Senior Academy February 2026 Newsletter

February Meeting of String Theory Tuesday, Feb. 10 in person, 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. String Theory is a welcoming group of Senior Academy members, spouses, partners and friends who get together with others and chat while knitting, crocheting or being otherwise creative. The creations of the group are donated to organizations that serve those in need. Most recently, String Theory donated 35 hat and hat/scarf sets to the Simon Cancer Center in December and another 25 hats and hat/scarf sets in January. String Theory meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 4:30-6 p.m., except in November and December, when they don’t meet. All skill levels are welcomed and supported, including beginners. No long-term commitment is required. Anyone interested is invited to participate. Register at this link to receive the address of the February meeting.

Read a Bestselling Novel for the February Book Club Meeting All Senior Academy members and friends are welcome and invited to register for Book Club discussions, which are held on Zoom. Wednesday, Feb. 11 on Zoom, 11:00 a.m. to noon - Martyr! is the critically acclaimed debut novel by the Iranian-American poet Kaveh Akbar, published in 2024. Akbar’s family emigrated from Iran to the United States when he was 2 years old. He grew up in several states, including Indiana, where he received his bachelor’s degree from Purdue and his MFA from Butler University. He then received a Ph.D. in creative writing from Florida State University. Martyr, which blends humor and tragedy, tells the story of Cyrus Shams, a newly sober, orphaned son of Iranian immigrants. Guided by the voices of artists, poets and kings, Shams embarks on a remarkable search for a family secret that leads him to a terminally ill painter living out her final days in the Brooklyn Museum. The novel is a tribute to how we spend our lives seeking meaning—in faith, art, ourselves, others. Sara Allaei will lead a discussion of the book.  Register at this link. You will be sent a Zoom link.

Enhance Your Economic Knowledge with Experts from Kelley School of Business 

Curious about where the economy is headed in 2026 and/or about cryptocurrencies? You can gain insights by attending one or both of the following information sessions offered on Zoom in February and March, respectively.  

Wednesday, Feb. 18, noon to 1:00 p.m. - Economic Outlook Economic Outlook. Dr. Cathy Bonser-Neal, Associate Professor Emerita of Finance, IU Kelley School of Business Indianapolis, will discuss where the U.S. economy is headed in 2026. This information session will provide an overview of economic predictions for the U.S. economy, identify policies and risk factors that could impact the actual trajectory for the economy over the year and discuss the relevance of different outlook scenarios to personal finance decisions. This live session will be held via Zoom, with time for questions and discussion. You can register at this link.

Tuesday, March 10, noon to 1:00 p.m. - An Introduction to Cryptocurrency. Dr. Russell Rhoads, Clinical Associate Professor of Finance, IU Kelley School of Business Indianapolis, will discuss the history and motivation of cryptocurrencies, starting with the introduction of Bitcoin in 2009 and proceeding to the current environment. Topics such as tokens, stablecoins and decentralized finance platforms will also be introduced. Finally, how the introduction of cryptocurrencies is being incorporated into traditional finance and the relevance to the economy will be demonstrated. This live session will be held via Zoom, with time for questions and discussion. You can register at this link.

Photos from October and December Volunteer Group

                                                                        Gabrielle Bovenzi, Middle and Right: Steve Kirchhoff

Senior Academy Members Volunteer Every Few Months at Changing Footprints

On Oct. 2, 2025, 11 Senior Academy (SA) members volunteered at Changing Footprints (CFP).  And on Dec. 4, five SA members again volunteered there. Since December 2021, SA members have carried on the tradition of volunteering at CFP every 2-3 months. Our volunteers sort, quality-check, tag and box hundreds of shoes during each two-hour project. We are indeed a very productive crew!  

Changing Footprints (changingfootprints.org), located near St. Vincent Ascension Hospital in Indianapolis, is a nonprofit agency founded in 2004. CFP volunteers collect, process and redistribute shoes to more than 200 organizations throughout central Indiana and beyond. The agency serves individuals in need, including the homeless and disaster stricken. In 2025 CFP distributed 66,500 pairs of shoes to individuals in need.

SA members interested in volunteering—whether once or multiple times—at Changing Footprints, Exodus Refugee Immigration or other Central Indiana nonprofits are encouraged to routinely check the upcoming Events Page on the Senior Academy website for new opportunities. Members can also register their interest in volunteering in the SA Member Directory. You too can join your fellow SA members in truly helping to make a difference! 

Thursday, Feb. 19, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. The next opportunity for Senior Academy members to volunteer at Changing Footprints is Feb. 19. You can learn more and register at this link.

Photographs by Jim Brown from the Senior Academy Holiday Gathering 

Click here for Flickr album   https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCHFbR 

Support the Senior Academy

Give Now

For more than 30 years, annual dues and generous gifts from members have enabled us to offer engaging programs and activities for Senior Academy members, as well as significant student support. We appreciate your continued support of the Senior Academy Scholarship and General Funds. To learn more about these funds and to make your year-end gift, please click this link.

Visit the Member Center

You can view the Member Directory, check your dues status, and update your profile, interests, and more via the Senior Academy Member Center. Tip: After logging in with your university username, select Update Your Contact Information to make sure your primary and secondary email addresses are up to date for SA newsletters and event notices.

Get Involved

The Senior Academy Board, committees, and interest groups are behind the programs and activities you’ve read about in this newsletter. We welcome your involvement and would love to hear from you! Contact Christine Fitzpatrick (ude[dot]ui[at]tapztifc) for more information, to share your feedback, and explore your interests.