Volunteer Profiles
"OLLI is a group of like-minded folk who refuse to let age slow their learning and growing." - Faye Gregory
Meet Faye Gregory
What do you do after 10 years of single-handedly taking care of a 17-acre farm with horses and ducks? Faye Gregory's answer: do more for OLLI at Duke.
A self-described advocate for those less fortunate than herself, Faye has "a strong feeling for fairness." She exhibited this repeatedly in her years as a public school English teacher and advocate for children with special needs. She "never lost a battle" with any school system in fighting for the access and special help required by law for children in her community.
Born in south Georgia, Faye also has a lifelong love for the land and for horses and went to college to "learn to jump"--while also earning a degree in Drama and English. After a long career in education, she bought a farm in Stem, NC, where she lived for 10 years raising her beloved Arabian and miniature horses as well as ducks and dogs. She has fostered abused horses, and today she still takes care of the more helpless among our animal friends, volunteering to walk dogs at Animal Protective Services (APS) in Durham.
Faye's concern for the underdog manifests itself over and again in her life. While undergoing cancer treatment 15 years ago (and continuing to work 2 jobs), Faye started a cancer survivors' group. Today she still wants to help cancer patients and will soon start volunteering at Caring House.
After recently moving into town with only her cocker spaniel Celia, Faye finds herself with lots of time on her hands and is reading 2-3 books a day. Her reading interests vary widely, including mysteries and biographies. Although she doesn't have a TV, Faye also enjoys streaming movies on her computer.
But she wants more to do, and so Faye recently offered to lead the planning for both the Spring and Fall Retreats for OLLI in 2013. "The most organized person you will ever meet," Faye looks forward to working with other volunteers to make the 2013 retreats memorable for all who attend. A "real sweet Southern girl," Faye loves entertaining and likes to do "big things," so we know these Retreats will be a huge success!
A lifelong learner and educator, Faye joined OLLI in 2005. She has worn many hats, including leadership of the Single Women's Social Group since 2007, serving on the Board of Advisers 2009-2012, and teaching a class in 2012 on "Reading Plays." Under her leadership, The Single Women's Social Group has grown from 15 to over 60 members, and Faye says in this group women can meet "the most wonderful friends." Outside the formal functions, Faye and her friends go to theater and movies and travel extensively. Faye also enjoys the classes at OLLI, especially those in the religion and philosophy curriculum.
Faye believes the key to OLLI's future is having more members "willing to step up and volunteer." She says, "I don't think people understand how important volunteers are [to OLLI], and if we don't get more volunteers, we will lose many of the activities we like."
When asked what OLLI means to her, Faye replied, "OLLI is a group of like-minded folk who refuse to let age slow their learning and growing."
A self-described advocate for those less fortunate than herself, Faye has "a strong feeling for fairness." She exhibited this repeatedly in her years as a public school English teacher and advocate for children with special needs. She "never lost a battle" with any school system in fighting for the access and special help required by law for children in her community.
Born in south Georgia, Faye also has a lifelong love for the land and for horses and went to college to "learn to jump"--while also earning a degree in Drama and English. After a long career in education, she bought a farm in Stem, NC, where she lived for 10 years raising her beloved Arabian and miniature horses as well as ducks and dogs. She has fostered abused horses, and today she still takes care of the more helpless among our animal friends, volunteering to walk dogs at Animal Protective Services (APS) in Durham.
Faye's concern for the underdog manifests itself over and again in her life. While undergoing cancer treatment 15 years ago (and continuing to work 2 jobs), Faye started a cancer survivors' group. Today she still wants to help cancer patients and will soon start volunteering at Caring House.
After recently moving into town with only her cocker spaniel Celia, Faye finds herself with lots of time on her hands and is reading 2-3 books a day. Her reading interests vary widely, including mysteries and biographies. Although she doesn't have a TV, Faye also enjoys streaming movies on her computer.
But she wants more to do, and so Faye recently offered to lead the planning for both the Spring and Fall Retreats for OLLI in 2013. "The most organized person you will ever meet," Faye looks forward to working with other volunteers to make the 2013 retreats memorable for all who attend. A "real sweet Southern girl," Faye loves entertaining and likes to do "big things," so we know these Retreats will be a huge success!
A lifelong learner and educator, Faye joined OLLI in 2005. She has worn many hats, including leadership of the Single Women's Social Group since 2007, serving on the Board of Advisers 2009-2012, and teaching a class in 2012 on "Reading Plays." Under her leadership, The Single Women's Social Group has grown from 15 to over 60 members, and Faye says in this group women can meet "the most wonderful friends." Outside the formal functions, Faye and her friends go to theater and movies and travel extensively. Faye also enjoys the classes at OLLI, especially those in the religion and philosophy curriculum.
Faye believes the key to OLLI's future is having more members "willing to step up and volunteer." She says, "I don't think people understand how important volunteers are [to OLLI], and if we don't get more volunteers, we will lose many of the activities we like."
When asked what OLLI means to her, Faye replied, "OLLI is a group of like-minded folk who refuse to let age slow their learning and growing."