Spring 2025 Term

Discover ideas, acquire knowledge, and fuel your curiosity through the Lifelong Learning Institute of Ohio Wesleyan University. The Spring 2025 term is scheduled from March 24 - May 2 and offers an array of topics including geneaology research, the science behind the headlines, TV game shows, art history of pre-modern Europe, and much more for your consideration! 

The term begins the week of March 24. Registration for the Spring 2025 Term has closed.

Courses are taught by volunteers, including professors, practitioners, and others in a noncompetitive environment, with each class meeting for approximately two hours. Join the community of lifelong learners 55 and older for the exciting classes presented below.

Lifelong Learning Institute gift certificates are available and make a great gift for a birthday, anniversary, or other celebration. (See tab to the right for more information).

Join other lifelong learners for classes and community this spring!

Class Location: All class sessions will be held in the first-floor Benes Rooms of the Ohio Wesleyan Hamilton-Williams Campus Center except where noted in the individual class descriptions below. The address for the Hamilton-Williams Campus Center is 40 Rowland Ave., Delaware. The campus map can be found here.  

Parking for classes held at OWU is available in campus parking lots including next to and behind the library and other locations highlighted here.

Be sure to join our email list to be kept up-to-date on LLI happenings.

LLI Potpourri

Mondays, 10 am - noon (March 24, 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28) 

Class Location: This class will be held each week in the OWU Hamilton-Williams Campus Center first-floor Benes Room.

• Cemetaries for Geneaology Research with Krista Horrocks, Department Manager of Education & Support Services, Ohio State Historic Preservation Office, Ohio History Connection
  March 24 
  Hunting for an ancestor's gravestone can be an exciting adventure or a frustrating series of dead ends. When we find our ancestor's gravestone, we are often in awe, as it can give important birth, death, and marriage dates. But just because that information is written in stone doesn't mean it is always correct! Join Krista Horrocks, cemetery preservationist for the Ohio History Connection, on how cemeteries and gravestones can help, or hinder, your genealogical research.
• Mythbusters with Dr. Maribeth Eiken, one of the founders of the Lincoln Society of Dayton, Lifelong Learning Institute of Ohio Steering Committee member
  March 31
  Drawing from Edward Steers Jr.'s most recent book, "Getting Right with Lincoln:  Correcting Misconceptions About Our Greatest President," this presentation will tackle several examples of parts of Lincoln's life which hold a variety of viewpoints.  Dr. Steers is a Lincoln scholar who explores aspects of the life and legend of Abraham Lincoln.
• Prelude to Independence: From "Tea Party" to "Shot Heard Round the World" with Barbara Terzian, Cornelia Cole Fairbanks Associate Professor in the Department of History, Ohio Wesleyan University
  April 7
  April 19, 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of British troops' engagement with colonists on the green of Lexington Village and the streets of Concord, MA.  Ralph Waldo Emerson later wrote that "the shot heard round the world" was fired that day at Concord, presaging the War for Independence that would come.  Prof. Terzian will pick up the story of "Prelude to Independence" by explaining how the Boston "Tea Party" led to actions by Parliament that caused the events of April 19th.
• The Strange Fate of South Vietnam, 1975-2025 with Mike Flamm, Professor of History 
  April 14
  Explore how and why the North won the war in 1975 while the South today dominates Vietnam's society, economy, and diplomacy.

• The Mysterious Origins of the God of Israel with Dr. Chris Farrar, novelist and student of biblical archaeology, author of By the Water of Babylon and the sequel, Light of Exile
  April 21
  One god, and only one, emerged from the multiplicity of ancient near eastern deities to become the god of Israel, and subsequently, the god of the universe. But this god has no predecessors among those other deities; not among the gods of the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Egyptians, the Canaanites, or those of their contemporary civilizations.
  So how did an obscure desert deity emerge from the fringes of the ancient world to become the God of Israel, and then the God worshipped by almost half the population of the Earth?
  How far can the archaeological and historical evidence take us, and what remains beyond the current reach of scientific research?
  These are some of the questions we'll consider:
  • Who were the Shasu, and what did they have to do with the emergence of the god of Israel?
  • What's the connection between the god of Israel and ancient metallurgy?
  • Is there a connection to Moses and the Exodus?
  • Why do the both the Bible and extra-biblical sources insist that God came from outside of Israel, from the desert south?
  • How did this god first enter the culture of ancient Israel?
  • How did the god of Israel displace and subsume the gods of the Canaanites?
  • What was the one crucial event through which God emerged from the physical land of Israel and into the world at large?
  • Did God have a wife?

• A Conversation about the way forward - an open discussion with three Delaware personalities,  with Pam Foster, Chair SourcePoint Board of Trustees: Jim Mendenhall, former Director of Development and Community Engagement, United Way; Jon Powers, University Chaplain Emeritus, Ohio Wesleyan University; Larry Harris, retired CEO of Willow Brook Christian Communitieis and class moderator 
  April 28
  Listen to a lively conversation among Delaware luminaries Pam Foster, Jim Mendenhall, and Rev. Jon Powers. Drawing on their life experiences and formal studies, they will discuss a broad range of topics, including race relations, class distinctions, changes coming from Washington (hey, let's please keep things civil…), social trends, and much, much more. They will follow no outline or agenda. Rather, their conversation will find its own course. Larry Harris, founding CEO of Willow Brook Christian Communities, will moderate the discussions. There will be ample time for your questions and comments. Panelists include:
  
  • Pamela Foster is a Delaware County resident with a strong commitment to community involvement. She serves as a Zoning Commissioner for Orange Township and is chair of the SourcePoint board of trustees. She is also a member of the Delaware County Master Gardener Association
  • Jim Mendenhall is a "Delaware kid" who grew up on Park Avenue and attended Delaware City Schools and Ohio Wesleyan University, where he earned a BA in Botany/Bacteriology. He had a 35-year career in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology field and he served OWU as a Major Gift Officer and Associate Director of Alumni Relations, as well as being involved in the Career Connection Program.
  • Jon Powers is a the University Chaplain Emeritus of Ohio Wesleyan. He has served as a United Methodist Chaplain in higher education for 52 years. He has lived in Delaware since 1988.
  • Moderator: Larry Harris served 48 years as CEO of Willow Brook Christian Communities.

Science Behind the Headlines

Becky Patton, Environmental Scientist, Adjunct Professor, Virginia Tech University

Mondays, 2 pm - 4 pm (March 24, 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28)

Class Location: This class will be held each week in the OWU Hamilton-Williams Campus Center first-floor Benes Room.

This weekly discussion series digs beyond the rhetoric in the media to look at the science behind some of today's most serious issues. Topics may include climate change, hydraulic fracturing, oil/gas exploration, endangered species, water availability, clean air, alternative energy (solar, wind, geo-thermal, nuclear), contamination in consumer products, or other subjects of interest to attendees. The format will provide a prepared presentation of the facts associated with the topic, drawn from the scientific literature, sample frequently asked questions and answers and then an open discussion time for the attendees to explore the topics and ask further questions. 

My Life As A...

Mondays, 7 pm - 9 pm (March 24, 31, April 7, 14) 

Class Location: All class sessions will be on Zoom with the link sent to registrants.

What career path did you choose? How did you choose such a path? Hear the interesting choices and paths followed by a number of distinguished individuals in diverse fields.

• Brigadier General Deydre Teyhen, OWU '93
  March 24 
  At Ohio Wesleyan, Teyhen earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sports Science and went on to earn her Master's Degree in Physical Therapy from the U.S. Army-Baylor University, her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biomechanics from the University of Texas, her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Baylor University, and her Master's Degree in Strategic Studies, with honors, from the U.S. Army War College.
  
  She has used her considerable education to build a military career focused on improving the delivery of healthcare, holistic health and readiness (public health, musculoskeletal medicine, behavioral health, resiliency, imaging and technology). Teyhen currently serves as commanding general of Brooke Army Medical Center, located on the Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
  
  In recognition of her work, Teyhen's key military awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Medical Department Order of Military Medical Merit, the Surgeon General's "A" Proficiency Designator and the U.S. Army Warr College Commandant's Award for Distinction in Research.
• Kara Trott, OWU '83
  March 31
  Kara Trott is the founder, board chair and senior advisor at Quantum Health, a first-of-its-kind consumer healthcare navigation and care coordination company that helps guide consumers through the sometimes daunting and disorienting healthcare experience. Today, the company provides a simplified, coordinated healthcare experience to more than 1.5 million plan participants across the United States.
  
  Before launching Quantum Health, Ms. Trott was a corporate attorney with the firm Bricker & Eckler and a strategic marketing consultant at RPA International.   A politics and philosophy double-major at Ohio Wesleyan, Trott was inducted in into the Ohio Foundation on Independent Colleges Hall of Excellence in 2020.  Her many other earned awards include Columbus CEO Healthcare Executive of the Year, Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year, The Stevie Awards Female Entrepreneur of the Year, Inc. Best Workplaces, SBA Business Person of the Year, and the WPO 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies.
• Diane Petersen, MD, OWU '66
  April 7
  Diane Petersen came to OWU in 1962, expecting the school to be as integrated and liberal as her New Jersey high school. She ended up breaking racial barriers in the University's all-white Greek system, becoming the first African-American Delta Delta Delta sorority member after a year of pushback by the organization's national office in Texas. 
  
  She found a management job after graduating as a speech major and then returned to school, earning a master's degree in communicative disorders from Northwestern University in 1968 and, in 1982, a medical degree from the University of Michigan before going on to a career as an ear, nose, and throat specialist. Petersen has enjoyed groundbreaking memberships in many othe prestigious organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Medical Women's Association, Association of Women Surgeons, and the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.
• Colonel Eric Buer OWU '88
  April 14
  A native Californian, Colonel Buer spent his formative years in rural New England before graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University with a degree in economics. After accepting a commission from the Marine Corps, he was trained to fly attack helicopters. His deployments took him to the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He commanded in combat, served on the staff of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, as a professor of national security strategy at the National War College and as an air group commanding officer. Eric is currently a senior executive for an aviation and training company. He is also a consultant and public speaker in the areas of military and commercial aviation and global conflict. Colonel Buer is also author of the #1 Amazon bestseller, Ghosts of Baghdad, an authentic and compelling firsthand account of the opening days and nights of the Iraq War.

TV Game Show Fun!

Gerry S. Nemeth (GSN), TV Game Show History instructor

Tuesdays, 10 am - Noon (March 25, April 8, 22, 29)

Class Location: This class will be held each week in the OWU Hamilton-Williams Campus Center first-floor Benes Room.

We will look at the history of the TV game show genre. Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune, What's My line, Password, GE College Bowl, and more. We will have the opportunity to play simulated versions of your favorite game show. I hope to feature folks that have appeared on TV game shows to enhance the class. Prizes and a few surprises! 

LLI Potpourri - Tuesday

Tuesdays, 2 pm - 4 pm (March 25*, April 1, 8, 22, 29) *March 25 class will be a 3 hr class from 2 pm - 5pm.

Class Location: This class will be held each week in the OWU Hamilton-Williams Campus Center first-floor Benes Room.

• Enneagram: Dynamic map of human personality, with Connie Frecker and Lisa Bueche, Principals in Enneagram Ohio, Certified Riso-Hudson Enneagram Teachers
  March 25
  The Enneagram is a dynamic map of human personality that reveals how we organize experience and find meaning in our lives. It describes nine distinct patterns of attitude and behavior and reveals many of the reasons why we think and behave the way we do. Using knowledge of the nine personality styles of the Enneagram provides a foundation for a better understanding of ourselves and promotes healthy relationships by understanding the needs and perspectives of all those we encounter. 
• Stories of Repression and Resilience: The Mapuche People in Chile, with Andrea Colvin, Associate Professor in the Department of World Languages & Cultures - Spanish; Department Chair, Ohio Wesleyan University
  April 1
  Have you ever wondered what happened to South America's native peoples after Spanish colonization? This class will introduce you to the Mapuche, Chile's largest indigenous community, exploring their history, the repression they faced since the mid-19th century as well as recent efforts to celebrate and preserve their culture. Drawing from Dr. Colvin's experiences during her 3-month sabbatical in Chile in the spring of 2022, you'll discover how community-based tourism fosters cultural understanding and appreciation. Through photos and sharing stories of both struggle and resilience, this talk offers a virtual journey to the stunning landscapes of Chile and a deeper understanding of the Mapuche people.
• Bird Migration - It's Complicated, with Richard Vail, Bird Lover
  April 8 
  Enjoy this highly visual and informative discussion about Bird Migration with lots of bird pictures.  The session is timely as spring is the most significant time of year for bird migration, and is intended as a light hearted, fun, but informative presentation.
• Unveiling the Leader Within: Discovering Your Voice Through the Power of Writing, with Dr. Ric Stranges, Buckeye Valley School Superintendent; Frank Hickman, Whetstone Business Consulting, LLC; Brent Carson, President Emeritus of the Delaware County Historical Society
  April 22
  Join Dr. Ric Stranges, a distinguished leader and author, as he shares his transformative journey of embracing lifelong learning and discovering his multi-faceted voice through writing. In this inspiring lecture, he reflects on how the pursuit of knowledge and the art of storytelling shaped his leadership style, amplified his impact, and empowered him to connect deeply with others. Gain insights into the importance of curiosity, resilience, and self-expression in crafting a legacy that resonates far beyond the written page.  Dr. Stranges is joined by co-authors, Brent Caron and Frank Hickman for this class.
• Those Were the Days: Singing & Dancing in 10 Movies from 10 Decades, with Jim Bartha, Friend of Forgotten and Found Films
  April 29
  This class is a light-hearted look at ten decades of movies that include at least one memorable song or dance routine. (This is not about musicals.)  Which scenes would be on your list?  I wonder if you will see them here?  Come, enjoy, relax, and maybe learn something new.

Get to Know Your Government, Who Does What?

Wednesdays, 10 am - Noon (March 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30)

Class Location: This class will be held each week in the OWU Hamilton-Williams Campus Center first-floor Benes Room.

Local, state and federal governments all play a significant role in our lives. Do you have questions on who does what? Presenters will explore their various areas of responsibility including current initiatives and future plans.

• March 26 - Getting to Know County Government, Jane Hawes, Delaware County Director of Communications, George Kaitsa, Delaware County Auditor, Chris Bauserman, Delaware County Engineer

• April 2 – Paul Brake, City Manager, City of Delaware

• April 9 - History and Overview of Township Givernment in Ohio, Heidi Fought, Executive Director, Ohio Township Association
  

• April 16 - Daryl Hennessy, Sunbury City Administrator

• April 23 - Padmini Roy-Dixon, Economic Development Director & Regional Innovation Officer, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission

• April 30 - Looking Back at the 2024 Election and Forward to the Trump Presidency, Paul Beck, Professor Emeritus and Academy Professor of Political Science, Ohio State University

Raise Your Spirits

Wednesdays, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. (March 26, April 2, 9)

Travel to locations to tour and learn about the unique operations of a brewery or winery as well as saple their offerings. Note: Visit www.owu.edu/LLI for class locations.

• March 26 - TBA

• April 2 - TBA

• April 9 - TBA 

Note: Each class will be held at the respective winery or brewery. Enrollment is limited to 40 participants.

A Feast for the Eyes: An Exploration of the Art and Archeology of Feasting in Pre-Modern Europe

Carol Neuman de Vegvar, Professor Emerita, Fine Arts, Ohio Wesleyan University

Thursdays, 10 am - Noon (March 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1)

Class Location: This class will be held each week in the OWU Hamilton-Williams Campus Center first-floor Benes Room.

"You are what you eat." - Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, Physiologie du Gout, ou Meditations de Gastronomie Transcendante, 1826.

This course will look at feasting in pre-modern Europe through art history and archaeology. We'll examine how feasting can tie into identity, status, gender and religion by considering its settings, equipment, imagery and practices. Case studies will include the Greek symposium and its roots in West Asian and Aegean Bronze-Age cultures, Etruscan imagery of feasting in the tomb, the Roman banquet, feasts in the early medieval mead hall and monastic refrectory as well as the later medieval castle and guildhall, the Church as critic of and participant in feasting, Paolo Veronese's trial before the Inquisition for a Rennaissance painting of the Last Supper that went just a little too far, Arcimboldo's allegorical food-portraits, and Dutch sill-lives of food as metaphors of the enjoyment of wealth, the pleasures of the five senses, the nourishing power of faith and the spiritual dangers of excess, and the impact of colonial expansion. Our journey will end with a consideration of formal dinners in English country houses, the reality behind Downton Abbey, followed by a break-out session to talk about the roles of food and feasting in our lives, homes familieis and identities.

Local History Comes Alive

Thursdays, 2 pm - 4 pm (April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1)

Class Location: This class will be held each week in the OWU Hamilton-Williams Campus Center first-floor Benes Room.

Explore community life and events through the interpretations of noted figues of their day. Presenters are in costume and in character to reenact signficiant infcividuals in moments of local history.

• April 3 – Adam Poe, founder of Ohio Wesleyan University, portrayed by Jon Powers, University Chaplain Emeritus, Ohio Wesleyan University

• April 10 - Hiram Perkins, founder of Perkins Observatory, portrayed by Tom Burns, Professor of English, Ohio Wesleyan University 
  

• April 17 - President Rutherford and First Lady Lucy Hayes, portrayed by Paolo De Maria and Deb Shatzer, Historical Character Reenactors 

• April 24 - WWI soldier from Ohio, Cyrus Moore, Museum Director of Baltimore Community Museum
  

• May 1 - Lucy Depp, portrayed by Francine Butler, Delaware educator, choreographer and cofounder of Community Arts Network

Falls Free Zone

Colleen Zombak, Community Education Coordinator, SourcePoint 

Fridays, 9:30 - 11 am (April 4, 11, 18, 25)

Class Location: This class will be held each week in the OWU Hamilton-Williams Campus Center first-floor Benes Room.

This class offers interactive educational modules and discussion on falls prevention topics such as Home Hazards, Exercise, Vision, Hearing, Medication Management, and Community Safety.

Note: Registration is limited to 20 participants.