Generation Swap

Gary Eberle is a professor of English emeritus at Aquinas College. He is the author of eight books of fiction and nonfiction, a two-time recipient of Teacher of the Year award, and in 2019 was inducted into the Aquinas College Hall of Fame.

Liam O'Brien is a fifth-year student at Aquinas College, majoring in Political Science, and minoring in Marketing and Communications. He is committed to acquiring a better understanding of the world, and to making a positive impact on it.

As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth.

Dave Kampfschulte is a retired teacher who currently teaches at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Aquinas College as well as serving as Director of Amazing Circles Workshops.

Olivia Sebright is a sophomore at Aquinas College, dual majoring in Business and Communications. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing sports, and meeting new people.

As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth.

Rebecca Harvey is a strategist, architect, and communicator focused on Cybersecurity.  With her passion for organizational digital transformation, she's helped global Fortune 500 companies deliver a security foundation based on modern Cybersecurity principles and practices. In addition to co-founding the Women’s Security Alliance, WomSA.org, which is a non-profit organization designed to equip and empower women to succeed in the field, she has worked for various software and services organizations in this space. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family and friends outdoors, travel, walking her dog Rosie, and writing.

Listen to Rebecca talk about her career journey in cybersecurity, the importance of mentorship, and how women can break into non-traditional career fields.

As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth.

Dr. Ian Borton, Communications Professor at Aquinas College, has embedded the Generation Swap project into his Interpersonal Communications class for students interested in intergenerational relationships. Listen to him discuss his thoughts on the benefits of the Swapmate relationships, the ‘gamification’ of his syllabus, his recent travels in Greece, and a Dungeons and Dragons summer camp he created.

Dr. Borton has decades of experience as a conflict mediator, working for the Transforming Conflicted Communities Project, The Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan, Kent County small claims courts, and other venues. His most recent book is “Creating Restorative Justice” (Lexington Press). His research has also been published in Conflict Resolution Quarterly, The International Journal of Conflict Management, and Negotiation and Conflict Management Research. In recent years his research focus has moved from interpersonal conflict to games and gamification. He currently runs the blog “Dungeon Theory” in which he writes about the connections between social scientific theories and D&D.

As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth.

Dave Kampfschulte has had a varied career in education, teaching in public schools and as an instructor for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Aquinas College. He is the Director of Amazing Circles Workshops.  As an avid pickleball player, beating the younger players makes his day!

Diana Rockstad is currently a junior at Aquinas College studying Psychology, with a concentration in counseling and development and a minor in Communication. She aspires to become a psychologist and a researcher to facilitate the amelioration of individuals’ mental and physical health. In her free time, Diana enjoys spending time with family and friends, going on walks, and drawing.

As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth.

Ann Zoellner is a retired educator who has redesigned her life. She volunteers her time within the Grand Rapids community, including at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Aquinas College, Artists Creating Together (ACT], Ronald McDonald House of West Michigan, and Grand Rapids Art Museum.  She loves to travel and is always seeking a new adventure.  One of her greatest adventures has been mentoring Aquinas students.

Hannah Morey is an Aquinas College student double majoring in Communication and Theatre for Social Change. She greatly enjoys the art of human connection. In her free time, she likes volunteering for the Salvation Army, exploring new opportunities, and getting out of her comfort zone. She is a self-described dreamer, wanderer, and an explorer aided by her endless curiosity.

As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth.

Syd Baxter is a retired entrepreneur and small business owner. He is passionate about his grandchildren, high school crew, and being an all-around cheerleader and sounding board for young people.

Katie Schneider-Thomas is a junior at Aquinas College studying Communication and Theatre with a minor in German. She is also an avid hiker and enjoys traveling and going to concerts when she isn’t studying.

As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth.

It's time for our annual series of a collection of voices. Listen to this edition of Generation Swap, in which an Aquinas College Student and Osher Life Long Institute mentor speak on their experiences of getting to know one another and the different views they have of their world.

Paul Farr is a retired gastroenterologist who practiced at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids and who loves continued learning at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Aquinas College. He enjoys golf, travel, and mentoring young people at both Aquinas College and at Grand Valley State University.

Eliza Brown will be a senior next fall at Aquinas College majoring in Developmental Psychology with a Communication minor. She works part-time with Campus Ministry and at the Advantage Center, but a majority of her time is on the basketball team. She enjoys playing the sport and loves a good iced vanilla latte!

As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth.

Francine Paolini recently retired from Aquinas College where she worked in the library. For many years she was part of a women’s vocal group and performed Motown and other music. She enjoys yoga, reading, and spending time with her family.

Katherine Steel is a recent graduate of Aquinas College, where she worked in radio and podcasting, including working on a podcast project with radio personality Kevin Matthews. She completed a marketing internship at the Highland Group, and is looking forward to starting her career.

As part of an Aquinas College class on preparing for life after college, students were paired with mentors from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) across the street from the College. The course capstone project was a Generation Swap podcast interview exploring how generational differences can be a source of strength and growth.

It's time for our annual series of a collection of voices. Listen to this edition of Generation Swap, in which an Aquinas College Student and Osher Life Long Institute mentor speak on their experiences of getting to know one another and the different views they have of their world.

Sue Miller taught Latin and English in Grand Rapids area high schools. She loves to travel and has led school groups in Italy and other European countries. She enjoys yoga, walking, and watching films. This is her second time serving as a class mentor.

Kaleese Jeffries is a student at Aquinas College and a member of the Aquinas women’s basketball team. She also coaches middle school basketball and loves working with young athletes. Basketball is her passion, and she is considering how she can make it a part of her career path after college.