Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Denver
Winter 2016
Meet Jack Dais by Nancy Murray
53 Fourteeners
584 Thirteeners
+676 Twelvers
1,313 C
olorado mountain peaks higher
than 12,000 feet.
C
olorado has 1,313 peaks 12,000
feet or higher. A Ph.D. in
Applied Mathematics isn’t required
to calculate that’s a lot of climbing,
but Jack Dais has the degree and the
distinction of being the 4th person to
climb them all.
Currently the Chair of the OLLI West
Advisory Council, Jack has been an OLLI member
since around 2008. He enjoys the in-depth nature of
the science and medical courses and the rigor which
facilitators bring to their classes. Jack has also facilitated
his own courses on topics including Corporate
Collapses, Meteorology and Mt. Everest Expeditions.
Jack grew up on a farm in Michigan, attended
Michigan State University for his B.S. and Master’s
degrees in engineering and Brown
University for his doctorate. He
was an Assistant Professor at the
University of Minnesota for 6 years
before joining Bell Labs and retiring
from there twenty years ago.
Jack and his wife, Hille (also an OLLI
West member and facilitator) have
two grown children, Sonja and Jack,
and grandson Jackson. Mt. Lincoln
is Jack’s favorite peak since it was the
first 14er he climbed and he did it
with Sonja, who was just seven years
old at the time. Hille is also an avid hiker and has
climbed all the Fourteeners and more than half of the
Thirteeners.
Jack truly appreciates OLLI, its contributions to those
over 50 and the opportunities to re-invent oneself. He
is very grateful to Vonnie Wheeler who championed
and has led OLLI for 20 years and to Karen Thorne
who began and built the program at OLLI West.
Susan Schmetzer Named New Manager for OLLI West
Nancy Murray
F
rom member to Manager,
OLLI West is pleased to
welcome Susan Schmetzer
to her new position starting
January 18, 2016.
Susan joined West two years
ago, following her retirement
from the Federal Government.
During her 32 year career, she
worked for the Departments of
Labor, Defense and Veteran Affairs. In her last position
with the VA, she managed an organization of over 800
staff and a budget in excess of $1 billion in support of
benefits programs for veterans and their dependents.
Susan sees several applications of her work experience
to OLLI, including working with a large, diverse group
of people while understanding that everyone is an
individual. In addition, she found the highlights of
her career to be the time she spent providing training
within her organization and to others within the VA
about the programs in her organization.
She is a member and on the board of the Jeffco League of
Women Voters and understands the value of volunteers.
During the next several weeks, Susan’s plan is to learn
as much as she can about the operation of OLLI
Continued on page 4
Vonnie Wheeler, Executive Director, OLLI at DU
A
s we continue to celebrate our 20th anniversary
we are reminiscing how far we have come…
from 76 students sitting in a small building taking
nine classes per term to 2500 students sitting in six
buildings taking 125 classes each term! As rewarding
as our growth is it also brings challenges: adequate
facilities and parking, up-to-date technology, and
enough personnel.
As responsible stewards of our member’s tuition
we have kept our fees as low as possible with
no increase since our inception 20 years ago. In
order to fulfill our commitment to excellence, in
product and deliverance, we find an increase in
tuition unavoidable. Consequently, to make OLLI
at DU financially sustainable for the future we
will implement a $30 per term increase in our fees
beginning next fall, bringing the all-inclusive per term
tuition to $130.
We appreciate your understanding and your incredible
support of OLLI at DU.
OLLI is 20!
Vonnie Wheeler, Executive Director
I
n 2016, as we celebrate our 20th anniversary, it
is important to point out that it is our members
who have so successfully taken us to this significant
milestone…the hours that our volunteer Curriculum
Committees spend in developing the intriguing
classes that continue to entice greater numbers of new
members each year. It is the members of our Advisory
Councils who provide insight and suggestions to ensure
we are meeting our members’ desires and needs. It
is our Site Managers, providing daily leadership. It
is DU with its keen interest, trust, and support. It is
the Bernard Osher Foundation with its belief in us,
providing funding that has allowed us to continue
our creative programming. And it is each individual
member who enthusiastically supports all that we do.
Thank you one and all and Happy Anniversary!
2
Crazy Times!
Karen Thorne, OLLI West Interim Manager
A
s you now know, Dianne Howie and her
assistant, Kathryn Keefer, both resigned their
positions at OLLI West effective December 31, 2015.
Dianne and Kathryn did an excellent job in managing
the program and updating and streamlining some
cumbersome procedures during the time they were
there – they will be sorely missed.
The OLLI West Advisory Council (all volunteers),
under the leadership of Jack Dais, immediately
stepped up to bat and set up interviews with three
potential candidates for the position. This was all
done in record time during the Christmas and New
Years weeks – so we all owe them a debt of gratitude
for taking time away from their family and friends
to accomplish this task. The very able interview
committee was composed of Jack Dais, Nick Muller,
Nancy Murray and Mamie Thompson.
“
“
A Word from Our Director
...WITH THE HELP OF THE INCREDIBLE
OLLI WEST ADVISORY COUNCIL AND
CURRICULUM COMMITTEE...WE HAVE
BEEN ABLE TO KEEP THE OLLI WEST
DOORS OPEN!
In the meantime, I have stepped in to keep things
rolling and to train our new OLLI West Manager,
Susan Schmetzer. As most of you know, I opened
the OLLI West site in 2007 and resigned the manager
position in June, 2015. Being retired for several
months has left me a bit rusty – however, with the
help of the incredible OLLI West Advisory Council
and Curriculum Committee and all the other capable
volunteers – we have been able to keep the OLLI West
doors open! Dianne Howie has been ever ready to
bring me up to speed during my absence from the
program – I am so grateful for her kindness.
I will stay on aboard until Susan is trained and
comfortable with all the numerous procedures and
policies that are involved in this dynamic position.
I also have to once again thank Nancy Murray for
helping with the winter newsletter and Mamie
Thompson and Fran Fraser for helping with the
classroom assignments for spring. These are super time
consuming tasks and I sincerely appreciate their help.
Please welcome Susan as she begins her work at OLLI
West – I know she will do an outstanding job!
Winter Hot Topics Luncheon –
Friday, February 19, 2016
“How Fast the Middle
East Changes —
A Journalist’s Personal
Perspective”
Mary Meinig
W
ho can talk
with authority
about the Middle East? A
diplomat whose shoes are
as shiny when he leaves
a foreign outpost as they
were when he landed?
A politician whose only
contacts overseas were
chosen to make him a
happy man when he heads
home? A pundit who
never leaves home? No. You want someone who has
had “boots on the ground.” And gotten them muddy
while he was there. That is how veteran news foreign
correspondent Greg Dobbs has spent his life. Join your
OLLI at DU colleagues to learn more about what is
really happening in the Middle East.
Greg Dobbs is a professional speaker, the author of two
books, and a journalist for 45 years, spending most of
his time as a correspondent— including more than two
decades as a foreign and war correspondent— for two
American television networks. From his news coverage
in more than 80 countries around the world (as well
as coverage of the U.S. space program), Greg brings
an informed perspective that breathes life and realism
to both current and historical events. He is the winner
of three Emmy awards, and now writes regular op-ed
columns for The Denver Post.
The event will be held on Friday, February 19,
11:30 am – 1:30 pm at The Vista at Applewood Golf
Course, 14001 West 32nd Avenue in Golden Cost is
$20/per person –make checks payable to OLLI and mail
to 2211 So Josephine St, Denver, CO 80208. No tickets
are issued – your reservation check must be received
by Friday, February 5, 2016.
The information presented at this event is intended
for educational purposes only. OLLI at DU takes no
position on the views expressed.
OLLI WORLDView
Focuses on Russia
A
ll three OLLI sites
are in the midst of
this year’s WORLDView
focus on Russia. From
history to the arts members are immersing themselves
in classes and activities that provide a broad, insightful
look at this incredible, but often controversial country.
During the spring term OLLI will welcome its first
“visiting scholar” from St. Petersburg. Lubja Kaverina,
a professor and author, will be presenting a six week
class, “Russian History as Seen through the eyes of
Three Generations of Women.” Lubja will stay in
OLLI members’ homes and will participate in many
of the OLLI activities that will take place during her
stay with us. We encourage OLLI members to reach
out to Lubja and perhaps have her to dinner with a
group of friends. She speaks fluent English, having
been an interpreter for many American business men
and women. Let Vonnie Wheeler know (at vwheel@
comcast.net) if you would like to host Lubja during
the spring term.
OLLI in St. Petersburg Russia – Registration
Deadline Approaching
Our year-long WORLDView study of Russia will
culminate in a ten day educational trip to St.
Petersburg, June 22 – July 2, 2016. There are still a
few places left for those thinking about joining other
adventuresome OLLI members for this memorable
trip. For information please contact Debbie in the
OLLI Office, 303-871-3090 or
[email protected].
Want to Help?
Volunteer!
O
LLI West is always looking for members who
would like to volunteer their time to help our
program continue. We have lots of opportunities:
Hospitality Committee; Classroom Assistant; Social
Committee; Curriculum Sub-Committee Member;
Newsletter writing – or anything else you can think
of – we would love to hear from you! Email Susan
Schmetzer at [email protected].
3
American Attitude Towards
American Indian Challenges
Roger Collins
Susan Schmetzer
(continued from page 1)
During the next several weeks, Susan’s plan is to learn
as much as she can about the operation of OLLI
in order to be an effective manager. She wants to
meet and get to know the members so that she can
understand their needs and be helpful to them. She’s
also looking forward to working with the other site
managers and, eventually, looking at what other OLLI
programs across the country are doing.
Susan is very family oriented. She and her husband,
William, have been married for 41 years and have four
grown children and seven grandchildren. Originally
from Chilton, Wisconsin, they lived in Arizona and
Alaska before finally making Colorado their home.
OLLI class, Fall 2015 gathered together and learning how to
dance Indian style, taught by visiting Indians, the Bearsheart
family and facilitator: Roger Collins
W
hat do you know about the history of
American Indians? The culture, the historical
events, the tragedy, the sadness, the attitude that “We
are still here,” the pride, the excitement and the fun of
learning about the American Indian was shared by all
during the OLLI class entitled, The First Americans:
Then and Now—a study of American Indians.
“
“
There are things we can all do as
individuals in our society to ensure
that American Indians themselves are
welcomed within our society...
There are things we can all do as individuals in our
society to ensure that American Indians themselves are
welcomed within our society—not incorporated, not
ignored, but welcomed. Poverty, hunger, joblessness,
alcoholism and higher-than-average suicide rates
are still problems that American Indians cope with
regularly. If you’re interested in American Indian
history, culture and values, don’t let your interest stop
with a few books and pictures—make it your business
to understand the American Indian past and present.
Native Americans were here first and are still here. We
should be interested and proud of their culture, their
strength and their stamina. Join others when this class is
presented again and learn about this fascinating subject
that you were never taught in school.
4
Up Close & Personal with a Model T!
Participants in Nick Muller and Mamie Thompson’s
OLLI West’s Fall 2015 class, Experiencing America:
A Smithsonian Tour of American History, were
fortunate be up close and personal with a Model
T last September. On that day the class discussed
the significance of Henry Ford’s Model T in US
transportation history. Gary Giarratano of Arvada
graciously came to the JUC, demonstrated how the
Model T works and gave rides to volunteers.
Introduce OLLI to a friend. . .
Bring a Buddy to Class.
Any day, any time. As a courtesy, please let your
facilitator know in advance.
Our very own Karen Lindsay honored as
2015 “Arts Person of the Year”!
O
LLI West facilitator,
Karen Lindsay, was
honored as “Arts Person
of the Year” by the Center
for the Arts Evergreen.
Several hundred of
Karen’s fans joined
together to celebrate her
many contributions to
the arts at an event last
fall.
Besides facilitating
arts classes for OLLI
(she is co-facilitating the winter OLLI West class,
Wyeth: Andrew and Jamie in the Studio), Karen
was instrumental in growing Sculpture Evergreen
which places sculptures in public places around
the Evergreen area. The organization also conducts
tours and educational programs around the annual
Evergreen Sculpture Walk. Plus Karen works in
partnership with the Center for the Arts Evergreen
and the Evergreen Park and Recreation District to lead
classes and tours to various metro area art museums.
OLLI West has been fortunate to experience Karen’s
passion and art expertise over the past several years.
In addition to her upcoming winter class, she has
facilitated these very popular classes: The Group of
Seven; Museum Moments; Artists of the Broadmoor
Academy; 100 Years of Colorado Women Artists;
Passport to Paris; Picasso to Pollock; Taos Tales; and
Colorado’s Art Scene. Our sincere congratulations and
appreciation go to Karen – we hope her enthusiasm
for the arts will continue to benefit our OLLI
members for years to come!
Summer Seminar – Early Opportunity
(back by popular demand)
An Archaeological
Canoe Trip down the
Gunnison River
A
s a part of OLLI’s Summer Seminars we have
arranged another educational canoe trip on the
Gunnison River. This time the focus is on archaeology
led by Lucy Bambrey who holds a Master’s Degree in
Archaeology from the University of Denver.
This is a private trip for OLLI members scheduled
for June 24 - 26, 2016. Cost of the adventure is $425
per person which includes: all meals (delicious!),
professional canoe guides and equipment, and
archaeology expertise both on the river and hiking
the canyons. A preseason rate if paid by April 15, 2016
is $392. The trip is limited so if you want to go, and
receive the special discount, make your reservation
early by sending your check to the OLLI office, 2211 S.
Josephine St. 80208. Be sure and note “canoe trip” on
your check. For questions, contact Vonnie Wheeler at
303-871-3070.
Our class members visited the Carr Judicial Center. A
volunteer retired attorney guided this visit to the Colorado
Supreme Court room (picture), as well as the law library and
awesome art work.
Walking and Gawking!
Al & Nancy White
Last fall seventeen eager OLLI participants visited
some of the public art that is displayed in downtown
Denver; we learned the history of each piece and
the biography of each artist. Our four afternoon
walking tours included the Convention Center,
Denver Performing Arts Center, the Wellington
Webb Building, Coors Field, Union Station and
Larimer Square. Our outings were made more jolly by
debriefing at a local eatery over wine and tapas!
5
Upcoming Peak at our OLLI West Spring Classes
W
e owe our OLLI West Curriculum Committee,
headed up by Mary Meinig, a great deal of
thanks in putting together this array of great classes
(some may be subject to change before the catalog
comes out on February 8).
Humanities/Philosophy/Religion
Topics in Psychology and Religion
Women Abstract Expressionists
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Pacifist, Spy
Writing Into Your Wisdom
The Crusades: European Folly
OLLI Chorus
Symphony 101
Joy of the Written Word: Close Reading
Philosophers Look At Religion
Practicing Presence
Science/Technology
Evolution of Man
Global Water Resources Issues and the Water-Food
Energy Nexus
What the Bleep Do We Know About Theoretical Physics
Scientists Who Influenced Us
Evolution of Your Body
Ask A Doc
Mysteries of the Universe
How The Earth Works
K
ady Martin, an OLLI
member for four
years, has recently published
a children’s storybook,
entitled: I Hate to Wait!
It’s a story of a child who
loves parades, but hates
to wait. Kids will relate to
the “path” activities and
coordinating actions
and sounds. Kady has been a
professional storyteller for over twenty years,
and will perform the story for schools and libraries, with
the purchase of her book. Kady has also published a
children’s party book: Party Shakers, and a family party
book: Let’s Party. The books are available from Cam Co
Publishers in Arvada, or Amazon and BookCrafters.
6
History/Economics
How the Holocaust Happened
Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan - Modern Wars and the
Warriors Who Fight Tem
Old Man River: The Mississippi River in North
American History
Words and Music of America’s Wars
The Siege of Leningrad: Two Tales, Two Voices
Russia’s War:1924-1953
The Impact of Film on US History
Golden, Where The West Lives
Current Events/Politics
2016 Elections: Candidates and Issues
TED Talks - Ideas Worth Discussing
Current Events
Speakers Series/Travel Series
Travel Series
WellAware
Wednesday Walks
Special Presentations
Great Orchestras, Great Music Making
The National Debt: Where We Are and Where We Are
Going
Interactive Learning
Eclectic Denver Tours
Principles of Design with Paper Art
Introduction to Chess
Where does your tuition
money go?
That’s a question some members ask – so here’s the
scoop!
Our expenses are divided between these main areas:
Rent; Salaries (currently
two part-time positions);
Facilitator Support;
Printing; Office Supplies;
Postage and Equipment.
We run a tight ship at
OLLI West and are happy
to share our financials
with members who wish
to see them!
Get Fit this Spring – Join
Wednesday Walks!
Our OLLI West
Volunteer Leaders
W
Jack Dais, Chair, Advisory Council
Nick Muller, Vice-Chair, Advisory Council
Al White, Financial Liaison, Advisory Council
Mary Meinig, Current Curriculum Chair
Joan Sample, Former Subcommittee Chair of
Humanities/Philosophy/Religion
Mamie Thompson, Incoming Curriculum Committee
Chair & Subcommittee Chair of History/Economics
Fran Fraser, Subcommittee Chair of Science/Environment
Tom Hughes, Subcommittee Chair of Current Events
Sandra Morgan, Subcommittee Chair of InterActive
Learning
Jim Halderman, Subcommittee Chair of WellAware
es
Do
ing
W
&
n
Well
EL
L Aw
Oll
i
a re
ednesday Walks,
part of our OLLI
West WellAware program,
are designed to get us
out and moving with
other OLLI members
on short, easy nearby
sT
walks. This spring, we will
hro
ng
ug h Kno wi
start at 11:30 am from
the Jefferson Unitarian
parking lot with the intent of being back in time for
1:00 pm classes. You will also be able to meet us at our
walk starting point. Please plan on bringing a lunch or
snack to eat as we walk, water, a hat and sunscreen.
In case of snowy, cold weather, we will go to Colorado
Mills Shopping Center and walk the mall.
Below is our list of scheduled walks:
APRIL 6th: Clear Creek Trail heading west from
the Golden Chamber of Commerce parking lot at
Washington and 10th Streets in Golden.
APRIL 13th: Crown Hill Memorial Park, around the
pond and into the bird sanctuary. Go east on 26th
Avenue from Kipling to the second lot.
APRIL 20th: South Table Mountain is a steeper hike,
but short, with flat walking on top of the mesa. We will
park in the neighborhood near the beginning of the
path.
APRIL 27th: Clear Creek Trail eastbound from
Youngfield Street in Wheat Ridge. Parking is north
of 38th and south of 44th Avenues on the east side of
Youngfield St.
MAY 4th: Eldridge Avenue neighborhood walk west
to the park on 32nd, then south around the residential
streets close to JUC.
MAY 11th: Apex Trail near Heritage Square off Colfax
Avenue/Hwy. 40. Parking near the trail is in the Heritage
Square parking lot, north end.
All OLLI members and friends are welcome. No charge
or registration will be necessary and parking is free at all
the trails. Sign up information will be available spring
term at OLLI West.
These incredible volunteers have spent countless hours
making OLLI West the great program it is!
Don’t miss this!
W
e are fortunate to
have former threeterm (1975-1987) Governor
of Colorado Richard D.
Lamm address our OLLI
group on April 1 at 9:30 am.
He will address the weighty
topic of the Federal Budget
and whether the taxing
and spending policies are
sustainable. Offering his opinions on how America
can re-balance federal spending – this should be one
presentation no one wants to miss.
Governor Lamm is currently Co-Director of the
Institute for Public Policy Studies at DU. He is both a
lawyer and a Certified Public Accountant. Lamm has
always been in the forefront of political change. He
was an early leader of the environmental movement
and was President of the First National Conference on
Population and Environment.
Further information on his presentation will be in the
OLLI West spring catalog.
Our great thanks to Nick Muller, OLLI West Advisory
Council Vice-Chair, for arranging Governor Lamm’s
appearance.
7
Bits & Pieces for OLLI
West Members…
• S now days! If it is snowing on an OLLI class day,
please check to see if Jefferson County Schools are
closed. If they are closed – OLLI West is closed!
•B
e thoughtful! There are so many wonderful classes at
OLLI West this winter term – and we know you would
like to sit in on all of them. However, please do not
attend a class you are not registered for – many classes
are full (to the brim!) and many have waitlists.
•K
itchen if Off-Limits! The kitchen at Jefferson
Unitarian Church is not available to our OLLI West
members. Coffee, tea and water are always available
in the kitchen window – but the kitchen is strictly for
church staff. If you need a sink – please use those in
the restrooms.
•T
hank the most important folks! So many people
keep OLLI West running smoothly – and foremost
is Doug Everitt who is at class everyday – setting up
audio visual equipment for our facilitators and doing
coffee and clean-up for our members. When you see
him – thank him!
Thank You
To Winter Classroom Assistants!
Our grateful thanks to everyone who volunteered
to be a classroom assistant and help out our
great OLLI West facilitators this term. They
make everything run more smoothly for
all of us! They are: Marilyn Adler, Nancy
Bass, Marjory Beal, Dee Biesterfeld, Linda
Boettcher, Lorrie Brovsky, Wendy Carlson,
Marcia Croft, Alice Dalby, Sherma Erholm,
Tracy Evanko, Iris Fontera, Bill Fraser, Fran
Fraser, Janet Frauenfelder, Jim Halderman,
Colleen Jorgenson, Karen Lush, Mary Meinig,
Judy Miller, Pat Poole, Larry Schafer, Marilyn
Scherer, Heather Thomas, Nancy White, Lynn
Wilde, Margaret Van Cleave, Len Wheeler and
Maggie Wohlberg.
If you would like to be a classroom assistant for a
future class – contact the facilitator of that class
and let them know!
MARK YOUR
Did you know that…?
Calendar
FOX31 News did an excellent segment on OLLI at DU?
You may view it at this link:
http://kdvr.com/2015/10/18/curiosity-never-retires-for-aninquisitive-growing-group-of-seniors/
If you would like to view the video presentation, “A Beautiful
Equation - Einstein, Bohr and Grandmothers” that was shown
at Central’s “Mid Day Morsels, you may borrow the video from
the OLLI Library.
February 8 OLLI West catalog online at
http://portfolio.du.edu/olliwest
February 19 Hot Topics Luncheon with Greg Dobbs
at The Vista ar Applewood Golf Course
March 28 Spring classes begin
May 20 Spring term ends
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)
2211 South Josephine St., Denver, CO 80208
303-871-3090
www.universitycollege.du.edu/olli
Karen Thorne, Interim Manager
303-717-4299
[email protected]