MSU Wonderlust - Fall 2020 updates

“These programs have been great! Thank you for the opportunity. "

-Online Course Participant, Montana Faces and Places

What Will This Semester Look Like?

We hope you have been enjoying the many gifts of summer! Between local excursions and virtual meetings, our staff and volunteers have been busy lining up our Fall programming and have begun planning the 2021 Winter/Spring semester. We look forward to enjoying the fruits of our labor this semester, with a fantastic line up of programming, by and for Wonderlust members.

Let's start with a semester reminder: ALL Fall 2020 Wonderlust programs will be offered online (live and recorded). This means, as a MSU Wonderlust member, you can register for programs and have the following options:

Attending programs LIVE ONLINE at the day/time indicated, and interacting with your peers and instructor; or

Viewing program recording(s) when and wherever you choose, at your leisure.

One-hundred percent of our survey and evaluation respondents said they would choose online learning if there were no other safe options. This speaks to the dedication of our 600+ lifelong learning members! We also understand learning online may be new for some of you and we are here to make this semester an inviting, health-filled and engaging learning environment for everyone.

Below are some steps we have taken to help make this semester's online learning a positive, rich and rewarding experience:

Free tutorials will be offered for learning online via Webex. Join us to gain comfort and confidence navigating the online learning environment and take advantage of this semester’s fantastic programming.

"How-To" resources for online learning will soon be available on our website, including step-by-step handouts and links for how to log-in and navigate the Webex online learning and events platform.

Virtual Ambassadors will help connect instructors and students, and maintain an engaging online learning environment within each class and lecture.

New online registration look. Once again, we listened to your feedback and have made changes to improve both the website and registration experience. We hope you enjoy some of the new features.

Apply your MSU-WL account credit* to renew your individual 2020/21 annual membership, provide a gift membership and/or pay for your Fall 2020 program registration.*If you were in a Spring20 Course that was cancelled, you may have a credit. Call our office to assist with this transaction 994-6550.

Your annual individual membership and program fees provide critical support for our program underwriting and daily operations during these difficult times. Each membership also helps us meet our goal to qualify for a $1 million endowment gift from the Bernard Osher Foundation. We ask you to consider renewing or becoming a member in support of lifelong learning. We truly appreciate your flexibility and good will and look forward to seeing you in a Wonderlust program this fall.

In Gratitude,

Bobbi J Geise, Director

Volunteer Spotlight

by Charlene Krygier

Two names that are synonymous with the origins of Wonderlust are Dick Young and Stephen Guggenheim.

Dick remembers a dinner party 18 years ago at which Sally Maison broached the idea for a learning option here in Bozeman that would benefit older people. He embraced the concept and joined the original Board, and chaired Friday Forums and the Side Trips committees.

Stephen is the former director of MSU's WWAMI Prorgram, the medical school program in partnership with University of Washington. He was also involved with the MSU Honors Program (now the Honors College) and the Music Department and as he says he knew “people who would be good at teaching” for Wonderlust. Stephen credits his wife, Amanda Cater, with cooking up the name Wonderlust. Stephen created the first four courses for the new organization. He served as its first treasurer and arranged with the MSU Foundation to handle surplus funds.

Both Dick and Stephen assisted in overcoming the hurdles of establishing an all

volunteer management structure. The growth of Wonderlust, which is now part of MSU and is becoming an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, pleases both men who are dedicated to lifelong learning. Data suggest that it may prolong mental functioning. Dick adds, “There is also the plain joy of learning and expanding our horizons after retirement.”

Both men have high hopes for the future of Wonderlust which may include offering online open classes. This outreach could be a path to reaching rural Montanans and sharing the accurate information and thoughtful discussions that are the centerpiece of this organization that these two men so successfully helped create.

Dick and Stephen, our community thanks you for your vision and leadership over the years!

Fall 2020 Registration Opens August 24th

As mentioned in the letter above, this semester's programming will be offered live online. Our mailer and online registration will be available August 24th. In light of the many uncertainties this season, we have created a new abridged mailer of program listings. Full descriptions, instructor biographies and any unforeseen program changes will be posted on the website. Announcements and updates will be posted in this e-newsletter publication.

Our presenters and instructors look forward to engaging in lively discussions with you this Fall semester! We're also happy about the unexpected bonus this semester- anyone can learn anywhere! With a computer or tablet you can participate in Fall2020 Wonderlust programs live online or enjoy recordings at your leisure.

Online or mail in registration is strongly encouraged. Visit: www.montana.edu/wonderlust/offerings.

Fall Convocation

MSU will host a live-streamed 2020 Convocation featuring bestselling author and alumna Sarah Vowell. Students, staff, faculty and the public can watch the traditional annual event, which serves as the University’s formal welcome to its incoming class, on Thursday, August 27 at 7:30 p.m. at montana.edu/convocation.

COVID-19 Updates and Resources

MSU-related updates on MSU COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Know the facts about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME): Read more about IHME and the daily COVID-19 projection updates.

MSU Wonderlust, a program of MSU Academic Technology and Outreach, provides intellectually stimulating and enjoyable programs that foster lifelong learning and community engagement for individuals 50 and greater. There are no tests, no grades and no papers. MSU Wonderlust offers learning opportunities for the pure joy of learning. Become a member or consider teaching for us.