that hangs in the Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services building, which White also built.
Click here to learn more about his life and legacy.
Free Tax Help Available
Local Program Provides Assistance
Sam Grossman
Need help filing your 2025 federal and state income taxes? Volunteers with a local program can prepare and file tax returns free of charge.
Trained, IRS-certified volunteers with the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program meet with clients by appointment at six locations in greater Kalamazoo. Tax-Aide helps anyone, free of charge, with a focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate incomes. You don't need to be an AARP member to use the service.
Volunteer tax counselors will begin meeting with clients the first week of February and continue until April 15. To make an appointment, call your preferred site at the number listed. Appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Scheduling begins in early to mid-January.
| Location | Day of Service | Scheduling Number |
| Parchment Public Library | Monday | 269-343-7747 |
| Portage Zhang Senior Center | Tuesday | 269-329-4555 |
| Rivers Community Center, Three Rivers | Wednesday | 269-279-8083 |
| Church of God Family Worship Center, Comstock | Thursday | 269-359-0743 |
| Otsego District Library | Friday | 269-694-9690 |
| Disability Network, Kalamazoo | Friday | 269-359-0743 |
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program is the nation's largest free tax assistance and preparation service. Every year, from early February to mid-April, volunteers take appointments at over 3,600 locations around the country. Last year, Kalamazoo district volunteers completed 1,081 returns.
What is the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute?
The program was initiated under the auspices of the WMU Emeriti Council and EUP, but now currently resides within the office of Government Relations and External Partnerships. OLLI offers intellectually lively and culturally appealing learning experiences. We accomplish this by focusing on intellectual stimulation, personal growth, social engagement and enrichment. Read more
What do we do?
We offer short courses for one to four weeks. Sessions are usually two hours long. Travel programs are also a part of our offerings. There are no tests and no required homework, just exploring lots of interesting topics.
In the near future we will offer courses in different formats -- noon hour discussions, several sessions in one week, and more evening courses. OLLI courses and activities are developed and produced by its members with the support of the staff of Government Relations and External Partnerships.
We need your ideas for course topics and instructors. Let us know your suggestions. Call the OLLI office at (269) 387-4157 or send an email. The curriculum committee will review all suggestions.