Established in 2011 by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Advisory Council and funded

entirely by Osher members, the Osher Faculty Grant has awarded a total of $234,956 to fund Boise State faculty research projects. The grant supports Boise State faculty research and raises awareness of the Institute within the university. Annual member contributions to the Osher Excellence Fund make these grants possible. We look forward to hosting these faculty for future Osher presentations.

The 2025 Osher Faculty Grant Award recipients are:

Dr. Javier Ochoa-Repáraz, Department of Biological Sciences

"Helping to Understand the Microbial Mystery of the Multiple Sclerosis-Gut Link"

This project will focus on an experiment that will address the effects of regulatory genetic molecule miR155 on the gut microbiota composition.

Manuel Gómez-Navarro, Department of World Languages, and Emily Frichman, Department of History

"Archives to Insights: Uncovering the Design and Cultural Significance of the Boise Depot"

This project is part of the larger Boise Depot Digital Heritage Virtual Tour Project, a collaborative effort to preserve, explore, and share the historical significance of the Boise Depot. It will examine original 1925 architectural designs and contrast them with the 1993 restoration.

Dr. Kathleen Keys, Department of Art, Design, and Visual Studies

"James Castle: Perspectives—A Collaborative Exhibition and Programming Initiative"

This project will explore the intersections of art, accessibility, and cultural heritage through an extended collaboration with Boise State and BAM, focusing on a major exhibition of James Castle's work and interdisciplinary educational programming.

Congratulations to these Boise State University faculty members! Our thanks go to the Faculty Grant Committee for reviewing the 2025 grant applications, and to the many Osher Institute members for their generous contributions to the Osher Excellence Fund.

Our Osher speakers are frequently featured on the Boise State Public Radio (BSPR) show Idaho Matters, hosted by Gemma Gaudette. Listen to the program weekdays from noon to 1:00 p.m. and again at 8:00 p.m.

Each show is archived on the BSPR site, so you can catch up in case you miss one. We also post the episodes that feature our presenters (such as the Western Idaho Community Health Collaborative and Dr. Jenée Cyran) on our Osher on Demand page.

We're thrilled to announce our newest trip for 2026 with Collette Travel:

Exploring South Africa, Victoria Falls, and Botswana (August 22-September 5, 2026)



Highlights include Chobe National Park, Pilanesberg National Park, a braai barbeque dinner on the Chobe River Bank, eight wildlife safaris, Cape Winelands, Cape Town, and Table Mountain.

There's also still time to register for these exciting travel opportunities:

• Explore Tuscany (October 15-23, 2025)
• Costa Rica: A World of Nature (October 31-November 12, 2025)
• Discover Christmas Markets featuring Germany, Switzerland, and France (December 2-10, 2025)

Bob Lawson of Travel Fever Tours will provide an overview of our upcoming travel opportunity to Oaxaca, Mexico (January 26-February 4, 2026). He'll review the trip itinerary, discuss Oaxaca activities, view recent trip photos, and answer questions on Monday, May 5, at 1:30 p.m. via livestream. (Viewing will also be available in Osher classroom 207.)

Here is the link to join the livestream on May 5:

https://boisestate.zoom.us/j/97265367538

Our Osher Institute thrives because of its outstanding members! This month's Member Spotlight shines on Gail Kirkpatrick.

Gail became an Osher member in the late 2000s and has always enjoyed classes on the environment, especially those focusing on animals, birds, volcanoes, ecology, and climate issues. A few of her favorite Osher presenters include Terry Rich, Ralph Bild, Dr. Richard Bell, and Dr. David Adler. "Osher has been a large part of my life for many years, and I appreciate everything about it," Gail says.

When she's not taking classes or volunteering at Osher, Gail lends her time to many other organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Idaho Botanical Garden, MK Nature Center, Golden Eagle Audubon Society, Idaho Women's Charitable Foundation, American Association of University Women, and Reclaim Idaho. She also participates in two book clubs, is part of the Osher Hiking in the Foothills SIG, and plays pickleball.

Gail's family is scattered all over the country: her daughter lives in San Francisco, her grandchild lives in New Orleans, and her stepgrandson is studying at Gonzaga University in Spokane. She also has a new kitten named Lola, an eight-year-old rescue with a damaged ear from Simply Cats.

Margaret Nelson (wife of longtime Osher member, volunteer, and presenter, Paul Nelson) created six beautiful charcoal drawings of Osher members from photographs taken at the Osher Holiday Open House last December. She has graciously offered them to the members who are featured as a free gift.

These lovely portraits will be hanging in the Osher office for the remainder of the spring semester, so be sure to stop in and see how incredible they are for yourself. And if you recognize your own drawing, let us know if you'd like to have it. Thanks, Margaret, for sharing your talent with us!

The Personal Writing SIG welcomes the opportunity to share selected works of its members. This month's featured writing is from Susan Lamberson.

Susan is a dedicated student of the outdoor world and an appreciative member of Osher. She enjoys teaching and practicing yoga. She has lived in Boise for 16 years, having had the opportunity to live and work in several wild areas, including the Clearwater National Forest in Idaho, Sequoia National Park in California, and Everglades National Park in Florida.

You can read Susan's piece, Slot Canyons, in Osher on Demand.

The new Osher Book Lovers SIG has delved into two different book groupings for its inaugural semester: "Amazing Women" and "Stories of the West and Northwest." Titles discussed include Good Night Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea, The Women by Kristin Hannah, Last Bus to Wisdom by Ivan Doig, and The Paragon Hotel by Lyndsay Faye.

The Chit Chat Club SIG meets every Thursday morning for lively discussions on a wide variety of topics, including favorite movie quotes, most romantic moments, most embarrassing experiences, worst experiences in a motel or campground, definitions of success, favorite cereals, and bat stories.

The Craft Beer Buds SIG has learned about the brewing process and sampled beers from local breweries such as Barbarian Brewing, Dusty Rose Reserve, Bert's Brewing, Clairvoyant Brewing, 10 Barrel Brewing, and Sockeye Grill and Brewing. They also made a stop at Alefort during Boise's Treefort Music Festival.

The Walking the Greenbelt SIG is enjoying their Friday morning jaunts on the Boise River Greenbelt, getting good exercise and taking in the flora, fauna, and wildlife along their route. They've even had a recent bald eagle and nest sighting!

The Hiking in the Foothills SIG resumed their hikes once the weather warmed up in March at trailheads around the greater Boise area, including the Grove Trailhead, Oregon Trail North, Harrison Hollow, and Freestone Trailhead in Military Reserve.

The (Mostly) Foreign Films at The Flicks SIG meets once a month to view an engaging array of films by international directors, such as "The Room Next Door" directed by Pedro Almodovar, "I'm Still Here" directed by Walter Salles, and "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl" directed by Rungano Nyoni.

The Journeying Together SIG is a small but dedicated group that gets together once a month at Smoky Mountain Pizza. Each member takes turns presenting on a topic they have researched covering Baby Boomers, the JFK assassination, Neanderthals, and events leading up to the battle of Lexington and Concord.

Osher members can access their program recordings

from their Osher account!

Once you log in to your account, choose "My Course Links" from the top navigation bar. All the recording links that you've registered for will be listed here. You can view these recordings any time before they expire at the end of the Osher membership year on June 30, 2025.

Here's a step-by-step video tutorial on how to access this feature.

Martin-Hindrichs Lit for Lunch Series

Three Summers by Margarita Liberaki

Friday, May 2, 12:00 p.m.

Yanke Research Park, Room 510

Sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

For more information, email Dr. Ann Campbell at anncampbell@boisestate.edu.

First Friday Astronomy Lecture

"Volcanism in the Solar System: From Earth to Io"

Dr. Brittany Brand, Professor of Geosciences and Director, Boise State Hazard and Climate Resilience Institute

Friday, May 2, 7:30 p.m.

Boise State Education Building, Room 112 and via livestream

To view the livestream, visit Astronomy at Boise State Physics.

Boise State Public Radio Open House

Saturday, May 3, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Yanke Research Park, 220 E. Parkcenter Blvd.

Stop to enjoy live music, tour the BSPR studios, and meet their team. There also will be prizes and refreshments.

For more information, visit Boise State Public Radio.

PEERS Program Community Dinner

Tuesday, May 6, 5:00 p.m.

Boise State University Education Building

Celebrate the achievements of students participating in the Providing Exceptional Education and Raising Standards (PEERS) Program.

For more information, email Jeremy Ford at jwford@boisestate.edu.

Constitutional Conversations / Alturas Book Club Special Session

Adams and Jefferson: A Revolutionary Dialogue

by Merrill D. Petersen

Wednesday, May 7, 4:00 p.m.

Yanke Research Park, Room 207

Admission of $10 at the door

Doors open at 3:45 p.m.; seating is on a first-come basis.

PLEASE NOTE: This event is open to the public; it is NOT an Osher Institute program, and no registration is necessary.



Please DO NOT call the Osher office or Customer Services.

For more information, visit The Alturas Institute.

City Club of Boise After-Hours Event

Post-Legislative Pundits Salon

Thursday, May 8, 7:00 p.m.

Trailhead, 500 S. 8th St., Boise

For more information and to register, visit City Club of Boise.

Capital City Mulligan Band Spring Concert

"From Rags to Riches"

Sunday, May 18, 3:00 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church, 950 W. State St., Boise

For more information, visit Capital City Mulligan Band.

The Osher office will be closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May 26.

Osher Staff will be taking vacation throughout the summer, but the office will be open Monday-Friday.

Our thanks for the continued support from our Community Sponsors and Partners:

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Boise State University

Phone: (208) 426-OLLI (6554)

Email: osher@boisestate.edu

Website: boisestate.edu/osher

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Boise State University operates within the Division of Extended Studies. It is a membership-based, lifelong learning program offering non-credit, college-level programs designed for intellectually curious adults age 50 and over.



Support the Osher Institute here.

Osher Institute Advisory Council

Chair: Bae Emilson | Tom Baerwald | Linda Butler

Bob Fontaine | Ron Kaz | Sharon Moses | Rick Ogle

Rainey Pieters | Diane Ronayne | Debra Silva | Steve Villachica

Osher Institute Staff

Director: Dana Thorp-Patterson | Assistant Director: Laura Mehlhaff

Senior Communications Specialist: Jill Chmelko

Administrative Assistant II: Cherie Ellingson

Administrative Assistant I: Jamie Frederick