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Explore and learn with us!

We offer fall, spring and summer courses at various locations across Stillwater. Topics change each semester and range from art, history, culture, cinema, cuisine and more.
OLLI students learning to make pottery

Stillwater Fall 2024 Course Offerings

Course registration will open August 27, 2024
  • SF24-0321 So, You Want to Write a Book … Now What?

    Wednesday, 1wk, 9/25, 10a-12p

    Format: Presentation
    Instructors: Debra Williams, Quinn Baldwin, Dale Ingram, Writers
    Location: Stillwater History Museum
    À La Carte Price: $10

     

    Have you ever had an idea that would make a great book? Or perhaps you’re fascinated by someone’s life and feel it’s worth telling for others to hear. How do you start? A panel of three local authors will share their experiences in conceiving, creating and writing their books. The genres covered will include cozy mysteries, biographies and novels for young adults. In addition to the story behind the story, each writer will discuss their journey in getting their work published and what’s involved in marketing their work.

     

  • SF24-0322 Beer 101

    Wednesday, 1wk, 9/25, 1:30-3:30p

    Format: Participation
    Instructor: Matt Sullins, General Manager, Stonecloud Stillwater Patio and Taproom
    Location: Stone Cloud Brewery
    À La Carte Price: $10
    Note: Max 15 people

     

    This course offers an introduction to the world of craft beer. We will discuss everything from the brewing process to the cultural and historical significance of this beverage we all enjoy so much. Topics will include brewing science, beer ingredients, the role women played in the rich history of beer, barrel-aging and more. This course does involve tasting beer as we discuss (tasting is, of course, optional but encouraged).

     
  • SF24-0331 From Abandoned Swine Farm to Veggies: OSU Student Farm

    Wednesday, 1wk, 10/2, 10a-12p

    Format: Walking Tour
    Instructor: Matt Beartrack
    Location: OSU Student Farm
    À La Carte Price: $10

     

    Discover the OSU Student Farm, where an abandoned swine farm has become a vegetable production farm bringing together service and sustainability. See firsthand how students provide healthier food options for low-income families by growing a variety of produce. See how the farm conserves water with an innovative buried irrigation system. Learn about future plans that include expanding fields, renovating old swine barns, building an on-site washstand and remodeling for office space.

  • SF24-0411 Aquaponics

    Thursday, 1wk, 9/19, 10a-12p

    Format: Presentation
    Instructor: Teal Hendrickson
    Location: OSU Botanic Gardens Education Building
    À La Carte Price: $10
    Note: Max 12 people

     

    The concept of aquaponics, a food production system that combines aquaculture and hydroponics, has been used for centuries in various ways. Today, researchers are looking for a sustainable method to grow proteins and plants together in one system. Join us for a lecture and field trip to learn a little about how aquaponics works, the ups and downs and to see some small-scale systems.

  • SF24-0431 Tour of Turning Point Ranch

    Thursday, 1wk, 10/3, 10a-12p

    Format: Walking Tour
    Instructor: Lisa Anderson
    Location: Turning Point Ranch
    À La Carte Price: Free

     

    What is that place with all the white fences on Country Club Road? Find out for yourself when you tour Turning Point Ranch, a PATH Premier Accredited Therapeutic Horsemanship Center. See how the 21-acre property serves its unique purpose by using the magic of horses to build productive futures for those with physical, mental, emotional and socio-economic challenges. Meet the staff, both the human and the equine, including retired working quarter horses to mini horses with big personalities.

  • SF24-0531 Tour of the OSU Botanic Garden

    Friday, 1wk, 10/4, 10a-12p

    Format: Walking Tour
    Instructor: Shelley Mitchell, Senior Extension Specialist, OSU
    Location: OSU Botanic Garden
    À La Carte Price: $10
    Note: Max 25 people

     

    Enjoy the outdoors on this tour of The Botanic Garden, OSU’s 100-acre demonstration garden and arboretum. As a living, multidisciplinary laboratory, it is used by several departments within the university’s Division of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources. See firsthand how it is different from traditional botanic gardens and learn what practices and projects are underway.

  • SF24-0572 Art Explorations: Interactive Museum Tour and Creative Writing

    Friday, 1wk, 11/1, 1:30-3:30p

    Format: Participation
    Instructor:
    Museum Staff
    Location:
    OSU Museum of Art
    À La Carte Price:
    $10

     

    Join us for this immersive tour of the OSU Museum of Art, tailored for OLLI members. Explore current exhibitions with engaging, interactive experiences. Our knowledgeable docents will lead guided discussions, encouraging thoughtful reflection and group dialogue. Additionally, participants will enjoy a creative writing activity, composing short narratives or poems inspired by the artworks. This tour emphasizes active participation and creative exploration, deepening your connection to the art.

  • SF24-0582 OSU Public Art Tour

    Friday, 1wk, 11/8, 1:30-3:30p

    Format: Participation
    Instructor: Museum Staff
    Location: Stillwater Campus
    À La Carte Price: $10

     

    The OSU Museum of Art will host a walking tour discussing the outdoor, public artworks on the OSU Stillwater campus. Part of an ongoing series, this tour will feature a different selection of sculptures than previous tours. We will follow a one-mile loop that is wheelchair accessible and stroller friendly. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and footwear and bring mobility aids or hearing devices if needed.

  • SF24-131 Art History Sampler

    Mondays, 4wks, 9/30 -10/21, 10a-12p

    Format: Presentation
    Instructors: Dr. Rebecca Brienen, Dr. Jenny Ramirez and Dr. Shaoqian Zhang, OSU Art History
    Location: Stillwater Public Library
    À La Carte Price: $25
    Note: Max 40 people

     

    Join us as we explore visual expression within historical context in this engaging art history sampler course. Over four sessions, we’ll investigate Dutch Art, the History of Photography, Asian Art, and delve into Doel Reed’s impact on Modern Art in New Mexico. From the Golden Age of Dutch painting to the evolution of photography, from the richness of Asian traditions to the vibrant art scene of New Mexico, each session offers a unique perspective from a team of OSU art historians.

     

  • SF24-132 Shinrin-yoku at the OSU Botanical Garden

    Mondays, 2wks, 9/30 and 10/7, 1:30-3:30p

    Format: Participation
    Instructor: Sharon Bennett
    Location: OSU Botanic Gardens
    À La Carte Price: $10
    Notes: Max 12 people. Wear closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather.

    Shinrin-yoku, also known as forest bathing, is a Japanese healing technique with a wide variety of health benefits, including decreased stress, improved concentration, boosted immunity and lowered blood pressure. We will adapt this technique to the grounds of the OSU Botanical Garden. Individuals will focus on connecting with nature and being mindful of their experiences, with time to wander in the garden and then gather to share our experiences. Attendees will also be guided in a brief breath meditation.

  • SF24-162 It’s Always the Bugs: The World of Microbiomes - DATE UPDATED

    Monday, 1wk, 10/21, 1:30-3:30p

    Format: Lecture
    Instructor: Udaya DeSilva, OSU Associate Professor, Animal Molecular Genetics
    Location: OSU Botanical Garden Education Bldg
    À La Carte Price: $10

     

    Did you know humans and animals host 10 times more bacteria than cells, with bacterial genes outnumbering human genes 500 to 1? Let’s look at the hidden universe of microbiomes. We’ll explore the significance of the five pounds of bacteria we each carry and the evolving paradigm shift from unwelcome guests to vital contributors to our health. We’ll delve into the profound impact of microbiomes on our wellbeing through compelling case studies and shed light on their critical roles in health and disease.

  • SF24-181 The Trench Poets of World War I

    Monday, 1wk, 11/4, 10a-12p

    Format: Presentation
    Instructor: Bob Graalman
    Location: Stillwater Public Library
    À La Carte Price: $10

     

    World War I was marked by the misery of trench warfare with combatants trapped cruelly in long lines of tunnels and ditches in Europe. Many of the best young writers of the times were sent into this conflict, and some of them, now known as “trench poets,” did not survive. One British writer, Robert Graves, emerged from WWI to have a prolific career as a poet, novelist, anthropologist, critic and essayist. We will explore Graves’ impact on 20th-century life and wonder what was lost when so many talented souls died so young.

  • SF24-231 Stillwater Town Hall

    Tuesdays, 6wks, 10/1-11/5, 10a-12p

    Format: Presentation
    Instructor: Various
    Location: Stillwater Public Library
    À La Carte Price: Free. Guests welcome. Registration required.

     

    Join us for an eclectic mix of weekly speakers who will present information such as the history of OSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, the inspiring reach of veterinary medical research around the globe, gardening in Oklahoma, the relevance of the Chamber of Commerce, Highway 51/6th avenue expansion project, YMCA, engineering methods, project-based learning and more. Click here for a full list of presenter bios and topics.

     

    Scheduled Speakers

    10/1 History of CVM & Go Go Gadget Arms! Jennifer Rudd & Michael Lorenz
    10/8 Oklahoma Gardening Bailey Singleton
    10/15 Engineering Method Larry Hoberock
    10/22 Relevance of the Chamber of Commerce in Your Community Alane Zannotti
    10/29 Project Based Learning Debbie Short
    11/5 HW51/6th Avenue Expansion Project Brady Moore
  • SF24-232 Threads of Mexico: Learning through Textiles

    Tuesdays, 4wks, 10/1-10/22, 1:30-3:30p

    Format: Lecture
    Instructor: Helen Clements, Scholar and Educator
    Location: Stillwater Public Library
    À La Carte Price: $25
    Note: Max 20 people

     

    Discover how immersing yourself in the rich tapestry of a culture’s textiles will enlarge your knowledge of a society and sense of history. We will look at the art of handweaving, focusing on indigenous traditions in the central and southern regions of Mexico. We will explore the intricacies of different looms, materials and techniques, as well as the changes brought by the modern world and tourism. Dr. Clements will share samples from her own vibrant and unique textile collection, including vintage and current pieces.

  • SF24-311 Soft Pastel

    Wednesday & Monday, 2wks, 10/9 & 10/14, 10a-12p

    Format: Hands-on
    Instructor: Tandi Memmott, Artist
    Location: Art on 6th
    À La Carte Price: $35
    Notes: Max 12 people. Supply list upon registration.

     

    Working on sanded paper, we will explore the wonderful world of soft pastels as we practice our drawing skills and experiment with painting, blending, and mark making techniques. We’ll also try underpainting with soft pastels using denatured alcohol. Subject matter may include still life and photo reference. Students may use their own reference photo or one will be supplied. No previous experience is necessary to enjoy this class.

  • SF24-332 Play Ball: Baseball Movies

    Wednesdays, 8wks, 9/18-11/6, 1:30-4p

    Format: Presentation
    Instructor: Vickie Sturgeon, Educator, Broadcasting and Motion Picture History
    Location: Legacy Village
    À La Carte Price: $25

     

    Let’s watch America’s pastime, starting with excerpts from The Pride of the Yankees (1942) with Gary Cooper; and The Stratton Story (1949) with Jimmy Stewart. Then, we’ll watch The Natural (1984) Robert Redford, Glen Close; Field of Dreams (1981) James Earl Jones, Kevin Costner; Bull Durham (1988) Costner, Susan Sarandon; 42 (2013), starring Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson; A League of Their Own (1992) Tom Hanks, Gina Davis; Eight Men Out (1988) about the 1919 Chicago Black Sox; and Moneyball (2011) for a take on modern baseball with Brad Pitt.

  • SF24-351 Watercolors

    Wednesdays, 4wks, 10/16-11/6, 10a-12p

    Format: Hands-on
    Instructor: Tandi Memmott, Artist
    Location: Art on 6th
    À La Carte Price: $35
    Notes: Supply list provided upon registration. Max 12 people.

     

    This class will explore the basics of painting with watercolor. We’ll experiment with this beautiful medium while learning different techniques such as creating washes, working wet into wet, and wet on dry to create desired results. We’ll also experiment with masking fluid, salt and saran wrap to create different effects. Some basic drawing skills are helpful but not required.

  • SF24-412 Manufacturing Magic: 3D Printing with Laser Etching - DATE CHANGED

    Saturdays, 2wks, 10/12 and 10/19, 10a-12p

    Format: Participation
    Instructor: Wendy Hall, PTC Lab Coordinator
    Location: OSU Campus/Endeavor Lab
    À La Carte Price: $20

     

    Learn about the 3D printing processes at ENDEAVOR, OSU’s state-of-the-art, hands-on lab. You’ll experience a printer that extrudes thermoplastic filaments through a heated nozzle and layers them one by one. Another printer uses materials like carbon fiber and onyx to create stronger printed parts. Stereolithography printing uses a laser to cure liquid resin into hardened plastic. You will also learn the laser etcher/cutter as a bonus lesson.

  • SF24-432 Ukulele for Beginners

    Thursdays, 6wks, 10/3-11/7, 1:30-3:30p

    Format: Hands-on
    Instructor: Kami Koontz and Pam Brown, Musicians
    Location: Stillwater Public Library
    À La Carte Price: $25
    Note: Max 16 people

     

    Pair your love of learning with the joy of music for a great combination. The ukulele is an easy instrument to learn, and this course will provide instant gratification of playing songs right away. You’ll use those basics to build what you need to continue learning. The ukulele is versatile, sounds great played solo or in a group, works across musical genres and is really beginner friendly. Don’t have a ukulele? Loaners will be available.

  • SF24-441 Great Decisions

    Thursdays, 5wks, 10/10-11/7, 10a-12p

    Format: Presentation
    Instructor: Various
    Location: Stillwater Public Library
    À La Carte Price: $25
    Recommended text: 2024 Great Decisions Briefing Book, fpa.org

     

    In America’s largest discussion program on world affairs, we will address weekly topics such as energy geopolitics, war crimes, the U.S. relationship with China, economic warfare, politics in Latin America, global famine, Iran and climate migration. Topic experts will be on hand to give us more information and guide group discussion. A full list of topics is available on the OLLI course enrollment website.

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