"I wish I was in high school again because I was not interested in history then, and NOW your presentations are so mesmerizing I am actually LEARNING AGAIN!!"

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

Jessica's Note: An Ode to the OLLI at MSU Volunteers

I have said this before, and it remains true: our many successes are thanks to you.

Your zest for lifelong learning always inspires, and your tireless work serves minds that inquire.

We are always astounded by your continuing devotion,

and our love for you isn't a lake; it's an ocean.

Thank you, volunteers and committee members, for all your assistance this semester in planning, finding speakers and instructors, keeping courses running smoothly as ambassadors, presenting, introducing, and any number of one-off tasks like wrapping instructor gifts and assembling mailings. You make OLLI at MSU a joy for members, and we couldn't do it without you! 

Jessica Alvarez

Program Coordinator, OLLI at MSU

OLLI at MSU December Friday Forum Announced

New Directions: County and City Leaders Look Forward to 2024

U.S. Census data shows that Bozeman and Gallatin County are rapidly growing communities. With this growth come challenges and opportunities. Bozeman's mayor-elect, Terry Cunningham, Bozeman's deputy mayor-elect, Joey Morrison, and County commissioner, Jennifer Boyer, will discuss their vision for our community in 2024 and beyond.

This Friday Forum meets on December 8 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, December 8. 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

Celebrate the Season of Giving

I spent nearly 20 years raising money for causes I cared about, including families facing cancer diagnoses, connecting kids to nature, rehabilitating injured raptors, and protecting Montana’s natural wonders. The causes varied. The reasons why I supported these efforts remain consistent. I care and want to make a difference. I want to support a cause or effort greater than myself. It feels good. 

I think about my experience as a fundraiser and donor every time this “season of giving” rolls around. Our child rakes leaves and sells plants and chicken eggs to make money to support her three accounts: personal spending, savings and donations. She still has a handwritten thank you note from the executive director of a large nonprofit, to which she made her first donation of $1.27 when she was five years old. It always brings a tear to my eye. 

Like many holiday traditions, I enjoy reflecting during this season of giving. What am I thankful for? Have I shared my gratitude? What missions do I feel passionate about? Where can my support (time, money, goods, etc.) make an impact? We live in a thriving community with tremendous means and real needs. It doesn’t matter how many zeros your gift encompasses. I let my heart (and my budget) lead the way. 

I appreciate your support this year, whether it be your annual OLLI membership, program tuition, volunteer hours, teaching, or contributing to the OLLI at MSU Doug Young Memorial Scholarship or OLLI program development fund. We are so very grateful for your engagement and enthusiasm for lifelong learning. We have much to celebrate and to be thankful for.

Happy holidays and may you lead with your heart,



Bobbi Geise

Director, OLLI at MSU

Pictured above is Bobbi Geise with lifelong philanthropist Bernard Osher.

December OLLI at MSU Offerings

OLLI Extra: The Everyday Timeless Poetry of the Tang Dynasty with Michael Smith. December 7 - 14, 11:00 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Hope Lutheran Church. Enjoy poetry by several poets of an ancient and rich culture, then respond with your own poems written during class and elsewhere. Explore the joy of reading and writing poetry, and appreciate the challenge of translating poems while preserving the lyricism and music of the original.

Speaker Series: Patriotic Stained-Glass Windows and American Civil Religion with Sandy Sward. Monday, December 11, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Museum of the Rockies Hager Auditorium.

Speaker Series: 15,000 Years of Candles with Gerald Geise. Monday, December 18, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Online via Zoom. Registration is required to receive the Zoom information.

Have a friend who wants to learn with you? Bring them along with your OLLI at MSU guest pass to enjoy the OLLI at MSU Speaker Series presentation together! Passes were provided in your membership confirmation letter.

The Fall 2023 Speaker Series is graciously sponsored by:

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.

December 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 Black Echo

Michael Connelly

December 5,

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

Sir Gawain and the

Green Knight

Simon Armitage (translator)

December 4,

3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Face-to-face

Hope Lutheran Church

Campus Corner

Below are a few upcoming events on the MSU 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.

Lights on Montana Hall Wednesday, December 6, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Michael P. Malone Centennial Mall (the south side of Montana Hall). Please join President Waded Cruzado for the annual celebration of the Lights on Montana Hall.

Museum of the Rockies' Presenting Prehistory: Strangest Marine Reptiles with Eric Metz. Thursday, December 7, 5:30 p.m. Museum of the Rockies, Hager Auditorium. Join MOR Paleontology Collections Manager-Registrar Eric Metz as he takes you for a swim alongside some of the strangest sea creatures that have ever lived: Thalattosaurs. Refreshments will be provided post-lecture during the speaker meet-and-greet.

Victorian Holiday at the Tinsley House December 8, 9, 15 and 16, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Museum of the Rockies, Living History Farm. Celebrate the winter holiday season at the beautiful, historic Tinsley House! Learn about how different cultures in Montana celebrated the season. Click or tap here for more details or to purchase tickets. Ticket purchase required.

Help us connect and learn!

Are you a retired photographer or budding visual art enthusiast? We like to feature our members in action on our print and web communications. If you would be interested in helping to take pictures and video during OLLI programs, let us know via our short volunteer form and we will work with you to get the camera rolling! 

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.