Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Get out of the house while you're at home--ZOOM with OLLI! As a result of COVID-19 concerns and out of caution, we will continue to use ZOOM for the spring semester.
ZOOM is a user-friendly program, and instructions on downloading it are available in the short, simple video available in this link: ZOOM with OLLI! If you need assistance or practice in ZOOM, feel free to call us.
Course lists are available in the Gulf Park Courses and Hattiesburg Courses pages of this website. Icons for each are in the left-side menu, and no matter which city you're in, you may enroll in classes listed for either campus. ZOOM provides us an opportunity to participate in courses with peers from both campuses and most anywhere, no driving required.
Ready to Register?
Call 601.264.2780 in Hattiesburg or 228.214.3277 in Long Beach if you have questions about joining or registering.
Course or Field Trip Suggestions
This course will cover a brief survey of the changes that took place in art as it passed from the Gothic into the Renaissance and beyond. Dana Stratton is a sheltering-in-place, retired art and art history instructor who is slowly learning the ropes of communicating through Zoom.
OLLI members will learn to understand the ukulele as a musical instrument, learn to read ukulele chords and play while reading the chords. Supply list: Concert Ukulele and tuner. Gina Aguilar is retired and is volunteering her time at OLLI. She learned to play the ukulele on her own and plays as a hobby.
In times of war, music can be an instrument of propaganda or comfort. But can the same work be both simultaneously? What gives music its meaning? How does our engagement with the artwork shape our perceptions of it? This seminar will consider music's power to cultivate identity and to unite or divide its listeners. Join Dr. Hafer on Mozart's Birthday! Dr. Ed Hafer holds a BA in music history and literature from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the MM and PhD in historical musicology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He teaches music history at USM.
In 1942-43, the Dutch transit camp Westerbork featured a thriving cabaret made up of actors and musicians who fled Germany after Kristallnacht. Their performances offered a glimmer of hope for those who were imprisoned. This seminar will look at the role of music and theater in this camp and consider how the performers played for their lives. Dr. Ed Hafer holds a BA in music history and literature from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the MM and PhD in historical musicology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He teaches music history at USM.
Join OLLI for a fascinating look at composition and painting. Using rulers, compasses, brushes and paint, we will explore the dynamic geometry of the square. As you learn how to use grid systems, you will strengthen your compositions and build a greater understanding of representational painting. It will be a fun and rewarding way to gain confidence in your design abilities and painting skills. Traci Stover is an artist and educator who taught in the art program at USM for over 20 years. She is also a graduate of USM, and received her B.F.A. in painting and drawing. She received an M.F.A. in painting and drawing from The American University in Washington D.C.
This is a beginning Tai Chi course for those with or without previous experience and is designed to prevent falls and improve balance, health and well-being. This specific program was developed by health and Tai Chi professionals to be safe, easy to learn and has proven effective by medical studies. Susan Nodurft is a retired biology teacher. After retirement she began the study and practice of Qigong/Tai Chi. She is certified as a Tai Chi Easy "Practice Leader" by the Institute of Integral Qigong Tai Chi.
Chairobics combines fun and fitness while moving to music. This class is designed to increase muscle strength and range of movement as well as improve cardiovascular health. Small hand weights and elastic bands are used for toning. A chair is used for seated exercises and standing support. No on-the-floor exercises. Valerie Webber is a Southern Miss graduate with a BSBA and MBA as well as a Life Member of the Alumni Association. She has worked in the accounting/finance industry and in information technology.
Educating the senior community on tips to successfully age in place. Broken down into 5 topics: Fall prevention, Nutrition, Seasonal Depression, and Local Resources. We will discuss the first 4 topics in depth as to how important it is to make the home a safe environment, how important nutrition is to maintaining strength in body and mind, how to recognize seasonal depression, and the local resources available to help. Robin Buch is one of the owners of Southern Living Assistance Services serving the Gulf Coast with in-home, non-medical care. She worked for a national brand for 3 years. She presented topics of interest to the senior community surrounding the care which would allow them to age in place.
In this two-part seminar we will outline the many causes of diabetes type 2, discuss food choices and how we can change your lifestyle and show you how can begin to reverse diabetes. We will also discuss natural solutions to help you make better choices and begin the process of living without diabetes type 2. Dr. Richard Yurick is a board-certified family chiropractor and has practiced for 33 years. He is also a nutritional health coach and professional speaker. His focus is on teaching a healthy lifestyle and how to prevent sickness and disease. He also conducts seminars on reversing diabetes, natural weight loss and several other topics geared for older adults.
This mini-seminar will be a discussion of common warning signs of Alzheimer's to help you be informed about what is normal aging and what is not. Objectives: (1) Describe typical age-related memory, thinking or behavior changes. (2) Recognize common warning signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia. (3) Discuss tips for approaching someone about memory concerns. (4) Explain the importance of early detection and benefits of diagnosis. . . .and more. Kristen Davis is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She studied social work at Mississippi College and received her master's in social work from The University of Alabama. She has three years of experience working with people living with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers in the long-term care and hospital settings.
Many people tend to put others first and work to meet their needs before they take care of their own needs. Self-care is, in turn, seen as selfish, but, conversely, it is a vital component to mental health and is based on the premise that we cannot care for others properly if we are not first taking care of ourselves. In this course, we will discuss the revolutionary act of self-care and its importance to well-being. Dr. Stephanie Jett is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Georgia College and State University. She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with her Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology. Her research focuses on animal behavior/cognition and coping and resilience after trauma in veterans and other populations.
From Beth's popular selling book, Fun Games and Physical Activities to Help Heal Children Who Hurt: Get on Your Feet!, come learn real-life, no-tech solutions to get the kids you love off the sofa and away from the iPad. Let's play and teach the games and activities of our youth that built our brains and bonds and strengthened our compassion for others. Beth Powell, from Gulfport, is preparing for her retirement in Long Beach. For over 30 years, she has been a Texas licensed clinical social worker, trauma-informed psychotherapist and adjunct college professor. She is a graduate of USM.
This course will educate members about the Aid and Attendance benefit through the VA, and how we can help navigate through the process of applying and staying in compliance. It will explain how they can receive home care with no out-of-pocket cost for themselves or a family member. It will help members understand the different departments of the VA, which may help them to receive benefits they did not know they are entitled to. Miranda Malson is a Key Account Manager with Veterans Home Care. She helps veterans and their surviving spouses obtain a benefit through the VA called Aid and Attendance. She helps them obtain this benefit to pay for in-home services that they would not otherwise be able to afford by navigating through the application process.
This course will be a survey of Estate Planning's most infamous cases. In reviewing the likes of Anna Nicole Smith and Joan Crawford, attendees can get an idea of what it takes to plan estates, 'For Reasons Known to Them'. Z. V. 'Zeke' Baucum IV is an alumnus of The University of Southern Mississippi, where he completed his BSBA in Healthcare Marketing in 2013 and his MS in Economic Development in 2015. After graduate school, he attended the University of Mississippi School of Law, where he completed his Juris Doctor cum laude in May 2018.
Stand aside, New Orleans and Mobile! You have no exclusivity on Mardi Gras history. From 1699 to the present, the Mississippi Coast has observed and later celebrated the Carnival season in its own unique way. In this seminar, we will dissect all the crazy traditions, colors, foods, trinkets and parading that make up today's Mardi Gras celebrations. Kat Bergeron is a semi-retired journalist noted for her storytelling style of reporting and unique understanding of Gulf Coast history and folklore. She continues to write Mississippi Coast Chronicles, a Sunday column, for the Sun Herald.
A Brief Historical Introduction to Islam - $10
Thursday, February 11
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Seminar led by Dr. Lee Follett
This seminar will offer a brief overview of the development and rise of Islam within
the historical context of the early Middle Ages. Topics considered will include the
Prophet Muhammad, the Quran, the Five Pillars of Islam, the Sunni/Shi'a conflict,
and the rise and fall of the medieval caliphate. No prior knowledge of Islam is necessary.
Dr. Lee Follett is currently Associate Professor of History at the USM Gulf Coast campus, specializing
in medieval European history.
This course will investigate the causes and prosecution of America's war in Vietnam. How and why did America enter a war a world away, and how did the world's leading superpower fail to achieve its military goals? And how did the war impact the soldiers who fought in it? Dr. Andrew Wiest is University Distinguished Professor of History and Founding Director of the Dale Center for the Study of War and Society at Southern Miss. He is a widely published historian and has appeared on several award-winning historical documentaries.
This seminar will provide an introduction to the culinary collection at The University of Southern Mississippi. You will be taught how to locate and access cookbooks in the collections, both online and on-site. We will also discuss how to 'read' a cookbook to get the most out of it from a historical and culinary perspective. Jennifer Brannock is the curator of rare books and Mississippiana at Southern Miss. Dr. Andrew P. Haley is an associate professor of history at Southern Miss.
This course explores the questions of life's meaning and purpose as addressed in a variety of religious traditions. Dr. Amy Slagle is Associate Professor of Religion at The University of Southern Mississippi.
Join us in this mini-seminar for an interactive presentation on the Academy Award-winning film 'Roma' by Alfonso Cuarón, focusing on social issues. This will be followed by discussion. Dr. Leah Fonder-Solano is a Professor of Spanish with a Ph.D. from the University of Arizona. She teaches all levels (beginning through graduate) of Spanish language and culture. Her research centers on contemporary Latin American women writers, film and Spanish language education.
Using exercises, discussion and internet resources, participants will begin their novel in this session. Evelyn Timidaiski is a retired biology teacher with 33 years of experience and a published author with The Wild Rose Press. She is currently writing two new books with one waiting for contract. Her specialty is Romantic Suspense. She has participated in many contests, workshops, national meetings and is a Golden Palm Winner.
Ah, Wm. Blake and Wm. Wordsworth: let's just call these two giants of English Romanticism "Frenemies," shall we? Contemporaries and yet contrarians in key facets of their ideologies, these guys bantered back and forth about themes like innocence vs. experience, nature, and love. Oh, and the moon. Definitely the moon. We'll read 2 poems; you'll feel smart; your friends will adore you! Leah Holmes has a PhD (ABD) from USM in English Literature with a specialty in the Victorian Era. She currently teaches literature at the USM Gulf Park campus. She taught for numerous junior colleges and is a veteran high school English teacher. Her passion is the mystery/detective genre of the 1800s.
Evil in its many guises slithers over our thresholds via our myths and stories. Often political, and definitely mythic, evil has been studied throughout the ages and continues to generate a wealth of literary and artistic images. Satan changes from being a helper of God to the source of evil in the dualism that characterizes Judeo-Christian concepts of evil. Evil may also be seen as dwelling within. Victoria Hippard MSW, PhD, LCSW has taught as an adjunct professor at Loyola and Tulane. She maintains a small private practice in psychotherapy in New Orleans. She enjoys learning about the many ways in which people find meaning and enlightenment.
During this seminar, Dr. Levin will provide insights into making your creative writing piece better, discussing character, plot and style, with emphasis on craft elements. These include openings, point of view, theme, dialogue, diction, syntax, pace, action, exposition, conflict, motivation and symbolism. Dr. Phillip Levin has published 31 books and over 200 award winning articles, stories, and poems. His company, Doctor's Dreams Publishing, has edited and published over a dozen books for other authors. He is a Master’s in Fine Arts student at Southern New Hampshire University.
Come romp through a world of inappropriate gestures and jaw-dropping faux pas in this comedic novel of manners, where love (and marriage) takes center stage. We'll discuss how love seems to grow or fade, and whether or not society is set up for romantic love and marriage to coexist. Don't worry--Jane Austen never forgets to sprinkle in some money woes, familial duty, and some upper-class snobs! Leah Holmes has a PhD (ABD) from USM in English Literature with a specialty in the Victorian Era. She currently teaches literature at the USM Gulf Park campus. She taught for numerous junior colleges and is a veteran high school English teacher. Her passion is the mystery/detective genre of the 1800s.
Most people do not know that over 60% of English words come from Latin. Recognizing prefixes and base words in English gives you a new understanding of where these words originated. You will discern nuances you never realized before: e.g., if decem means 10, why is December our 12th month? Bring your own words to see what they really mean. We'll cover legal, medical, political, geographical and miscellaneous words and phrases. Nancy Ratliff is a retired high school teacher of Latin, Greek and Roman Civilization, and mythology. She graduated from Wellesley College, and earned her master's degree at USM. She is a member of University Baptist Church. Nancy taught horseback riding for two summers. Her hobbies are knitting, crocheting, sewing, cooking.
No southern-history education is complete without encountering the vengeful and cyclical late-night blazes of dejected sharecropper and arsonist, Abner Snopes. Raging against and dismissed by, a post-Civil War South, Ab's dark pathology is not for sissies. Meet Wm. Faulkner, MS. author and Nobel Prize winner (1949). Maybe file this one under "stories I haven't read, but probably should." Leah Holmes has a PhD (ABD) from USM in English Literature with a specialty in the Victorian Era. She currently teaches literature at the USM Gulf Park campus. She taught for numerous junior colleges and is a veteran high school English teacher. Her passion is the mystery/detective genre of the 1800s.
Creating healthy habits starts in the kitchen. Join April for a cook along featuring three simple recipes: Tropical Smoothie, Shrimp Vegetable Stir Fry, and Black Bean Brownies! Feel free to either cook along or just enjoy the demonstration. Recipes will be shared ahead so you can shop ahead if you like! April Sins has a master’s degree in healthcare management and is a registered dietitian for Rouses Markets.
This course is designed to help advanced beginning and intermediate birders to identify specific bird families that can be and ARE confusing to many of us. Currently, the following bird groups are planned for the class discussion: woodpeckers and raptors; sparrows and finches; shorebirds; gulls; and warblers. Birds in Mississippi will be emphasized. Dr. Clarke Millette is a retired medical school researcher and educator with 41 years’ experience. He moved to Hattiesburg ten years ago as a founding faculty member of the William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine. A lifelong avid birder, he wants to encourage participation in this hobby.
This course is a series of conversations about race and how it plays a role in our contemporary society, primarily as it relates to multicultural relationships during this global crisis while defining and addressing key topics. This course will further develop one's understanding of diversity, inclusion and equity matters in order to foster constructive conversations from multiple perspectives within our community. A blueprint for navigating through this moment while being a valuable community change agent will be considered. Dr. Alesha Russey is an alumna of Jackson State University. She has over 20 years of experience as an innovative leader, comprehensive educator, facilitator, community advocate, researcher and expert in science, literacy diversity, equity and inclusion topics.
LaRue Stephens has kept honeybees since 1984. As a hobbyist beekeeper he manages 25-30 colonies, enjoys rescuing honeybees from structures and removes swarms for people. He received additional training and certification as a beekeeper through the University of Georgia at the Young Harris Beekeeping Institute. Dr. LaRue Stephens has kept honeybees since 1984 and currently manages more than thirty colonies for honey production. He is a certified beekeeper through the University of Georgia's Beekeeping Institute.
What Bird is THAT? - $10
Monday, March 15
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Seminar led by Larry Basden
Learn to identify the birds that you have in your backyard using sight and sound.
The instructor will show you the common year-round residents, the partial year residents
(summer or winter), and a sampling of birds that you might see only during migrations
in spring or fall. Larry Basden has a formal technical education and has worked as a Chemist, Engineer, and Quality
Assurance Manager in the Petrochemical industry. After retirement, he combined a life-long
interest in photography with his new interest in nature. His favorite activity is
photographing birds.
Audubon Mississippi's Coastal Bird Stewardship Program was established in 2014 as a direct result of the BP Oil Disaster. Mississippi's beaches are home to some of the nation's largest Least Tern colonies, and Harrison County supports an estimated 18% of all Least Terns breeding in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Join us in this seminar to hear about Audubon's robust stewardship and monitoring program that has helped this global migrant thrive. Melinda Averhart is the Stewardship Manager for Audubon Mississippi. She is responsible for all aspects of stewardship and outreach, as well as conducting surveys and monitoring the coastal birds of Mississippi. Melinda has worked with breeding Least Terns, Black Skimmers and Wilson's Plovers across the Gulf Coast.
In this seminar, learn how to respond to health emergencies and provide basic first aid for your pets. This course may help you save the life of your pet until it can be transported to a clinic for care. Live demonstration with Belle, a search and rescue canine, will be provided. Dr. Jennifer Lewando-Sutton, a graduate of Millsaps College and LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, operates the only veterinary emergency facility serving the entire Gulf Coast.
In this two-part seminar, you will learn all about 'learning'. Our brains never stop learning. Four types of learning will be covered, classical conditioning, operant conditioning, observational learning, and latent learning. We will also discuss learning in terms of habit formation, emotions, cognition, and behavioral change. Dr. Megan Broadway is a USM graduate, a comparative psychologist, and professor of psychology at the University of Louisiana at Monroe where she studies animal communication and cognition. She is also the founder of The Rough Tooth Project, a non-profit organization founded to further our knowledge of rough-toothed dolphins.
This seminar will be a presentation on the history, geography and tourist sites on St. Croix, USVI. Rodney Nichols is a retired physical therapist. He taught a course at OLLI last term on the Battle of Vicksburg. His son, James, has recently completed a three-year tour of duty on St. Croix in the USCG, and Rodney made several trips to visit him.
Did you know that Colombia is one of the biggest exporters of flowers in the world? Most of the flowers we have in our local floral shops come from Colombia and it is also known for its high grade of coffee. Zoom in this seminar and learn all the reasons it is considered a hidden gem. David Vincent is a retired journalist and broadcast executive who loves to travel and share experiences from some of the places he has been fortunate to visit. Recently he took 12 folks to China on a wonderful two-week trip. He would like to share some of the things he learned and observed about the country.
Merida, Mexico, is the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatan. Merida has kept the charm and history of its old plaza and is a wonderful city to visit. Come learn why Merida is referred to as 'The White City' and find out why it is a must-visit in Mexico. Since retiring, Dave Reed has spent considerable time traveling, both domestically and internationally.
Due to virus concerns and the increased risk associated with in-person classes, the SIGs listed below are meeting via ZOOM at this time. Please register online for these SIGs and contact either office with questions. 228.214.3277 (Gulf Park) or 601.264.2780 (Hattiesburg)
OLLI GP Book Club — Meets 3rd Friday at 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. via ZOOM.
OLLI HB Book Club — 2nd Friday at 10:00 a.m. via ZOOM
Photography — 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. via ZOOM