"Mr. Strahn is a wonderful speaker. His knowledge is immense. I so appreciate his desire to share and engage the class with questions and comments."

-Participant, An American Portrait Part 2: Reconstruction to Present

Jessica's Note

Registration is now open!

Spring 2024 semester registration is open! You can view all the spring semester OLLI offerings on our website.

If you need to reset your password, please click or tap here to visit our password reset page.

We look forward to sharing this informative and engaging semester with you!

Jessica Alvarez

Program Coordinator, OLLI at MSU

You are invited to the OLLI at MSU Spring Semester Reception

The twice-annual OLLI at MSU semester reception brings together lifelong learners from around the Gallatin Valley and beyond. Come to this free community event to meet fellow lifelong learners. Bring a friend, and enjoy this informative social event. Refreshments and light appetizers are provided.

Learn about our upcoming programs, meet OLLI instructors, and enjoy a special video featuring presentations from our spring semester course instructors. There will also be information tables where you can meet instructors, committee volunteers, and instructors, ask questions, and learn about upcoming programs. Some programs fill quickly, so we strongly recommend that you register for programs using our secure website.

Click or tap here for more information about the OLLI at MSU Spring Semester Reception.

Call for Reception Volunteers on Tuesday, January 9

Did you know OLLI's free Spring Semester Reception is made possible thanks to a team of volunteers? It is also open to the public! The only prerequisite for volunteering at the reception is to enjoy lending a helping hand! We invite individuals to help set up, break down, serve beverages, and tidy the serving area. Volunteers also greet attendees at the door as they arrive and at the information tables. 

If you are available and interested in helping before, during, or after the reception, please email us by this Friday, January 5, at olli@montana.edu or reply to this email.

We will begin set up at 3:00 p.m. The reception runs from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. We will pack up beginning at 6:00 p.m.

OLLI at MSU Friday Forum: Report to the Stakeholders 

Gallatin County taxpayers will pay the first half of their property tax bills in early January, with many line items increasing. In May 2020, Bozeman residents approved the creation of a citywide Parks and Trails District that provides a dedicated funding source for maintaining and improving city parks and trails. In the November 2022 election, Gallatin County residents voted to support a levy of up to nine mills to fund operations and capital expenses for the Gallatin County Rest Home. In addition, a significant portion of funding for the Bozeman School District comes from mill levies that voters must approve.

Mitch Overton, Bozeman Parks and Recreation director, Darcel Vaughn, the Gallatin Rest Home administrator, and a Bozeman School District #7 representative will provide updates and perspectives on their taxpayer-supported programs and services. They will also discuss what special needs have been or need to be met in the future. 

This Friday Forum meets on January 12 from noon to 1:30 p.m. online via Zoom. Click or tap here for more information or to register directly through Zoom.

Participants must register by 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 12. Upon registration confirmation, participants will receive an email with the Zoom link and instructions to join the Friday Forum. Registration is required to receive the Zoom information.

Friday Forum offers presentations and community discussions on local and regional timely topics. OLLI at MSU Friday Forum is free and open to the public.

Click or tap here for past Friday Forum recordings on the OLLI at MSU Recordings page.

OLLI at MSU Programs Beginning Soon!

Register soon so you don't miss these early semester offerings!

• Osher Online Course: Made in America: The History, Mission, and Vision of the Public Library with Caroline Nappo. Wednesdays, January 10 - February 14, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Online via Zoom.
• Osher Online Course: Ruth Bader Ginsburg with Lauren Anderson. Thursdays, January 11 - February 15, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Online via Zoom.
• Osher Online Course: Nero Wolfe with Jeff Walker. Tuesdays, January 16 - February 20, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Online via Zoom.
• Community Event: Gallatin Women at War, at Home and Abroad with Rachel Phillips. January 18, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
• OLLI Extra: Demystify Music Notation: Hands-on, Intergenerational, Multi-level! with Clark Chaffee and Lori Rosolowsky. January 19, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and January 20, 12:30 - 4:00 p.m.
• Speaker Series: My Life in Winters: History of the Ski Industry with Mike Ewing. January 22, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
• Course: Reframing Rural: Rural Representations in the Media & Rural Issues in the West with Megan Torgerson. Wednesdays, January 24 -February 14, 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
• OLLI Extra: Attic Treasures: How to Easily Declutter Sentimental Stuff with Jamie Novak. Thursdays, January 25 - February 15, 10:00 a.m. - noon. Online via Zoom.

Learning Opportunities for Everyone - Feed Your Curiosity at a Price That Works for You!

We strive to keep member participation affordable so everyone 50 years of age and better can engage with us in lifelong learning. Therefore, OLLI at MSU offers financial assistance for both tuition and membership.

We are grateful to the family and friends of our late OLLI at MSU leader and consummate lifelong learner, Doug Young, for establishing the Doug Young Memorial Scholarship Fund.

We encourage you and your neighbors or friends to apply for membership or program tuition assistance as needed. Our application is quick and easy. Click or tap here to view more information or apply for financial assistance. Applications must be submitted prior to program registration.

January Reads



OLLI at MSU offers three member exclusive book discussion groups. We are sharing the below titles to allow you time to enjoy a good cozy autumn read and join in the discussions! You may join any of the groups below for one, a few, or all of the sessions.

OLLI Mystery Book Discussion Group

The Devotion of

Suspect X

Keigo Higashino

February 6,

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Online via Zoom

OLLI Non-Fiction Book Discussion Group

Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism

Anne Appelbaum

January 15,

1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Online via Zoom

OLLI at MSU Book Discussion Group

The Bone People

Keri Hulme

January 8,

3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Face-to-face

Hope Lutheran Church

We hope you enjoy the selection of items we have chosen for this edition. Everything in this email will be archived on the Newsletter Archive page of our website.