All Life is Learning - May 2024
Director's Note
Director's Note
Giving Day 2024 has drawn to a close and, thanks to you all, our OLLI has had another successful year! Due to your generosity, our operating and scholarship funds raised over $4,400 from almost 70 donors! This represents a 30% increase in donations and a 26% increase in donors compared to 2023. Plus, we rallied to win an extra $1,000 bonus during “Lunchtime Crunchtime” and we are still waiting for the last few challenge winners to be announced (fingers crossed we’ll score some additional bonus money!). Thank you again to everyone who participated—your support on Giving Day gives our lifelong learning community the ability to continue growing and thriving in the year ahead!
Also, we are proud of the amazing array of courses that were offered this past semester. Thank you to our Curriculum Committee for establishing such a strong curriculum, every person who registered for a course, those who participated in our Bring a Friend program, and our wonderful volunteer instructors who helped make this a very successful semester!
Please enjoy perusing a selection of the pictures we took during this semester’s courses below:
Curriculum
Bring A Friend
If you plan to take a course this semester that isn’t full, consider participating in our Bring a Friend program, which allows you to invite those who are curious about lifelong learning to sit in on a course with you for free! This is a great way to introduce your friends and family to OLLI and encourage them to join. You must contact the office beforehand to let us know that you will be bringing a friend so we can know who our guests are.
Course Spotlight
Collective awareness about attempts by the United States government in previous decades to force America’s indigenous people to give up their lands and their cultures for the benefit of the European settlers who operated under the concept of eminent domain is growing, and OLLI and Western Michigan University are both doing their part to educate our community about this shameful chapter of our country’s history.
OLLI’s “Land Acknowledgement” class on April 8 was sold out. A week later, WMU’s College of Health and Human Services hosted “Truth & Healing,” an awareness-raising event that featured a panel of Native Americans who talked about the experiences they endured while trapped in federally funded boarding schools that operated in the United States from 1879 until the 1980s.
On May 30, OLLI will host “The Truth about Indian Boarding Schools.” This class will feature a conversation with four Native American survivors of the Holy Childhood of Jesus boarding school that operated in Harbor Springs, Michigan, from 1884 to 1983. These panelists will share the heartbreaking truth about their childhood experiences at that institution; attempts by school administrators and teachers to force their assimilation into European-centric culture; and the innate resilience of Native Americans that empowered them to preserve, protect, and deeply cherish their cultural traditions despite repeated attempts to destroy them.
Summer Course Registration
Get excited—summer course registration will open on May 15, 2024! Below are some at-a-glance facts about the upcoming semester we would like to share:
What Members Are Saying...
The success of OLLI’s courses is due to our wonderful volunteer instructors—and it shows! See some of the comments shared by our members about their experiences below.
Land Acknowledgement with Leeanne Seaver and the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi:
“Well-prepared participants sharing their work to raise awareness of the indigenous people and their lives. I am thankful for this opportunity to hear directly from them. I am deeply touched by their willingness to share their time and their culture with us.”
“It was wonderful to meet at the tribal community center and to hear from members of the tribes. I found it especially valuable to hear directly from tribal members on this issue and to also have young people answering our questions. The tribal members went to so much extra effort, giving us gifts and making wonderful food for us. I am so encouraged to hear about all that is being done to educate members about how to eat a more healthy diet and extend that to growing and producing their own food. This was an especially meaningful OLLI class.”
To the right is the book, “Gbaton Neshnábé - Cook Something Neshnábé: How to Decolonize Your Pantry and Diet,” by author Jody Gzhadawsot Mattena, that was referenced as part of the presentation. It includes wonderful indigenous recipes.
How Trustworthy are your Eyes? with Sam Strine:
“Very interactive and instructor provided us useful information and fun visual challenges to our brains. I also liked learning that the criminal justice system is relying less on visual witnesses at crime scenes.”
“The instructor kept the class atmosphere lighthearted, which was good, because I am not comfortable with the fact that my memory is not as good as it used to be.”
A Woman’s Place is Under the Dome with Valerie Marvin:
“The speaker was very knowledgeable about the subject matter and very enthusiastic about it. I was very impressed that she could give a four-hour long course without using any notes. Good job on her part, and she kept our attention the whole time.”
The Next Frontier of Combustion with Giselle Rajabikhorasani:
“Instructor's resources and research into this topic are exemplary—she was very receptive to our questions and provided superb handouts which will be useful, especially for those of us who weren't at all familiar with this topic! It was FUN!”
Introduction to Phenomenology with McGwire Hidden:
“McGuire is an excellent teacher. Students were intellectually challenged and kept engaged. Close reading of text, great questions, and discussions. I love to watch McGuire’s mind work and love how he gets my mind working in his classes. He is passionate and smart. I feel very lucky and grateful to have had him as a teacher and would take any class that he taught.”
Events
Save the Date: Two Exciting OLLI Events!
Join us for double the fun—Good Times with OLLI! Mark your calendars for June 20 and September 19, both from 1 to 3 p.m., as we host two more delightful gatherings at Milestone Senior Services. Whether you're a seasoned member or new to our lifelong learning community, bring along your non-member friends for an afternoon filled with camaraderie, refreshments, and games. It's the perfect opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make new memories together!
But wait, there's more! Our Events Committee is hard at work planning a lineup of fantastic activities throughout the months ahead. Get ready to tantalize your intellectual taste buds at Taste of OLLI in August, join us for OLLI Cares: Fill a Trunk in October, and mark your calendars for our much-anticipated Annual Membership Meeting in November.
You definitely don’t want to miss out on these exciting events—get ready to immerse yourself in our vibrant OLLI community this year and stay tuned for more updates in the coming months!
Membership & Marketing
Join OLLI or renew your membership now to get ready for another exciting year of travel, learning, and fun! The good news is that if you join or renew after May 1, 2024, your membership will not end until June 30, 2025. What a deal! Let's make OLLI at WMU bloom this spring with new and renewed friendships, interesting courses, exciting trips, and special events. In the spirit of "blooming," we look forward to welcoming our beautiful "perennial" members and those who are experiencing "new growth" during this time of renewal. Just click here to quickly find the membership form and payment information.
Osher Online
Spring 2024 Community Event—Putin’s Russia: Two Years into the War
We are delighted to share that Osher Online will be hosting another virtual community event on Wednesday, May 8! Delivered in a webinar format, these community events are free and available to OLLI members nationwide, even if they are not enrolled in an Osher Online course. What an excellent way to forge connections with fellow lifelong learners all across the country! Read the flyer to learn more about this unique community event; registration information can be found by clicking here.
Volunteering
The OLLI Staff would like to express our thanks and gratitude for all that our wonderful volunteers do, so we are planning a special Volunteer Appreciation End-of-Year Open House! Volunteers should have received an email invitation; if you didn’t receive an email invitation, please call the OLLI office at (269) 387-4157.
Did you know that 30% of OLLI members volunteer for OLLI?
Volunteer opportunities abound within our lifelong learning community, but this month the focus is on the Curriculum Committee. Are you interested in developing unique, dynamic courses that will appeal to your fellow OLLI members? Do you enjoy engaging productively with other bright, enthusiastic lifelong learners? A robust curriculum is OLLI’s greatest asset, and building that curriculum is crucial to our success and is a key volunteer pursuit.
Curriculum Committee volunteers build on ideas suggested by OLLI members, brainstorm potential course topics and instructors, reach out to prospective instructors to encourage them to teach, and explore community news and events to identify content experts. Some members contribute their local networking connections, subject expertise, or relevant experiences to the committee. Others bring creative ideas, planning skills, or an enthusiasm for making new connections. The Curriculum Committee benefits from the varied backgrounds and perspectives of its members, who take pride in producing a diverse and stimulating roster of courses each semester.
Currently, the Curriculum Committee meets on a monthly basis. If you are interested in joining this important team of volunteers, please call (269) 387-4157 or email Shannon.Huneryager@wmich.edu.
Wellness Moment
Bigtime Success Story
Tyler Norman, Ph.D.
Manager of Corporate Outreach
ACSM Exercise Physiologist
NCFI Corporate Fitness Specialist
West Hills Athletic Club, WMU
Full disclosure—Dr. Jim Springstead is in his mid-40s, younger than the average reader here—but this is too good not to publish! Jim is a Professor of Engineering at WMU and the winner of our recent weight loss challenge. His story is more than applicable to our OLLI readers because we have had countless retiree-aged individuals experience similar results by applying some of the many exercise and nutrition principles that have been discussed in previous newsletters, sometimes ad-nauseum. Our own Regina Buckner went through the program in her 70s and lost 40 inches in circumference measurements, all while gaining muscular strength, functional capacity, flexibility, and balance! Our Biometrics program was at the nucleus of Jim’s success, which combines a customized meal plan with strength training. His meal plan is designed by a dietitian and focuses on the use of normal food in the correct portions and frequency for Jim. I have discussed how the frequency of eating is a great way to create a caloric deficit and stimulate the body’s metabolism, making it a more efficient calorie-burning machine. With Olivia Green and Dre Ballines as his primary trainers, Jim’s workouts were specific to his fitness levels, and he largely used strength training to protect and even increase his muscle mass, adding a supercharged effect to his metabolism. The pictures tell the tale, but Jim lost 46 lbs. of fat and 29 inches in circumference measurements, all while gaining 4 lbs. of muscle, in just 10 weeks! Jim’s numbers prove once again that strength training will NOT make you bigger. Jim was also thrilled to see that his lifestyle change has had a positive influence on his kids. They are more active than ever and are not even interested in video games now—can you believe it?! I think you will agree that he is much leaner (and a lot lighter) than he was before the strength training.
Congratulations to Jim and to all the other participants that also had incredible results, including his wife, Emily. Hear Jim’s testimony about his transformation firsthand by watching this video clip.
Community Connections
Adult Wellness Programs
Have you heard about WMU’s Adult Wellness Programs and the low-cost care options they provide for seniors in Kalamazoo County?
Jillian Frazer, Senior Marketing Specialist of the Unified Clinics at WMU, writes:
“The Center for Disability Services and Adult Wellness Programs has Kalamazoo Senior Millage funding available for scholarships to attend their community-based day program for older adults. WMU Senior Day Services is an accredited adult day program designed to serve individuals 65+ with cognitive or functional impairments that need special assistance or supervision during the day. Their approach to adult day programming is a combination of social interaction and rehabilitative activities that encourage using the individuals’ strengths to improve health. Daily activities and services are planned to meet the social, sensory, cognitive, and health needs of their participants residing in Kalamazoo County.”
A Moment of Reflection...
Gmorning, Gnight!
little pep talks for me & you
A poem by Lin-Manuel Miranda (2018)
Gmorning.
Your worst fears about yourself only need a drop of
attention and sunlight to grow quick and wreck your
whole ****.
Clear away those weeds.
Take time to harvest your strengths and your joys.
Water and sunlight to the best in you.
Gnight.
Doubts may grow as shadows loom,
when you're alone with your thoughts.
Plant music, art, pics of the ones you love
in the darkest corners.
Harvest the fruits of your daydreams and rest.
Water and sunlight to the best in you.
-Shared by OLLI member Marge Bullock
Kalamazoo Literacy Council
2024 marks a significant milestone for the Kalamazoo Literacy Council as we celebrate our 50th anniversary! For half a century, the KLC has been a pillar of support and empowerment in our community, transforming lives through the power of improving literacy skills and fostering a love for learning has had a profound impact on countless individuals. From adults looking to improve their basic reading and writing skills to those hoping to master a new language, our programs have opened new doors to opportunity and growth.
As we honor the legacy of the KLC, we invite OLLI members to join us in supporting our vision of a fully literate community. Whether through volunteering your time, donating resources, or spreading awareness, your helping hands can make a difference in the lives of those seeking to enhance their literacy skills. We are also excited to extend an invitation for OLLI members to join the KLC's annual meeting on May 30, 2024. This special event will not only celebrate the organization's 50 years of service but also provide an opportunity to connect with fellow supporters and learn more about our ongoing initiatives.
In addition, we are calling on all members of our community to share their memories and stories of past involvement with the KLC. Whether you were a volunteer, a learner, or a supporter, your experiences are a testament to the impact of literacy on individuals and communities. By sharing your stories, you can inspire others to get involved and continue the mission of the Kalamazoo Literacy Council for years to come. Together, let us celebrate the past, embrace the present, and build a brighter future through literacy. Join us in honoring the Kalamazoo Literacy Council's 50th anniversary and making a difference in the lives of those around us!
To submit any of the above content or learn more, please contact Kito at (269) 382-0490 ext. 211 or kjumanne-marshall@kalamazooliteracy.org.
Congratulations to Jim and to all the other participants that also had incredible results, including his wife, Emily. Hear Jim’s testimony about his transformation firsthand by watching this video clip.
What is the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute?
The program was initiated under the auspices of the WMU Emeriti Council and WMUx. 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 WMUx.
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.