Participate in Lifelong Learning
Thank you for joining Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) for this year's At-the-U Lecture Series! We hope you learned something new about the work and research taking place at the University of Minnesota. If you missed a lecture or would like to share an interesting topic with family or friends, find the links to view the lectures by their descriptions, below. Learn more about OLLI and everything we have to offer on the OLLI website.
Lectures and Speakers
April 2: Where Science Meets the Sky: The Evolution of Raptor Care and Conservation at the World Renowned Raptor Center of the University of Minnesota
This presentation highlights how The Raptor Center has spent more than 50 years advancing raptor medical care, conservation, and environmental stewardship through rehabilitation, research, education, and global training. Lori Arent will share the organization’s journey from its beginnings to its world-renowned impact, outline its future vision, and discuss how individuals can help protect the ecosystems we all rely on.
Lori Arent MS, Assistant Director of the Raptor Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota.
Watch "Where Science Meets the Sky"
April 9: The Power of Ordinary Magic: How Do Children Overcome Adversity?
How can we support children in developing resilience? This session will explore researcher Ann Masten’s concept of “ordinary magic,” which explains how resilience grows through everyday experiences shaped by both biology and environment. Learn how adaptive skills develop, how resilience is nurtured over time, and why this research matters for supporting children, families, and communities today and into the future.
Dr. Ann Masten, Regents Professor Emerita, Institute of Child Development, UMN and author of "Ordinary Magic: Resilience in Development" (2025, Guilford Press).
Watch "The Power of Ordinary Magic"
April 16: Immunotherapy: A Game-Changer for Cancer Patients
The “Holy Grails" of cancer therapy are specificity and potency. Immunotherapy provides both but it has only been in the past 10-20 years that these potentials have been realized. We will begin with an overview of the immune system and with this foundation, explain how the immune system has been deployed to treat cancer and speculations on what the future holds.
Christopher Pennell, Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and a researcher in the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota currently co-directs the Institute for Engineering in Medicine's Inspire Program and the Cancer Center's M-ASCEND Program.
April 23: Exploring Antarctica’s Future and World Sea Level Rise by Ice Coring into the Past
Current ice core science reveals how Earth’s climate changes, with the oldest ice cores now reaching back 6,000,000 years. Ice cores drilled in Antarctica and the air bubbles they contain provide valuable insights into Earth’s climate history. In this session we will explore how scientists are using ice core data to better understand the planet’s climate during a time of warmer temperatures and higher sea levels.
Dr. Peter Neff, Assistant Professor of the Department of Soil, Water and Climate, University of Minnesota.
Watch "Exploring Antarctica's Future"
April 30: How Your Favorite Childhood Stories Came to Life
This session takes a behind-the-scenes look at the Kerlan Collection of Children’s Literature, one of the leading archives of rare children’s books, original art, manuscripts and papers of children’s book creators. The Kerlan is a rich resource for researchers, educators, families, and all who love children’s literature.
Dr. Lisa von Drasek, Mirankanter Family Curatorial Chair of the Kerlin Collection Children’s Literature Research Collections University of Minnesota Libraries.
May 7: Better Together: The Promise of Community Inclusion
The UMN Institute of Community Integration is celebrating 40 years! Join Dr. Amy Hewitt to learn more about the Institute’s mission to ensure that children, youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are included in and able to contribute to their schools, workplaces, and communities, and how we all benefit from community inclusion.
Dr. Amy Hewitt, Director of The Institute of Community Integration and Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota.
May 14: Encore Adulthood: Opportunities and Challenges
Two trends are dramatically reshaping the second half of life: longevity and economic uncertainty. Longevity’s bonus years have opened up a whole new life stage – encore adulthood – that comes after the career and family building years. At the same time, people need, and often want, to work longer, but differently. This session will offer insights into midlife pivots, encore adulthood, and the new pathways that are emerging as people navigate renewal, purpose, and uncertainty.
Phyllis Moen, Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota and at Cornell University, is a McKnight Endowed Presidential Chair and was Professor of Sociology at the University of Minnesota.
Kate Schaefers, Director of OLLI and The Midlife Academy, is a licensed psychologist, educator, and coach.
Series Sponsor
Thank you to our Series sponsor!
