September 2026 OLLI Newsletter

Letter from the Advisory Council Chair

Hello OLLI Members,

It’s fall, the season of newness. For our children and grandchildren, fall brings with it a new school year with new classes, new friends and reacquaintance with old friends, maybe even a new school building. The young people aren’t the only ones who get to enjoy the “newness” of fall: for OLLI members, the fall term brings a curriculum full of new classes; the opportunity to meet new instructors or take a class from a favorite previous instructor; to choose a new class that builds on a topic discovered in an earlier class; to experience the joy of OLLI friends and the anticipation of new friends waiting to be met in OLLI classes and social events.

Fall is a time of newness for me as well. In the August newsletter, our director, Heather Bristow, introduced me as your new advisory council chair. Heather set the “OLLI-bar” awfully high but I’ll do my best to meet the challenge. Thank you, Heather, for your kind words.

Meeting OLLI members is high on the list of my anticipated new experiences – not just in the fall term, but all year round. When you catch site of me at an OLLI event or out and about, don’t be shy. Please introduce yourself. Tell me about yourself. I look forward meeting you.

I hope you can all enjoy the newness that fall has to offer.

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

2026-2027 Membership is Open! 

Friendly reminder: If you haven’t renewed your OLLI at Iowa State membership for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, this will be the last newsletter delivered to your email.

Your membership runs from July 1 through June 30 and unlocks a full year of discovery, connection, and lifelong learning. Adults of all ages are welcome to join – no degree or college affiliation is required.

For just $35 per year, you’ll enjoy engaging courses, interesting speakers, and a welcoming community of lifelong learners. Whether you’re exploring a new interest, revisiting a favorite hobby, or simply learning for the joy of it, there’s something for everyone at OLLI at Iowa State.

After completing the online membership form and submitting your payment, we invite you to take advantage of the 2026-2027 OLLI at Iowa State member benefits: 

• 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 

If you have issues with the membership form, or are unable to complete it, please contact the ISU Extension Registration Services team at registrations@iastate.edu or (515) 294-6222 for assistance.  

Not sure if you have renewed your membership? Contact Heather Bristow, director of OLLI at Iowa State, at hbristow@iastate.edu or (515) 294-5790 and she will be happy to look it up for you.

Fall 2026 Classes Start! 

Registration for the fall 2026 term is open, and classes will start on Tuesday, September 8!

Lifelong learners of all ages can continue their journey of curiosity with OLLI at Iowa State by registering for classes today. From history buffs to science lovers, art aficionados to tech explorers, expert presentations to exploring potential hobbies – there’s something for everyone.

Why join us this fall?

• Fresh new courses taught by expert instructors
• Engaging discussions with fellow curious minds
• Zero tests. Zero grades. Just pure joy in learning.

Fall 2026 Courses

01 – Photography Tips and Techniques
02-P/Z – Continuing Care at Home: Smart Planning for the Years Ahead
03 – Life, the Universe, and Everything
04 – Russia’s Large Territory in Asia: A Historical Review of the Russian Imperial Expansion
05 – Who Regulates the Food Safety in the U.S.
06-P/Z – What in the World!?!
07 – Chinggis Khan’s Mongol Empire in the Past and the Mongols Today
08 – Launching Cyclone Civics: Teaching Democracy in Action
09 – Mac Computers: Essentials and Support
10-P/Z – The Truth Behind the Vietnam War
11 – Science in the News
12-P/Z – Iowa in the Great Depression
13-P/Z – Healthy Longevity
14 – Living with a New Heart
15-P/Z – Iowa State in the 1890s: The Greatest Decade
16 – Learn to Draw

Fall 2026 OLLI Talks

OLLI Talks are free for all OLLI at Iowa State members, no registration needed.

• Building Success On and Off the Court: Insights from ISU Men’s Basketball
• Human Trafficking: Awareness, Prevention, and Action
• Understanding Bonobos: Inside Ape Initiative

You can find more information about all these offerings on the Course Information page of our website https://olli.iastate.edu/.  There you will find the full online catalog and other pertinent information to continue your lifelong learning journey with OLLI at Iowa State.

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 Register here! 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!

Recap: Remembering the 1950s with Chuck Achter 

On Tuesday, August 18, OLLI members and community guests gathered in the Beran Room at Sixty Forward in Ames for an afternoon of memories, conversation, and connection during Chuck Achter’s “Remembering the 1950s” presentation.

The afternoon was a chance to reflect on what it was like growing up in the 1950s, with Chuck Achter leading the group through memories and perspectives from the era. Audience members actively participated throughout the presentation, making it a lively and engaging experience.

While the presentation itself sparked plenty of memories and conversation, what made the afternoon especially meaningful was the connection that developed among strangers. People who arrived not knowing one another found common ground through shared experiences, stories, and memories of a time gone by.

OLLI at Iowa State extends a heartfelt thank-you to the Sixty Forward Center for allowing OLLI to use the Beran Room, and to everyone who joined us for this special afternoon. We are grateful for the stories shared, the conversations sparked, and the new connections made along the way!

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.

Next OLLI Pop-Up

Behind the Scenes at Stephens Auditorium 

• Friday, September 25, 2026
• 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CT
• In-person Only: Stephens Auditorium, 1900 Center Dr, Ames
• Cost $25.00

Register for the tour today! 

Step behind the scenes at Stephens Auditorium for a special presentation and tour. We will begin in the Celebrity Café with a presentation exploring the history, artistry, and legacy of Stephens Auditorium. We will also learn about the considerations that guide the selection of shows and events each year. Participants will have an opportunity to share memories and experiences from past performances and events.

Following the presentation, Technical Director Mike Broich and Production Manager Chris Campbell will join us for a tour of the auditorium, offering insights into the behind-the-scenes operations that bring performances to life. The experience concludes on stage with an up-close view of Silver Code, the iconic theater curtain, as it is lowered for viewing. 

Tammy Koolbeck, CVE is the General Manager of Stephens Auditorium, has been with the building for 11 years and oversees daily operations including programming, marketing, development, ticket office, and finance.  She serves locally on the Ames Community Arts Council and KHOI boards and is the current president of the Rotary Club of Ames.  

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.

If you have already decided to participate in OLLI Cares, please email staff with any dates or events you’d like to have recognized.

Member Corner

This is the first of what we hope will be many member corners, where we introduce OLLI members to one another through shared experiences.

For September, we’d like to introduce you to one of the more experienced OLLI members, Etha Hutchcroft, who turned 100 in January.

Before OLLI was established in 2008, Etha was involved with the College for Seniors and served on the committee that helped bring Helen LeBaron Hilton’s vision of a free learning program for older adults to life. Over the decades, she has seen the program evolve from a small selection of courses taught by local lecturers in the Scheman Building into the vibrant and diverse OLLI community it is today.

With decades of memories, travels to more than 50 countries, and a lifelong curiosity about the world and the people in it, Etha brings a unique perspective to what it means to keep learning, exploring, and staying engaged throughout life.

Etha reflects on her longtime connection to OLLI, shares a few memorable moments from her life, and offers a glimpse into the experiences and curiosity that have shaped her along the way. Enjoy!

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe you have been involved with OLLI for quite some time, even dating back to when we were called the College for Seniors. Is that right? 

“Yes, Helen LeBaron Hilton, retired ISU Dean of Family and Consumer Science, envisioned a free program for senior learners and I was a member of that committee in the early years.”

Do you have any memories you would like to share from the early years of College for Seniors or when we became an OLLI in 2008?

“I recall the acceptance of and enthusiasm for the new program. We valued the many excellent, willing local lecturers. Enrollment was free with limited offering of courses that were presented in the Scheman Building. We appreciated volunteer tech assistance in the classes. Becoming OLLI at ISU provided resources for new possibilities for growth.”

What motivated you to stay engaged with OLLI at Iowa State all these years?

“The program offerings, the social aspect of meeting together and more recently the availability of online courses.”

Are there any courses or events that stick out to you as a favorite, or that was at least memorable?

“Not a particular favorite but I have appreciated the broad diversity of courses.”

What do you think has enabled you to reach this stage of life experience?

“#1 perhaps is not being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Of course, I could add good genes and good nutrition…”

What is something about you that folks may not know – can be funny, serious, strange, or familiar?

“I’ve been around for so long that I don’t think of anything that hasn’t been revealed.”

What major historical event(s) do you remember most vividly?

“Two days that are vivid historical memories are VE Day and VJ Day in 1945 marking the end of World War II.”

Do you still remember your childhood phone number?

“Yes, a long and three shorts, rings on a rural line.”

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

“I have been fortunate to travel to over 50 countries, and especially enjoy visiting other cultures. Perhaps more explorations in China.”

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

“It’s exciting to think of the many possibilities through the ages. To avoid choosing one person from more recent times, I might choose an adult woman who lived through the catastrophic climate change of surviving the melting of the glaciers.”

What would you say to someone considering joining OLLI?

“Do it now and be forever glad that you did!”

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

“I would remind myself and others how fortunate we are to have OLLI at Iowa State. I am impressed with the growth of the program, and the variety of offerings. I appreciate the dedicated lecturers, committee members, and staff.”

New Feedback Process 

Another exciting update for 2026–2027 is the introduction of a new, year-round Feedback Form on our website. This form will replace the traditional course evaluation process, while still giving you the option to share input on specific courses if you choose. 

In addition to course evaluations, the new form creates more opportunities for you to share feedback at any time throughout the year.

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. 

Mark Your Calendars!

September First Friday Coffee

Friday, September 4, 2026  |  9 a.m. CT

We will be meeting in person at Sixty Forward (205 S. Walnut Ave, Ames) & online with Zoom (link available on the events page of our website) for the September First Friday Coffee.

Golf Cart Tours at Ada Hayden Lake

• Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026
• 9:00 a.m. CT
• In-person: Ada Hayden Lake, 5205 Grand Ave., Ames

Golf Cart Tours around Ada Hayden Lake are available for those with limited mobility on Wednesday, September 16. Limited space is available – call on Monday (Sept. 14) or Tuesday (Sept. 15). Contact Jim Patton, (712) 830-3736.

Tours begin at 9:00 a.m., and the 75 minute tour includes commentary by members of the Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park.

The new path, current vegetation, new memorials, and plans for the park will be featured. The activity is free, but reservations are required.

America @ 250 Presents: What Do We Stand For?: The Political Philosophy of Our Country on Its 250th Birthday

• Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026
• 6:00 p.m. CT
• In-person: 2630 Memorial Union

OLLI at Iowa State is pleased to co-sponsor this ISU Lectures presentation with Dr. Scott Samuelson. Some of you may recall he taught an OLLI class this past fall. We hope some of you are able to go support him and learn more about the political philosophy of the Declaration of Independence.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, a band of farmers who read philosophy in their spare time confronted unique questions when they declared the independence of this country. How can we all live together? Can we have lofty ideals that work in practice? What can we learn from modern and ancient philosophy? What do we stand for?

This talk by award-winning ISU professor Dr. Scott Samuelson unpacks the political philosophy of the Declaration of Independence and explores its value for us today. Scott Samuelson holds a joint appointment at Iowa State University in Philosophy & Religious Studies and Extension & Outreach. Winner of the 2015 Hiett Prize in the Humanities, he is the author of three books, including “The Deepest Human Life: An Introduction to Philosophy for Everyone,” and works with the Catherine Project bringing great books to community readers. He speaks widely on philosophy, ethics, and public life.

This lecture recording can be found on the Available Recordings page approximately two business days after the event and will remain accessible for three weeks.

For more information, or to see other lectures being offered, visit the ISU Lectures 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