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Wonderings
A publication of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at MSU
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"This was by far the BEST speaker series talk I have ever attended - and plate tectonics is far from being anything I have studied. The speaker was the best teacher, the clearest, the most understandable. If I were back in college, I might have changed my major! Absolutely terrific.”
-Participant, Plate Techtonics: A Revolution in the Earth Sciences
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Get to know your locale!
At the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), learning goes beyond the classroom. You can explore the rich history, culture, and natural beauty of Montana and the Gallatin Valley in a wide range of OLLI programs. Whether new to the area or a longtime resident, OLLI offers engaging opportunities to deepen your understanding and connect with the community.
Our Speaker Series brings local experts and thought leaders to share insights on topics ranging from regional history to current issues shaping the Gallatin Valley. For a more in-depth exploration, our courses cover everything from Montana’s unique ecosystems to the stories of the people who shaped the region.
Friday Forums provide a space for timely discussions on community affairs, public policy, and other issues impacting Montana today. Additionally, our How It's Made programs offer tours and insights into local businesses, giving you experiences and new perspectives on the place we call home.
If you love traveling, meeting new people, and learning firsthand about a nearby community, consider joining us for Butte America: Exploring the Richest Hill on Earth. This unique travel opportunity has few spaces remaining, and time is running out!
Whether you attend a lecture, take a course, or join a community event, OLLI provides a welcoming environment to learn, grow, and engage with the world around you. Explore our upcoming programs and start your journey to discover more about Montana and the Gallatin Valley.
Stay curious!
Jessica Alvarez
OLLI at MSU Program Coordinator
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Community Partnership Events
In collaboration with Belgrade Community Library, in their new location!
Preventing Chronic Health Conditions Through Activity-Friendly Community Design with Jennifer MacFarlane. Thursday, April 17, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. As Gallatin County grows, thoughtful planning can help residents stay healthy. Jennifer MacFarlane, a research associate at Montana State University’s Western Transportation Institute, will discuss how walkable neighborhoods, biking infrastructure, and access to healthy food impact public health. She’ll share local health data, prevention efforts, and strategies for building a transportation system that supports well-being.
Autonomous Vehicles: A Technology Driven Industry with Logan Perrault. Thursday, May 1, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Engineers have pursued autonomous vehicles for nearly a century. Recent advances in machine learning and robotics have made them a reality. This talk explores the evolution of self-driving technology, from early experiments to today’s operational services. We'll break down how these systems work, the levels of autonomy, and the industry’s key players—automakers, regulators, and the public. We’ll also discuss the social and economic impacts, including safety, congestion, and the environment.
Land Snorkeling for Wildflowers … and More with Whitney Tilt. Thursday, May 15, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Land snorkeling is taking the time to savor aspects of nature as we wander through nature with no intention of hiking to a destination. The Gallatin Valley and its surroundings are a land accented by wildflowers-from diminutive orchids to plants that flower once every 60 years.
Arrive at each presentation early for refreshments at 5:30 p.m.
These community events are presented by the Belgrade Community Library in collaboration with OLLI at MSU and sponsored by the Belgrade Community Library Foundation. They are free and open to the public. Advance registration is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome.
Please note the Belgrade Community Library's NEW LOCATION: 205 E Main Street, adjacent to Lewis & Clark Park.
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Speaker Series Coming Soon
Montana PBS: Its History and Future with Aaron Pruitt. Monday, March 24, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Face-to-face at the Museum of the Rockies.
The Archie Bray Foundation and Ceramics in Montana with Joshua DeWeese. Monday, April 14, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Face-to-face at the Museum of the Rockies.
Muscles, Balance and Aging with Dawn Tarabochia. Monday, April 21, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Face-to-face at the Museum of the Rockies.
Speaker Series reminders:
The OLLI at MSU Speaker Series offers free presentations for current OLLI MSU members. Registration is required. Registering helps ensure there is ample seating available for our members. We invite you to use one of your complimentary Guest Passes when you bring a guest to a Speaker Series event. You may turn in your completed Guest Pass at the OLLI welcome table by the entrance to the Hager Auditorium. We truly appreciate you taking the time to register and put your Guest Passes to good use!
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Where I'm From
The OLLI Legacy Letter Writing Group started in April 2022 as a course offered by OLLI instructor and retired MSU faculty member Jill Davis. These members have continued to meet monthly, creating writings inspired by author George Ella Lyon. OLLI class participants' renditions of “Where I am From” will be featured monthly in our newsletter.
"Where I’m From"
By Margie Curry Jacobsen, OLLI at MSU member and Legacy Letter Writing program participant
I am from a Hereford cattle ranch.
from freedom, wonder, and life.
I am from peace, security, happiness, fresh air.
from sagebrush, prickly pair’s yellow flower, pointy thorns.
from sage, grey leaves, tiny purple buds, and aroma.
I am from Curry caution, I ‘shoulda, woulda, coulda’.
From dad Ralph, mom Marjorie, twin Marla.
I am from a caring, optimistic, prideful family.
Mom says you split the piece and she gets the first pick.
I am from nature and have faith in its fairness.
from science, observing, accepting.
I am from Ekalaka, Deadwood SD, Missouri, Scotland, Germany.
from beef, eggs, milk, choke cherries.
I am from Dad being drug with his foot in the stirrup through cactus,
from nurses; pulling out cactus, later encapsulated spines working out of his skin.
I am from brother Kim, 8 years younger, a map nerd, pointing out the Great Falls Airforce Base.
from Great Falls hospitals, Marla at Columbus, and I at Montana Deaconess,
first jobs, husbands, homes, children.
I am from Grandparents raising sheep, kids, spoiling grandchildren, and great icons.
from Aunt Lois, a second mother, playmate cousins, and family reunions.
From happiness, contentment, satisfaction.
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Wintery-Spring Season 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 read and join in the discussions! You may join any of the groups below for one, a few, or all of the sessions. OLLI membership and registration is required to participate in the book discussion groups.
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Campus Corner
Below are a few upcoming events offered on the Montana State University Bozeman campus that may interest our OLLI at MSU members. Click or tap titles and locations for more information. These events are not sponsored or produced by OLLI at MSU.
Robots as Caregivers: AI and Socially Assistive Robots for Care of Individuals with Dementia Tuesday, March 25, 3:15-4:30 p.m. Romney Hall 211. Dr. Dain LaRoche (Kinesiology, University of New Hampshire) will showcase his research on using AI to develop assistive robots/smart-home technology to preserve the autonomy of people living with dementia and reduce the burdens of caregivers. The talk will discuss the challenges of taking AI and robot technologies from bench to bedside. Topics include robot design and acceptance, automated planning, person tracking and activity recognition, and ethical dilemmas of privacy, autonomy, and decision-making for person-centered socially assistive technology design.
If It Feels Wrong, It Is Wrong: Local Help for Abuse, Assault and Manipulation in Relationships Tuesday, April 1, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Bozeman Public Library In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, join Academic Technology and Outreach for a series of presentations by community organizations about locally available support and resources for abuse, assault and manipulation in relationships. These presentations are free and open to the public; no advance registration is required. All presentations will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room at the Bozeman Public Library. At the April 1 presentation, learn more about Bozeman Health's Forensic Nursing Program, which provides medical assistance and support to those affected by sexual assault and abuse. The Forensic Nursing team is comprised of trained professionals who will be able to collect and safely process evidence necessary for sexual assault cases, as well as provide access to appropriate resources for those impacted.
Honors Presents: Michelle Flenniken-Honey Bee Viruses, Colony Health, and Antiviral Defense: Research Highlights from MSU Bee Lab Wednesday, April 2, 4:00-5:00 p.m. Jake Jabs Hall Room 103. Michelle Flenniken is a professor in the Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology Department at Montana State University (MSU). She is a virologist investigating honey bee host-pathogen interactions, co-director of the Pollinator Health Center at MSU, and serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of Project Apis m. Michelle received a B.S. in biology from the University of Iowa, then was a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana, before obtaining her Ph.D. in microbiology from Montana State University. Michelle Flenniken previously taught Genetics: An Introduction and Current Topics for OLLI at MSU.
Grand Opening of Belgrade Community Library Saturday, April 5, 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Belgrade Community Library Join us as we celebrate the grand opening of the Belgrade Community Library! The festivities begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and opening remarks, followed by the official opening of the library doors at 10:00 a.m. Enjoy a fun-filled day featuring live music by Dos Mayos (and WildArts in the youth section!), crafts and activities for all ages, library demonstrations, community guests, refreshments, games, and more! Food trucks Ms. Sippi’s Southern Cuisine and CC Gourmet Food Truck will be on site. Explore the new space, connect with neighbors, and celebrate Belgrade’s newest community space!
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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.
| | 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. | | Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at MSU 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, make a contribution and support OLLI MSU's lifelong learning programs, consider teaching for OLLI at MSU. Contact the OLLI office by phone at 406-994-6646. | | | | |
