The OLLI Spotlight Series features some of Indiana State University’s most popular and engaging professors in a collection of one-time lectures designed to inform, inspire, and entertain. Each presentation stands on its own, but together they form a rich tapestry of learning. Participants may register for individual sessions or enjoy the full series for a deeper experience—just like choosing between a single ticket or a season pass. The Spotlight Series celebrates the joy of learning and the extraordinary educators who make OLLI at Indiana State shine. This semester, the Spotlight Shines on Indiana State University Professor of History Dr. Taylor Easum.

June 12: Games as History
This opening presentation features Dr. Easum exploring how games serve as revealing windows into the past. From ancient board games discovered in Mesopotamian tombs to playing cards and modern classics such as Monopoly and Risk, games reflect the societies that produced them. Through historical examples, this session examines how competition, rules, and strategy illuminate cultural values and political ideas, demonstrating how even simple games provide surprising insights into history.

July 17: The Past Alive in Southeast Asia
In this second Spotlight Presentation, Dr. Easum examines how the past continues to shape contemporary life in Southeast Asia. Through examples drawn from Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia, the session explores memories of violence, ongoing quests for justice, and the challenges of preserving urban heritage. Film clips,
ancient temples, modern museums, and even rap videos illustrate the many ways history remains active in public life, revealing how memory, culture, and politics keep the past vividly present today.

August 14: Playing with the Past
In his final Spotlight Presentation, Dr. Easum examines how video games can function as tools for understanding and interpreting history. Titles such as Assassin’s Creed, Red  Dead Redemption, and the indie game 1979 Revolution:  Black Friday illustrate how digital games present arguments about the past. The session considers both the limitations and the possibilities of video games as historical storytelling, exploring how interactive media can deepen engagement with historical events and preserve cultural memory.

Members who cancel a program registration will only receive a full refund if the following criteria are met: cancellation is received in the OLLI office 15 business days prior to the first meeting of any Course or Osher Online Course, cancellation is received in the OLLI office 30 business days prior to the event for a Special Event and/or 30 business days prior to the departure date for all day trips and overnight trips.