February 2026 OLLI Newsletter

Letter from OLLI Council Chair

Greetings fellow OLLI members,

The holidays have passed and we’ve made our New Years resolutions. Those of us living in the Midwest may be pursuing outdoor winter activities while others participate in cozy indoor occupations. February is also the month of love as we celebrate Valentine’s Day. What began as a series of Roman fertility festivals was morphed into a religious day acknowledging martyrs as the Christians sought to replace pagan observances.

Today it celebrates love in many forms, whether romantic, family, friendship, or self-love. One of the ways I observe the holiday is to indulge in my love of learning by taking courses on topics that I know little about. You never know when you will “fall in love” with a new topic. Be adventurous as you continue to choose OLLI courses.

Discovery is fun at any age.

Beth Larabee, OLLI Advisory Council Chair

To become a Friend of OLLI at Iowa State by a show of financial support, please go to https://isu.foundation/olli and select the Friends of OLLI at Iowa State fund.

Winter Term Updates

There have been some changes to the Winter 2026 OLLI at Iowa State courses. Please be sure to reference our website for the most up-to-date information or contact the OLLI at Iowa State staff if you have any doubts when it comes to your schedule (see contact information at the bottom of this newsletter).

Course 24 – From Icons to Perestroika – has been canceled due to low enrollment

Let’s Talk OLLI program will now be offered from 1 – 2:30 p.m. CT on Feb. 5. (This is a free 90-minute presentation with Heather Bristow. Inviting family, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances to this presentation is encouraged.)

March Pop-Up Courses

OLLI at Iowa State members are invited to register for three pop-up courses being offered in March 2026. You can find the online registration form for these courses in the March 2026 Pop-Up Courses event on the events page of the OLLI at Iowa State website.

Two of these courses are being offered by the OLLI at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) as an exchange for courses we shared with them in January and February. The two OLLI programs have shared several courses over the past year. “It is exciting to see new faces and collaborative engagement across both programs,” commented Heather Bristow, Director of OLLI at Iowa State.

The third pop-up course is being offered by an instructor from OLLI at Aquinas College. In October of 2025, Mr. Kampfschulte called Heather Bristow indicating that he will be travelling through the Ames area and would like to offer a course to the OLLI at Iowa State members. He also shared he normally looks for OLLI programs along his traveling routes and regularly offers his services.

If you have any issues with the online registration form, please contact the ISU Extension Registration Services Team at registrations@iastate.edu or 515-294-6222.

An Introduction to Palliative Care: Living Well with Serious Illness  
Wednesday, March 4, 2026   |   11 a.m. – 12 p.m. CT   |   Cost: $25.00
Online with Zoom

This presentation will provide an overview of palliative care and how it supports people living with serious or chronic illnesses. We will discuss the goals of palliative care, how it differs from hospice, and how it can improve quality of life for patients and families. We will also discuss a brief introduction regarding the importance of early advanced care planning.

Instructor: Dr. Moustafa El Sayed, Assistant Professor, Clinical Practice, UTMB Department of Internal Medicine-Palliative Care

Economy of Space Exploration
Monday, March 16, 2026   |   10 a.m. – 12 p.m. CT   |   Cost: $25.00
Online with Zoom

According to the World Economic Forum and in partnership with McKinsey & Company April 2024 Report, “We estimate that the global space economy will be worth $1.8 trillion by 2035, up from $630 billion in 2023.” Let’s discuss what makes up that economy and what you can see today.

Instructor: Yolanda Marshall, Strategic Partnership Manager, Johnson Space Center (Retired 2020)

How to Hear What is Not Being Said
Thursday, March 26, 2026   |   11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CT   |   Cost $25.00
In-person: Boys & Girls Club, 210 S 5th St, Ames

Through group interaction and role-play, participants learn the subtle, lifelong skills needed to be an empathetic listener. Skills discussed include reading nonverbal cues, identifying emotions in conversations, characteristics of a good listener, clarifying what is said, handling silent moments in conversations, expressing feelings more effectively, giving and receiving feedback, and seeking to understand versus arguing.

Dave Kampfschulte is a longtime OLLI instructor at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI, director of Amazing Circles Workshops, and author of I’m Dying to Talk to You. Named Teacher of the Year by East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation, he’s also a dedicated hospice volunteer with 38 years of compassionate service.

Friends of OLLI Quarterly Report

OLLI at Iowa State thrives thanks to a remarkable network of supporters, including the Bernard Osher Foundation, the Osher National Resource Center, the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching at Iowa State, Iowa State University, our dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors, and individual contributors. Together, this community makes it possible for OLLI to offer high‑quality lifelong learning experiences that spark curiosity, foster connection, and encourage personal growth throughout the year.

Those who choose to personally support OLLI at Iowa State are affectionately known as the Friends of OLLI. Gifts of any size make a meaningful difference by helping sustain our programming and providing flexible funds for classroom equipment and other essential needs.

So far this fiscal year, 26 Friends have contributed a total of $5,204. If you would like to join this growing circle of supporters, you may contact the OLLI at Iowa State staff, or visit the online donation form on the ISU Foundation website.

For those considering a larger commitment—such as a significant pledge, recurring gift, bequest through a will or living trust, or a contribution using retirement funds—the ISU Foundation is available to assist. You can reach them at questions@foundation.iastate.edu or 515‑294‑4607.

Spring 2026 Course Preview Event

Be sure to join us on Wednesday, March 4 at 1:30 p.m. CT on Zoom for the Spring 2026 Course Preview Event. The Zoom link to attend can also be found on the events page of the OLLI at Iowa State website.

This event features 90-second overviews from each instructor about their course topic. The event will be recorded and placed on the Course Information page of the OLLI at Iowa State website after the event.

The curriculum team has done a wonderful job finding 44 courses, three OLLI Talks, and two field trips. From history to art, singing to drumming, and cooking to technology there is a little something for everyone! Courses will be offered in person, online, and as a combination of both in hybrid offerings.

Registration will open on Friday, March 6 at 8:30 a.m. CT on the Course Information page of the OLLI at Iowa State website. You must be an OLLI at Iowa State member to register for courses.

If you have issues with the online membership or registration forms, please contact the ISU Extension Registration Services Team for assistance at registrations@iastate.edu or 515-294-6222.

Spring 2026 Course List

Registration Changes

The transition to the new registration system has been a smooth transition overall, but not without some hiccups along the way. If you run into issues with the online forms, please contact the ISU Extension Registration Services Team at registrations@iastate.edu or 515-294-6222 for assistance. They are quick to respond and can usually resolve any issues within a few minutes.

To add or remove classes from your registration, there are steps you can take yourself to accomplish these changes. Please see the steps indicated below for guidance, or you can always call or email the team for assistance.

1. Locate the email confirmation you received after your initial registration.
2. Click the Edit Order button found just above your name.
   
3. This will take you to the list of courses you are currently registered for.
   1. To cancel a registration – remove the checkmark next to the course you need to cancel.
   2. To add a course, click the Next button at the bottom of the screen, then select the new course(s) you want to register for on the next screen, and follow the prompts to enter the payment information. You will only be charged for the new course(s) you selected.
4. When in doubt, contact the ISU Extension Registration Services Team for assistance.

Speed Friending Social Event

Tuesday, March 31, 2026   |   10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. CT
In-person: Green Hills, Community Room, 2205 Green Hills Dr, Ames, IA

The OLLI at Iowa State Community Engagement Project Team invites you to join us in person at Green Hills in Ames on March 31 for a lively, interactive event designed to bring together members of both the Green Hills and OLLI at Iowa State communities.

Take part in quick, engaging rounds of conversation that spark genuine connections—far beyond the usual small talk. It’s a relaxed, high‑energy way to meet interesting people and strengthen community ties.

We ask that you complete an online RSVP form on the events page of our website so we can set up the room just right and have plenty of refreshments for everyone!

Share the Benefits of Lifelong Learning

Research continues to show that lifelong learning plays a powerful role in healthy aging. Staying mentally active, socially connected, and engaged in new experiences can enhance everyday life, support independence, and contribute to overall well‑being.

OLLI at Iowa State is proud to offer opportunities that keep older adults learning, exploring, and connecting with one another. You can help strengthen our community by sharing OLLI with your family, friends, and neighbors. Let them know that OLLI at Iowa State is a welcoming place to stay curious, stay engaged, and make the aging journey richer and more fulfilling.

OLLI at Iowa State membership benefits for 2025-2026 include:

• Connection to a community of enthusiastic learners
• Access to quality non-credit educational opportunities (priced separately)
• Nine OLLI Talk programs with no cost or registration ($225 value)
• Monthly newsletter
• Weekly Friday emails during class sessions about the next week’s activities
• Ames Chamber Artists complimentary pair of concert tickets ($30 value)
• Central Iowa Symphony complimentary pair of concert tickets ($40 value)
• ISU Library card for use at Parks Library for $5 (non-ISU retiree, Iowa residents only) ($15 value)
• Octagon Center for the Arts 10% discount on a purchase of $25 or more
• Stephens Auditorium Buy One Get One ticket offers to select shows

To become an OLLI at Iowa State member or to renew your membership, visit our website at https://olli.iastate.edu/ to complete the online membership form. Or you may contact Heather Bristow (see her contact information on the last page of this newsletter).

Mark Your Calendars!

First Friday Coffee

Friday, Feb. 6, 2026  |  9 a.m. CT  |  Online with Zoom
See events page of website for more information.

Central Iowa Symphony

Young Artists Concert – Featuring Young Artists Competition Winners

Sunday, March 1, 2026   |   3 p.m. CT  |  Concert Conversations with Eric McIntyre at 2:15 p.m.
**OLLI at Iowa State members may use their two complimentary concert tickets for this event**

This season’s Young Artists concert is an unforgettable display of budding young talent. Not only will we celebrate the remarkable skills of our Young Artists competition winners, but we will also join forces with the Gilbert High School Choir for a collaborative performance of Mozart’s powerful Coronation Mass. The celebratory program launches in jubilant fashion with Shostakovich’s Festive Overture.

OLLI at ISU Advisory Council & Teams 2025-2026

The OLLI at Iowa State Advisory Council includes the executive team and coordinators of the Advisory Teams. OLLI staff and Project Team Coordinators serve in an ex-officio capacity. Feel free to visit with any of these individuals about course ideas, volunteer opportunities, and any additional programming comments.

MISSION

OLLI at Iowa State nurtures a joyful community of lifelong learning for adults of all ages. We offer non-credit educational courses and social experiences that spark curiosity, connection, and personal growth, specially designed for mature learners.

VAULES

Adaptability, Curiosity, Integrity, Knowledge, Passion