May 2026 OLLI Newsletter

Fast Friends with OLLI at Iowa State

The Community Engagement Team organized the first ever OLLI at Iowa State Speed-Friending event. Over 30 people gathered at Green Hills on March 31 to make new connections and grow in community with each other. Friends, old and new, shared stories, smiles, and laughter followed by a short social reception. We hope to offer more opportunities like this in the future. “It was great seeing all the smiling faces, hearing the lively chatter fill the space, and experiencing an uplifting event as new connections and community was created. I only wish it could have lasted longer,” shared Heather Bristow, director of OLLI at Iowa State.

Are you interested in helping plan future events like this? Contact Heather Bristow to explore the possibilities.

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.

Ice Cream Social

Tuesday, June 9, 2026
2:30 – 4 p.m. CT
Walnut Shelter, Inis Grove Park, 2500 Duff Ave, Ames

Summer is upon us and OLLI at Iowa State is finalizing details for the annual Ice Cream Social. OLLI at Iowa State members are invited to bring family and friends with them to the event. ISU Creamery ice cream will be available on a first-come first-served basis. You’ll also get a sneak peek at the fall course line-up! This year’s flavor selection includes:

1858 – chocolate ice cream

Better Together: Learning Communities – vanilla flavored ice cream with cookies & cream pieces

Campanile Kiss (egg-free) – strawberry flavored ice cream with strawberry swirls

ChampionCHIP Kyven Dough – dulce de leche ice cream with chocolate chip cookie dough and caramel swirls

Lemon Berry bLASt: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – lemon frozen yogurt with raspberry swirls

Thank you to Green Hills for sponsoring this event each year.

OLLI at Iowa State Membership Details

With more spring courses, the start of the spring OLLI Talks series, and several concerts coming up in May, there is still time to take advantage of an OLLI at Iowa State membership for this fiscal year. For only $35, you can take advantage of these opportunities in May and June through an OLLI at Iowa State membership.

You will also gain access to the recordings of all the OLLI Talks that have been recorded this year. A list of topics that are available through the OLLI Talks series is listed below as well as the full list of membership benefits.

OLLI Talks Recordings

• A Life After ISU with George Strawn
• Evolving from Edisonian: The Imperative of Modeling with Rick Arthur
• From Avian Influenza to Innovation: Updates from the ISU Veterinary Diagnostic Lab with Rodger Main, Drew Magstadt, and Yuko Sato
• McFarland Park Lake Restoration Project with Pat Shehan
• Prairie Valley Wetland – The In’s and Out’s with Sara Carmichael

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 at the end of this newsletter).

Spring Courses Continue

The following courses will begin in May. Be sure to check out all the details on the course information page of our website, and in the online catalog. If you have any questions about the programs, please contact Heather Bristow. If you need assistance with registration, please contact the ISU Extension Registration Services Team at registrations@iastate.edu or 515-294-6222.

03 – Counterfeit Consumer Goods II
16-P/Z – Discovering Outdoor Delights: Tramp New Zealand’s Tracks
21-P/Z – World Cup Soccer Coming to America!
26-P/Z – C.Y. Stephens—The Man Who Changed Iowa State
28-P/Z – “Baking Blue Ribbons: Stories and Recipes form the Iowa State Fair Food Competitions”
36 – Iowa’s Prairie Habitats, Remnants, Renovations, and Reconstructions
38 – Ukrainian Vision: Artists and Their Homeland
39 – Explore the Parks of Ames Iowa
41-Z – Smartphone Geocaching – A Fun Outdoor Recreational Activity (this course has moved to online only)
FT2 – ACTORS Tour

Spring OLLI Talks

The OLLI Talks series for spring will continue in May. These events are free for all OLLI at Iowa State members. The Friday before each one, Heather will send the attendance information in the Next Week at OLLI email. You can also find the information on the events page of the OLLI at Iowa State website.

The Impact of the Human Genome Project
Speaker: Sharlene Weatherwax   |   Tuesday, May 5, 2026   |   3 – 4:30 p.m. CT
Online with Zoom

Story County Water and Land Legacy – Update
Speaker: Michael Cox   |   Tuesday, May 12, 2026   |   3 – 4:30 p.m. CT
In-person (Hybrid): Sixty Forward, 205 S. Walnut Ave, Ames
Online (Hybrid): Zoom

Friends of OLLI at Iowa State 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. Recently, floor display banners have been ordered, one of which is pictured to the right, as well as a portable speaker and microphone system to use when needed in the various locations we offer classes (pictured above).

So far this fiscal year, 38 Friends have contributed a total of $8,111. If you would like to join this growing circle of supports, 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.

Mark Your Calendars!

First Friday Coffee

Friday, May 1, 2026  |  9 a.m. CT
In-person attendees will gather in the Beran Room at Sixty Forward (205 S. Walnut Ave, Ames)
Online attendees may join via Zoom, link can be found on the events page of our website.

Central Iowa Symphony

This is the last chance for OLLI at Iowa State members to redeem their two free concert tickets from the symphony if they still have them.

Fireworks Fiesta
Saturday, May 2, 2026  |  7:30 p.m. CT  |  Ames City Auditorium, 520 6^th Street
Concert conversations with Eric McIntyre at 6:45 p.m. CT

Rich melodies and pyrotechnics abound as featured pianist Mei-Hsuan Huang performs one of the most beloved and challenging works in the repertoire, Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto. This extraordinary display of virtuosity is perfectly matched with a trio of brilliant dance works by Mexican composers that bring our season to a dazzling conclusion.

OLLI Takes a Hike: McFarland Park on Foot

Friday, May 8, 2026  |  2 p.m. CT  |  56461 180^th St., Ames, IA

Come hike the trails of McFarland Park with Nancy Franz past Story County Conservation Board member and other OLLI at Iowa State members. This gem of a county park has 5.5 miles of concrete and dirt trails through prairies and woods and along waterbodies. Participants should come prepared to hike three miles on a variety of terrain including hills. The hike will include observing wildflowers and spring bird migration, at their peak during this time. Come dressed for the weather and trail conditions. Participants are invited to explore the Conservation Center exhibits before or after the hike, the center is open from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The hike will be postponed if weather makes the hike unsafe.

Ames Chamber Artists

The Ames Chamber Artists will also have concerts in May that OLLI at Iowa State members can also use their two free concert tickets for.

Across the Water
A concert featuring traditional and contemporary folk music from Ireland & its influence in America. Presented in partnership with internationally renowned Irish tenor Michael Londra, resident of Ames, IA and star of the PBS series Ireland with Michael and in advance of the Ames Chamber Artists tour to Ireland in June 2026.

Thursday, May 14, 2026  |  7:30 p.m. CT |  St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Marshalltown

Friday, May 15, 2026  |  7:30 p.m. CT  |  Collegiate Presbyterian Church, Ames

OLLI at Iowa State 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