OLLI at Aquinas College

OLLI at Aquinas College Curious People Wanted. aquinas.edu/olli | 616.632.2430 | [email protected]

🌱 OLLI PLANTS THE SEED OF… COMMUNITY.As we approach the launch of the GIVE2GROW campaign on October 1, we’re highlightin...
09/15/2026

🌱 OLLI PLANTS THE SEED OF… COMMUNITY.

As we approach the launch of the GIVE2GROW campaign on October 1, we’re highlighting what makes OLLI at Aquinas College special—and inviting our community to help it grow.

We know that being part of a community is good for us. It can reduce stress, lift our mood, support physical well-being, and keep our minds active. But ask an OLLI student why they come to class, and the answer isn’t always about the topic. It’s the people. The familiar faces, new friendships, lively conversations, and feeling of belonging.

Your support of OLLI helps make our community possible.

A BIG thank you to our GIVE2GROW Challenge Sponsors:

• Avenues by Brio Living Services
• Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids
• Anonymous donor

These generous donors have issued a challenge: If we raise $3,500 in GIVE2GROW donations, they will match it—for a total of $7,000—moving us closer to our $20,000 fundraising goal.

When GIVE2GROW launches October 1, please consider making a gift to OLLI at Aquinas. Every contribution helps plant the seeds for another great class, another great presenter, and another great OLLI experience.

It’s a great day to play djembe! Rhythm is a language. Special thanks to Leah Ivory Drum and Dance for an interactive We...
09/14/2026

It’s a great day to play djembe! Rhythm is a language. Special thanks to Leah Ivory Drum and Dance for an interactive West African drumming experience.

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre invited OLLI members to a special preview perfor...
09/12/2026

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre invited OLLI members to a special preview performance of “Come From Away,” the first production in their momentous 100th season, and the story of diverted airline passengers welcomed by the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, following the events of September 11, 2001. The event included a tour of the theatre’s historic rehearsal and educational spaces, a history of the theatre (with stories and memories from former executive and artistic director Bruce Tinker alongside OLLI member and Civic performer Jon March), and an exclusive pre-show Q&A with the show’s cast and director Allyson Paris.

Then, on Friday, OLLI welcomed Alex Peric, the vice president and chief operating officer of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, to discuss how air travel and airport security has changed since 9/11.

OLLI’s opening week of the Fall 2026 term saw several highlights: one of which was touring Good Friends Auto, which feat...
09/12/2026

OLLI’s opening week of the Fall 2026 term saw several highlights: one of which was touring Good Friends Auto, which featured over thirty classic cars owned by Dr. Dom Federico. Dr. Federico also presented on the evolution of American automobile design with the contributions of Edsel Ford, Bill Mitchell, and Harley Earl.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! The classroom was at full capacity today as OLLI members returned for the first session of our Fall...
09/08/2026

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! The classroom was at full capacity today as OLLI members returned for the first session of our Fall 2026 term, and the first session of Caroline Cook’s “Our Heritage” series, highlighting the early inhabitants of Grand Rapids.

OLLI members joined Dr. Stefani Boutelier’s COM100 class to practice effective inter generational communication through ...
09/03/2026

OLLI members joined Dr. Stefani Boutelier’s COM100 class to practice effective inter generational communication through small group discussion and games. With support from faculty, staff, and volunteers, OLLI at Aquinas happily facilitates several similar opportunities throughout the year with Generation Swap, a program designed to encourage co-generational discussion and understanding. The first Generation Swap event takes place on FRI, Sep 25, 2026.

The OLLI Fiber Arts Group is excited to host four drop-in sessions for OLLI members and Aquinas College students to crea...
09/01/2026

The OLLI Fiber Arts Group is excited to host four drop-in sessions for OLLI members and Aquinas College students to create together. The first is hosted FRI, Sep 11, 2026, from 11:30am to 1:00pm, in the Grace Hauenstein Library Art Gallery. Bring a project, learn something new, or try a hobby you’ve always wanted to pick up. No experience required.

The OLLI Gardening Group visited the Marywood Campus of the Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids earlier this month to explore...
08/17/2026

The OLLI Gardening Group visited the Marywood Campus of the Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids earlier this month to explore the Marywood Ecological Initiative, an ongoing land-restoration and eco-justice project facilitated by Rebecca Marquardt. OLLI Shared Interest Groups are free, regularly scheduled opportunities to explore interactive learning by and with fellow OLLI students—connecting over topics you love while building community along the way.

A year after they warmly welcomed us in their space, the staff of the Grace Hauenstein Library at Aquinas College provid...
08/12/2026

A year after they warmly welcomed us in their space, the staff of the Grace Hauenstein Library at Aquinas College provided OLLI members with a behind-the-scenes tour of the library building, processes, and services. Thank you to Christina Radisauskas, Mies Martin, and Kate Luebke for their presentations. Library privileges are included in OLLI membership, and attendees were able to set up their accounts on the spot.

High humidity couldn't keep the OLLI Hikers from their urban hike through the historic Heritage Hill neighborhood in dow...
08/11/2026

High humidity couldn't keep the OLLI Hikers from their urban hike through the historic Heritage Hill neighborhood in downtown Grand Rapids.

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159 Woodward Lane SE
Grand Rapids, MI
49506

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