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OLLI at SOU
NEWSFLASH
November 2, 2026
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Rogue Valley’s Response to WWII:
20% Off Promo Code Available
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Join fellow OLLI members and well-known historian,
archaeologist and author Jeff LaLande on Saturday, Nov. 21, to explore how World War II shaped the Rogue Valley and the traces it left behind. This full-day travel excursion will include a special access tour of the historic buildings Camp White and live-fire training sites along Antioch Road.
Sign up before Monday, Nov. 9 and use the code OLLIWW2 for 20% off!
Visit the OLLI Travel webpage for full details and to register!
| | Spring Course Proposal Period Now Open! | | |
Spring course proposals are accepted Nov. 1–Dec. 3. Whether you have a previous course you want to offer again or have a brand new idea, we encourage you to offer your course to OLLI at SOU and join our wonderful group of volunteer instructors! Access the Spring Course Proposal Form.
We offer an orientation for new instructors and provide tech support throughout the term. Share your skills and enthusiasm with OLLI at SOU! Reach out to apcoleman2019@gmail.com with any questions.
| | Thanks to You, We're Aiming Higher! | | |
Based on record donor support last year, we’ve increased our annual fund goal for this year to $100,000 to fulfill two key tenets of our five-year
strategic plan:
- To expand programming and participation in other locations throughout the Rogue Valley.
- To continue ensuring financial sustainability of our program—now serving nearly 2,000 members.
Please consider a gift today to support our excellence while keeping our OLLI among the most affordable lifelong learning institutes across the entire United States! Donate online at giving.sou.edu/olli or mail a check to OLLI at SOU, 1250 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520.
This is also a perfect time to talk to your financial advisor about setting up an end-of-year qualified charitable distribution from your IRA in support of OLLI. Learn more.
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Join the OLLI Online Book Club on Monday, Nov. 2, 3:30-5 p.m. PT, via Zoom, as we dive into Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America by John M. Barry. Each month features a new book and a fresh conversation. View more information and register for 2026-27!
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Join the OLLI Raider Fans SIG on Monday, Nov. 2, 3:30-4:30 p.m., at the SOU Campbell Center. for a behind-the-scenes look at SOU athletics straight from SOU Football Coach Berk Brown and student athletes. Even if you’ve never been a college athletics fan, we think you’ll be inspired by hearing from the SOU coaches and athletes. View more information and register for 2026-27!
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Love hiking with your dog? Join the new Tails on Trails SIG on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 9-10:30 a.m., and explore dog-friendly Rogue Valley trails with fellow OLLI members and their four-legged companions. Monthly hikes, beautiful scenery, and canine camaraderie await! The location of each hike will be sent to all registrants in advance.View more information and register for 2026-27!
| | Reading and Discussion of Spiritual Writings SIG | |
Interested in exploring spiritual writings in a thoughtful, welcoming group? Join the new Spiritual Writings SIG on Friday, Nov. 6, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at the SOU Campbell Center. Each session begins with a 10‑minute period of silent meditation, followed by shared readings and group discussion. View more information and register for 2026-27!
| | The Shakespeare Industrial Complex | |
Join Tom Woosnam on Friday, Nov. 6, 3:30-5 p.m., at the SOU Campbell Center for a presentation on the Shakespeare Industrial Complex. There is no primary source evidence that the man baptized William Shakespeare in 1564 was a writer of any kind, yet he is credited as being arguably the greatest writer of all time. The story of how this came to be is both fascinating and surprising. Visit Catalog/Register to sign up!
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Living a Vibrant Life:
Five Qualities to Cultivate
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What five top qualities are the key to living a vibrant life? Join author and international speaker, Debra Valentina, on Monday, Nov. 9, 1-2:30 p.m., at the SOU Campbell Center, as she reveals those top qualities, shares how she incorporates them into her daily life, and prompts us to examine our own practices for living a joyful and fulfilling life. Visit Catalog/Register to sign up!
| | Does Your Dog Speak English? | | Age-Friendly: OLLI & SOU Student Dialogue | | Can humans communicate with animals beyond words? Join retired veterinarian and animal communicator Barbara Shor on Thursday, Nov. 12, 1-2:30 p.m., at the SOU Campbell Center for a fascinating exploration of intuitive interspecies communication, a topic that continues to spark curiosity, discussion, and research. Come with an open mind and your questions. Visit Catalog/Register to sign up! | | Join SOU Professor Dr. Noriko Toyokawa and SOU students on Thursday, Nov. 19, 10:45 a.m.-noon, at the SOU Campbell Center to discuss older adults’ needs, local resources and services, and community challenges. RSVP by Tuesday, Nov. 17. | | |
OLLI Speed Connections
Meet, Mingle & Make New Friends
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Looking to make new friends beyond the classroom? Join us for the first-ever OLLI at SOU Speed Connections event on Friday, Nov. 20, 4-6 p.m., at the SOU Campbell Center. Enjoy fast-paced, four-minute conversations to discover shared interests, followed by light refreshments and casual mingling. Space is limited, so reserve your spot early. Click here to RSVP!
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Sept. 14-Nov. 20: Fall term
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Nov. 1-Dec. 3: Spring 2027 Course Proposal Period
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Nov. 4: Winter 2027 Print Catalog PDF available
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Nov. 11: Veterans Day (closed)
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Nov. 20: OLLI at SOU Speed Connections
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Nov. 16-27: Winter 2027 Priority Registration
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Nov. 25-27: Thanksgiving Break (closed)
| Pick Up Your OLLI Name Badge! | |
The OLLI office still has a surplus of name badges to be collected! If you requested one when you became a member this year, please stop by the office to pick it up before the end of the term.
| | Lifelong Learning Opportunities | | |
SOU THRIVE Fundraising Campaign Video
SOU launched the public phase of the THRIVE $100 million fundraising campaign last week – the largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in SOU's history. The $100 million goal will help transform SOU into a university that is truly small by choice and distinctive by design. THRIVE supports connecting learning with real-world experience, strengthening student success and responding to the changing needs of our region. Watch the video linked above to learn more.
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OLLI French Caroling Performance
The OLLI French Caroling class invites members to join them on Thursday, Nov. 19, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at the SOU Campbell Center, Room E, to hear them sing their repertoire and join in for the English verses of the carols.
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Southern Exposure, published Tuesday, Oct. 27
Friends of Hannon Lecture Series: Libraries and Free Speech in Polarizing Times
- Thursday, Nov. 12, 5-6 p.m., SOU Hannon Library, Meese Room
Centering Women's Health: Integrative Approaches for Lifelong Well-being
- Friday, Nov. 13, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., PT, via Zoom
Ashland Senior Center, November Newsletter
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OLLI at SOU Office Hours
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
olli@sou.edu • 541-552-6048
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