In Person   

Get to know the people and programs that make the Center for People one of Lincoln’s important nonprofit organizations. Tour the People’s Pantry, nutrition kitchen and greenhouse, observe job seekers as they fine-tune their resumes or take educational courses and peek at an English Language Learning class. Learn the story of the organization’s 23-year journey, along with its vision for an innovative future centered around the mission to “solution differently.”

Join OLLI members for an evening field trip to the Branched Oak Observatory (BOO) in Raymond. Meet astronomers, deepen your understanding of the night sky, and view deep-space wonders including stars, clusters, and galaxies by naked eye and through state-of-the-art telescopes. If the weather is inclement, you'll see stored images in the educational center.

Join OLLI members the morning of Saturday, October 24th at 8:30 a.m. for a buffet breakfast and three presentations reflecting on the past, present and future of the United States.

The country was born 250 years ago and founded on principles of equality, human rights and democracy. In the first presentation, Eric Berger of the UNL College of Law will examine the founding principles and how they were expressed in the documents of the era.

Where we stand today in living up to the founding principles will be the subject of a panel discussion with Mindy Chipman, executive director of ACLU Nebraska, and UNL professors Rose Holz and Gwendolyn Combs

Then U.S. Rep. Don Bacon and former U.S. Rep. Doug Bereuter will offer their thoughts on the future and the prospects for adhering to our founding ideals.

Speakers:

Eric Berger, J.D.
Eric Berger is a professor at the University of Nebraska College of Law whose teaching and scholarship focus on constitutional law. He has been recognized with numerous teaching awards, including being named Professor of the Year eight times.

Mindy Rush Chipman
Mindy Rush Chipman is executive director of the ACLU of Nebraska. She has held leadership roles in civil rights, legal aid, and public service, advocating for marginalized communities across Nebraska.

Rose Holz
Rose Holz is Associate Director of Women's and Gender Studies and Professor of Practice at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Her teaching and research focus on the history of women, sexuality, medicine, and reproductive politics in the United States.

Gwendolyn Combs
Gwendolyn Combs is a retired associate professor of management at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She is recognized for her leadership in workplace inclusion, student mentorship, and human resources education.

Don Bacon
Don Bacon has represented Nebraska's Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2017. Before entering Congress, he served nearly 30 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a brigadier general.

Douglas Bereuter
Douglas Bereuter represented Nebraska in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1979 to 2004. He later served as president and CEO of The Asia Foundation, leading the organization from 2004 to 2011.

Agenda:

8:15 am - Doors Open

8:30 am - Breakfast

9:00 am - Welcome

9:15am - The Promises: Founding Fathers and Founding Documents - Eric Berger, J.D.

10:00 am - Break

10:15 am - The Progress: The Ways the Experiment Has Played Out - Mindy Rush Chipman, J.D., Rose Holz, Ph.D., Gwendolyn Combs, Ph.D.

11:15 am - Break

11:30 am - The Prognosis: Where Do We Go From Here - Honorable Don Bacon, U.S. House of Representatives, Honorable Doug Bereuter, Retired, U.S. House of Representatives

12:15 pm -  Closing statements

Join us at Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center for an introduction to tallgrass prairies. Learn about grassland birds and plants, prairie ecosystems, the value of prairies in addressing climate change, the role of conservation easements in protecting prairies, and more. We’ll begin with a presentation in the visitor center and then move out onto the prairie, first as a group and then with time to wander and explore as the prairie calls to us.

 

Enjoy an exclusive, personalized tour of Morrill Hall’s two permanent Anthropology exhibits. Delve deep into “Arms, Armor, and Anthropology: Weapons as a Cultural Lens” alongside “First People of the Plains: Traditions Shaped by Land and Sky.” You will examine rare artifacts up close and discover the stories behind them. Learn how geography, environment, and craftsmanship shaped regional traditions and global warfare. This expert-led gallery walk offers a rare, behind-the-scenes perspective on human history.

“The Wolves” by Sarah DeLappe, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, follows nine teenage girls as they warm up for their weekly soccer games. Over the course of a season, their conversations reveal the complexity of adolescence and what it means to grow up. Director Katherine McGerr and her production team will discuss their concepts and show examples of their illustrations and models, followed by a sneak-peek at the set, lighting, costumes and sound.

Curious about cryptocurrency but not sure where to start? Learn what crypto is, why it exists, how it works, and how to tell opportunity from illusion. Explore digital wallets, popular exchanges, and real-world examples of success—and scams. Whether you’re crypto-curious or just want to stay scam-savvy, gain the knowledge and confidence to navigate the world of digital money — no tech background required.

Do you have envelopes full of negatives or slides? What about old photos stored in shoeboxes under your bed? Learn how to preserve these in a more organized form. Bring some of these to class and explore the process of scanning and saving those prints digitally so they will be memories forever. Bring no more than four or five prints, negatives, or slides.

Look at the national and state election contests that are important in the November mid-term elections and participate in the analysis of what’s at stake. Four classes before the election will highlight key contests and two classes after the election will analyze the results. Class members will be able to participate in the “OLLI Election Prediction Contest” for the glamourous OLLI Prediction Trophy!

Inspired by a visit to the International Quilt Museum and the diversity and wide array of quilt styles throughout history, this year’s theme of the 2026 Sunken Gardens is “A Patchwork Garden,” drawing on both traditional and modern quilt-making throughout the 250 years of American history. Please plan accordingly for the weather and your comfort. A good deal of walking is required.

Register for the performance in the company of fellow OLLI members in a reserved section of the theatre or attend the production at a different time that works with your schedule by purchasing a ticket on your own. The same OLLI discount on ticket prices applies either way you attend.

Enjoy a guided tour through “American Patriotism” and “American Innovations, 1770-1870” led by the curator. Learn how American women expressed patriotic sentiments in their quilts. See the range of symbols they used to convey messages revealing their patriotic feelings and political leanings, and discover the global trade and technological innovations that influenced quiltmaking during the late 18th and 19th centuries.

“Cosi fan tutte” (literally "Thus do they all" or "Women are like that") is a witty Italian comic opera composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with a libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte. First premiered in Vienna in 1790, this satirical romantic comedy revolves around a bet to test the fidelity of two engaged sisters. We'll listen to highlights, discuss the opera's history, structure, musical elements, and explore how it fits into the broader world of opera.

In an era of nonstop campaign coverage, social media feeds and information overload, how do voters decide what deserves their attention? Explore the psychology of political attention, examining how people process election news, respond to campaign messages, and navigate increasingly crowded information environments. Discover the implications for democratic accountability, public opinion and political decision-making when voters are constantly bombarded with more political information than they can realistically absorb.

Gain a deeper understanding of life with dementia through this eye-opening experience. This individualized, experiential tour is designed to provide participants with insight into the cognitive and sensory challenges associated with dementia.

Stay active and strong during your golden years with guidance from a certified personal trainer. This program blends education and exercise, focusing on functional fitness, cardio, strength, flexibility, balance, and core training. All activities can be modified to meet individual needs, and take-home workout copies are provided. Wear comfortable workout clothes and tennis shoes. Participants must complete a health questionnaire and UNL Rec Center waiver, which will be emailed for electronic signature before the first session.

What makes American Religion “American”? No other country in the world does religion like the United States, which is both good and bad. Discover American Religion through a historical-intersectional lens, highlighting how the best things about religion in the USA can often be the worst. We will expand our lens beyond Christianity to examine various unique American religious movements while also studying how the history we’ve been taught about American religion can (and often does) differ radically from the reality.

Enjoy an exclusive, personalized tour of Morrill Hall’s two permanent Anthropology exhibits. Delve deep into “Arms, Armor, and Anthropology: Weapons as a Cultural Lens” alongside “First People of the Plains: Traditions Shaped by Land and Sky.” You will examine rare artifacts up close and discover the stories behind them. Learn how geography, environment, and craftsmanship shaped regional traditions and global warfare. This expert-led gallery walk offers a rare, behind-the-scenes perspective on human history.

Discover how the sun converts mass into energy and why replicating it on Earth is neither possible nor useful. Trace the atomic age from fission weapons to modern nuclear power, exploring why we cannot simply copy the H-bomb for electricity. Analyze the pros and cons of potential pathways to fusion, meet the leading companies driving today's industry, and examine recent investments that are shaping the future of clean energy.

With 50 percent of all cycling accidents happening due to riders losing control of their bike, prevent that from happening to you by strengthening your bike handling skills and knowledge. Geared toward people of all riding abilities who want to gain confidence riding in urban settings, preview optional on-line material on traffic safety before class, then spend time in class on parking lot drills and riding Lincoln’s bike infrastructure.

General Dwight Eisenhower had five months to assemble forces and equipment, train and plan the D-Day invasion into France. On June 4, 1944, during an intense rainstorm, he had to decide whether to launch or delay. Failure was not an option. This course examines the planning and preparation leading up to the decision. Become immersed in the complexity and emotional burden of what some describe as the most critical decision of the Twentieth Century.

Explore 20th-century European fascism, focusing on Mussolini’s Italy and Hitler’s Nazi Germany. Learn about fascist characteristics through Mussolini’s principles, Umberto Eco’s "Eternal Fascism," and Ernst Fraenkel’s "The Dual State." We will analyze these ideologies via five films, including “Triumph of the Will” and “Architecture of Doom.” The final session features the artist Anselm Kiefer, examining how his work confronts Germany’s dark history and the long-term psychological effects of the Third Reich.

Rome: now. The landscape of leadership is shifting like sand. The people are starving and rioting in the streets. Who can keep the peace when the status quo is collapsing? Coriolanus – a celebrated war hero is returning to the city in triumph. When he refuses to “play the game” and appeal to the “lower” classes he disdains to secure their vote for office, he is branded a traitor and banished from the city. Now, he’s returning with vengeance. Coriolanus – anger is my meat. The show concludes with a post-performance question and answer period for OLLI attendees.

Peek behind the curtains at Stuhr Museum, Nebraska’s premier living history museum. You’ll go places most visitors don't get to see and hear from the people who make history come alive. Following lunch, you’ll discover Raising Nebraska. This education pavilion operated by UNL on the State Fairgrounds helps visitors understand modern agriculture, which is rooted both in nature and science. Enjoy a special class arranged just for OLLI, then enjoy a short drive through Fonner Park which hosts the State Fair.

Nothing is more vital to life than water. In two engaging sessions, a UNL associate professor of hydrogeology will take us beneath the surface to explore the science of groundwater and surface water and explore practical strategies for reducing water use in daily life. We'll unpack the concepts of blue, green, and gray water; calculate our own water footprints and examine Lincoln's current water sources and its ambitious Water 2.0 plan.

This class is structured for the student who has no or little knowledge of the game of bridge, and for those who played it years ago and need a refresher. We will cover how the game is played, bridge vocabulary, basic Standard American bidding, and basic card play. There will be opportunities to play hands that will illustrate what has been taught in class. The students will dictate how fast the class will move.

Few nations on Earth have a more colorful history than Japan. Settled by migrants from the Asian mainland back in the mists of pre-history, Japan has seen the rise and fall of Emperors, rule by Samurai warriors, isolation from the outside world, expansion over most of Asia, defeat and rebirth. Explore how the Japanese love of nature developed in the art form of Ikebana. Each class will demonstrate Ikebana, following the development of the art form, as it is connected to the fabric of Japanese culture and history.

The ukulele is an easy instrument to learn. Have fun singing, strumming, and learning with fellow OLLI members. Learning a new instrument keeps the brain sharp, and fingering the ukulele helps arthritic hands. You don’t have to know how to read music to take this class. Any standard "C tuning" ukulele may be used. Bring your own ukulele and music stand; and, members may check out a beginner ukulele from any public library in advance.

Mah Jongg is an ancient Chinese game. Learning the game can be fun and challenging. This class will introduce you to the card, the tiles, the Charleston and the game itself.

Discover what active, independent senior living can offer through tours of five Omaha communities. The first session provides an overview of key factors to consider—social, physical, medical, and financial—when choosing a senior living option. Each session features a guided tour of a different community, highlighting unit types, pricing, amenities, and dining. Gain valuable insight into the unique character of each location and start your search with a well- informed, first-hand perspective.

Craft the beginnings of a personal memoir that can be passed on as a cherished keepsake to loved ones and future generations. Before registering, attend the two- session introductory course entitled “The Stories of Your Life: Introduction” to learn more about life writing and to experience a sampling of the engaging process for yourself.

We will visit four houses of worship in Lincoln. The speaker at each location will give an overview of the congregation’s beliefs, traditions, and practices. A tour of the facility may also be included. A tour of the facility may also be included.

This course has been expanded from 3 to 6 weeks, providing more time to focus exclusively on Apple products (Macs, iPhones/iPads, iWatch, and AirPods) and the latest software updates and refinements.  Designed for users who are already comfortable with their devices, explore advanced features and recent developments. You don't need to own every Apple device, but a  solid understanding of the basics is expected so we can dive right in without covering beginner-level content.