OLLI Winter 2027_pageturn - Flipbook - Page 5
Winter Seminar 2027
Minds in Motion
Thursday, January 14 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Bradley University, Michel Student Center Ballroom
What keeps us moving forward as we age?
Sometimes it is challenging our minds and
staying connected with others. And sometimes,
it is getting on two wheels and seeing where they
take us.
This winter, OLLI brings together two very
different perspectives on what it means to keep
our minds in motion. Join us for a morning
exploring cognitive health and an unexpected
journey through Illinois’ bicycling history.
Seminar
Schedule
8:30 a.m. Doors open
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Keeping Our Minds Engaged
with Evan Smith
10:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Break and socialization time
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
A History of Bicycling in Illinois with
Christopher Sweet
$25 - includes treats and refreshments
Seats available: 250
Keeping Our Minds Engaged
Evan Smith, Assistant Professor of
Psychology, Bradley University
How can the activities we enjoy help
support cognitive health as we age? Evan Smith
will explore modifiable risk factors associated with
cognitive decline and examine the role games and
hobbies can play in keeping our minds active.
He will also look at an increasingly popular form
of recreation: multiplayer digital games. Beyond
entertainment, these games can challenge the
brain while creating opportunities for social
interaction and connection.
Smith’s presentation will offer a fascinating look
at what research tells us about keeping our minds
active throughout our lives.
A History of Bicycling in Illinois
Christopher Sweet, Information
Literacy and Scholarly
Communication Librarian, Illinois
Wesleyan University
From early cycling clubs and daring riders to the
evolution of bicycling across the state, the bicycle
has played a fascinating role in Illinois history.
Christopher Sweet, author of A History of Bicycling
in Illinois, will introduce us to the people and
developments that shaped bicycling across
the state. Along the way, we will discover how
something as familiar as the bicycle became
intertwined with recreation, transportation, and
life in Illinois.
Whether you’re a lifelong cyclist or haven’t been
on a bicycle since childhood, Sweet’s presentation
offers a new way to explore Illinois history.
WINTER SEMINAR
5
