Please note that effective August 19, 2024, you must have either a UNC Asheville 2024-2025 annual parking permit or a visitor’s permit to park on campus 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year. Visit the Campus Parking for OLLI Members page for instructions on how to purchase an OLLI-subsidized annual parking permit. Daily and monthly visitor permits must be obtained through the UNC Asheville parking site; OLLI does not provide visitor permits.

Fall Catalog

The fall 2024 catalog of courses, programs and events and the fall 2024 College for Seniors course schedule are available by clicking on the buttons below. Please be aware that courses, programs and events are subject to change or cancellation, which may not be reflected in the catalog; the online registration system will always include the most accurate locations and other information about our courses, and this page will always include the most accurate information about programs and events. Consult the schedule of upcoming College for Seniors terms (including term dates, catalog availability and registration).

View Fall 2024 Catalog View Fall 2024 CFS Course Schedule

Program Calendar

Unless otherwise noted, programs take place at the Reuter Center and are free and open to everyone.

Please see UNC Asheville’s expectations of mutual respect and care for all for more information/guidance about maintaining a healthy environment for in-person courses, programs and events.

September

Monday, September 16
Deadline to submit a College for Seniors scholarship request (open registration)
Visit the forms page to access the CFS Fall 2024 Scholarship Request.

Friday, September 20, 10 a.m.
OLLI Program: “New Member Welcome/Returning Member Refresher” (in-person + online)
Are you new to OLLI at UNC Asheville and the Reuter Center? Are you returning after being gone awhile? Do you want to catch up on organizational developments, learn more about volunteering, figure out how things work and meet new people? Come learn about all that OLLI has to offer at this event held before our fall, winter and spring terms.
Register to attend in person or online. Join online via Zoom.

Friday, September 20, 1 p.m.
OLLI Program: “Information Session: Preparing to Be a Class Representative”
Have you signed up to be a class rep to support one or more of your College for Seniors instructors? We will review the role of these important classroom volunteers and practical matters such as how to work the lights and microphones, where to pick up and drop off attendance clipboards, how to check in course participants and when and where to get help if needed. This information session is especially geared towards new class reps, but experienced class reps are welcome to attend as well! Registration is required; register to attend. For more information, email us or call 828.251.6873. 

Friday, September 20, 1 p.m.
OLLI Program: “Zoom Café” (online)
Are you planning to participate in an online or hybrid course, program or event? Have you signed up to be a Zoom assistant? Zoom Café is a great opportunity to learn basic skills and improve your experience of our video-conferencing software! We will review how to install and update the Zoom app on your device, log into a meeting, change your Zoom name and background, mute/unmute, post/respond in the Chat box, use the “raise hand” function and reactions, move into and out of breakout rooms, participate in polls and more! We will also leave plenty of time for your questions and to troubleshoot your device.
Registration is required; sign up to attend online and to submit questions in advance.

Friday, September 20, 3 p.m.
Deadline to drop all College for Seniors courses and a full refund
Visit the forms page to access the CFS Fall 2024 Drop Request.

Friday, September 20, 5 p.m. | Death Café
Partner Program
Death Café is an engaging gathering with storytelling and conversation about a topic that too often alienates people in our death-phobic culture. At Death Café, participants break into small groups of five or six people and discuss personal stories related to the death of loved ones; loss of jobs, relationships or marriages; or loss or death of parts of ourselves. These programs are facilitated by Karen Sanders, Greg Lathrop and Saïd Osio from Third Messenger. Death Café meets in the Reuter Center atrium on the third Friday of each month from 5-6:30 p.m. Learn more about Death Café by visiting the Death Café website, the Third Messenger website, or facebook.com/deathcafeasheville.

Monday, September 23, 6 p.m. | Science Book Club
Partner Program: “Life’s Edge by Carl Zimmer”
Come explore science with the Science Book Club. A reboot of the Greater Asheville Science-for-all Book Club (GASFAB), the Science Book Club offers exciting discussions of readable science books in all fields that broaden perspectives. The approach to book selection is decentralized: members are invited to suggest a book and serve as moderator for a session, responsible for preparing discussion questions to stimulate conversation. The Science Book Club typically meets on the fourth Monday of every other month at the Reuter Center from 6:30-8 p.m. Contact Sue Studlar or Steve Thomas for more information.

Tuesday, September 24, 7 p.m. | Common Word Community Read
University Program: “Hot Springs as the Literary Home of Thirteen Moons and Other Novels” (in-person + online)
Terry Roberts, author
The Common Word Community Read brings the UNC Asheville community together each semester around a shared text to engage in a collective educational experience that features lectures and discussions in a welcoming and respectful environment. The program is curated by Wiley Cash, New York Times best-selling author, alumnus of the class of 2000 and UNC Asheville’s executive director of literary arts.
Register to attend. Read more about why Wiley selected Frazier’s novel and find resources to learn more about Thirteen Moons.

Friday, September 27, 11:30 a.m.
Fab Friday: “Beautiful to Wildlife, Beautiful to People: Landscaping with Native Plants to Support Nature” (in-person + online)
Drew Lathin, owner, Mountain Native Landscape Design
Join online via Zoom and read more about fall 2024 Fab Fridays.

Friday, September 27, 5-7 p.m.
OLLI Program: “Fall Member Social”
Join your OLLI friends in the Reuter Center’s lower level to socialize and enjoy a casual cookout-style supper, drinks and music from one of our UNC Asheville student performance groups!
Register to attend.

October

Wednesday, October 2, 4:30 p.m. | STEM Lecture Series
OLLI Program: “The Science of Sleep” (in-person + online)
Julia Loughran has taught many science-related courses at CFS including The Science of Sleep, The Science of Happiness and Unknown Women of Science. She holds a master’s degree in artificial intelligence from George Washington University. Her research and work in artificial intelligence drives her interest in neuroscience including the brain’s involvement in sleep, happiness and overall health. Prior to moving to the Asheville area, Julia was owner and president of ThoughtLink, Inc., a Washington, DC-based contracting company that helped improve performance of distributed teams. The company used computer games and simulations for a variety of trainings with an emphasis on homeland security and U.S. government interagency coordination. Today, Julia is busy with her new role as CEO of her own life, where she is living the dream with her husband of almost 40 years and their two Labrador retrievers.
Julia’s talk will explore over 100 years of sleep research including how sleep relates to our health, our brain on sleep, why we dream and tips on getting a better night’s sleep. Come find out the truth behind Benjamin Franklin’s quip “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”
Join online via Zoom.

Wednesday, October 2, 7 p.m. | WNC Sierra Club
Partner Program: “What’s at Stake for the Environment in the November Election?” (in-person + online)
Ken Brame, political chair, Western North Carolina Sierra Club
The WNC Sierra Club is active in educating leaders, the public and the media about environmental issues at the local, state and federal level in order to promote environmental leadership. All meetings are offered in person and on Zoom. To learn more, visit the Sierra Club’s website.
Join online via Zoom.

Thursday, October 3, 7 p.m. | Astronomy Club of Asheville
Partner Program: “The Search for Intelligent Life in the Cosmos” (in-person + online)
Seth Shostak, seniors astronomer and fellow, SETI Institute
The Astronomy Club of Asheville offers an interesting lineup of speakers and topics. OLLI members may attend club meetings and stargazes, with club members on hand to advise and assist them in the basics of astronomy and the techniques of observing celestial phenomena.
Join online via Zoom. Read more on the Astronomy Club of Asheville’s website.

Friday, October 4, 11:30 a.m.
Fab Friday: “Training for Your 80s” (in-person + online)
Lee Pattillo, Vitalee PT
Join online via Zoom and read more about fall 2024 Fab Fridays.

Sunday, October 6, 2:30 p.m. | The Autumn Players
Partner Program: “Proof by David Auburn”
The Autumn Players is Asheville Community Theatre’s volunteer outreach group consisting of more than 100 seasoned actors, writers and educators dedicated to taking theatre into the community. Since 1992, the company has provided entertainment, enrichment and instruction for thousands of students, seniors and in-betweens at venues in the Asheville area. The Autumn Players’ Friday and Saturday performances take place at ACT, with Sunday performances at the Reuter Center. Purchase tickets online via the Autumn Players’ website for $8; any remaining tickets will be sold for $8 (cash only) at the door beginning at 2 p.m. prior to each performance.

Thursday, October 10, 4:30 p.m.
OLLI Program: OLLI Authors (in-person + online)
Victoria Bender and Wendy Wieber
OLLI Authors is a book talk series designed to spotlight the many OLLI members who are talented writers of poetry and prose.
Join online via Zoom.

Friday, October 11, 11:30 a.m.
Fab Friday: “All About Bulldog Athletics” (in-person + online)
Janet R. Cone, director, UNC Asheville athletics
Join online via Zoom and read more about fall 2024 Fab Fridays.

Saturday, October 12, 2 p.m.
University Program: “UNC Asheville Athletics Day for OLLI Members”
Cheer on the UNC Asheville Bulldogs alongside fellow OLLI members at a sporting event! Featured events are men’s soccer and women’s volleyball.
For more information, watch the OLLI Observer weekly e-newsletter.

Sunday, October 13, 5:30 p.m. | Carolinas’ Nature Photographers Association
Partner Program: “Travel Photography” (in-person + online)
From our backyard to literally around the world, Beth Hampton Jones will be showcasing images from her frequent travels. Whether it’s special places in the United States, Europe, Africa or even Antarctica, you can bet Beth has been there before along with her trusty camera. If you haven’t met her personally, it’s because she doesn’t stand still for long. Join us for an around the world adventure. To find out more about upcoming meetings and how to join virtually, visit the CNPA website.

Tuesday, October 15, 7 p.m. | Blue Ridge Audubon
Partner Program (in-person + online)
Blue Ridge Audubon is the local chapter of the National Audubon Society. Its mission is to protect birds and the places they depend on, believing that a world in which birds thrive is a world that benefits all living things. By engaging the public through educational programs, outreach and birding events, they raise awareness of the critical role of birds in the natural environment and the joy they bring to people’s lives. Visit the Blue Ridge Audubon Chapter’s website to learn more about free monthly programs and bird walks.
Join online via Zoom.

Friday, October 18, 11:30 a.m.
Fab Friday: “Mental Health Issues in Older Adults”
Sherry Kramer, licensed psychologist
Read more about fall 2024 Fab Fridays.

Friday, October 18, 2 p.m. | OLLI Inclusion Committee
OLLI Program: “Just Conversations: Making the Latino South”
Join the OLLI at UNC Asheville Inclusion Committee and the UNC Asheville Education Department for a facilitated panel discussion on the book Making the Latino South: A History of Racial Formation by Cecilia Márquez, Ph.D., Hunt Family Assistant Professor of History, Duke University.
This event is free to OLLI members and the UNC Asheville community, but registration is requested.

Friday, October 18, 5 p.m. | Death Café
Partner Program
Death Café is an engaging gathering with storytelling and conversation about a topic that too often alienates people in our death-phobic culture. At Death Café, participants break into small groups of five or six people and discuss personal stories related to the death of loved ones; loss of jobs, relationships or marriages; or loss or death of parts of ourselves. These programs are facilitated by Karen Sanders, Greg Lathrop and Saïd Osio from Third Messenger. Death Café meets in the Reuter Center atrium on the third Friday of each month from 5-6:30 p.m. Learn more about Death Café by visiting the Death Café website, the Third Messenger website, or facebook.com/deathcafeasheville.

Tuesday, October 22, 4:30 p.m. | STEM Lecture Series
OLLI Program: Fall 2024 STEM Lecture Series (in-person + online)
The STEM Lecture Series is interdisciplinary with a focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Join online via Zoom.

Tuesday, October 22, 7 p.m. | World Affairs Council
Partner Program (in-person + online)
The World Affairs Council of Western North Carolina (a chapter of the World Affairs Council of America) offers lectures and discussions meant to educate, inspire and engage the WNC community in international affairs and critical global issues. These lectures are sponsored by the WNC chapter of the World Affairs Council, OLLI at UNC Asheville and the UNC Asheville Department of Political Science. All meetings are offered in person and on Zoom.
Join online via Zoom.

Friday, October 25, 11:30 a.m.
Fab Friday: “Identity Theft”
Karen Smith and Sarah Robbett, First Bank
Read more about fall 2024 Fab Fridays.

Tuesday, October 29, 11:30 a.m.
College for Seniors information session: “You Too Can Teach!” (in-person + online)
Are you interested in (or curious about) teaching a course at the College for Seniors? You may have never thought that you could be an OLLI instructor, but you too can teach! Our instructors run the gamut from retired teachers and professionals to those with deep knowledge of a certain topic. The common thread with all our instructors is passion for their subject matter and a desire to share it with peers. The process of becoming an instructor is not daunting. In this information session, current CFS instructors will introduce what teaching at OLLI is all about and demystify the process from having an idea for a course through creating a good proposal. All your questions about teaching will be answered!
Sign up to attend in-person or online, drop by the OLLI office or call 828.251.6873.

November

Friday, November 1
Deadline to submit a College for Seniors spring 2025 course proposal
Visit the forms page to access the CFS Spring 2025 Course Proposal.

Friday, November 1, 11:30 a.m.
Fab Friday: “The New Face of Emergency Medical Services” (in-person + online)
Kevin Miller and John Anderson, Buncombe County EMS
Join online via Zoom and read more about fall 2024 Fab Fridays.

Wednesday, November 6, 7 p.m. | WNC Sierra Club
Partner Program: “Sustainable Agriculture: Exploring Agriculture Climate Solutions” (in-person + online)
Laura Lengnick, soil scientist and author, Climate Change and Agriculture in the United States: Effects and Adaptation
The WNC Sierra Club is active in educating leaders, the public and the media about environmental issues at the local, state and federal level in order to promote environmental leadership. All meetings are offered in person and on Zoom. To learn more, visit the Sierra Club’s website.
Join online via Zoom.

Thursday, November 7, 7 p.m. | Astronomy Club of Asheville
Partner Program (in-person + online)
The Astronomy Club of Asheville offers an interesting lineup of speakers and topics. OLLI members may attend club meetings and stargazes, with club members on hand to advise and assist them in the basics of astronomy and the techniques of observing celestial phenomena.
Join online via Zoom. Read more on the Astronomy Club of Asheville’s website.

Friday, November 8, 11:30 a.m.
Fab Friday: “Sometimes Better, Sometimes Worse; How Local Weather is Modified by the Mountains” (in-person + online)
Douglas Miller, professor of atmospheric sciences, UNC Asheville
Join online via Zoom and read more about fall 2024 Fab Fridays.

Friday, November 8, 2 p.m.
Inclusion Committee Program: “Just Conversations” (in-person + online)
OLLI’s Inclusion Committee is planning a series of conversations and film screenings to educate OLLI members about a wide range of issues of diversity, equity and inclusion; the goal is to offer opportunities for our members to learn more and to examine challenging issues together. Ultimately we hope to create an organization where all older adults feel welcome and comfortable. The Just Conversations series will focus on issues of social justice on a wide range of topics. The Just Films series will include screenings of films, both fiction and documentaries with social justice and equity themes. Each film will be introduced with context to enrich viewing and followed by a facilitated discussion to allow participants to delve more deeply into long-held biases and misinformation that we may be carrying about other people and other groups. Please watch the OLLI Observer e-newsletter for more information.

Sunday, November 10, 5:30 p.m. | Carolinas’ Nature Photographers Association
Partner Program: “Portfolio Presentations” (in-person + online)
Our biannual portfolio-presentation meetings give our members the chance to present their work. If you want to take on the challenge of building a new portfolio, maybe something you’ve always wanted to shoot but haven’t pushed yourself, or if you want to feature what you already love to shoot, this meeting is for you to share. Love flowers? Love macro? Want to share that special travel destination? These meetings are for you and it helps us all get to know each other’s interests and passions – so what are you waiting for? Our wonderful portfolio presentation coordinator, Catherine Pawlik, will be able to answer all your questions and calm your fears. To find out more about upcoming meetings and how to join virtually, visit the CNPA website.

Tuesday, November 12, 6:30 p.m. | Asheville Museum of History
Partner Program (in-person + online)
The mission of the Asheville Museum of History (formerly the Western North Carolina Historical Association) is to preserve and promote the history and legacy of Western North Carolina through interpretation, education, collection and collaboration. Throughout the year, the Asheville Museum of History hosts select panel discussions on timely, community topics and to educate and inspire curiosity about WNC history and culture. All meetings are offered in-person and on Zoom. To learn more, visit the Asheville Museum of History’s website.

Wednesday, November 13, 4:30 p.m. | STEM Lecture Series
OLLI Program: Fall 2024 STEM Lecture Series (in-person + online)
The STEM Lecture Series is interdisciplinary with a focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Join online via Zoom.

Friday, November 15, 11:30 a.m.
Fab Friday: “Learning to Speak Aphasia” (in-person + online)
Kate Kelleher, speech language pathologist and instructor, Western Carolina University
Join online via Zoom and read more about fall 2024 Fab Fridays.

Friday, November 15, 6:30 p.m.
OLLI Program: “Original Stand-Up Comedy”
Join us for a fun-filled evening of comedy performed by your fellow OLLI members! This evening’s comedians are participants in Randy Robins’ fall 2024 CFS course Original Stand-Up Comedy.

Friday, November 15, 5 p.m. | Death Café
Partner Program
Death Café is an engaging gathering with storytelling and conversation about a topic that too often alienates people in our death-phobic culture. At Death Café, participants break into small groups of five or six people and discuss personal stories related to the death of loved ones; loss of jobs, relationships or marriages; or loss or death of parts of ourselves. These programs are facilitated by Karen Sanders, Greg Lathrop and Saïd Osio from Third Messenger. Death Café meets in the Reuter Center atrium on the third Friday of each month from 5-6:30 p.m. Learn more about Death Café by visiting the Death Café website, the Third Messenger website, or facebook.com/deathcafeasheville.

Sunday, November 17, 2:30 p.m. | The Autumn Players
Partner Program: “The Trip to Bountiful by Horton Foote”
The Autumn Players is Asheville Community Theatre’s volunteer outreach group consisting of more than 100 seasoned actors, writers and educators dedicated to taking theatre into the community. Since 1992, the company has provided entertainment, enrichment and instruction for thousands of students, seniors and in-betweens at venues in the Asheville area. The Autumn Players’ Friday and Saturday performances take place at ACT, with Sunday performances at the Reuter Center. Purchase tickets online via the Autumn Players’ website for $8; any remaining tickets will be sold for $8 (cash only) at the door beginning at 2 p.m. prior to each performance.

Monday, November 25, 6 p.m. | Science Book Club
Partner Program: “Bird, Beaches, and Biologists: Odd Adventures of A Wildlife Biologist by Mike Erwin”
Come explore science with the Science Book Club. A reboot of the Greater Asheville Science-for-all Book Club (GASFAB), the Science Book Club offers exciting discussions of readable science books in all fields that broaden perspectives. The approach to book selection is decentralized: members are invited to suggest a book and serve as moderator for a session, responsible for preparing discussion questions to stimulate conversation. The Science Book Club typically meets on the fourth Monday of every other month at the Reuter Center from 6:30-8 p.m. Contact Sue Studlar or Steve Thomas for more information.

December

Tuesday, December 3, 7 p.m. | World Affairs Council
Partner Program (in-person + online)
The World Affairs Council of Western North Carolina (a chapter of the World Affairs Council of America) offers lectures and discussions meant to educate, inspire and engage the WNC community in international affairs and critical global issues. These lectures are sponsored by the WNC chapter of the World Affairs Council, OLLI at UNC Asheville and the UNC Asheville Department of Political Science. All meetings are offered in person and on Zoom.
Join online via Zoom

Thursday, December 5, 7 p.m. | Astronomy Club of Asheville
Partner Program: “Club Social”
The Astronomy Club of Asheville offers an interesting lineup of speakers and topics. OLLI members may attend club meetings and stargazes, with club members on hand to advise and assist them in the basics of astronomy and the techniques of observing celestial phenomena.
Read more on the Astronomy Club of Asheville’s website.

Sunday, December 8, 5:30 p.m. | Carolinas’ Nature Photographers Association
Partner Program: “Annual Holiday Party”
More details to come. To find out more about upcoming meetings and how to join virtually, visit the CNPA website.

Wednesday, November 6, 7 p.m. | WNC Sierra Club
Partner Program: “Holiday Potluck”
The WNC Sierra Club is active in educating leaders, the public and the media about environmental issues at the local, state and federal level in order to promote environmental leadership. All meetings are offered in person and on Zoom. To learn more, visit the Sierra Club’s website.
Note: This program will take place offsite at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville.

Friday, December 20, 5 p.m. | Death Café
Partner Program
Death Café is an engaging gathering with storytelling and conversation about a topic that too often alienates people in our death-phobic culture. At Death Café, participants break into small groups of five or six people and discuss personal stories related to the death of loved ones; loss of jobs, relationships or marriages; or loss or death of parts of ourselves. These programs are facilitated by Karen Sanders, Greg Lathrop and Saïd Osio from Third Messenger. Death Café meets in the Reuter Center atrium on the third Friday of each month from 5-6:30 p.m. Learn more about Death Café by visiting the Death Café website, the Third Messenger website, or facebook.com/deathcafeasheville.