History & Politics   

*This course was incorrectly listed in the printed catalog as happening on Mondays -- it is a TUESDAY course.

Session I: Feb. 11, 18, 25, Mar. 4
Tuesdays 2:00 - 3:15 pm
*Meets at AK Mining Hall of Fame Museum located at 406 Cushman Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701
Understanding Alaska's Mineral Industry Through the Lives of Mining Pioneers.
February 11: Mineral Resource Development prior to the 1867 Purchase.
February 18: Alaska Yukon Gold Rush and Alaska's Gold dredging fleet.
February 25: Historical and Modern Development of Alaska's Critical Minerals.
March 4: Alaska's modern mineral industry with discussions of environmental and political challenges.
Instructor Tom Bundtzen is currently the President of the Alaska Mining Hall of Fame Foundation (AMHF) and has taught OLLI courses that have covered similar materials in past years.

Session I: Feb. 13, 20, 27, Mar. 6
Thursdays 12:15 - 1:30 pm
Southwest Colorado steam-driven narrow gauge railroads continued operating into the early 1960s. In fact, one never quit and still operates today! Others have been restored and operate today as historical treasures. Dormant locomotives have been pulled from display and put into operation. This course relates that history and delves into the operation of these railroads and the operation of steam locomotives. Modeling opportunities will be discussed.
Instructor Bill Stringer has had a life-long love for railroads and steam locomotives.

Session I: Feb.14, 21, 28, Mar. 7
Fridays 12:15 - 1:30 pm
*Participants can buy their own Great Decisions 2025 Briefing Book from the Foreign Policy Association website for $35. https://fpa.org
"Global and Domestic challenges affect all our lives. Get info you need to figure out what's happening and discuss it with others. This program was developed by the Foreign Policy Association. Read the briefing book at home, watch expert video analysis in class, then participate in group discussion.
Topics for 2025 Session I:
American Foreign Policy at a Crossroads - Author: G. John Ikenberry
U.S. Changing Leadership of the World Economy - Author: Daniel Drezner
U.S.-China Relations
India: Between China, the West, and the Global South
Facilitator: Shirley Liss
 

 

Session II: Mar. 21, 28, Apr. 4, 11
Fridays 12:15 - 1:30 pm
*Participants can buy their own Great Decisions 2025 Briefing Book from the Foreign Policy Association website for $35. https://fpa.org
*OLLI members attend for free.
"Global and Domestic challenges affect all our lives. Get info you need to figure out what's happening and discuss it with others. This program was developed by the Foreign Policy Association. Read the briefing book at home, watch expert video analysis in class, then participate in group discussion.
Topics for 2025 Session II:
International Cooperation on Climate Change
The Future of NATO and European Security
AI and American National Security
American Foreign Policy in the Middle East: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead
Facilitator: Shirley Liss

Session I: Feb. 14
Friday 2:00 - 3:15 pm (1 meeting)
Photos & narratives on historic preservation in hill towns of central Italy. Covers 2024 visits to 10 towns, with Civitas Institute.
Instructor Janet Matheson FAIA, is a Fairbanks historic preservation architect & traveler.

Zoom Section

Session I: Feb. 14
Friday 2:00 - 3:15 pm (1 meeting)
Photos & narratives on historic preservation in hill towns of central Italy. Covers 2024 visits to 10 towns, with Civitas Institute.
Instructor Janet Matheson FAIA, is a Fairbanks historic preservation architect & traveler.

This course is FULL, please add yourself to the waitlist using the button below. 

Session II: Mar. 20, 27, Apr. 3, 10
Thursdays 2:00 - 5:00 pm
Various aspects of the Vietnam War will be examined through movies.
The Quiet American: lead-up to Vietnam war
They Were Soldiers: first major battle
Red Cross Donut Dollies: the lighter side
Jackknife: PTSD and the issues faced by returned veterans and their caretakers
Instructor Nancy Smoyer served as a Red Cross recreation worker in Vietnam in 1967-68. She was a therapist at the Vet Center, runs the yearly veterans Stand Down and volunteers at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.

This course is FULL, please add yourself to the waitlist using the button below. 

Session II: Mar. 20, 27, Apr. 3, 10
Thursdays 12:15- 1:30 pm
Military presence in Alaska was minimal until 1935, when the war in Europe was perceivable and the US needed to take action. It was then in 1939 that the Fairbanks Air Base was established, and was renamed Ladd Field Cold Weather Test Detachment before 1940. Ladd Field Air Base Alaska became a major contributor of goods and services to the war effort in Europe between 1942-1945 through the Lend-Lease Act.
Instructor Donna Wheelock retired from Alaska Airlines and Northern Air Cargo. She also is a presenter of aviation history at the Pioneer Air Museum with a degree in History.

THIS COURSE IS FULL. Please click the "Add to Waitlist" button below. 

Session I: Feb. 14, 21, 28, Mar. 7
Fridays 2:00 - 3:15 pm
How much do you know about that pipeline that runs through our Interior back yards? Why is some of it buried and other parts not? Why does it snake along? Learn these and many other fascinating facts about the pipeline's design, the pump stations, and Valdez Marine Terminal from a 30-year employee.
Instructor Janna Miller thought one or two years at Alyeska Pipeline after college graduation might be interesting. Before she knew it, they handed her a gold pan for 30 years of service.