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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of North Texas

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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of North Texas

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OLLI at UNT is a lifelong learning program for adults age 50 and better. Visit our website for more information about our classes and faculty. olli.unt.edu

OLLI at UNT is a lifelong learning program that provides intellectual stimulation and social engagement through an extensive array of classroom and experiential learning opportunities designed by and for adults over 50.

10/28/2026

It was our privilege to collaborate with the UNT College of Music on their screening of the silent film "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" last night, which featured improvised organ accompaniment by Todd Wilson. Prior to the screening, our Associate Director Megan Bryan gave a talk on the film's historical context, its importance to the German Expressionist movement, and its impact on future filmmakers.

10/26/2026

Earlier this month, members enjoyed a presentation by UNT History Professor Alex Mendoza, author of "Reasons We Fight: Tejanos and American Wars, 1836-1972." His lecture explored the concept of Tejano military service and how historical memory and monuments impact public history and the discourse surrounding wartime service.

10/23/2026

Our Senior Director Jordan Williams created this short video message to share some important news with the OLLI community.

10/23/2026

As a historian of music from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, UNT College of Music Professor Brian Wright appreciates the opportunity to teach OLLI members. "It is good to hear from people who have had life experiences that are different from mine," he recently told Donna Ledbetter of our volunteer Storytelling Team. "OLLI gives me the opportunity to take my ideas about the past and bring them to people who were there and I love to hear what they have to say. It is a great test case for my work."

Though she wasn't a fan of the Beatles at the time, OLLI member Patricia Frazier recently attended Dr. Wright's class at CC Young on how the band used recording studios as creative instruments in the 1960s. "It was fascinating to learn that in the years they were in the studio the technology really wasn't available to do the things they wanted to do," she told Donna. "The Beatles worked with people who had the creativity and knowledge to create sounds that had not existed before and it was interesting to learn how they did it."

10/21/2026

This semester, members learned about the future of NASA and commercial space from Ken Ruffin, president of the National Space Society (NSS) of North Texas and member of the NSS Board of Strategic Advisors. He spoke about present and future NASA missions, space company missions with space tourists to suborbital space, and more.

Following his presentation at CC Young Senior Living, Ken told Donna Ledbetter of our volunteer Storytelling Team that "OLLI audiences are really special because so many remember the Apollo missions. When I talk about the Artemis missions, they have that connection which makes it easy for them to relate to what is happening now at NASA and the plans for the future."

OLLI members Sarah Franklin and Jay Orr have long been interested in space and rockets. Jay told Donna, "I was surprised about future plans to launch 400 people into space at one time to land on the moon and live in a special capsule. That sounds like science fiction!"

10/19/2026

As a sequel to his presentation on his experiences at the U.S. Embassy in Poland during the 1980s, OLLI member Steve Dubrow is highlighting other aspects of his 25-year diplomatic career this fall. He's sharing accounts from his time in two U.S. consulates (Zagreb and Lubumbashi) and two missions (to the European Union and to the Organization for the Security and Cooperation in Europe). His presentation emphasizes how, as a diplomat, he conducted his everyday life as part and parcel of his professional responsibilities.

10/16/2026

This semester, UNT Clinical Associate Professor LeeAnn Derdeyn is teaching OLLI members about villanelles. She explained to Donna Ledbetter of our volunteer Storytelling Team that "villanelles started out as rustic, freeform poems that were often set to music or dance." Although they have a structured form today, villanelles are still "a way to say very personal things in a universal way that isn't overly sentimental and that people can relate to."

OLLI member Miles Zitmore enjoys coming to Dr. Derdeyn's lectures whenever she offers them at CC Young. Although Dylan Thomas' "Do Not Go Gentle" is one of his favorite poems, Dr. Derdeyn's presentation introduced him to the work Elizabeth Bishop for the first time. "If you have an opportunity to participate in OLLI, I highly recommend it," he said.

10/14/2026

We're of our Associate Director, Megan Bryan, and Advisory Council Past President, Sandi Meier-Western. Earlier this month, they represented our OLLI at the 2026 Osher Institutes National Conference. They had a great time getting to know our counterparts at other OLLIs around the nation. They also gave presentations as part of a breakout session titled "Messaging, Stories, and Elevator Pitches That Shine."

10/12/2026

This fall, Professor Andrew Torget of UNT's School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry explored the iconic era of the 1950s, when Americans were more prosperous than ever while also deeply terrified of the growing threats of communism and nuclear war. He spoke to members about how the Cold War, Disneyland, McCarthyism, and easy consumer credit all came together during this remarkable decade to redefine American life.

Photo Credit: Jean Greenlaw

10/09/2026

Jerry Davis is a nuclear engineer who worked in the commercial electrical power industry for 15 years. He followed that by teaching Engineering at UNT for 21 years. In retirement, he's been giving OLLI presentations on a variety of topics, ranging from the Texas electric grid to his passion for greyhound dogs. This semester, he's presenting on the classic film "Casablanca," including behind-the-scenes trivia.

He recently told Donna Ledbetter of our volunteer Storytelling Team that he's grateful OLLI accepts teaching proposals because "everyone has at least one story they can tell--something you did while working, a hobby, a trip. If you are interested in the topic, it's likely others will be too."

Address

1500 N. I-35E
Denton, TX
76205

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+19403697293

Website

https://olli.unt.edu/

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