Wednesday   

Deborah Pierce is a retired Deputy Assistant Director and former Special Agent in Charge of the Minneapolis FBI. At FBIHQ, she had authority over the FBI Art Crime Team. Since her retirement in 2006, she has given numerous presentations about art theft including at Mia. UNESCO estimates art crime loss is $10 billion per year, and only 10% of property is ever recovered. The course will include types of art theft, successful cases, and efforts at recovery and repatriation. Recommended reading: Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World's Stolen Treasures by Robert K. Wittman, Penguin, 2010; The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession by Michael Finked, Vintage, 2024.

Students will discover how Chinese music embodies the nation’s history, philosophy, and cultural values, while examining its regional diversity and global influence. The course features guided listening to both traditional and modern works, demonstrations of instruments such as the guqin, pipa, erhu, and hulusi, and opportunities for students to experience basic playing techniques and rhythmic participation. No prior musical training is required—students will learn through active engagement and creative reflection. No class on April 22nd.

Join local author Debra J. Stone for a reading and conversation about her recent book, The House on Rondo (University of Minnesota Press, 2025). OLLI Scholar and course leader Stephanie Anderson will facilitate a discussion with Stone about her work and research for the book, which will be available for purchase at the event. Recommended reading: The House on Rondo by Debra J. Stone, University of Minnesota Press, 2025.

Nobel Prizes are generally considered to be the most prestigious awards in the world. What did the 2025 winners do that was so important? In this course, speakers who are familiar with the prize topics will explain the prizes awarded in October 2025. We will begin with an introduction about Alfred Nobel and how the awards process works. Then, we will have explanations of the achievements that resulted in the awarding of a Nobel prize, one prize per week. Recommended reading: https://www.nobelprize.org/all-nobel-prizes-2025/

April 1: History of the Nobel Prizes - Rajan Menon, Principal Scientist (Ret), TSI Inc

April 8: Physiology and Medicine - Christopher Pennell, Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota

April 15: Physics - Vlad Pribiag, Associate Professor, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota

April 22: Peace - Ramona Advani, General Counsel and Deputy State Auditor at Minnesota Office of the State Auditor

April 29: Literature - John Berube, Development Coordinator, The Loft Literary Center, Minneapolis

May 6: Chemistry - Andreas Stein, McKnight Distinguished University Professor, Department of Chemistry

May 13: Economics - Varadarajan Chari, Paul Frenzel Land Grant Professor of Liberal Arts in the University of Minnesota Department of Economics

The “Mapping the Mind” course will provide an introduction to the field of neuroimaging in neuroscience. It will follow both the successful and unsuccessful techniques neuroscientists have employed to collect and interpret signals from the brain. Students will gain insight into how various neuroimaging techniques work, their benefits and limitations, and their practical applications. Recommended reading: Neuroscience Online: An Electronic Textbook for the Neurosciences, http://nba.uth.tmc.edu/neuroscience/, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).

This course will examine the life of Ulysses Grant, from his early life and military career through his presidency and tour around the world late in life. The course will also explore his performance in war, including the Battles of Fort McHenry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Iuka and Vicksburg. Finally, the course also considers his political beliefs, including support for women's and Jewish rights.

Democracy works best when everyone has the tools to participate. In this engaging, in-person course, Think Small’s policy experts help you learn how to advocate for the issues that matter most to you. Using strategic storytelling, you’ll build confidence in speaking with policymakers, practice sharing your story in mock legislative meetings, and conclude the course with (an optional) guided tour of the Minnesota State Capitol. Together we’ll explore what’s possible when people show up, speak up, and participate in the legislative process.

Many Americans hold strong beliefs about nutrition, yet in a country facing an obesity epidemic and record levels of chronic disease, many of these beliefs are misguided. With advertisers constantly pushing fad diets and miracle supplements, how can you separate fact from fiction? This course uncovers common health myths—spanning nutrition, exercise, and beyond—so you can make informed choices and improve your well-being. It also delves into the physiology of select chronic diseases, helping you understand how to reduce your risk. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to submit your own questions for future classes through an interactive survey. Recommended reading: Eat to Beat Disease by Dr. William Li, Balance Books, 2019; Miscellaneous Media by Dr. Andrea Love, a pseudoscience educator.

All of us want to be happy and avoid suffering. Yet too often we make choices that sabotage us. Tibetan medicine, Tibet’s ancient science of whole person health, teaches that the purpose of life is to be happy, and that after our basic needs are met, happiness results primarily from our own thinking. During this course, we will learn how to make ethical, mindful, and informed choices to create a happier mind (Class 1), a healthier body (Class 2), live in harmony (Class 3), and heal fears about dying and death (Class 4). Tibetan medicine complements modern nursing and medicine. Recommended reading: Tibetan-Medicine and You: A Path to Wellbeing, Better Health, and Joy by M.E. Cameron & T.Namdul, Rowman and Littlefield, 2000/2004 (paperback).

Was your last bridge game in a dorm, in the student union, or in your thirties with friends? Get back into this great game, make new friends and grow those little gray cells! The course will teach the basics of play and a revised and improved bidding system based on what you’ve probably used before. This hands-on course will get you ready for kitchen table bridge or a newcomer’s game at a bridge club! 

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes at a library? Interested in learning about the rich resources Twin Cities libraries offer? Expand your knowledge of all types of libraries & the secrets they hold as we tour libraries of all types. We will visit some old favorites & venture to new locations. The libraries may be anywhere in the Twin Cities. You are responsible for your own transportation; there may be parking fees. These are walking tours. View tentative schedule here https://bit.ly/seclib26 Details of the first meeting will be emailed to participants.

We’ll explore iconic Twin Cities parks, learn about their geography and history, and hike along their trails (including some unpaved areas).

April 8: Longfellow House 

Get an overview of the history and mission of the Minneapolis parks system in the historic Longfellow House. Meet up: Longfellow House, 4800 South Minnehaha Drive, Minneapolis 55417 Terrain: Indoors, paved paths. Parking: free parking lot at Longfellow Gardens, paid parking lot near falls, metered parking on Minnehaha Ave, free on neighborhood streets. Leader: MaryLynn Pulscher
 

April 15: North Mississippi Regional Park: Kroening Nature Center 

Learn about bird migration and the science behind how birds find their way when traveling long distances every spring and fall. After the indoor presentation, borrow a pair of binoculars from the nature center and go on a walk to look for migrating birds. Meet up: in front of the Nature Center (4900 N Mississippi Drive) Terrain: paved path, flat. Parking: free parking lot in front of the nature center. Leader: Jeanette Lutter-Gardella 

April 22: St. Anthony Falls

Come and learn about the Mighty Mississippi and the only waterfall on the entire length of the river. River ecology and local history will be a part of this program. Meet up: east end of the Stone Arch Bridge (stay clear of the bike path!) Terrain: paved, stairs Parking: available at local meters and ramps. Leader: Ali Cole

April 29: Mississippi River Gorge

Explore oak savanna, prairie, and the Winchell Trail. Learn more about restoration efforts along the River. Bring your binoculars because the birding is fabulous along the Mississippi flyway. Meet up: We will meet near the free parking lot located at E 36th St. and W River Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55406. Terrain: stairs, dirt paths, some hills Parking: free parking lot located at E 36th St. and W River Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55406 and neighborhood streets. Leader: Mel Schneider

May 6: Loring Park Originally named Central Park, the park was renamed in honor of one of the godfathers of the park system, Charles Loring. This beautiful park features meandering paths, a small lake and viewing pier, the Garden of the Seasons, two historic buildings, and more. Meet up: on the corner of Hennepin Ave & Oak Grove St. Terrain: paved paths, flat Parking: metered parking on adjacent streets, Walker Art Center parking ramp, or parking lot at Parade Ice Garden. Leaders: Kait Ryan/Matt Gassman

May 13: Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden & Bird Sanctuary (1 Theodore Wirth Parkway)

Come explore the oldest public wildflower garden in the United States. This 18-acre wild garden is home to woodland, wetland, and meadow. Learn more about the inspiring life of Eloise Butler while viewing spring ephemerals and listening to birdcalls. Meet up: outside the Garden’s main entrance gate Terrain: compacted wood chips, boardwalk, steps to the main gate, plus a couple hills. Leader: Susan Wilkins.

May 20: Lyndale Park Gardens (4124 Roseway Road) Enjoy a guided tour of the Peace Garden, Rose Garden and Perennial Garden located at Lake Harriet. Learn about these gardens from a park board gardener and look for the garden’s signs of spring. Meet up: info kiosk by the entrance to the Gardens’ parking lot, 4124 Roseway Road, Minneapolis 55408 Terrain: combination of pavement, compacted aglime, and pea gravel, flat route Parking: paid parking in the Gardens’ lot, free parking along Lake Harriet Parkway & neighborhood streets, free parking at Wirth Beach (look for the marked walking route to the Garden’s north gate). Leaders: Kait Ryan/Andrew Gabow

Home Sweet Home. We may know this phrase as an expression of delight upon returning after an absence. This past year, our OLLI @ Mia tours explored the well-worn passport, border-crossings, and inner landscapes. But when it’s time for the homecoming, what might that look like? Is there joyful anticipation or genuine trepidation at the thought of returning to historic roots, childhood faith, old neighborhoods, or relationships? Join us as we explore how artists visually define notions of home and what it means to return to it, however altered, through the lens of someone who has been away.

Witness innovation in action as fifty high school teams from Minnesota and beyond converge on the U of M's Mariucci Arena for a raucous robotics showdown! This two-part experience gets you up to speed on what goes on behind the scenes and then takes you to the action. We'll start with a Zoom session where you'll learn what makes the FIRST Robotics Challenge a STEM launching pad for tomorrow's engineers. Get the inside scoop on this year's challenge, peek behind the curtain at how student teams design and build their competitive robots, and learn what unfolds during the tournament's high-stakes matches. Then experience the energy firsthand! Student ambassadors will guide you through the tournament's buzzing pit area where teams prepare their machines, followed by a chance to watch robots battle it out in live competition. The place will be rocking as these young innovators put their creations to the test. Please note: The arena tour involves walking and climbing stairs. Parking info here. 

Sign up for one section
Section 1: March 25  on Zoom, 2:30-400 p.m. and  March 27 at Mariucci Arena, 1-3:00 p.m.
Section 2: April 1, on Zoom, 2:30-4:00 p.m. and  April 3 at Mariucci Arena, 1-3:00 p.m.

Witness innovation in action as fifty high school teams from Minnesota and beyond converge on the U of M's Mariucci Arena for a raucous robotics showdown! This two-part experience gets you up to speed on what goes on behind the scenes and then takes you to the action. We'll start with a Zoom session where you'll learn what makes the FIRST Robotics Challenge a STEM launching pad for tomorrow's engineers. Get the inside scoop on this year's challenge, peek behind the curtain at how student teams design and build their competitive robots, and learn what unfolds during the tournament's high-stakes matches. Then experience the energy firsthand! Student ambassadors will guide you through the tournament's buzzing pit area where teams prepare their machines, followed by a chance to watch robots battle it out in live competition. The place will be rocking as these young innovators put their creations to the test. Please note: The arena tour involves walking and climbing stairs. Parking info here. 

Sign up for one section
Section 1: March 25  on Zoom, 2:30-400 p.m. and  March 27 at Mariucci Arena, 1-3:00 p.m.
Section 2: April 1, on Zoom, 2:30-4:00 p.m. and  April 3 at Mariucci Arena, 1-3:00 p.m.