A publication of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at MSU
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“Expert presenter doing an exceptional job of explaining an important and complicated topic.”
- Participant, Chronic Wasting Disease, Side Trip Lecture
“I am so appreciative that Wonderlust continues! Thank you."
- Online participant, Livingston, MT
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Ecological Insights From 70 Years of Greater Yellowstone Amphibian Studies
Todd Wilkinson to introduce this week's Snowmester program.
Todd Wilkinson has been a noted American journalist and author for thirty years, known foremost for his writing about the environment. With assignments taking him around the world, his work has appeared widely in publications ranging from National Geographic to the Christian Science Monitor. With a personal and professional understanding of the role amphibians can play in identifying the health of an environment, Wilkinson will provide a compelling introduction to this week's special Snowmester program.
Charles R. Peterson, professor of zoology at Idaho State University, and Andrew Ray, an aquatic ecologist with the National Park Service, will present and discuss one of the longest-running amphibian monitoring programs in the U.S. They will also share information on citizen science programs that help expand the knowledge of species across the greater Yellowstone area.
Day: December 10, 2020
Time: 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Free and open to the public
This program is a collaboration between the Montana Institute on Ecosystems, Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative, Greater Yellowstone Network - National Park Service, Idaho State University, Bozeman Public Library and OLLI at MSU.
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Dust off those notecards... Senior Pen Pals for local school children
Eighth graders at Bozeman's Anderson School are looking to turn off their screens, dust off the pen and paper, and engage with seniors in a pen pal exchange. We hope some of our OLLI at MSU members will participate in this fun and educational exchange.
Intergenerational pen pal participants will be asked to exchange written mail communications once a week through February. Writing prompts will be provided for students to help pen pals learn about each others lives. The project will continue for a minimum of two months, with the possibility of extending through the end of the school year based on participant engagement.
If you would like to participate, please contact Jennifer Wold, 8th grade teacher at Anderson School, at:
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Montana State Legislature 2021: Republicans in the Driver's Seat
On November 3, Republicans won election to every statewide office and increased their majorities in both houses of the Montana state legislature.
Montana State Senator JP Pomnichowski (D-33), who has served in the legislature since 2007, will discuss the 2021 legislative agenda-setting priorities, addressing COVID 19 protocols, dealing with recently approved ballot measures, hammering out a budget and more, along with providing an insider's insights about changes sure to come.
Date: Friday, December 11, 2020
Time: 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Free and open to the public
Registration required for log-in information.
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OLLI at MSU's Gift to You
Did you miss a class or presentation this semester? As you likely know, most OLLI at MSU programs were recorded this semester, providing added value to your lifelong learning investment. Though program recordings were set to expire at the end of this semester, we would like to offer you more time during and beyond the holidays to enjoy some of those presentations you may have registered for but missed viewing live.
As a holiday gift to you, and in appreciation for your membership renewal this year, all Fall 2020 semester recordings will remain on your OLLI at MSU member account page until the end of the Winter/Spring 2021 semester. We hope you enjoy the many informative and thought-provoking programs you registered for this semester. Happy Holidays!
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3 Ways to Ignite the Joy of Lifelong Learning
Looking for a gift idea for a special someone who seems to have everything they need? Consider the gift of learning!
Here's how you can ignite the joy of learning for family and friends this holiday season:
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Purchase an OLLI at MSU gift certificate or gift membership here for a curious learner in your life;
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Make a contribution here to OLLI at MSU, and support the continued development of lifelong learning programs that bring joy to you and others;
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Honor and share Doug Young's enthusiasm for lifelong learning with others. Contribute to the Doug Young Memorial Scholarship Fund, created to support student scholarships for participation in OLLI at MSU. Contributions in Doug's memory may be made online here or mailed to: MSUAF, Attn: Doug Young Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 172750, Bozeman, MT 59717.
Remember, this academic year affords anyone anywhere the opportunity to participate in OLLI at MSU's diverse lifelong learning courses, lecture series, special events, workshops and more: live online or live recorded.
Rodger in Iowa, Sara in New Hampshire, and Loren and Evelyn in Nevada are prime examples of OLLI at MSU members who continue engaging in lifelong learning from afar.
Learning new skills and engaging in challenging mental activities is known to help slow the rate of age-related cognitive decline in older adults.
Join your peers, engage your brain, give the gift of learning today!
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This Day in Montana History
(This column is back by popular demand, thanks to volunteer member support and engagement!)
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"December 7th, 1941, a date which will live in infamy.”
Many are likely familiar with this quote by FDR and his address to a joint session of Congress the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. But, what did it mean to Montanans?
Among the 2400+ killed, 14 were from Montana. Eighteen U.S. navy ships were destroyed or severely damaged that day, including the USS Helena. The attack on U.S. soil motivated 40,000 Montanans to enlist in the first year. Amazingly, by 1945, almost 10 percent of our state’s population had served in World War ll and 1,500 lost their lives.
Montana has a rich tradition of serving and supporting the military. Even today, Montana has the second most veterans per capita behind Alaska.
December is an important month to remember and honor those that have served and those that are currently serving our country.
Source: C-Span, KPAX, Task & Purpose
Image: Franklin D. Roosevelt checks medal awarded to Admiral Richard E. Byrd, Albany, New York. Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum
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Winter/Spring 2021 program offerings will be announced December 28, 2020.
Semester Reception: January 6, 2021 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Stay tuned for more information.
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Osher lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at MSU, formerly MSU Wonderlust, is a program of MSU Academic Technology and Outreach that 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 or consider teaching for us.
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