Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)
Outreach
LECTURES AT ROGUE VALLEY MANOR
OLLI at SOU presents the following speakers in a series of lectures to be given on the following dates from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the Rogue Room of the Skyline Plaza at Rogue Valley Manor in Medford, OR. Everyone is invited, whether or not a resident of the Manor or a member of OLLI at SOU, and there is no cost.
Download a flyer [PDF]
Monday, February 4
Bernie Hartman
Introduction to OLLI at SOU; Honey Bees and Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Bernie will provide background information on the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Southern Oregon University, including membership, and also describe courses currently offered. He will then give a talk on honey bees, which are social insects with elaborate means of mechanical and chemical communication. More than 100 agricultural crops are dependent upon pollination by honey bees. Unfortunately, colonies are dying because worker bees, world wide, are disappearing, not returning to the hive from foraging trips. What is causing this phenomenon? Bernie has a Ph.D. in comparative physiology and is past President of the Council of OLLI at SOU. (NOTE: THIS LECTURE WAS RESCHEDULED FROM AN EARLIER DATE DUE TO SNOW AND WILL BE HELD IN THE ROGUE RIVER ROOM).
Monday, February 11
Marc Ratner
Homer's Odyssey. Homer occupies a special place in western culture. The Odyssey, which tells of the physical and mental struggles of Odysseus to return home while maintaining his humanity and defining himself is a "classic" with humor and drama. Marc has a Ph.D. in American Comparative Literature and formerly taught at California State University.
Monday, February 25
D. Ean Roby
Sunni and Shi'ite-Their Origins in Early Islam. Today's news often speaks of Sunni and Shi'ite in Iraq, but who are these groups and where do they come from? This talk will investigate the historical origins of these two Islamic communities. Ean taught philosophy and comparative religions for 34 years at Ohlone College in Fremont, California.
Monday, March 10
Bill Anderson
August Wilson: His Life and Plays. August Wilson has written a series of ten plays dealing with African-American life during the 20th century. Each of the plays represents a different decade. OSF is presenting FENCES this year, and they have done a number of Wilson's plays. Wilson's life and his plays will be the focal point of the talk. Bill has taught a series of American literature classes for OLLI at SOU during the last fourteen years.
Monday, March 24
Allison Renwick
Two Italian Renaissance Villas and Their Gardens. The Italian Renaissance gardens at the Villa Lante and Sacrobosco express the dramatic shift, which took place in the 16th century, from a classical world of order to a more "modern" one of chaos and despair. With her own slides, Allison guides us through these gardens and the history of that era. Allison has an M.A. in Art History and taught art history and drawing at Portland Community College for 29 years.
Monday, April 14
Bob Smith
Gertrude Bell and Iraq: Déjà vu All Over Again. Gertrude Bell was an intrepid Englishwoman who traveled extensively in the deserts of the Middle East in the years before WWI. During and after the war, she was deeply involved in the politics of the area. At the Cairo Conference in 1921, along with Winston Churchill and T. E. Lawrence, she was instrumental in the geography and governance of the new Iraq. Bob Smith taught at the College of San Mateo for 34 years and now revels in teaching his hobbies at OLLI. He likes to think of himself as an educational hedonist.
Monday, April 28
Annette Lewis
OSF Bowmer Plays: Dream, Cart, Bridge What you should know to enhance your viewing pleasure about three plays OSF will perform in the Angus Bowmer Theatre during the 2008 season: A Midsummers Night's Dream, The Clay Cart, and A View from the Bridge. Annette has taught English, theatre and speech for 30 years in high schools and colleges.
Monday, May 12
Vicki Purslow
An Introduction to the Schuman Collection of Unique Musical Instruments. An opportunity to see and hear instruments from the Schuman Collection. One of the world's largest private collections, it includes rare and historic instruments from European, Islamic, African, Asian and American musical traditions. Vicki holds a Doctor of Music Education degree. She is currently Associate Dean of the SOU College of Arts & Sciences and Chair of the SOU Musical Instruments Museum Board.
Monday, May 19
Charley Pagan
Bill Evans, the Jazz Pianists' Favorite Jazz Pianist. Classically trained from age six, Evans had a stellar career as a soloist, sideman, and composer. His recordings with Miles Davis and at the Village Vanguard in New York are legend. Along with his compositions and performances, he is best known for his innovative and beautiful harmonies and for redefining what it means to play as a trio. Charley will discuss Evans, and play his music at the piano and using recordings. . Charley is a local jazz pianist with a deep affection for music in all its forms. His background includes classical training from childhood through college, followed by years of private instruction and performance.
