The LLI launched its inaugural term in Fall 2019, offering nine courses with more than 250 registered participants. Courses were held on the Ohio Wesleyan campus, at Willow Brook Delaware Run and Christian Village, The Strand Theater and Willis Education Center.

2019 Fall Term Courses

Ten courses will be offered in the fall 2019 term, which are:

Academy Award Winning Films and the Backstories They Tell

Tracey Peyton, Managing Director of the Strand Theatre
Learn the backstories, cultural significance and interesting facts about select Oscar-winning best feature films through the years beginning with Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) in week 1 and concluding in week 6 with Little Miss Sunshine (2006). Led by 92.9 FM WDLR radio “Through the Lens” movie reviewer and Strand director, the course will also explore the business side of film including how the Strand Theatre makes its film decisions.
NOTE: This course will be held at the Strand Theatre with each session
lasting 2.5 to 3 hours, based on the run time of the films.
Mondays, 9:00 am – Noon

DNA Testing, What Is All The Fuss About?

Kelli Bergheimer, nationally known DNA testing/genealogy expert
Explore many aspects of DNA testing and its implications including determining which of the five most common DNA tests to take, understanding your DNA health reports, learning about genetic differences among siblings, and organizing and analyzing DNA matches.
Note: The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy,
available in July 2019, is suggested as a textbook for this course.
Purchase of this book is voluntary.
Mondays, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

My Favorite Lecture

Explore an array of topics with distinguished Ohio Wesleyan University faculty members representing multiple disciplines—physics, politics and government, psychology, classics, fine arts, and music—as they share their expertise on the topics below.

  • September 24: “Understanding Modern and Contemporary Art” Marty Kalb, Professor Emeritus of Fine Arts
  • October 1: “Democracy in the Age of Misinformation” Joan McLean, Professor Emerita of Politics-Government
  • October 8 : “Just Like Us? Greek and Roman Kissing: Occasions, Protocols, and Mistakes” Don Lateiner, Professor Emeritus of Classics (Trigger Warning: Occasional frank sexuality)
  • October 15: “Exploring the Klais Pipe Organ in Gray Chapel” Joe Musser, Professor Emeritus of English
  • October 22: “What Is a ‘Psychological Sense of Community’?” Richard Leavy, Professor Emeritus of Psychology
  • October 29: “Astronomy, Religion, Rhetoric, and Philanthropy” Barbara Andereck, Professor of Physics and Astronomy

Tuesdays, 10:00 am – Noon

Lifespan Maintenance of Knowledge

Dr. Lynda Hall, Professor of Psychology and Associate Dean for Academic Performance, Ohio Wesleyan University
During the course of our lives, we invest considerable time and effort to acquire knowledge through formal education as well as at work, for our hobbies, and in other activities. How well do we maintain this knowledge over the years? What types of learning activities lead to lasting knowledge? How often do we have to rehearse information to remember it? Why can’t I remember the names of people I know? What is the impact of cognitive aging on memory? This seminar will focus on research that addresses these and related questions.
Tuesdays, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

The Universe and Your Place In It

Tom Burns, Retired Director of Perkins Observatory
We’re going to take a tour of the Universe, wherein we will start from planet Earth and work our way upward and outward to the edge of everything that is, a place we have come to call our universe. Come prepared to fasten your safety belts!
Wednesdays, 10:00 am – Noon

Whirled Religions: A Traveler's Guide to the Faiths of the Human Family

Jon Powers, Chaplain, Ohio Wesleyan University
The traditions of several faiths will be explored including respective history and beliefs, basic rituals and services, holy days and festivals, and life cycle events including those of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and another faith of the attendees’ choice. The course will include occasional guest speakers and brief articles to be read before class.
Wednesdays, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Rutherford B. Hayes – Things You Didn't Know

Bill Rietz, former Social Studies Teacher at Delaware Hayes High School and Delaware J.V.S.; Chair of the Rutherford B. Hayes Heritage Fund Committee
The 19th President of the United States chose to serve one term in the White House. This course will explore the life of a kid known as Rud who was raised by his widowed mother in Delaware, Ohio. His resume included a legal practice in Cincinnati, two-term Representative to Congress, three-term Governor of Ohio and U.S. President. Family and service were trademarks of Hayes. This course has a goal to shed light on the man who served his community, state, country and fellow man in varying capacities.
Note: This course will be held at the Willis Education Center, 74 W.
William Street, Delaware.
Thursdays, 10:00 am – Noon

Veg Centric – Trending Now.  Cooking with Seasonal Vegetables

John Lindeboom, Corporate Director of Culinary Services at Willow Brook Christian Communities
Take advantage of all those seasonal vegetables, with innovative cooking techniques that were once reserved for meat and seafood. Veg centric is the latest trend that has established root from coast to coast, showing upon menus everywhere. Learn basic techniques that earn vegetables center-of-the-plate attention!
NOTE: This course will be held at Willow Brook Christian Village,
100 Willow Brook Way S., Delaware with enrollment limited to 40
participants.
Thursdays, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

A Matter of Balance

Clare Edwards, Community Education and Initiatives Manager,
SourcePoint
Leslie Menges, A Matter of Balance Volunteer Leader
The award-winning A Matter of Balance program emphasizes practical strategies to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels. Participants learn to set realistic goals to enhance activity, change their environment to reduce fall risk factors, and exercise to increase strength and balance.
Note: The course runs 8 weeks through November 15th with
enrollment limited to 12 participants.
Fridays, 10:00 am - Noon

The OWU Connection: The World Through Our Eyes

Lisa Ho, Assistant Director, International and Off-Campus Programs, Ohio Wesleyan University
Ohio Wesleyan Students
Ohio Wesleyan University welcomes students from all over the world—with the Class of 2022 representing 45 states and U.S. Territories and 32 countries. Students participate in the OWU Connection, the signature program of experiential learning within the liberal arts curriculum, which can include interdisciplinary learning, travel, research, creative projects and internships. Several students will share their experiences across the globe along with their decision to come to Ohio Wesleyan and their impressions of Delaware and central Ohio.
Fridays, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

2019 Fall Term Registration

The LLI Fall 2019 Term runs from September 23 through November 1, 2019. Registration will be $75/person and will include registration for multiple courses, subject to availability.

Registration for the fall term has closed.  Registration for the spring term will begin in January 2020.

Click here for general information on registration.

Lifelong Learning Institute Contact Information

Location

Ohio Wesleyan University
61 S. Sandusky St.
Delaware, OH 43015

Contact

Email LLI@owu.edu or call Debbie Lewis at 740-368-3078.