
Penny Murray's 72-year life journey is founded on faith. She is blessed with 3 children and 9 grandchildren, satisfied in 44 years of nursing, and partnered today with Steve in the joy of life-long learning. Aquinas has provided classes for a degree-seeking adult student, and OLLI has been an amazing growth opportunity in retirement for her.
Jessica Kean is a junior at Aquinas College pursuing a BSc in Health Sciences. She is from Brighton Michigan, where she has four of the coolest dogs in the world. She is looking forward to participating in the Mohler-Thompson Research Program this summer on campus!
As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth.
Jun 8, 2023
18 min

Marty Arnold taught writing at Aquinas College, was a journalist, editor, and a non-profit administrator. Since retiring she has published two novels and is re-wilding her yard.
Emma Pearson is an Aquinas College sophomore majoring in biochemistry. She loves spending time with kids and animals and is interested in pursuing pediatric medicine.
As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth.
May 31, 2023
19 min

Diane Friar was a CPA and worked with a local firm for 37 years, where she became a partner. She worked for many years in litigation support and business valuation, work she greatly enjoyed. She retired in 2014 and has been attending Osher Lifelong Learning Institute classes since then. An alumna of Aquinas College, she has two grown children and two grandchildren.
Ashley Snyder is a junior at Aquinas College. She is majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She also plays for the Aquinas softball team. Her plans for the future have undergone recent revisions. She no longer wants to pursue a career in genetic counseling, but instead has discovered an interest in careers in the field of therapy.
As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth.
May 26, 2023
17 min

Gary Eberle is a professor of English emeritus at Aquinas College. He is the author of eight books of fiction and nonfiction, a two-time recipient of the Teacher of the Year award, and in 2019 was inducted into the Aquinas College Hall of Fame.
Aidan Raffaele is a senior at Aquinas College from Cadillac, MI, studying political science. He enjoys playing golf. After graduation, he plans on attending law school, and hopes to pursue a career in environmental protection through law and policy.
As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth.
May 18, 2023
22 min

Steve Murray was born and raised in the Grand Rapids area, and spent his entire life in West Michigan. In retirement he enjoys hanging with the dog, watching grandkids’ sporting events, taking OLLI classes, and plugging into various volunteer opportunities whenever possible.
MacKenzie Morris is a junior at Aquinas College majoring in Biology with hopes of getting into veterinary school. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her pets, family, and friends, and playing board games.
As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth.
May 11, 2023
12 min

Cindy Ritter grew up in Detroit and became a dental hygienist at University of Detroit Dental School. She has lived and worked in the Grand Rapids area for 55 years and during this time began her second career as an elementary school teacher after graduating from Aquinas. She in now retired, but stays busy with her 5 sons’ families (including 16 grandchildren), with her church (St. Robert), as a Kent County CASA and refugee resettlement volunteer, and with scrapbooking, softball, and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute classes.
Jenna Daschke is an Aquinas College junior from Novi, Michigan majoring in Political Science and International Studies. She enjoys being an active member of the Aquinas community as both a Student Ambassador and Women’s Basketball player.
As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth.
Apr 28, 2023
17 min

Dan Measday is a native of New Jersey and a 1970 graduate of Aquinas College. He and his wife celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2022. He is retired after a career in a variety of jobs, including 30 years in sales positions.
Noah Reilly is a Grand Rapids native. He came to Aquinas College in 2021 and is studying Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and minoring in Data Analytics. He is passionate about the environment and the life sciences and loves to spend time outdoors and with his family.
As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth.
Apr 28, 2023
20 min

Rick Armbruster has had a nontraditional career path that has allowed him to focus on family and community. Currently, he is the President & Founder of Upcycle Bikes, providing bikes to community members in need of an affordable and accessible transportation option.
Suzanne Callahan is an Adjunct Professor of Business Administration at Aquinas College. Her background is in leadership, strategy, marketing, sales, fund development and volunteer recruitment in West Michigan.
As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth.
Mar 26, 2023
32 min

Douglas Kindschi is in his 47th year at Grand Valley State University, where he is the founding director of the Kaufman Interfaith Institute. He previously served as dean for 28 years, mainly as Dean of Science. He did graduate work in mathematics, philosophy, and theology at the University of Chicago Divinity School and the University of Wisconsin Madison, where he received his Ph.D.
Rev. Kyle Kooyers is the Associate Director for the Kaufman Interfaith Institute at Grand Valley State University. He is responsible for coordinating community-based interfaith engagement, dialogue and relationship-building activities. Originally from Southwestern Pennsylvania, Kyle has spent the past decade exploring asset-based community development and organizational capacity building in various contexts. Kyle received his M.Div. from Calvin Theological Seminary and is ordained within the Presbyterian Church (USA).
As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth.
Jan 6, 2023
36 min

Martha Porter is a Grand Rapids native and mom to two adult daughters. She retired in 2017 after a 40-year career with Amway Corporation. She is a long-time member of Grace Episcopal Church and currently serves on the vestry.
Samee Teachworth graduated from St. Patrick School in Portland, Michigan, and came to Aquinas where she is studying Business Administration and Communication with a concentration in Human Resources. She is a passionate volleyball player and is active in Student Senate. She is proud to say that she comes from an agricultural background.
As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth.
Dec 30, 2022
23 min
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