Calendar

• Fall 2026 Catalog
• Fall 2026 Course Schedule
• UNC Asheville Parking Portal

August

Monday, August 10, 10 a.m.-Monday, August 17, noon
CFS fall 2026 lottery registration
Log into the online registration system to view courses and to register. Volunteers will be available for walk-in registration assistance Monday, August 10-Friday, August 14, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. daily; Monday, August 17, 10 a.m.-noon; and Monday, August 31, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Friday, August 21, noon
Payment deadline for CFS fall 2026 tuition (lottery registration)
Registrations with an outstanding balance for CFS tuition after noon on (a) Friday, August 21 during lottery registration, or (b) Friday, September 18 during open registration, will be cancelled. Members may be able to re-register for tuition and dropped courses based on availability.

Friday, August 21, 5 p.m. | Death Café
Partner Program: “Death Café”
Death Café is an engaging gathering with storytelling and conversation about a topic that too often alienates people in our death-phobic culture. At Death Café, participants break into small groups of five or six people and discuss personal stories related to the death of loved ones; loss of jobs, relationships or marriages; or loss or death of parts of ourselves. These programs are facilitated by Karen Sanders, Greg Lathrop and Saïd Osio from Third Messenger. Learn more about Death Café by visiting the Death Café website, the Third Messenger website, or facebook.com/deathcafeasheville. If you have questions about meetings of Death Café at the Reuter Center, please contact Karen Sanders at 828-778-8882.

Friday, August 28-Sunday, August 30
Reuter Center and OLLI offices closed for the Paths to Creative Retirement workshop
Call us at 828-251-6140 or email us if you have any questions or concerns.

Friday, August 28, late afternoon
CFS fall 2026 schedules emailed to lottery participants
Lottery participants can also log into the online registration system starting Saturday, August 29 to view schedules.

Monday, August 31, 10 a.m.
CFS fall 2026 open registration begins
Log into the online registration system to view courses and to register. Volunteers will be available for walk-in registration assistance Monday, August 31, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

September

Tuesday, September 1
CFS spring 2027 course proposals open
Visit the Forms page to access the CFS Spring 2027 Course Proposal form. Instructors may choose to proposal a course on the term’s theme, “USA at 250: Revolution, Evolution, Innovation, Inspiration“; read more about the theme term.

Tuesday, September 1, 7 p.m. | World Affairs Council
Parnter Program: “Japan’s First Female Prime Minister is Reshaping Asian Security” (in-person + online)
The post-WWII world order is undergoing a seismic change with Washington stepping back from multilateral commitments and upending the security architecture in the Asia-Pacific. US allies in the region face an increasingly unpredictable strategic environment. Under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi—the nation’s first female leader—Tokyo is strengthening its national security posture to adapt to this new multipolar world. Moving past decades of strict pacifism, Japan is seeking strategic autonomy by acquiring counterstrike capabilities and forging a horizontal “lattice” of regional defense networks. How are shifting alliances, supply-chain vulnerabilities, and intense geopolitical friction forcing Japan to radically redefine its place in Asia?
Margot Carrington retired from the U.S. diplomatic service after a 25-year career focused on Japan, where she served four tours. In retirement, Margot remains deeply involved in U.S.-Japan grassroots initiatives. She actively supports the U.S.-Japan Council and the Japan-America Society of North Carolina, and she serves on the boards of the National Association of Japan-America Societies and the Japanese Women’s Leadership Initiative (JWLI).
Join online via Zoom and read more on the World Affairs Council’s website.

Wednesday, September 2, 7 p.m. | WNC Sierra Club
Partner Program: “Birds We Love” (in-person + online)
Join Blue Ridge Audubon member Tom Tribble for a presentation about birds of western North Carolina. Topics will include the value of birds, food requirements, the importance of native plants, the impact of climate change, migration, bird identification tips and interesting facts about some of our local birds. The presentation will conclude with pictures and songs of more than 2 dozen birds found in our region.
Join online via Zoom and read more on the WNC Sierra Club’s website.

Thursday, September 3, 7 p.m. | Astronomy Club of Asheville
Partner Program: “Satellites and the Night Sky” (in-person + online)
Since the space race of the 1960s, governments have used satellites for science, communication, navigation, and defense/spying. The rise of cheaper, reusable launch vehicles has led to the recent proliferation of satellites by private companies, and now more than 13,000 satellites are operating in low-earth orbit. License applications have been submitted that propose to increase this number 10-fold. What are those satellites doing? How long do they stay up there? How are satellites changing the night sky? What happens if we lose control of them? The talk will address these questions and more.
Britt Lundgren is the Philip G. Carson Distinguished Professor in the Sciences and chair of the department of physics and astronomy at the University of North Carolina Asheville.
Join online via Zoom and read more on the Astronomy Club of Asheville’s website.

Monday, September 7
UNC Asheville, OLLI and the Reuter Center closed in observance of Labor Day holiday

Tuesday, September 8, 7 p.m. | Blue Ridge Naturalist Network
Special Program: “Butterflies of Western North Carolina” (in-person + online)
Heather Rayburn, vice-president and Western North Carolina Chapter Coordinator of the Carolina Butterfly Society, will talk about the addictive hobby of butterflying. Learn about the butterflies of our region and, most importantly, how to garden for the conservation of butterflies.
Join online via Zoom.

Monday, September 14
Scholarship application deadline for CFS fall 2026 tuition (open registration)
Visit the Forms page to access the CFS Fall 2026 Scholarship Request form.

Tuesday, September 15, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Wednesdays, September 16-November 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; and Wednesday, November 18, 2-6 p.m.
OLLI Program: Leadership Asheville Seniors
Leadership Asheville Seniors—a learning and civic engagement program planned and led by its graduates and community members—provides a multifaceted view of Asheville and Buncombe County. Through discussions with community leaders and tours of Asheville and Buncombe County, newcomers and longtime residents alike can gain new perspectives and consider ways to contribute their diverse experiences and talents for the good of the community.
For more information, visit the Leadership Asheville Seniors page; to register for LAS 40, log into the online registration system.

Friday, September 18, 10 a.m.
OLLI Event: “New Member Welcome/Returning Member Refresher” (in-person + online)
Are you new to OLLI at UNC Asheville and the Reuter Center? Are you returning after being gone awhile? Do you just want to catch up on organizational developments, learn more about volunteering, figure out how things work and meet new people? Come learn about all that OLLI has to offer. Watch the OLLI Observer weekly e-newsletter for more information and how to RSVP.

Friday, September 18, noon
Payment deadline for CFS fall 2026 tuition (open registration)
Registrations with an outstanding balance for CFS tuition after noon on (a) Friday, August 21 during lottery registration, or (b) Friday, September 18 during open registration, will be cancelled. Members may be able to re-register for tuition and dropped courses based on availability.

Friday, September 18, noon
Last day to drop all CFS courses for a full refund
Visit the Forms page to access the CFS Fall 2026 Drop Request form.

Friday, September 18, 1 p.m.
College for Seniors Information Session: “Preparing to Be a Class Representative”
Have you signed up to be a class rep to support one or more of your College for Seniors instructors? We will review the role of these important classroom volunteers and practical matters such as how to work the lights and microphones, where to pick up and drop off attendance clipboards, how to check in course participants and when and where to get help if needed. This info session is especially geared towards new class reps, but experienced class reps are welcome to attend as well.
Register to attend in person.

Friday, September 18, 1 p.m.
College for Seniors Information Session: “Zoom Café” (online)
Are you planning to participate in an online or hybrid course, program or event? This info session is a great opportunity to learn basic skills and improve your experience of our video-conferencing software! We will review how to install and update the Zoom app on your device, log into a meeting, change your Zoom name and background, mute/unmute, post/respond in the Chat box, use the “raise hand” function and reactions, move into and out of breakout rooms, participate in polls and more. We will also leave plenty of time for your questions and to troubleshoot your device.
Register to attend online via Zoom.

Friday, September 18, 3 p.m.
Life Transitions Program: “Protect Your Money: Learn to Spot and Avoid the Red Flags of Investment Fraud” (in-person + online)
In this program, Erin Scheithe of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will provide a brief overview of the mission of the SEC before diving into the scope and types of fraud, how to spot the red flags of scams, how to protect yourself and your loved ones, and where to report. This talk will be tailored towards preventing investment fraud among older adults. Register to attend and visit http://www.investor.gov/protectyourmoney for more information.

Friday, September 18, 5 p.m. | Death Café
Partner Program: “Death Café”
Death Café is an engaging gathering with storytelling and conversation about a topic that too often alienates people in our death-phobic culture. At Death Café, participants break into small groups of five or six people and discuss personal stories related to the death of loved ones; loss of jobs, relationships or marriages; or loss or death of parts of ourselves. These programs are facilitated by Karen Sanders, Greg Lathrop and Saïd Osio from Third Messenger. Learn more about Death Café by visiting the Death Café website, the Third Messenger website, or facebook.com/deathcafeasheville. If you have questions about meetings of Death Café at the Reuter Center, please contact Karen Sanders at 828-778-8882.

Monday, September 21
First day of CFS fall 2026 term
Log into the online registration system to view courses and to register.

Monday, September 21
Last day to drop Osher Online courses for a full refund
Visit the Forms page to access the Osher Online Fall 2026 Drop Request form.

October

Friday, October 16, 4:30 p.m.
Member Social: “Fall Social”
Join your OLLI friends in the Reuter Center’s lower level to socialize! Enjoy a casual cookout style supper, drinks and music. Watch the OLLI Observer weekly e-newsletter for more information and how to RSVP.

Friday, October 16, 5 p.m. | Death Café
Partner Program: “Death Café”
Death Café is an engaging gathering with storytelling and conversation about a topic that too often alienates people in our death-phobic culture. At Death Café, participants break into small groups of five or six people and discuss personal stories related to the death of loved ones; loss of jobs, relationships or marriages; or loss or death of parts of ourselves. These programs are facilitated by Karen Sanders, Greg Lathrop and Saïd Osio from Third Messenger. Learn more about Death Café by visiting the Death Café website, the Third Messenger website, or facebook.com/deathcafeasheville. If you have questions about meetings of Death Café at the Reuter Center, please contact Karen Sanders at 828-778-8882.

Thursday, October 22, 2 p.m.
College for Seniors Information Session: “You Too Can Teach!” (in-person + online)
Are you interested in (or curious about) teaching a course at the College for Seniors? You may have never thought that you could be an OLLI instructor, but you too can teach! Our instructors run the gamut from retired teachers and professionals to those with deep knowledge of a certain topic. The common thread with all our instructors is passion for their subject matter and a desire to share it with peers. The process of becoming an instructor is not daunting. Current CFS instructors will introduce what teaching at OLLI is all about and demystify the process from having an idea for a course through creating a good proposal. All of your questions about teaching will be answered!
Register to attend in-person or online via Zoom.

November

Sunday, November 1
Last day to submit CFS spring 2027 course proposal
Visit the Forms page to access the CFS Spring 2027 Course Proposal form. Instructors may choose to proposal a course on the term’s theme, “USA at 250: Revolution, Evolution, Innovation, Inspiration“; read more about the theme term.

Friday, November 13
Last day of CFS fall 2026 term

Friday, November 20, 5 p.m. | Death Café
Partner Program: “Death Café”
Death Café is an engaging gathering with storytelling and conversation about a topic that too often alienates people in our death-phobic culture. At Death Café, participants break into small groups of five or six people and discuss personal stories related to the death of loved ones; loss of jobs, relationships or marriages; or loss or death of parts of ourselves. These programs are facilitated by Karen Sanders, Greg Lathrop and Saïd Osio from Third Messenger. Learn more about Death Café by visiting the Death Café website, the Third Messenger website, or facebook.com/deathcafeasheville. If you have questions about meetings of Death Café at the Reuter Center, please contact Karen Sanders at 828-778-8882.