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Wonderings
A publication of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at MSU


“It was so informative and Duke was a wonderful, engaging speaker.

Please offer this tour again!”

-Participant, MSU Underground Tour

Jessica's Note:

Catching up with OLLI


Thank you to those who joined us to kick off the semester in style at the OLLI Spring Semester Reception. It was delightful to greet new members and catch up with returning members. This year, we are so happy to welcome back many former members returning after years away from OLLI!


This past weekend, OLLI members explored the MSU Underground tunnels (postponed from Fall 2022). Our guide, Duke Elliot, shared history, anecdotes and facts about the innerworkings of the fascinating steam tunnels. As always, your thoughtful questions made each tour something truly special as we explored the tunnels. I may say this every time I have the opportunity to assist during a new OLLI program, but I think the MSU Underground tour is my new favorite.


Which upcoming program do you find most exciting? Is there a program you would like OLLI at MSU to offer? I would love to hear from you!


Jessica Alvarez

Program Coordinator, OLLI at MSU

February Friday Forum

How Is the Gallatin Behavioral Health Coalition Helping Solve Our Behavioral Health Issues?


Kirsten Smith, coordinator for the Gallatin Behavioral Health Coalition, will discuss the coalition's goals and successes in addressing our community's behavioral health issues. She will also describe what the coalition hopes to achieve moving forward.


The Gallatin Behavioral Health Coalition works to address the Gallatin Valley's ongoing behavioral health needs and concerns for families, healthcare workers and emergency response professionals. The coalition's mission is to enhance and implement an appropriate system of prevention, intervention, treatment and rehabilitation for community members so that every person receives the right service in the right place every time.


Click or tap here to learn more or register for the February Friday Forum. Participants must register no later than 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 10. Upon registration confirmation, participants will receive an email with the Zoom link and instructions to join the program.


Friday Forum offers presentations and lively discussions on local and regional timely topics. Friday Forum is free and open to the public.

Spring 2023 Offerings

Click program titles below for more information

Courses Beginning in January

Click or tap the titles below for more information and to register


Jane Austen's Literary Landscapes with Marvin Lansverk. Mondays, January 23-February 27, 10:00 a.m.-noon. Hope Lutheran Church.


The Perplexing Law of Privacy in the United States with Susan Dana. Tuesdays, January 24-February 14, 10:00 a.m.-noon. Choose one: face-to-face at Hope Lutheran Church OR online with pre-recorded, self-paced sessions.


An American Portrait: Part 1, 1607-1877 with Derek Strahn. Thursdays, January 26-March 2, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Hope Lutheran Church.

January Speaker Series (formerly Side Trips)

Click or tap the titles below for more information and to register


The National Wildlife Refuge System and Red Rock Lakes Refuge with Cortez Rohr. January 23, 3:00-5:00 p.m. Museum of the Rockies.


Livingston Coal Field and Little-Known Yellowstone Park Railway with Robert Schalla. January 30, 3:00-5:00 p.m. Museum of the Rockies.

January and February Community Partnership Events

Click or tap the titles below for more information and to register


Bread, War and Memory with Mary Murphy. February 2, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Belgrade Community Library.


Russia and Ukraine: Past and Present with James Meyer. February 9, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Belgrade Community Library. Currently full, waitlist available.

January and February Preludes and Performances

Click or tap the titles below for more information and to register


Into the Woods with Kyle Naig and Josh Shaw. January 28, noon-1:30 p.m. The Ellen Theatre.


Mystery of the Maestro with Norman Huynh. February 8, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Montana State University Alumni Foundation Great Room.


The Making of Mermaid: Setting the Stage with Montana Ballet Company. February 16, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Willson Auditorium.

OLLI Tips and Tricks


Did you know.... 



When you register for the member-exclusive Speaker Series and publicly available OLLI programs such as Community Events and Preludes and Performances, you'll receive an event reminder and important notifications of any program changes. While scheduling conflicts or late cancellations are rare, no one wants to find out a presentation was moved by reading a sign on the door! This also allows us to provide more accurate enrollment reports to our Council and supporters.


Please register for all free Speaker Series presentations and other free member programs. 


One of many OLLI at MSU member perks is to invite a guest to one Speaker Series presentation per semester. We ask you to please introduce your guest to the OLLI volunteer program ambassador and staff so they can help welcome them to the program. We hope your guest will consider joining as an OLLI member! 

Learning Opportunities for Everyone


We strive to keep member participation affordable so everyone 50 years of age and better can engage with us in lifelong learning. We also understand that program or event fees can sometimes be prohibitive. Therefore, OLLI at MSU offers financial assistance for both tuition and membership.


We encourage you to apply for membership or program tuition assistance as needed and encourage your neighbor or friend to do the same. Our application is quick and easy. Click or tap here to view more information or apply for financial assistance.

January Reads

Click or tap the titles below for more information and to register



OLLI at MSU offers three book discussion groups. We are sharing the below titles to allow you time to enjoy a good cozy read and join in the discussions!

Open and Shut

David Rosenfelt

February 2,

12:00-1:00 p.m.

Online via Zoom

Midnight in Chernobyl

Adam Higginbotham

February 20,

1:00-2:30 p.m.

Online via Zoom

Independent People

Halldór Laxness

February 6,

3:00-5:00 p.m.

Face-to-face

Pilgrim Congregational

Would You Like More OLLI?

Follow the OLLI at MSU Facebook page for program updates and reminders, news, and technology tips. The best time to follow is now.
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We hope you enjoy the selection on items we have chosen for this edition. Everything in this email will be archived on the Newsletter Archive page of our website.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at MSU, formerly MSU Wonderlust, is a program of MSU Academic Technology and Outreach. OLLI at MSU 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. OLLI at MSU offers opportunities for the pure joy of learning. Become a member, support lifelong learning, consider teaching for OLLI at MSU. Contact the OLLI office by phone at 406-994-6550.