October 2026 OLLI Newsletter

Letter from the Advisory Council Chair

Hello, Lifelong Learners!

Have you noticed the attitudes and approaches to learning expressed by your grandchildren and individuals at other points in their lives differ from your own attitudes and approaches to learning?

That’s because, unlike others, you are an adult learner. Adult learning technically, is known as “andragogy.” Yikes! Say again? Andragogy is from the Greek word for “adult” and means “helping adults learn” (Schein, 1987). Andragogy is based on the assumption that adults mostly know why or how they learn. I invite you to get in touch with your “inner learner” by considering these ways andragogy tells us we, adults, learn:

1. You need to know why specific topics are included in your OLLI classes. You want to cut to the chase and not dwell on history or background (unless the class is about history or background). Was it Columbo who said “just the facts”? Columbo was obviously an adult learner.

2. You bring your own experiences to the learning environment. You’ve been around the block and you want to share your experiences – and your wisdom – with other learners. Just think of the valuable knowledge and life-lessons that could be generated by a group of adults.

3. You are self-motivated. You don’t need to take courses for a promotion or to maintain your license – the motivation for adult learners is much more important: to give you personal satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.

4. You know what you need to learn. How to approach a lifestyle change? How to use new technology? You’ve got the questions. Through adult learning experiences, you find the answers.

5. You are a problem-oriented learner. You need to know the “so what,” or how to apply what you have learned to benefit your life, to benefit your world.

So, lifelong learners, although the purpose of this discussion of andragogy is to explain the special ways you approach learning, knowing about andragogy will also help you to understand the reasons that certain classes or instructors “speak” to you. I hope so.

Have a great fall and see you in class!

Denise Vrchota, Advisory Chair of OLLI at Iowa State

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

Check Your Mailbox: OLLI Membership Letters Are on the Way!

OLLI membership letters for the year 2026-2027 are currently being mailed. If it has been more than two weeks since you renewed or purchased your membership and you have not received your letter, please contact the OLLI staff.

Your OLLI name tag was included in the mailing. If you do not have a lanyard or badge holder, they will be available at all OLLI events, or you may stop by the OLLI office at Sixty Forward to pick one up.

Name tags include the year you first became an OLLI member. If the year listed on your tag is incorrect, please let us know. Because information was transferred from multiple membership systems, we discovered a few discrepancies. We want to make sure your membership history is accurate and will be happy to correct any errors.

You should also find two OLLI business cards in your envelope. Feel free to share them with friends, neighbors, or anyone who may be interested in learning more about OLLI at Iowa State.

If you have not yet renewed or joined OLLI at Iowa State for the 2026-2027 year, you can complete the online membership form and submit your $35 membership fee at any time. Once your membership is activated, you’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits of being an OLLI at Iowa State member, including:

• 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 delivered to your email
• Weekly Friday emails during course terms 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)
• Stephens Auditorium Buy One Get One ticket offers to select shows

Should you need assistance with the membership form, please contact the ISU Extension Registration Services Team at registrations@iastate.edu or (515) 294-6222

Fall 2026 Classes to Start in October

Thank you to everyone who has joined in on the OLLI fun so far! While many classes started the first week of September, some do not begin until October. Take a look at the list below – and if something catches your eye, make sure to register!

Classes Starting in October

04 – Russia’s Large Territory in Asia: A Historical Review of the Russian Imperial Expansion
06-P/Z – What in the World!?!
07 – Chinggis Khan’s Mongol Empire in the Past and the Mongols Today
14 – Living with a New Heart
15-P/Z – Iowa State in the 1890s: The Greatest Decade
16 – Learn to Draw

Course 06-P/Z has been rescheduled due to a last-minute conflict for the instructor. This course will now be offered on Fridays, October 2 – 16 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. CT. The in-person attendees will meet at the Boys & Girls Club of Story County at 210 S 5^th Street in Ames.

An OLLI at Iowa State membership is required to participate in our classes. You can find the online membership form on the Membership page of the website. Once your membership is activated, click the link on the Course Information page to go to the ISU Registration Services Event Portal where you will Sign In and complete the online registration form.

If you have complications with the online forms, please contact ISU Extension Registration Services at registrations@iastate.edu or 515-294-6222.

We hope to see you in class!

Reminder: There will be no classes on October 5, 6, and 7. Heather will be out of town for a conference, and will have limited access to her messages. Estelle will be in the office and ready to help with anything she can. Feel free to stop by!

Recap: Building Success On and Off the Court

On Wednesday, September 9, OLLI members gathered to hear about the continued success of the Iowa State University Men’s Basketball team directly from assistant coaches Micah Byers and Diante Garrett. 

The dynamic duo kept the audience entertained with personal anecdotes and stories from the team. We heard about how Coach T.J. Otzelberger has helped shape the team for the better and how the strong work ethic of the ISU Men’s Basketball team continues to push them toward championships. 

Byers and Garrett also talked about how close-knit the players are and how that camaraderie impacts their work on the court. While this is something encouraged by the coaching staff, the players ultimately have a choice — and they’re choosing to surround themselves with their teammates. As Byers said, “We’re intentional about trying to find time to spend together.” 

One of the biggest lessons we took away from this OLLI Talk was how much daily habits contribute to success. This is true for college student athletes just as it is for everyone else. Positive daily habits can eventually lead to positive outcomes — no matter where you are in life! 

For a visual recap of the event, be sure to scroll through the photos below by clicking the arrows on either side of the images.

Building Community with OLLI Cares 

Community is an essential part of our lives. As humans, we naturally seek connection and want to belong and feel valued and cared for. OLLI at Iowa State is excited to introduce a new initiative designed to strengthen those connections called OLLI Cares. 

This program will bring members together through simple, meaningful gestures. Volunteers will handwrite birthday cards, get well wishes, congratulations, and other notes of encouragement to fellow members. OLLI will provide the materials — we simply ask for your help in sharing celebrations, milestones, or challenges so we can recognize and support one another. 

As part of the 2026–2027 membership form, you will see a few new questions related to OLLI Cares. Members will have the opportunity to indicate if they would like to volunteer, if they are open to being a recipient, and to share the life events they would like to have recognized. 

We hope you will take part in this effort to build and nurture our lifelong learning community. Research shows that personal connections strengthen relationships and enhance both our physical and emotional well-being — and together, we can make OLLI an even more supportive and welcoming place for everyone. 

Several participation requests have been submitted without recognition dates. Please include the month of any event you would like recognized when requesting to participate in OLLI Cares.

Member Corner

For October’s Member Corner, we’d like to introduce you to one of our newer OLLI at Iowa State members, Jan, who joined earlier this year after discovering OLLI through the IPR Daily Digest.

After retiring from the federal government, Jan was looking for something new to explore during the winter months. She found OLLI and decided to give it a try — and has been enjoying classes and getting to know the OLLI community ever since.

Jan has a wide range of interests, from technology and science to languages, reading, and Korean TV. She also enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering with a group of international educators. Her curiosity extends well beyond the classroom, too, having traveled to all 50 states, every county in Iowa, and six continents.

In this month’s member spotlight, get to know Jan a little better, hear about her OLLI experience and learn about some of the interests and experiences that have shaped her life. Enjoy!

How did you first hear about OLLI at Iowa State, and what inspired you to join?

“I had recently retired from the federal government wondering how to find something new to take me through the coming cold winter months. One afternoon the IPR Daily Digest had a snippet about ISU OLLI classes. I’d never heard of OLLI so looked it up online and registered for Winter Term.”

What has surprised you most about your OLLI experience so far?

“I had no idea OLLI at Iowa State had such a small staff and everyone else volunteers their time. Instructors teach, members provide direction and leadership, each volunteering their time to demonstrate the adaptability and passion that makes OLLI a growing community of lifelong learners.“

After joining OLLI earlier this year, you’ve been actively taking classes. Which classes have been your favorites, and why?

“I’m 99% nerd and have loved all the tech and science classes- especially those that are helping me make the switch from the PC world to Mac/Apple/iPhone.“

When you’re not attending OLLI classes, what hobbies, interests, or activities do you enjoy?

“After years of travel, I’m enjoying being at home and doing things I’ve never had time to enjoy. I love spending time with my son and grandkids, volunteering with a group of international educators, learning new languages, reading and binge-watching Korean TV.“

What is one thing on your bucket list?

“My work has required a great deal of travel and I’ve been fortunate to spend time on 6 continents, in all 50 United States and travel to every county in Iowa! But most elusive item on my bucket list is the opportunity to see the Southern Lights on my way to Antarctica.“

If you could take an OLLI class on any topic imaginable, what would it be?

“A travel course to Antarctica!“

How does lifelong learning enrich your life or keep you engaged in your community?

“My husband passed away suddenly and before we could enjoy our retirement plans. It’s been challenging to find joy in things we planned to do together, so finding new activities like OLLI classes has had a powerful impact. OLLI at ISU is such a welcoming community and I’ve gained so much from classmates chats, questions and comments in addition around the topic we’re learning in class.“

What is a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know?

“50 years ago, as a senior in high school, I served as a Page in the Iowa House of Representatives.“

If you could have a discussion with anyone, still with us or already passed, who would it be and why?

“It may not be very fashionable to say, but I’d choose my Mom and Dad. I wish I’d paid more attention while growing up because I have so many questions I would ask them today.“

What’s one thing you’ve learned in an OLLI class that you still talk about with friends or family?

“I still talk about things I learned in our class on the Japanese Incarceration during WWII. Though it’s a subject I was very familiar with, I gained a new perspective and was very moved by the instructors point of view.“

What would you tell someone who is considering joining OLLI?

What would you like to say to all your fellow OLLI members?

“Thanks for making OLLI at ISU such a great experience!“

New Feedback Process 

Hello! Here’s your reminder that we have created a year-round Feedback Form. This form has replaced the traditional course evaluation process. 

We welcome a wide range of ideas and input, including: 

• Social engagement ideas
• Event suggestions 
• Course topics and/or instructor evaluations and/or recommendations 
• General comments for OLLI at Iowa State 
• Concerns you feel should be addressed 
• Suggested improvements 
• Life milestones for the OLLI Cares program 

This list is just a starting point — there are no limits on the types of feedback you can share. We truly value hearing from our OLLI members and are committed to building a lifelong learning community that reflects your interests and needs. 

Your feedback plays an essential role in helping us grow, improve, and continue creating meaningful experiences for everyone involved. Even short reviews can help us learn more about you and your needs!

Mark Your Calendars!

October First Friday Coffee

Friday, October 2, 2026  |  9 a.m. CT

We will be meeting in person at Sixty Forward (205 S. Walnut Ave, Ames) for the October First Friday Coffee. Refreshments will be provided, thanks to an anonymous donation. Bring your friends and enjoy a nice morning of connection!

If providing refreshments for an upcoming First Friday Coffee is something you’d enjoy being part of, feel free to reach out to Heather Bristow, OLLI Director.

Central Iowa Symphony presents: Uncharted Waters

• Sunday, October 4, 2026
• 3:00 p.m. CT
• In-person: Ames City Auditorium (520 6th St, Ames)

The Central Iowa Symphony kicks off the season with aquatic adventures and a brilliant array of music that has rarely – or never before – been heard by audiences in Iowa. Belize-born, British composer Errollyn Wallen opens the concert with, A Mighty River, a colorful work demonstrating why she is a powerful new presence on the international stage and currently serving as Master of King’s Music in the United Kingdom.

We’ll also hear from American icons, Florence Price and Louis Moreau Gottschalk with a pair of stirring musical “place” portraits. The highlight of the program is Carlos Simon’s new trombone concerto, Troubled Water, performed for the first item in Iowa by Ames’s own trombone virtuosos Nathan Dishman of Iowa State University.

**OLLI at Iowa State Membership Benefit Reminder – use your two complimentary tickets to attend, simply arrive at the show and present your tickets for admission**

To purchase tickets, or for more information about the symphony, visit their website.

The Temptations at CY Stephens Auditorium

• Sunday, October 4, 2026
• 7:30 p.m. CT
• In-person: Stephen’s Auditorium (1900 Center Dr, Ames)

The Temptations, often referred to as American music royalty, are world-renowned superstars of entertainment, revered for their phenomenal catalog of music and prolific career. They are one of the most iconic, bestselling brands in the entertainment world today.

While the group has evolved over the years, Dr. Otis Williams has continued to lead the group and carry the torch forward for the next generation of Temptations’ fans.

The Temptations are headlining concerts around the country throughout 2026. Their concerts include fan favorites such as “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me),” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” and more.

The Temptations always look forward to serenading fans with their soulful voices, lighting up stages with their famous Temptations’ Walk and bringing joy to audiences of all ages.

**OLLI at Iowa State Membership Benefit Reminder – you may use your buy one get one voucher to CY Stephens for this event**

To purchase tickets, or for more information about Stephen’s Auditorium, visit their website.

OLLI at Iowa State Advisory Council & Teams 2026-2027

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. 

OLLI at Iowa State members are welcome to attend any meetings for the groups listed below. If you are interested in attending any meetings, please contact the OLLI staff for details.

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.

VALUES

Adaptability, curiosity, integrity, knowledge, and passion