Current Board Member Bios 2019 - 2021
The bios below are arranged in alphabetical order, based on last name.
Chris Abrons, Social Activities & Hospitality Committee Chair
Chris Abrons moved to Durham with her husband in August of 2017. Both began volunteering as ushers at DPAC, Carolina Theater and Duke Performing Arts. They also joined a Rotary Club in Durham with their daughter and began to volunteer with the club. OLLI also became part of their lives. In fact, they signed up for classes before they moved.
Chris began volunteering in OLLI as a class assistant and joined the Membership Relations Committee. She moved into the leadership role when the position opened. Chris sees her role at OLLI to help members connect and enjoy their community. She is also active in the Durham community. She volunteers with Farmer Food Share, End Hunger Durham and a number of organizations involved with senior issues.
As a nurse, Chris had many roles in her long career however, the one she cherishes the most is the years she worked in her husband’s Family Practice office as a patient navigator. The years they worked together gave them a pathway to retirement. It is very easy for Chris and Bert to be together.
Chris Abrons moved to Durham with her husband in August of 2017. Both began volunteering as ushers at DPAC, Carolina Theater and Duke Performing Arts. They also joined a Rotary Club in Durham with their daughter and began to volunteer with the club. OLLI also became part of their lives. In fact, they signed up for classes before they moved.
Chris began volunteering in OLLI as a class assistant and joined the Membership Relations Committee. She moved into the leadership role when the position opened. Chris sees her role at OLLI to help members connect and enjoy their community. She is also active in the Durham community. She volunteers with Farmer Food Share, End Hunger Durham and a number of organizations involved with senior issues.
As a nurse, Chris had many roles in her long career however, the one she cherishes the most is the years she worked in her husband’s Family Practice office as a patient navigator. The years they worked together gave them a pathway to retirement. It is very easy for Chris and Bert to be together.
Beth Anderson
Beth Anderson, Curriculum Committee Chair
Growing up in the mid-west Beth left to take her undergraduate studies at that school of the other shade of blue. There, at UNC, she studied molecular biology. However later, she switched blues, receiving a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from Duke University. She chose to stay in the south and now resides in Chatham County, but seeks out time in Durham for OLLI (and Durham’s good food) to round out her small-town life. Since learning about OLLI a few years ago (in addition to enjoying the diverse curriculum offered by OLLI at Duke) she has served as an editor for the Course catalogue and as Assistant Curriculum Committee Chair.
In her professional career Beth was a fed with the National Institutes of Health at the one NIH institute outside of Bethesda, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Her last twenty years there were in grant administration where she specialized in funding research programs associated with the nation’s Superfund program. This work lead her into the fascinating realm of promoting the application of scientific findings to real world problems, meaning moving the science beyond the professional journals into the pipeline for use by practicing professionals. During the ‘90s, she was instrumental in developing a national program in community engagement, an area that has become a critical and dynamic component of most environmental health programs.
Now, during her encore career, Beth seeks to serve others. She is active with several nonprofits in Chatham County. She has been a Guardian ad Litem for several years. She serves on the steering committee for the Chatham Nonprofit Network and the development committee for Chatham Literacy. She is most excited about an expanded role with Pharaoh’s Daughters, a non-profit serving infants born of mothers in prisons. She enjoys balancing her rather analytical, problem-solving, service side with a love for crafting. All sorts of crafts, but currently she is pursuing book arts, journaling, and other fiber arts such as felting, knitting and fabric dyeing.
Growing up in the mid-west Beth left to take her undergraduate studies at that school of the other shade of blue. There, at UNC, she studied molecular biology. However later, she switched blues, receiving a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from Duke University. She chose to stay in the south and now resides in Chatham County, but seeks out time in Durham for OLLI (and Durham’s good food) to round out her small-town life. Since learning about OLLI a few years ago (in addition to enjoying the diverse curriculum offered by OLLI at Duke) she has served as an editor for the Course catalogue and as Assistant Curriculum Committee Chair.
In her professional career Beth was a fed with the National Institutes of Health at the one NIH institute outside of Bethesda, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Her last twenty years there were in grant administration where she specialized in funding research programs associated with the nation’s Superfund program. This work lead her into the fascinating realm of promoting the application of scientific findings to real world problems, meaning moving the science beyond the professional journals into the pipeline for use by practicing professionals. During the ‘90s, she was instrumental in developing a national program in community engagement, an area that has become a critical and dynamic component of most environmental health programs.
Now, during her encore career, Beth seeks to serve others. She is active with several nonprofits in Chatham County. She has been a Guardian ad Litem for several years. She serves on the steering committee for the Chatham Nonprofit Network and the development committee for Chatham Literacy. She is most excited about an expanded role with Pharaoh’s Daughters, a non-profit serving infants born of mothers in prisons. She enjoys balancing her rather analytical, problem-solving, service side with a love for crafting. All sorts of crafts, but currently she is pursuing book arts, journaling, and other fiber arts such as felting, knitting and fabric dyeing.
Mike Bahnaman
Mike Bahnaman, Recording Secretary
Mike is currently serving as chair of the Instructor Relations Committee and the Board’s Recording Secretary. He joined OLLI in 2004 and has been on the Board of Advisors since 2008. He served as OLLI President from 2011 to 2013, was an At-Large Advisor from 2008 - 2010 and chaired the Strategic Planning Committee from 2008 - 2009. Mike also been a Class Assistant and taught “Beginning Photo Editing” between 2007 and 2011. He received the Bill Wright Award for Distinguished Leadership in 2010.
Before retiring, Mike worked for Dow Chemical for 31 years in a variety of technical, marketing and business management positions. He holds a BS from Purdue University and an MBA from Duke University. Mike and his wife, Susie, who is also an OLLI member, have been married for over 45 years. Their son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren live in Raleigh.
Mike is currently serving as chair of the Instructor Relations Committee and the Board’s Recording Secretary. He joined OLLI in 2004 and has been on the Board of Advisors since 2008. He served as OLLI President from 2011 to 2013, was an At-Large Advisor from 2008 - 2010 and chaired the Strategic Planning Committee from 2008 - 2009. Mike also been a Class Assistant and taught “Beginning Photo Editing” between 2007 and 2011. He received the Bill Wright Award for Distinguished Leadership in 2010.
Before retiring, Mike worked for Dow Chemical for 31 years in a variety of technical, marketing and business management positions. He holds a BS from Purdue University and an MBA from Duke University. Mike and his wife, Susie, who is also an OLLI member, have been married for over 45 years. Their son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren live in Raleigh.
Peter Blaufeux
Peter Blaufeux, Space Committee Chair
Peter Blaufeux joined OLLI in 2016 after moving to Durham from northern New Jersey. He registered for two OLLI courses and became hooked. He was a member of the Steering Committee that helped bring OLLI-Duke courses to his Carolina Arbors community. Peter developed and taught the OLLI course, “Frank Lloyd Wright – The Man and His Architecture” during the famous architects’ 150th birthday year in 2017.
Peter is an Emeritus member of the American Institute of Architects and Past President of the Illuminating Engineering Society. He was licensed to practice architecture in multiple states. He led the NYC region healthcare design practice of a large, multi-national, architecture-engineering-construction corporation.
He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from City University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design from Temple University. Peter taught jewelry design, ceramics, and interior design at NYC YMCAs. He is active in his Carolina Arbors Community Theater Club and writes for his community newsletter as a cub reporter. He is looking forward to joining the Board and working to help move OLLI-Duke into a vibrant future.
Peter Blaufeux joined OLLI in 2016 after moving to Durham from northern New Jersey. He registered for two OLLI courses and became hooked. He was a member of the Steering Committee that helped bring OLLI-Duke courses to his Carolina Arbors community. Peter developed and taught the OLLI course, “Frank Lloyd Wright – The Man and His Architecture” during the famous architects’ 150th birthday year in 2017.
Peter is an Emeritus member of the American Institute of Architects and Past President of the Illuminating Engineering Society. He was licensed to practice architecture in multiple states. He led the NYC region healthcare design practice of a large, multi-national, architecture-engineering-construction corporation.
He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from City University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design from Temple University. Peter taught jewelry design, ceramics, and interior design at NYC YMCAs. He is active in his Carolina Arbors Community Theater Club and writes for his community newsletter as a cub reporter. He is looking forward to joining the Board and working to help move OLLI-Duke into a vibrant future.
Margaret Brill
Margaret Brill, At Large Member (2021)
I was born and educated in England, receiving a B.A. in African History from London University. I became an American Citizen in 1967, after marrying an American diplomat whom I met while studying in Ghana. We lived in Africa for 6 years and Bulgaria for 2 years in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1980 I returned to the United States and lived in Washington for 4 years, where I worked at the World Bank in the West Africa Division. I moved to Durham in 1984 with my second husband, Earl Brill, who was the Episcopal Chaplain at Duke. He was an Instructor at OLLI (then DILR.) Earl passed away in September 2001.
I earned my Master's in Library Science in 1987 (a long-term ambition) from N.C. Central University and after an internship at the Durham Public Library and a brief spell at the Forest History Society, I began working at Duke as a librarian in 1989. I was the Maps Librarian in the Public Documents Department for 7 years, where I launched the GIS program. I then moved to the Reference Department, becoming Head of Reference in 1999, after a 6-month exchange at the University of Sydney in Australia. I was also the subject librarian for British and Canadian Studies and liaison to the History Department. In 2008 I moved to the International and Area Studies Department, taking on Medieval and Renaissance and Global history. I was also Acting South Asia librarian on 2 occasions. I retired in 2014, but in 2012 I began the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program at Duke, receiving my degree in 2015.
As you can tell, my primary interest is history, with an international focus, but I am also interested in art history, classical music and opera, and literature. I have taken classes at OLLI in all those areas, and I’ve been a member of the OLLI French Table for several years. I also travel often; this year alone I have been to South East Asia, England, Greece and the Baltic Countries. Next year I’m going to Japan, and possibly Haiti.
I have 2 sons, and 4 grandsons, of whom the oldest is 21, a student at William and Mary, and the youngest is 6 months. They live in Washington, DC and San Diego.
I was born and educated in England, receiving a B.A. in African History from London University. I became an American Citizen in 1967, after marrying an American diplomat whom I met while studying in Ghana. We lived in Africa for 6 years and Bulgaria for 2 years in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1980 I returned to the United States and lived in Washington for 4 years, where I worked at the World Bank in the West Africa Division. I moved to Durham in 1984 with my second husband, Earl Brill, who was the Episcopal Chaplain at Duke. He was an Instructor at OLLI (then DILR.) Earl passed away in September 2001.
I earned my Master's in Library Science in 1987 (a long-term ambition) from N.C. Central University and after an internship at the Durham Public Library and a brief spell at the Forest History Society, I began working at Duke as a librarian in 1989. I was the Maps Librarian in the Public Documents Department for 7 years, where I launched the GIS program. I then moved to the Reference Department, becoming Head of Reference in 1999, after a 6-month exchange at the University of Sydney in Australia. I was also the subject librarian for British and Canadian Studies and liaison to the History Department. In 2008 I moved to the International and Area Studies Department, taking on Medieval and Renaissance and Global history. I was also Acting South Asia librarian on 2 occasions. I retired in 2014, but in 2012 I began the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program at Duke, receiving my degree in 2015.
As you can tell, my primary interest is history, with an international focus, but I am also interested in art history, classical music and opera, and literature. I have taken classes at OLLI in all those areas, and I’ve been a member of the OLLI French Table for several years. I also travel often; this year alone I have been to South East Asia, England, Greece and the Baltic Countries. Next year I’m going to Japan, and possibly Haiti.
I have 2 sons, and 4 grandsons, of whom the oldest is 21, a student at William and Mary, and the youngest is 6 months. They live in Washington, DC and San Diego.
Susan Dennison, At-Large Member (2022)
Matt Epstein
Matt Epstein, President
Matt has had multiple careers including law, Executive Director of university-based centers, teaching high school, college, law school, and medical school, starting various businesses, and working with youth, prisoners, and addicts. He is presently a principle in both a for profit consulting company and a not for profit service organization. Matt has a BA in Psychology from Yale and Law Degrees from the University of New Hampshire and Boston University.
Matt has been involved with OLLI since 2004 taking courses, serving as a class assistant and as an instructor for numerous classes, and as a founding member of the Community Engagement SIG. He presently serves as Vice President of the Advisory Board.
Matt has had multiple careers including law, Executive Director of university-based centers, teaching high school, college, law school, and medical school, starting various businesses, and working with youth, prisoners, and addicts. He is presently a principle in both a for profit consulting company and a not for profit service organization. Matt has a BA in Psychology from Yale and Law Degrees from the University of New Hampshire and Boston University.
Matt has been involved with OLLI since 2004 taking courses, serving as a class assistant and as an instructor for numerous classes, and as a founding member of the Community Engagement SIG. He presently serves as Vice President of the Advisory Board.
Lisa Gabriel
Lisa Gabriel, CFP®, ChFC®, Legacy Committee Chair
A job change brought Lisa from her hometown of Charleston, West Virginia to Durham in 1986, and in 1990 Lisa became one of the founding members of Duke Management Company, the professionally staffed investment organization created and controlled by Duke University.
Lisa’s professional background spans 35+ years, 20+ as an institutional investor before moving into private wealth management and ultimately founding Pinafore Wealth Counsel Inc., one of the few female-owned Registered Investment Advisor firms in North Carolina.
A passionate volunteer and women’s advocate, Lisa teaches Tax-Smart Retirement Strategies at OLLI; serves on the Durham Women’s Commission, which strives to educate the community and advise the Durham County Board of Commissioners on issues relating to the changing social and economic conditions of women in Durham County; by gubernatorial appointment, Lisa serves on the North Carolina Council for Women to advocate for all women in NC; Lisa also serves on the Board of Duke Campus Club and leads the interest group Money Matter$
A job change brought Lisa from her hometown of Charleston, West Virginia to Durham in 1986, and in 1990 Lisa became one of the founding members of Duke Management Company, the professionally staffed investment organization created and controlled by Duke University.
Lisa’s professional background spans 35+ years, 20+ as an institutional investor before moving into private wealth management and ultimately founding Pinafore Wealth Counsel Inc., one of the few female-owned Registered Investment Advisor firms in North Carolina.
A passionate volunteer and women’s advocate, Lisa teaches Tax-Smart Retirement Strategies at OLLI; serves on the Durham Women’s Commission, which strives to educate the community and advise the Durham County Board of Commissioners on issues relating to the changing social and economic conditions of women in Durham County; by gubernatorial appointment, Lisa serves on the North Carolina Council for Women to advocate for all women in NC; Lisa also serves on the Board of Duke Campus Club and leads the interest group Money Matter$
Marion Jervay
Marion Jervay, Vice President
As a member of OLLI at Duke she is a rarity because she is a native North Carolinian. She grew up in Raleigh in a small African American community. Marion attended parochial schools including Cardinal Gibbons High School, which provided her a unique experience because it was integrated in the 1960s.
Marion is a graduate of UNC-W (BA in History) and Duke Law School. She was a transactional attorney for business/academic entities before retiring. She has been married to Kenton Cobb for 34 years and between them they have three children, and two grandchildren. Her daughter, Mona Jervay, lives in Los Angeles, and Jeff and Johanna Cobb are both here in NC. Kenton and Marion have lived in three other states (California, Washington and Florida) and have been back in the Triangle area since 2000.
They enjoy traveling. In 1991, they traveled the world for 11 months visiting nineteen countries on three continents (sixteen for the first time). Her favorite place was Bali, Indonesia and Kenton's was Lamu, Kenya. Given the current state of global affairs, they are very pleased that they took this opportunity back in '91. Needless to say, that experience expanded their worldview and made them more aware of the USA’s place and influence in the world. In October 2017, they visited South America for the first time touring Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru. Last fall, they visited Portugal and particularly enjoyed their time in Porto and the Douro Valley.
Marion now spends her time working on projects that affect the Method community (where she grew up), serving on OLLI at Duke’s Board of Advisors, taking OLLI courses (Symposia, African Art: Seeking Meaning across Cultures and Plays of August Wilson), keeping up with current events and being 'Nana' to Cy and Selah Steele-Cobb.
Marion tries to put a positive spin on most situations and would describe herself as willful, forthright and engaged.
As a member of OLLI at Duke she is a rarity because she is a native North Carolinian. She grew up in Raleigh in a small African American community. Marion attended parochial schools including Cardinal Gibbons High School, which provided her a unique experience because it was integrated in the 1960s.
Marion is a graduate of UNC-W (BA in History) and Duke Law School. She was a transactional attorney for business/academic entities before retiring. She has been married to Kenton Cobb for 34 years and between them they have three children, and two grandchildren. Her daughter, Mona Jervay, lives in Los Angeles, and Jeff and Johanna Cobb are both here in NC. Kenton and Marion have lived in three other states (California, Washington and Florida) and have been back in the Triangle area since 2000.
They enjoy traveling. In 1991, they traveled the world for 11 months visiting nineteen countries on three continents (sixteen for the first time). Her favorite place was Bali, Indonesia and Kenton's was Lamu, Kenya. Given the current state of global affairs, they are very pleased that they took this opportunity back in '91. Needless to say, that experience expanded their worldview and made them more aware of the USA’s place and influence in the world. In October 2017, they visited South America for the first time touring Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru. Last fall, they visited Portugal and particularly enjoyed their time in Porto and the Douro Valley.
Marion now spends her time working on projects that affect the Method community (where she grew up), serving on OLLI at Duke’s Board of Advisors, taking OLLI courses (Symposia, African Art: Seeking Meaning across Cultures and Plays of August Wilson), keeping up with current events and being 'Nana' to Cy and Selah Steele-Cobb.
Marion tries to put a positive spin on most situations and would describe herself as willful, forthright and engaged.
Virginia Knight
Virginia (Ginny) Knight, Instructor Relations
Ginny joined OLLI in 2009 and has volunteered as a Classroom Assistant, as a member of the Curriculum Sub-Committee for Science and Technology, and is also on the Instructor Relations Committee.
Ginny grew up in Portland, Oregon and attended DePauw University in Indiana. After graduating, Ginny returned to the University of Oregon where she received a Ph.D. in mathematics. She taught at several colleges across the U.S. and Western Canada before becoming Head of Quantitative Methods and Computer Information Systems at Western New England College in Massachusetts.
In the mid-1980s she came to Duke on a sabbatical. Here she met her husband, Sid Simon, a Professor of Neurobiology at Duke. Subsequently, she moved to the Triangle area where she was a Professor of Mathematics at Meredith College. Before retiring in 2006, she served as Chair of the Mathematics and Computer Science Department and for her last three years there was Dean of the Natural and Mathematical Sciences.
During her tenure at Meredith, Ginny worked with several programs, some in conjunction with NSF and the Mathematical Association of America, which encouraged women and girls to continue with the study of mathematics as an entrée to the STEM disciplines and STEM careers. For the last several years, she has volunteered in the Computer Lab at Lakewood School. She also loves to walk, read, take OLLI courses, travel, and work on Sudoku, KenKen, and other puzzles.
Ginny joined OLLI in 2009 and has volunteered as a Classroom Assistant, as a member of the Curriculum Sub-Committee for Science and Technology, and is also on the Instructor Relations Committee.
Ginny grew up in Portland, Oregon and attended DePauw University in Indiana. After graduating, Ginny returned to the University of Oregon where she received a Ph.D. in mathematics. She taught at several colleges across the U.S. and Western Canada before becoming Head of Quantitative Methods and Computer Information Systems at Western New England College in Massachusetts.
In the mid-1980s she came to Duke on a sabbatical. Here she met her husband, Sid Simon, a Professor of Neurobiology at Duke. Subsequently, she moved to the Triangle area where she was a Professor of Mathematics at Meredith College. Before retiring in 2006, she served as Chair of the Mathematics and Computer Science Department and for her last three years there was Dean of the Natural and Mathematical Sciences.
During her tenure at Meredith, Ginny worked with several programs, some in conjunction with NSF and the Mathematical Association of America, which encouraged women and girls to continue with the study of mathematics as an entrée to the STEM disciplines and STEM careers. For the last several years, she has volunteered in the Computer Lab at Lakewood School. She also loves to walk, read, take OLLI courses, travel, and work on Sudoku, KenKen, and other puzzles.
Virginia Lee, Community Engagement Chair
Virginia was a professional educator for over thirty years after earlier stints in publishing and finance and a search for “right livelihood.” Her commitment to education grew out of her curiosity about the conditions that promote holistic development and concerns for social and economic equity. After administrative positions with the American Montessori Society and The New York City Outward Bound Schools in New York City, Virginia moved to North Carolina in 1991 where she earned a Ph.D. in educational psychology at UNC-Chapel Hill. (She also holds a B.A. (English Literature) from Smith College and an MBA (Management) from NYU.)
For ten years Virginia was an administrator at centers for teaching and learning at UNC and NC State, guiding undergraduate reform and the improvement of teaching and learning on those campuses; she also held adjunct faculty appointments at both institutions. In 2005 Virginia started her own educational-development-in-higher-education consulting company, ultimately working with over 70 colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad. She served as the President (2007-2010) of the POD Network in Higher Education, the premier professional organization in the U.S. for educational development specialists, and
on the Board of the International Consortium for Educational Development. She also served as a Fulbright Specialist (Turkey).
Since her retirement about two years ago, Virginia has taken classes at OLLI, many on poetry. She has also become more active in the Durham community as a guardian ad litem, a member of the Durham Friends Meeting Durham CAN core team, and as a volunteer with Partners for Youth Opportunity (PYO) and Student U.
In 2017 Virginia was a co-founder of OLLI’s Community Engagement SIG and led its first project, the 2018 Fall Course, Food Insecurity in Durham: A Community Engagement Course. She looks forward to working with the Director, the Advisory Board, selected offices at Duke University and the Durham community in developing further a community engagement initiative at OLLI.
Virginia is also an avid tennis player; sings with the Chapel Hill-based chorus, Voices, and its select ensemble, Cantari; and enjoys travel.
Virginia was a professional educator for over thirty years after earlier stints in publishing and finance and a search for “right livelihood.” Her commitment to education grew out of her curiosity about the conditions that promote holistic development and concerns for social and economic equity. After administrative positions with the American Montessori Society and The New York City Outward Bound Schools in New York City, Virginia moved to North Carolina in 1991 where she earned a Ph.D. in educational psychology at UNC-Chapel Hill. (She also holds a B.A. (English Literature) from Smith College and an MBA (Management) from NYU.)
For ten years Virginia was an administrator at centers for teaching and learning at UNC and NC State, guiding undergraduate reform and the improvement of teaching and learning on those campuses; she also held adjunct faculty appointments at both institutions. In 2005 Virginia started her own educational-development-in-higher-education consulting company, ultimately working with over 70 colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad. She served as the President (2007-2010) of the POD Network in Higher Education, the premier professional organization in the U.S. for educational development specialists, and
on the Board of the International Consortium for Educational Development. She also served as a Fulbright Specialist (Turkey).
Since her retirement about two years ago, Virginia has taken classes at OLLI, many on poetry. She has also become more active in the Durham community as a guardian ad litem, a member of the Durham Friends Meeting Durham CAN core team, and as a volunteer with Partners for Youth Opportunity (PYO) and Student U.
In 2017 Virginia was a co-founder of OLLI’s Community Engagement SIG and led its first project, the 2018 Fall Course, Food Insecurity in Durham: A Community Engagement Course. She looks forward to working with the Director, the Advisory Board, selected offices at Duke University and the Durham community in developing further a community engagement initiative at OLLI.
Virginia is also an avid tennis player; sings with the Chapel Hill-based chorus, Voices, and its select ensemble, Cantari; and enjoys travel.
Alan Teasley, At Large Member (2022)
Alan is a Durham native who holds B.A., M.A.T., and Ph.D. degrees from UNC–Chapel Hill. He retired in 2006 after working for the Durham Public Schools for 31 years, first as a high school English and drama teacher and later as central office coordinator of secondary curriculum, professional development, and grants administration. He also taught in Duke University’s Master of Arts in Teaching Program for over 25 years, serving as the Director of that program from 2012-15.
Alan has volunteered extensively for the Center of Documentaries Studies, serving on its Board of Directors from 1999 to 2018. Since 2003, he has served as a member of the selection committee of the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival. He also helped to design Full Frame’s Teach the Teachers workshop. In 2016 he was awarded Full Frame’s Advocate Award.
After being an avid OLLI student for nearly ten years, Alan taught his first OLLI course in Winter term 2018. He had so much fun teaching “The Road to Full Frame” that the next year he began sharing his interest in musical theater by offering “Sondheim 101.” He currently serves on OLLI’s Instructor Relations committee and looks forward to serving on the Board of Directors.
Alan is a Durham native who holds B.A., M.A.T., and Ph.D. degrees from UNC–Chapel Hill. He retired in 2006 after working for the Durham Public Schools for 31 years, first as a high school English and drama teacher and later as central office coordinator of secondary curriculum, professional development, and grants administration. He also taught in Duke University’s Master of Arts in Teaching Program for over 25 years, serving as the Director of that program from 2012-15.
Alan has volunteered extensively for the Center of Documentaries Studies, serving on its Board of Directors from 1999 to 2018. Since 2003, he has served as a member of the selection committee of the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival. He also helped to design Full Frame’s Teach the Teachers workshop. In 2016 he was awarded Full Frame’s Advocate Award.
After being an avid OLLI student for nearly ten years, Alan taught his first OLLI course in Winter term 2018. He had so much fun teaching “The Road to Full Frame” that the next year he began sharing his interest in musical theater by offering “Sondheim 101.” He currently serves on OLLI’s Instructor Relations committee and looks forward to serving on the Board of Directors.
Beth Timson, Member Engagement
Beth joined OLLI in 2015 and has served as a volunteer on the Curriculum and Communications Committees. She is a native North Carolinian who attended Duke University and has a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University.
Beth taught English at UNC-Charlotte for six years, then moved to Durham to help start the NC School of Science and Math and teach English there. She left NCSSM in 1990 and went to NC State University to acquire a Master's Degree in Landscape Architecture. In that field, she worked three years with NC State Parks, then 21 years for the City of Durham, first in the Planning Department and then in the Parks and Recreation Department. She retired as Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation. In Durham she met her spouse Christine Pierce, now deceased, who taught philosophy at NCSU.
Since retirement, Beth has been a member of the City's Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission and is now on the Durham Parks Foundation board; she also works with SAGE (Services and Advocacy for Gay Elders) in Raleigh. She takes classes and teaches in both OLLI at Duke and Peer Learning in Chapel Hill and works on her writing and gardening.
Beth joined OLLI in 2015 and has served as a volunteer on the Curriculum and Communications Committees. She is a native North Carolinian who attended Duke University and has a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University.
Beth taught English at UNC-Charlotte for six years, then moved to Durham to help start the NC School of Science and Math and teach English there. She left NCSSM in 1990 and went to NC State University to acquire a Master's Degree in Landscape Architecture. In that field, she worked three years with NC State Parks, then 21 years for the City of Durham, first in the Planning Department and then in the Parks and Recreation Department. She retired as Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation. In Durham she met her spouse Christine Pierce, now deceased, who taught philosophy at NCSU.
Since retirement, Beth has been a member of the City's Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission and is now on the Durham Parks Foundation board; she also works with SAGE (Services and Advocacy for Gay Elders) in Raleigh. She takes classes and teaches in both OLLI at Duke and Peer Learning in Chapel Hill and works on her writing and gardening.
Alan Vaux
Alan Vaux , Past President
Alan Vaux was born, raised, and educated in Dublin, Ireland, and moved to the USA in 1976. He and his wife retired and moved to Chapel Hill in 2011 and started taking OLLI classes before moving into their house. A dedicated lifelong learner, he has taken close to 70 OLLI classes in history, economics, politics, literature, writing, science, art, and technology. He has served as Vice President and At-Large Member of the OLLI Board, course instructor, class assistant, on-line registration assistant, and course web-design tutor. He has (co-)taught several classes: Cities: A Celebratory Tour; Wealth, Poverty, & Well-Being; Technology—Just Imagine; Human Progress: No Better Time to Be Alive; and topics in New Lens.
He earned advanced degrees in Psychology (Trinity College, Dublin) and Social Ecology (University of California, Irvine). He was Professor, Department Chair, and College Dean at Southern Illinois University—a research-intensive, comprehensive university--and was elected Fellow of both the American Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Science. His career provided experience in empirical research, publishing, research supervision, editing, curriculum, program development, personnel, planning, and budgeting.
He enjoys reading widely, exploring TED Talks, watching drama and documentaries on Netflix, attending plays performed at a dozen area theaters, long-distance walks, and traveling—riches in life enhanced by being shared with his wife.
Alan Vaux was born, raised, and educated in Dublin, Ireland, and moved to the USA in 1976. He and his wife retired and moved to Chapel Hill in 2011 and started taking OLLI classes before moving into their house. A dedicated lifelong learner, he has taken close to 70 OLLI classes in history, economics, politics, literature, writing, science, art, and technology. He has served as Vice President and At-Large Member of the OLLI Board, course instructor, class assistant, on-line registration assistant, and course web-design tutor. He has (co-)taught several classes: Cities: A Celebratory Tour; Wealth, Poverty, & Well-Being; Technology—Just Imagine; Human Progress: No Better Time to Be Alive; and topics in New Lens.
He earned advanced degrees in Psychology (Trinity College, Dublin) and Social Ecology (University of California, Irvine). He was Professor, Department Chair, and College Dean at Southern Illinois University—a research-intensive, comprehensive university--and was elected Fellow of both the American Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Science. His career provided experience in empirical research, publishing, research supervision, editing, curriculum, program development, personnel, planning, and budgeting.
He enjoys reading widely, exploring TED Talks, watching drama and documentaries on Netflix, attending plays performed at a dozen area theaters, long-distance walks, and traveling—riches in life enhanced by being shared with his wife.
Imam Abdul Hafeez Waheed
Imam Abdul Hafeez Waheed, At Large Member (2021)
For the last 40 years, Imam Waheed has been an active member of the Muslim American Community in Association with the renowned leader and thinker Imam W. Deen Mohammed. As an associate of Imam Mohammed, he works tirelessly to arrange and seek opportunities to present the correct picture of Islam in different venues. In 1987, Imam Waheed performed the Hajj (pilgrimage to the Sacred House in Ka'ba) In 1998, Imam Waheed became the first Muslim Chaplain at Duke University. Imam Waheed has been serving on the Religious Life staff at Duke for over 20 years. In 2008, Imam Waheed was among several religious life chaplains at Duke University that lead an Interfaith trip to Jerusalem for students of the Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist and Hindu faiths. Currently, Imam Waheed is an instructor in Duke's Continuing Education program called Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). His class title is "New Perspective of Islam: Hopeful Visions for our Time." In addition, Imam Waheed conducts “Community and Public Education on Islam” presentations at religious institutions.
Imam Waheed has served in the position of Chaplain in city, state, and federal correction institutions. He has also served as Resident Imam in both the Bronx, NY and Durham, NC and has been a respected leader in the Durham area for the last 27 years. His greatest asset is building relationships with all of the major arteries in the community. He has been an active member of many organizations and held various leadership positions on several committees to include Durham Congregations in Action, Urban Ministries, Durham Human Relations Commission, as well as Chief of Police Advisory Committee. In recognition of his commitment to community, Imam Waheed was the recipient of the 1996 MLK, Jr. Keeper of the Dream Award. On January 6, 2017 Imam Waheed participated in the Inaugural Prayer Service for newly elected Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina. Imam Waheed is a successful businessman/entrepreneur with a concentration on Good Health. He is a participate in the Natural Health Revolution.
Imam Waheed loves to present the clear picture of Al-Islam to audiences via lectures, religious institutions, colleges/universities, public and private schools, as well as, radio and television shows. He has hosted, produced and directed a cable television show entitled "Abdul Hafeez Waheed and Guest." Imam Waheed is happily married to Khadijah Salaam, and they are proud of their four children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
For the last 40 years, Imam Waheed has been an active member of the Muslim American Community in Association with the renowned leader and thinker Imam W. Deen Mohammed. As an associate of Imam Mohammed, he works tirelessly to arrange and seek opportunities to present the correct picture of Islam in different venues. In 1987, Imam Waheed performed the Hajj (pilgrimage to the Sacred House in Ka'ba) In 1998, Imam Waheed became the first Muslim Chaplain at Duke University. Imam Waheed has been serving on the Religious Life staff at Duke for over 20 years. In 2008, Imam Waheed was among several religious life chaplains at Duke University that lead an Interfaith trip to Jerusalem for students of the Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist and Hindu faiths. Currently, Imam Waheed is an instructor in Duke's Continuing Education program called Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). His class title is "New Perspective of Islam: Hopeful Visions for our Time." In addition, Imam Waheed conducts “Community and Public Education on Islam” presentations at religious institutions.
Imam Waheed has served in the position of Chaplain in city, state, and federal correction institutions. He has also served as Resident Imam in both the Bronx, NY and Durham, NC and has been a respected leader in the Durham area for the last 27 years. His greatest asset is building relationships with all of the major arteries in the community. He has been an active member of many organizations and held various leadership positions on several committees to include Durham Congregations in Action, Urban Ministries, Durham Human Relations Commission, as well as Chief of Police Advisory Committee. In recognition of his commitment to community, Imam Waheed was the recipient of the 1996 MLK, Jr. Keeper of the Dream Award. On January 6, 2017 Imam Waheed participated in the Inaugural Prayer Service for newly elected Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina. Imam Waheed is a successful businessman/entrepreneur with a concentration on Good Health. He is a participate in the Natural Health Revolution.
Imam Waheed loves to present the clear picture of Al-Islam to audiences via lectures, religious institutions, colleges/universities, public and private schools, as well as, radio and television shows. He has hosted, produced and directed a cable television show entitled "Abdul Hafeez Waheed and Guest." Imam Waheed is happily married to Khadijah Salaam, and they are proud of their four children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.