Director's Note
Year-End Appeal We Need YOU
The generous contributions of our members are invaluable lifelines for our scholarship fund, programming, and overall operations—and by participating in OLLI at WMU’s Year End Appeal campaign, you can help support our organization in an incredibly meaningful way. As you think about year-end giving, please consider maximizing your impact with a gift from your IRA! Making a donation directly from your IRA both creates a lasting impact on our lifelong learning community and is one of the most tax efficient ways to support your favorite charities.
This type of gift, called a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), allows individuals 70½ or older to donate up to $108,000 per year, tax-free, from an IRA to a qualified charity like OLLI at WMU. While an IRA is a smart way to save for retirement, there are tax implications when you take your Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). If you’re subject to an RMD, your gift to OLLI may count toward that distribution.
When making a Qualified Charitable Distribution from you IRA, you can:
- See the difference you’re making today with an immediate impact.
- Pay no income taxes on the gift—the transfer doesn’t generate taxable income or a deduction.
- Satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution (RMD); to count toward your 2025 RMD, your gift must be completed by December 31.
Take advantage of this opportunity to make a tax-free impact before the year ends!
You can also name OLLI at WMU as a beneficiary on your retirement account. It costs you nothing today and can be done by completing or updating the beneficiary form through your plan provider.
Explore all the ways that you can support OLLI by visiting wmualumni.org/gift-planning or calling the WMU Office of Gift Planning at (269) 387-8791!
Sincerely,
Toni Woolfork-Barnes, Ed.D.
Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at WMU
Curriculum
OLLI Instructors - Thank YOU!
Dear OLLI at WMU Instructors,
On behalf of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude for the time, energy, and knowledge you share with our community. Your passion, dedication always exceed our expectations, we are grateful. And your commitment to lifelong learning makes OLLI a vibrant and enriching experience for all.
Thank You!
Winter Spring Course Registration
Get Set, Ready, Register…
Are you ready for the winter/spring semester? We have an incredible array of course offerings as we do each semester — and thanks to our continued partnership with the wonderful Osher Online program, you can start learning as soon as the new year begins! These six-session courses will begin prior to the start of OLLI at WMU courses and are perfect for members who want to dive a little deeper into intellectual exploration.
You can easily register for an Osher Online course, by using the link that says “Osher Online Courses” in the course registration system. Please note, there is a limited number of seats for all Osher Online courses, so registering early means you will have a better chance of securing your spot!
If you have any questions, OLLI at WMU staff will be back in the office on Monday, January 5, 2026. Remember, if you need help with Osher Online courses specifically, you are asked to contact the Osher staff directly via e-mail at OsherOnline@northwestern.edu or by phone (312) 503-5555. Osher Online staff will also return to the offices in the first week of January.
OLLI at WMU Course registration starts Wednesday, January 14, at 10 a.m. Keep an eye out for our new course catalog, which will be sent by mail. To see the full description of courses, please review within the course registration system. Here’s the link to the YouTube video to walk you through how to register step-by-step for how to register online for membership and courses...
OLLI Shared Interest Groups
Introducing the Newest Shared Interest Group (SIG)
Do you suffer from the winter doldrums and find yourself inside more than outside? Missing events and friends due to the weather being cold, gray and snowy?
You now have an antidote thanks to your OLLI at WMU membership! Join the new “Virtual Happy Hour” starting January 8th via Zoom. What’s a Virtual Happy Hour, you ask? It’s an online group of folks who bring their favorite beverage and discuss a pre-determined topic with each other or with a special guest. This Happy Hour is scheduled to last from January through March, either monthly or bi-monthly, to be decided by the group.
OLLI at WMU’s Virtual Happy Hour launches on Thursday, January 8th at 4:00 p.m. We expect it to last 1 to 1 and ½ hours depending on how many people are attending. You can register here SIGs and Events
Your host is Judy Sivak, Co-Chair of the Membership/Marketing Team. If you are interested in participating, you can sign up when you register for winter/spring classes or contact Judy directly at judysivak@gmail.com You will then receive an email with the Zoom link 1-2 days prior to the scheduled Happy Hour. And remember, only OLLI at WMU members are eligible to participate, so if you know of a non-member who would enjoy this, encourage them to join.
Events
Annual Meeting
Thank you for attending this year’s Annual Meeting. This year’s meeting allowed OLLI members to socialize, share in tasty refreshments, communicate with committee volunteers and to hear a very encouraging message from Mr. Reid Williams. Williams is a co-founder of The Local Journalism Foundation, Inc., a 501c3 public charity that operates the community news service known as NowKalamazoo, where Reid serves as Director of Audience & Civic Engagement.
Also, a huge thank you to everyone who donated to the Kalamazoo Literacy Council and the WMU Montgomery Essential Needs Pantry. The Program Manager (Donielle Easlick) asked that I share the following information below:
“In total, OLLI donated over 186 lbs. of food to the Bronco Food Pantry! We are seeing more and more first-time students use the pantry this year - overall a 31% increase from this time last year in total shoppers. With SNAP being paused as well - this donation could not have come at a better time for our students and the pantry. Thank you again for hosting this drive!” Please share my gratitude and the impact with the entire OLLI team!
January Thaw! ❄️
Save the Date for Our January Thaw! ❄️
Wednesday, January 28 • 1–3 p.m. • People’s Church
Shake off the winter chill and join your fellow members for our popular January Thaw gathering!
We’re planning an afternoon of warm conversation, good cheer, and a few special opportunities to give and receive:
📚 Save your books!
Bring a few favorites to exchange and discover new reads to cozy up with during the cold winter months.
✏️ Save your student and office supplies!
We’ll be collecting donations for the Kalamazoo Literacy Council, supporting adult learners right here in our community.
☕ Save the date—and your spot!
More details are coming in the January newsletter, but don’t wait—get a head start and register now so you don’t miss out on this midwinter celebration!
REGISTER HERE SIGs and Events
Come curious. Leave inspired. That’s OLLI at WMU.
Membership & Marketing
Give The Gift of OLLI
Do you think that your aunt or uncle would like another pajama set or a meaningful gift membership to OLLI at WMU? We think suggest giving the gift of lifelong learning and fun!!!
Call the OLLI office (269-387-4157) to secure the perfect gift for aunts, uncles, family members and friends. They will love it!
Travel
Let's Explore New Horizons -- Together!
In addition to the trips coordinated by OLLI at WMU’s travel program, Premier World Discovery offers opportunities to explore over 80 worldwide destinations, including international cities, river cruises, and domestic tours throughout United States, as well as excursions to Canada and other countries abroad. Enjoy browsing their website to discover all of the adventures that await you! Also, remember that we have a partnership with Premier World Discovery, so if you book a tour with them that is not being offered through our OLLI Travel program, be sure to let Premier’s reservation department know that you are a member of OLLI at WMU, so we receive credit. If you have questions about the company or any of the tours, you are welcome to call Premier World Discovery toll-free in California at (877) 953-8687 between the hours of 12 to 7:30 p.m. (EST). Happy Travels!
Wellness Moment
Biometrics Success Story
Written by Tyler Norman, Ph.D.
Manager of Corporate Outreach
ACSM Exercise Physiologist
NCFI Corporate Fitness Specialist
West Hills Athletic Club, WMU
Introducing Keith Grafos. Keith is a recent Alumni of our Biometrics weight management program that combines the basic principles of nutrition and physiology to facilitate some incredible transformations. Keith has lost approximately 90 pounds since he started this journey. He did it the old-fashioned way, without the use of appetite suppressants, but with the guidance of a professional trainer and a customized meal plan. Biometrics encompasses many of my favorite topics to discuss in the OLLI newsletters. Thank you, Keith, for your inspiration!
"This saved my life!" West Hills Biometrics Nutrition and Fitness Program Testimonial - YouTube
Community Connections
Kalamazoo Literacy Council
Kito Jumanne-Marshall
Marketing and Development Manager
Stories That Shape Our Lives
Dear OLLI members,
As the year winds down and we gather with friends and family to share stories, the Kalamazoo Literacy Council (KLC) is reminded of the many stories that shape our lives. This year, KLC has helped hundreds of adults in Kalamazoo County write new chapters in their own stories through improved literacy skills.
We've witnessed triumphs as learners gained the confidence to read to their children, secure better jobs, gain citizenship, and navigate everyday life with greater ease. These individual stories are integrated into our community's story, strengthening our connections and creating opportunities for everyone. But the work is not done. Many more adults in our community are waiting for their chance to rewrite their stories. With your support, we can provide the resources and dedicated tutors they need to achieve their goals.
Please consider becoming a volunteer tutor! With only a few hours a week, you can make an incredible difference in someone's life. Sign up for the January training session at kalamazooliteracy.org/volunteer. To learn more, contact Abbey at (269) 382-0490 ext. 219 or @email.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season filled with meaningful connections and inspiring narratives!
What is the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute?
The program was initiated under the auspices of the WMU Emeriti Council and various WMU units. OLLI offers intellectually lively and culturally appealing learning experiences. We accomplish this by focusing on intellectual stimulation, personal growth, social engagement and enrichment. Read more
What do we do?
We offer short courses for one to four weeks. Sessions are usually two hours long. Travel programs are also a part of our offerings. There are no tests and no required homework, just exploring lots of interesting topics.
In the near future we will offer courses in different formats -- noon hour discussions, several sessions in one week, and more evening courses. OLLI courses and activities are developed and produced by its members with the support of the staff of WMU.
We need your ideas for course topics and instructors. Let us know your suggestions. Call the OLLI office at (269) 387-4157 or send an email. The curriculum committee will review all suggestions.