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OLLI at Aquinas College

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OLLI at Aquinas College

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Curious People Wanted. aquinas.edu/olli | 616.632.2430 | [email protected]

10/30/2026

We are still celebrating the success of OLLI's GIVE2GROW Harvest Party. Thanks to tremendous support from our sponsors, donors, attendees, and entire OLLI community, we have raised more than $32,000 to diversify our community, improve access to scholarships, and expand quality programming! We wanted to share some memories from the event courtesy of www.sensitography.com.

Special thanks to our event sponsors: Avenues by Brio Living Services, Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids, Warner Norcross + Judd, FarmLink, Barb and Tom Shaw, Dotty and Tim Lorson, MOSS, Oasis Senior Advisors, Vitality At Home, and Clark Retirement.

10/13/2026

🌱 OLLI PLANTS THE SEED OF… QUALITY PROGRAMMING.

With a 45-year career in education, OLLI member Dave Kampfschulte has taught a wide range of classes—from active listening to the Beatles to industrial arts. “You name it, I've taught it,” he says. But what Dave may be best known for at OLLI is his popular "This Is Where I Stand" discussion group, which has been running since 2013.

“My approach to the discussion group is that we're here to understand, not to argue,” says Dave. That ethos works well. In Dave’s class, different opinions on current and controversial issues bring OLLI students together rather than drive them apart. “That's what's really neat. People stick around and talk after classes. People go out to lunch. People have coffee.”

And Dave isn’t just an OLLI instructor, he’s an avid OLLI student. He appreciates the breadth of course subjects offered, but he has a particular affinity for history; if there’s a history class available, there’s a good chance Dave’s enrolled in it. He’s the embodiment of lifelong learning and a growth mindset. And he shows no signs of stopping. “I'm 74 years old,” he says with a smile. “I'm just hitting my stride.”

Your support of OLLI helps make our quality programming possible.

A BIG thank you to our GIVE2GROW Challenge Sponsors:

• Avenues by Brio Living Services
• Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids
• Barb and Tom Shaw
• An Anonymous Donor

These generous donors issued a challenge: If we raised $4,500 in GIVE2GROW donations, they would match it—for a total of $9,000. Thanks to our first 36 donors, we hit that goal yesterday!

Now we're working to meet our $20,000 campaign goal. GIVE2GROW campaign runs now through Monday, October 19. Please consider making a gift to OLLI at Aquinas at https://shorturl.at/Uu188.

Every contribution helps plant the seeds for another great class, another great presenter, and another great OLLI experience.

10/12/2026

THANK YOU! With the generous support of 36 individual donors, we hit our $4,500 match goal four days early, and Avenues by Brio Living Services, Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids, Barb and Tom Shaw, and an anonymous donor have DOUBLED OUR IMPACT for a total of $9,000! What a great way to kick off Harvest Week at OLLI!

10/06/2026

🌱 OLLI PLANTS THE SEED OF… ACCESSIBILITY.

After a meniscus tear led to an unexpected knee surgery, OLLI member Wendy Rodewald was relegated to crutches for several weeks. As a retired physician assistant, Wendy had seen plenty of people using crutches, but this was the first time she had to use them herself. “It's a lot more difficult than you might anticipate,” she says.

Crutches weren’t the only challenge: “I wasn't going out,” says Wendy. “I couldn't go to yoga. I couldn't do any exercise […] and that's really frustrating.” Then Wendy remembered that many OLLI classes are offered virtually and recorded for later viewing. She requested a link for a class on the U.S. National Parks that she had missed during surgery, and she was easily able to watch it from home. “It made me feel like I was kind of in the group even though I couldn't be there.”

When Wendy returned to the in-person OLLI classroom, she found herself appreciating accessibility features. “For the first time in my life, parking in handicapped spots was incredibly helpful […], and I was really glad there was an elevator.” Wendy’s first in-person class post-surgery was another session of the National Parks class; she entered the classroom, placed her crutches against the wall, took a seat, and the class started. “And then I was just like everybody else here,” says Wendy.

Your support of OLLI helps make our community possible.

A BIG thank you to our GIVE2GROW Challenge Sponsors:

• Avenues by Brio Living Services
• Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids
• Barb and Tom Shaw
• An Anonymous Donor

These generous donors have issued a challenge: If we raise $4,500 in GIVE2GROW donations, they will match it—for a total of $9,000—moving us closer to our $20,000 fundraising goal.

The GIVE2GROW campaign runs now through Monday, October 19. Please consider making a gift to OLLI at Aquinas at https://shorturl.at/Uu188.

Every contribution helps plant the seeds for another great class, another great presenter, and another great OLLI experience.

10/05/2026

Last Friday, before their football team won 27-7 on Homecoming, archivist Deb Moore chronicled the 120-year history of Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School through stories and photographs highlighting the school’s origins, campus, faculty, academics, athletics, notable alumni, and memorable milestones. This free OLLI session welcomed over 120 participants both in-person and virtually. GO COUGARS!

10/03/2026

🌱 OLLI PLANTS THE SEED OF… COMMUNITY.

“I really worried that when I retired, I wouldn't know what to do with my life […] What was I if I wasn't a nurse?” says OLLI member Penny Murray. When a friend mentioned something called "OLLI," Penny and her husband Steve decided to try out a class.

That was eleven years ago. Since then, Penny and Steve have practiced tai chi, gone forest bathing, heard the Grand Rapids Symphony, and attended Circle Theater. They’re consummate OLLI students. “I think learning is something that you do for intrinsic value, and it becomes addictive,” says Penny.

But OLLI classes are about more than learning—they’re also about the people.

“Community is what humanity is all about,” says Penny. “If you invest in relational things and in community things, it just broadens your whole sense of who you are and who you're with, and why you're here, and that feels really good.” And they’re not trying to keep it to themselves; the more, the merrier. “We are ambassadors everywhere we go,” says Steve. “I've passed out a bunch of course catalogs. We really love it here. This is my retirement.”

Your support of OLLI helps make our community possible. A BIG thank you to our GIVE2GROW Challenge Sponsors:

• Avenues by Brio Living Services
• Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids
• Barb and Tom Shaw
• Anonymous Donor

These generous donors have issued a challenge: If we raise $4,500 in GIVE2GROW donations, they will match it—for a total of $9,000—moving us closer to our $20,000 fundraising goal.

The GIVE2GROW campaign runs now through Monday, October 19. Please consider making a gift to OLLI at Aquinas at https://shorturl.at/Uu188.

Every contribution helps plant the seeds for another great class, another great presenter, and another great OLLI experience.

10/01/2026

🌱 OLLI PLANTS THE SEEDS OF... COMMUNITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND QUALITY PROGRAMMING.

Over the past several weeks, we've been highlighting what makes OLLI at Aquinas College special—and inviting our community to help it grow.

OLLI's annual GIVE2GROW fundraising campaign opens TODAY and continues through Oct 19, 2026. This year, through Harvest Party tickets, sponsorships, silent auction bids, and your donations, OLLI is seeking to raise $20,000 to diversify our community, improve access to scholarships, and expand quality programming.

To give, visit https://shorturl.at/Uu188

A BIG thank you to our GIVE2GROW Challenge Sponsors:

• Avenues by Brio Living Services
• Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids
• Barb and Tom Shaw
• Anonymous Donor

These generous donors have issued a challenge: If we raise $4,500 in GIVE2GROW donations, they will match it—for a total of $9,000—moving us closer to our $20,000 fundraising goal.

Please consider making a gift to OLLI at Aquinas. Every contribution helps plant the seeds for another great class, another great presenter, and another great OLLI experience.

09/29/2026

🌱 OLLI PLANTS THE SEED OF… QUALITY PROGRAMMING.

As we approach the launch of the GIVE2GROW campaign on October 1, we’re highlighting what makes OLLI at Aquinas College special—and inviting our community to help it grow.

Quality programming is at the heart of the OLLI experience. Skilled presenters bring current, engaging, and pertinent topics to life through thoughtful conversation, interactive learning, and immersive experiences that extend well beyond the traditional classroom. Whether it’s a lively discussion, hands-on workshop, behind-the-scenes tour, or thought-provoking presentation, OLLI creates opportunities to explore ideas more deeply and experience learning in new ways.

Your support of OLLI helps make accessibility possible.

A BIG thank you to our GIVE2GROW Challenge Sponsors:

• Avenues by Brio Living Services
• Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids
• Barb and Tom Shaw
• Anonymous Donor

These generous donors have issued a challenge: If we raise $4,500 in GIVE2GROW donations, they will match it—for a total of $9,000—moving us closer to our $20,000 fundraising goal.

When GIVE2GROW launches October 1, please consider making a gift to OLLI at Aquinas. Every contribution helps plant the seeds for another great class, another great presenter, and another great OLLI experience.

09/24/2026

Sláinte! Last week, OLLI members got a taste of the Emerald Isle with an exclusive Irish wh***ey tasting experience at Quinn and Tuites Irish Pub. Led by co-owner Bill Quinn and local legend Jimmy “The Kilt” Dewald, participants sampled five of the bar’s impressive collection of more than 100 Irish wh***eys. Ireland’s rich cultural history is the focus of this term’s signature Pantlind Series at OLLI, culminating in a Spring 2027 hiking trip to Ireland’s west coast.

09/24/2026

🍁🎉🍂You're invited to OLLI’s GIVE2GROW Harvest Party. Join us for a festive evening of community and celebration featuring entertainment, silent auction, prizes, and games.

Enjoy a menu of seasonal appetizers harvested from local farms, sweet treats, and an open b**r and w**e bar as we toast to lifelong learning and the continued growth of OLLI at Aquinas College. All members and guests over 18 are welcome. Help us harvest support for expanded programming and scholarships.

For more than 15 years, West Michigan FarmLink has connected local producers and farmers with buyers through its online marketplace. And now, FarmLink is partnering with Creative Dining Services to bring the farm to the Harvest Party.

As the Food and Beverage Sponsor, FarmLink is helping locally source 100% of this year’s menu from West Michigan farms. Guests will enjoy a variety of seasonal appetizers and desserts like baked polenta bites with butternut squash bruschetta, mini maple meatloaf with mashed potato rosettes, and lemon garlic brussels with rosemary oil and pumpkin seeds. Dinner's ready!

Date: THU, Oct 15, 2026
Time: 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Location: Wege Student Center Ballroom
Ticket Fees: 1 for $35 / 2 for $60
Link: https://olliataquinascollege.regfox.com/ollis-give2grow-harvest-party-2026

Special thanks to all of our event sponsors:

• Warner Norcross + Judd
• Avenues by Brio Living Services
• Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids
• FarmLink
• Barb and Tom Shaw
• Oasis Senior Advisors
• Clark Retirement
• Vitality At Home
• Sensitography
• MOSS
• Dotty & Tim Lorson

Address

159 Woodward Lane SE
Grand Rapids, MI
49506

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 4pm
Tuesday	9am - 4pm
Wednesday	9am - 4pm
Thursday	9am - 4pm
Friday	9am - 12pm

Website

http://www.aquinas.edu/olli

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