OLLI at Colorado State University

Home
United States
Fort Collins, CO
OLLI at Colorado State University

OLLI is a community of lifelong learners aged 50 and better who connect to learn and grow together.

10/02/2026

🌲 New Section Added Due to Popular Demand! 🌲

Forest Bathing (Shin-rin Yoku) | Section 007
Instructor: Alyssa Golinvaux

The response to this unique experience has been so strong that we've added a second section!
Join Alyssa Golinvaux, registered nurse, yoga teacher, and certified Forest Therapy Guide, for an immersive introduction to the Japanese practice of Shin-rin Yoku, often called forest bathing. During a guided walk in nature, you'll learn the history and science behind this mindfulness practice while engaging your senses, slowing down, and reconnecting with the natural world.
This gentle outdoor experience can support both mental and physical well-being while cultivating a deeper sense of awe, presence, and connection.
🍃 Discover the healing power of nature and see why so many members are excited about this course. Reserve your spot today! www.osher.colostate.edu

10/01/2026

🧘‍♀️✨ Returning to Stillness: A Retreat for Rest and Reflection ✨🧘‍♂️
In a world that constantly asks us to do more, what might happen if we paused?
Join us for a day of reflection, mindfulness, and renewal as we explore practices that help quiet the mind and reconnect us with a deeper sense of calm and presence. Through guided sitting and walking meditation, compassion practices, and periods of silent reflection, participants will discover practical ways to cultivate greater clarity, balance, and inner peace.
No prior meditation experience is necessary. Whether you're new to mindfulness or looking to deepen an existing practice, this welcoming retreat offers space to slow down, breathe, and listen to the wisdom of the heart.
📖 Led by Sue Schneider, Ph.D., medical anthropologist, integrative health coach, certified mindfulness instructor, and author of Meeting the Moment with Kindness: How Mindfulness Can Help Us Find Calm, Stability, and an Open Heart.
📅 Thursday, October 15, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
📍 Primrose Studio
🎓 OSHR 1058
www.osher.colostate.edu

09/30/2026

🌎 OSHR 5072 – Through the Lens of Chaos: A New Way to See Our World
What if chaos isn't simply disorder—but a key to understanding the world around us?
Join instructors Jo Vanderkloot and Judy Kirmmse for an eye-opening exploration of chaos, complexity, and the patterns that shape our lives. From global events to family dynamics, participants will discover how complex systems influence conflict, uncertainty, and change—and learn practical ways to navigate them.
Topics include: ✅ Recognizing patterns of behavior in groups of all sizes
✅ Using nonlinear thinking to manage uncertainty
✅ Understanding the paradigm shifts contributing to confusion, misinformation, and unintended consequences
✅ Finding new perspectives on challenges in communities, workplaces, and families
The course combines engaging presentations with both small- and large-group discussions.
📖 Course: OSHR 5072 – Through the Lens of Chaos: A New Way to See Our World
👩‍🏫 Instructors: Jo Vanderkloot & Judy Kirmmse
📅 Dates: October 5–26
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
📍 Location: Drake Hall
With decades of experience in social systems, conflict, organizational dynamics, and human behavior, Jo and Judy bring a unique and thought-provoking perspective to understanding our increasingly complex world.
✨ Discover how a deeper understanding of chaos can help you make sense of today's challenges—and navigate them more effectively.
www.osher.colostate.edu

09/29/2026

🧠 OSHR 6160 – Thinking Is Not What You Think and Other Tricks Our Minds Play
Based on Daniel Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow
Have you ever wondered why a warm cup of coffee can influence your impression of someone, or why we so often fall victim to overconfidence and confirmation bias? The answer may be that our brains are playing tricks on us!
Join us as we explore the fascinating world of decision-making, cognitive biases, and mental shortcuts through the lens of Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman's groundbreaking work. Discover why we think the way we do, uncover some of the brain's most common illusions, and learn to approach these insights with both curiosity and humor.
📖 Course: OSHR 6160 – Thinking Is Not What You Think and Other Tricks Our Minds Play
👩‍🏫 Instructor: Kate Reiter
📅 Dates: October 1–15
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
📍 Location: Drake Hall
Kate Reiter is an award-winning public speaker, educator, performer, and comedy instructor whose engaging teaching style brings complex ideas to life. With a background in theatre, literature, and humor, she adds insight, energy, and plenty of laughs to every class.
Come learn why your brain isn't always the reliable narrator you think it is! 🤔✨
www.osher.colostate.edu

09/28/2026

✍️ OSHR 2105 – Lettering by Hand Plus Design and Layout
Discover the art of transforming everyday handwriting into beautiful, expressive lettering! Whether you enjoy writing notes, journaling, creating signs, making cards, or preserving family stories, this hands-on class will inspire you to put pen, pencil, or brush to paper and let your creativity shine.
Participants will explore artistic fonts, design principles, layout techniques, spacing, and guidelines for creating eye-catching posters, invitations, cards, and signage. You'll also have time to work on your own lettering projects and develop a personal style that goes beyond traditional calligraphy.
📅 Dates: October 1–15
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
📍 Location: Drake Hall
👩‍🏫 Instructor: Diane Odbert
📖 Course Number: OSHR 2105
About the Instructor
Diane Odbert is a retired middle school math, science, and literature teacher who spent more than 22 years inspiring students to enhance their note-taking through color, creativity, and hand lettering. Her passion began when her engineer father taught her block lettering, leading her to become the first girl enrolled in her middle school's drafting class. Diane has continued to embrace hand lettering as a creative art form, using pen and brush to express her unique style on everything from posters and journals to letters and signs.
🎨 Join us and discover how the simple act of putting pen to paper can become a creative and artistic expression all your own!

09/25/2026

🪘 NEW SECTION JUST ADDED! Starts September 29 🪘

The response to West African Drumming (OSHR 7073) has been so strong that we've added a new section to accommodate demand!

Experience the energy, rhythm, and joy of traditional West African drumming in this fun, hands-on course with Dee Desnoyers, an experienced instructor who recently returned from an intensive study tour in Guinea, West Africa. Participants will learn the fundamentals of hand and stick drumming while exploring a rich musical tradition that is both engaging and accessible.

✅ No musical experience required
✅ Supplies included
✅ Beginners welcome

📅 Sep 29 - Oct 27
⏰ 1:15 - 2:45 PM
📍 Empire Grange

If you've been thinking about trying something new, now is the time. This popular course begins soon, and space in the newly added section is limited. www.osher.colostate.edu

Feel the rhythm. Make some noise. Join us before the new section fills! 🪘✨

Provide your feedback on BizChat

09/24/2026

🍺🥨 OLLI Experience: Oktoberfest at Maxline Brewing! 🥨🍺
Celebrate Oktoberfest with an unforgettable afternoon of German cuisine, craft b**r, and hands-on culinary discovery at Maxline Brewing!
Join Chef Tetiana Sherman as you explore how craft b**r can be enjoyed as a beverage, paired with food, and even used as a cooking ingredient. Savor delicious German-inspired dishes, learn practical cooking techniques, and discover the art of b**r pairing in a fun and interactive setting.
From Bavarian cheese dip and bratwurst to traditional apple streusel, this flavorful experience is perfect for food lovers, b**r enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a unique OLLI outing.
📍 Maxline Brewing
📅 September 30
🕐 1:00-4:00 PM
Come hungry, bring your curiosity, and join us for an afternoon of great food, local craft b**r, and Oktoberfest fun. Prost! 🍻🇩🇪✨
www.osher.colostate.edu

09/23/2026

🤖 Curious About Artificial Intelligence?
AI is changing the way we work, learn, communicate, and make decisions. But what exactly is it, and how might it shape our future?
Join technology industry veteran Richard Waal for a two-part, non-technical exploration of artificial intelligence. You'll gain a clear understanding of AI concepts, discover how it's being used today, and engage in lively discussions about the ethical and societal questions surrounding this rapidly evolving technology.
No technical background required, just curiosity and a willingness to explore one of the most important topics of our time.
📍 Drake Hall
📅 September 30 & October 7
🕙 10:00 AM-Noon
Come learn, ask questions, and join the conversation about the future of AI.
www.osher.colostate.edu🚀🧠

09/22/2026

✍️ World of Wonders: Writing Personal Essays About the Natural World 🌿
Have a story to tell? Discover how the natural world can inspire meaningful personal writing in this engaging course led by writer and educator Cherie Nelson Senie.
Using World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil as a guide, participants will explore personal essay writing through readings, discussion, and writing exercises. From gardening and nature walks to cherished childhood memories, you'll uncover fresh perspectives and connections while learning what makes a compelling essay.
No writing experience is necessary. New writers are welcome!
📍 Drake Hall
📅 September 29 to October 20
🕤 9:30-11:30 AM
Come explore the wonder in your own experiences and transform them into stories worth sharing. 🌳📖✨
www.osher.colostate.edu

Address

2545 Research Boulevard
Fort Collins, CO
80526

Website

https://courses.online.colostate.edu/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when OLLI at Colorado State University posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The University

Send a message to OLLI at Colorado State University:

Want your university to be the top-listed university in Fort Collins?