Reach for the Stars with Scott Altman -- March 10, 2013

On Sunday, March 10, hometown hero Scott Altman visited Bradley University to speak to OLLI members about growing up in Central Illinois, his experiences with the Navy, and the wonders of flying and working in space.

Scott graduated from Pekin Community High School in 1977, and his parents, Sharon and Fred Altman, still reside in Pekin. Scott is a graduate of the University of Illinois and the Naval Postgraduate School. He has received numerous honors, including the Navy’s Distinguished Flying Cross and NASA’s highest award, the Distinguished Service Medal.

A veteran of four space flights, Altman has logged over 51 days in space. In August 2012 he became Vice President for the newly formed ASRC Federal Space and Defense.

Steve Straight, a Trustee of the Peoria Historical Society, requested permission from OLLI and Astronaut Scott Altman to videotape Scott's presentation and post it on You Tube. Please click on the embedded video above and enjoy!

A. Lucas and Sons Steel -- March 5, 2013

On our first 2013 Spring trip, we enjoyed an incredible morning at A. Lucas & Sons Steel in downtown Peoria.

During our visit, company president Margaret A. Hanley and her colleagues helped us learn about the company's long history of strong employee relationships that have helped it withstand economic downturns.

We also had the opportunity to see the fabrication process, including a welding station, bending station, burning station, voortman line, and a history station.

Several volunteers took advantage of the opportunity to weld for themselves, too!

OLLI thanks Margaret and her staff for taking time out of their busy days to welcome us to the facility. We also truly appreciate the custom-made Bradley bookends and steel beams emblazoned with our college name!

For more information about A. Lucas & Sons Steel, please visit www.alucasiron.com.

Science for Lunch -- February 26, 2013

For the first time ever, OLLI partnered with the USDA National Center for Agricultural Utilization to present Science for Lunch, a special lunchtime seminar.

Dr. Terry Isbell, Research Chemist and Biomass Research Development Initiative Project Director, and Dr. Mike Cotta, Research Microbiologist and Research Leader for the NCAUR Bioenergy Unit, discussed the exciting promises and challenges held by energy crops and second generation biofuels and how scientists in Peoria are unraveling those challenges and opening new doors for a biofuel future.

OLLI sincerely thanks NCAUR staff and Drs. Isbell and Cotta for a fascinating day of learning.

Islam in the West Study Group -- February 20, 2013

As an extension of their classroom studies, participants in OLLI's "Islam in the West" Study Group visited the Daarul Uloom Islamic School in Peoria.

There are currently 160 students enrolled in K1 through 8th grades (except 7th) with a staff of 21 teachers. During the tour, Mohamed Salem discussed the significance of knowledge for children, their personal growth, and how the family, media, community and school interact.

He also detailed the school curriculum, explaining how the school strives for high academic standards and educational excellence to prepare the students to become productive and responsible members of our global society.

Study Group co-facilitator and OLLI Curriculum Chairperson Bob Beckenbaugh thanked the staff for their hospitality and graciousness in answering the participants' questions. "We all gained a much deeper knowledge of and respect for the school and a better understanding of Islam and how Muslims face assimilation into the West through education," Beckenbaugh said.