July 2023

A Message From the Director

Welcome back to another semester of Osher classes! The Fall 2023 catalog should arrive in your mailbox in the next few days. You are welcome to register for classes online as soon as you receive it, or on July 6. You also may register by calling Customer Services at (208) 426-1709. Please have your list of classes and payment method ready before calling. (Please note: There will be upcoming parking lot repairs at the Yanke building. If you are planning on dropping off your registration form, park on the west side of the lot the week of July 3 and the east side of the lot the week of July 10.)

A new pilot program, Fun Fridays at Osher: Popcorn and a Documentary, will be offered one Friday afternoon each month starting in August. A featured documentary, selected by Osher staff, will be shown, and refreshments will be available. This program is held in person only and offers an opportunity to remain after the documentary for conversations with other Osher attendees and staff. Fun Fridays at Osher is included with membership, but registration is required for each session.

This fall, the classroom will be open for in-person and livestream-only programs for those who prefer to view them on a large screen. We will not be playing recordings of any current fall semester programs.

Our Osher Open House is scheduled for Thursday, August 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and this year it is open to the public! Bring a friend who might be interested in joining Osher! Drop in to enjoy refreshments, mingle with friends, and pick up a new parking permit. Returning members, please keep your current orange Osher name badge for this next year. At 11:30 a.m., and again at 12:30 p.m., we will host a brief “All About Osher” session for those interested in learning more about the Osher Institute.

We hope you enjoy the rest of summer but can’t wait to see you again very soon!

Dana Thorp-Patterson

Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Member Spotlight: Chuck and Dianne Robertson

This month's spotlight shines on Osher members Chuck and Dianne Robertson.

Chuck and Dianne were founding members, along with several friends, of the Renaissance Institute, which was the predecessor to the Osher Institute at Boise State. Those early meetings occurred around their kitchen table in 2001. Currently, Chuck is a member of the Osher Advisory Board, and Dianne is an active Osher volunteer.

Dianne recalls numerous art, art history, and architecture courses as her most favorite Osher programs, while Chuck's favorites were the series of Chinese and Japanese history courses taught by Boise State's Dr. Shelton Woods.

Following retirement, Chuck and Dianne spent many winters in Indio, California, in the sun playing golf and enjoying friends. Currently, they enjoy time in McCall, family, friends, reading widely and, of course, their continued Osher involvement. They cherish the many friends in their “Osher family,” including Osher members, faculty, and staff.

Presenter Spotlight: Dr. Richard Bell

The Osher Institute is fortunate to have a wealth of talented presenters from all across the country. This month, we spotlight Dr. Richard Bell.

Dr. Bell earned his BA in History at the University of Cambridge and a PhD in American History from Harvard University. He is married to Dr. Monica Lewis, a teacher and novelist, and has two daughters, ages six and nine. The rest of his family is back in Britain. His dad is from a big Catholic family in Yorkshire, and his mom is Welsh. His wife’s family lives in Missouri.

Dr. Bell teaches all sorts of classes about early American history, and particularly enjoys teaching African American history and the history of the freedom struggle. He is also writing a book about the international dimensions of the American Revolution, so that topic has been on his mind a lot lately. He loves teaching for Osher because the participants are always smart and curious and excited to learn and ask questions.

Dr. Bell will be teaching two Osher programs this fall: The 1619 Project and Critical Race Theory and The Two Harriets: Beecher Stowe and Tubman. You can register for these programs starting July 6 by visiting the Log In/Register Online page, or by calling Customer Services at (208) 426-1709.

Fall Semester Welcome on July 24

Join us for a welcome orientation and preview of Osher programs and services for the Fall 2023 semester. We will provide information about new programs available to Osher members, new community partners of the Institute, and a sneak preview of programs with visits from new and returning presenters. The event is free, but registration is required to receive the Zoom link to attend.

Host: Dana Thorp-Patterson, Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Panel: Dr. Richard Bell, Dr. Ann Campbell, Dr. Reginald Jayne, Dr. Irving Lubliner, Ellie McKinnon, Dr. Del Parkinson, Dr. Thomas Weingartner, and Dr. Shelton Woods

Date and time: Monday, July 24, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

Cost: Included with membership

You may register for this event at the Log In/Register Online page, or by calling Customer Services at (208) 426-1709.

Osher Ad Campaigns

You may notice the Osher Institute popping up in a few different places this month!

The new issue of Boise Chamber Spotlight Magazine will feature a full-page Osher ad, so be sure to grab a copy and check it out.

Our Osher Poster Campaign is distributing posters to over 100 locations around the Treasure Valley. Osher members who find one can take a selfie with it, email the photo and location name to us at osher@boisestate.edu, and they will be entered into a drawing for a free one-year membership!

New SIG: Craft Beer Buds

Join Osher members for a monthly meetup at a Treasure Valley brewery to sample various local craft beers. There will be knowledgeable people on hand to introduce members to the world of craft beer and various styles of local beer to enjoy. Beer is at members' own expense, but the company, conversation, and discovery are included at no charge. Information on the brewery, address, and links will be provided in advance.

Facilitators: Steve Easley and Todd Fraser

Dates: Thu., Aug. 17, 31, Sep. 14, 28, Oct. 12, 26, Nov. 9, and Dec. 7

Times and locations: TBD

Cost: Included with membership

Capacity: 20

To register for this SIG, visit the Log In/Register Online page, or call Customer Services at (208) 426-1709.

Thank You, Virginia!

We would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to Virginia Rivers for her service on the Osher Advisory Board and as the Chair of Curriculum Track Three.

Virginia is also a well-regarded photographer and has shared her work with Osher, which was on display in the Osher office.

Independence Day Holiday

The Osher office will be closed for the Independence Day holiday

on Monday, July 3, and Tuesday, July 4.

We hope you enjoy the long weekend

and have a wonderful summer!

Our thanks for the continued support from our Community Sponsors and Partner:

The Osher Institute is a proud underwriter of

Boise State Public Radio.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Boise State University

Phone: (208) 426-OLLI (6554)

Email: osher@boisestate.edu

Website: boisestate.edu/osher

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Boise State University operates within the Division of Extended Studies. It is a membership-based, lifelong learning program offering non-credit, college-level programs designed for intellectually curious adults age 50 and over.

Support the Osher Institute here.

Osher Institute Advisory Board

Chair: Cindy Anson | Chair Elect: Bae Emilson | Tom Baerwald | Michael Bixby

Chuck Folkner | Bob Fontaine | Dennis Hall | Rod McLean | Sharon Moses

Rainey Pieters | Dr. Chuck Robertson | Diane Ronayne

Osher Institute Staff

Director: Dana Thorp-Patterson | Assistant Director: Laura Mehlhaff

Senior Communications Specialist: Jill Chmelko

Administrative Assistant II: Cherie Ellingson

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