The Learning Link ~ April 2026~
Featured photo: ICL Hiking Club members stop for a selfie on the Johnson Canyon Hike - February 23, 2026.
April 10 - Spring classes end & ICL office closes for the summer April 15 - Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon 11:30am-1:00pm @ the Zion Room (RSVP required) April 15 - Dr. Rob Kramer's Retirement Party 1:00-2:30pm @ UT Alumni House, 684 E 500 S
Important Upcoming Dates
President's Message
STOP THE STEAL! There is only one way I could have lost this election—and that is if it was stolen. I plan to seize all ballot boxes, polling stations—and—and, wait a second. There are no ballot boxes or polling stations! Oh, well, I’m not discouraged or deterred. Mark my words, I will get to the bottom of this most seditious sedition! I will find the one or two traitorous council members Wendy has threatened or bribed, and—and I will... Huh? What did you say? All 13 council members voted for Wendy. No way! Are you talking about the same 13 I threatened last year with a baseball bat? Well, I find this highly suspicious...
Okay, okay, enough of this nonsense. Lest anyone mistake how I feel about our new Prez, here’s how I really feel. Two years ago, I chose (no, insisted) that Wendy be my Vice President. At the time, I had the uncommon foresight (at least for me) to know this day would eventually come. In my opinion, no one is better qualified to lead this organization than Wendy King. You are in very good hands, and we are fortunate to have her. After I present her bio, I’m sure you will agree.
Ms. King hails from Northern California (not exactly a ringing endorsement) and attended Lynbrook High School. She was a solid ‘B’ student and a pom-pom girl. Defying expectations, she graduated from the U. of California at Santa Cruz. Then, continuing her education, she earned a master’s degree in health care administration from George Washington University. At long last, she was prepared to go to work. Back in California, she was hired by Stanford U. Medical Center (1975) as an Administrative Services Manager (sounds important). While at Stanford, she developed and implemented a plan for a 200-physician medical practice.
Moving on (finally), Georgetown U. (1992) hired her as its Executive Director of Medical Services. Here, she managed 240 employees and spearheaded a $200 million project earmarked for facility improvements. Wendy King, Incoming ICL President From 1998-2004, Wendy founded KING CONSULTING, providing project management and operational services. Her company secured financing for a $28 million biomedical research building at the U. of Vermont. Recognizing her value, the U. of Vermont College of Medicine then hired her as Senior Associate Dean for Finance. Lastly, she took her considerable talents to the U. of West Virginia, Byrd Health Sciences Center (2008-2014) as the Associate V. President for Administration and Finance. Here she was responsible for three campuses, five health professional schools and a $240 million budget. More importantly, after retiring in 2018 and moving to St. George, Wendy served in various ICL leadership positions, including Marketing Chair, member of the ICL Council, Vice President, and co-founder of the very popular Mini-Med School. However, her most significant role (in my opinion) was her unforgettable performance as a hooker in the melodrama, Something Fishy at ICL , during our 2024 Talent Night. She is also a published fiction author, SECRETS IN THE STEEL. So, please join me in welcoming and enthusiastically supporting our new executive officer, PRESIDENT WENDY KING! Lastly, on a personal note. This will be my final President’s Message. I’ll admit to being a bit melancholic, but on the brighter side, it will give me more time to fight with my wife. I hope you’ve enjoyed the last two years as much as I have. It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve you (though the pay has been terrible). See you around campus... Signing off, Warren Stucki, MD ICL Lifelong Learning Page 2
Thank you Read and Herb!
With the Spring semester coming to a close, Read Gilgen and Herb Meron are stepping down from their tech support positions with ICL. We sincerely thank them for their years of dedicated service and commitment to the ICL community. In addition to teaching his own ICL classes, Read Gilgen has served as the primary ICL Tech Support volunteer for the past five years. In this role, Read met with instructors for classroom orientations and helped them in the classroom with technical assistance. He spent hours behind the scenes prior to each semester, gathering and uploading instructor and course photos for the registration system; coordinating instructor IT tags; preparing instructions for teachers; and preparing classroom computers for each instructor, including pre-loading their Zoom links and ensuring required software & equipment was in place and working properly.
Read Gilgen Read also served as the first line of contact when equipment glitches occurred and interfaced with the Utah Tech IT department to ensure technology issues were resolved.
Herb Meron has provided tech support for ICL for over three years, helping Read with technology issues and supporting instructors in the classroom. In addition, he has spent countless hours each week trimming Zoom class videos, uploading them to ICL's private YouTube channel, and publishing the video playlists to class rosters. Herb also worked closely with instructors who needed additional help with classroom technology and distributing class materials to their rosters. He is currently training a new crop of "techies" on these responsibilities. While Read and Herb are stepping back from their tech roles, they will continue to take ICL classes, so feel free to thank them if you see them on campus.
Herb Meron
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Mini-Med School: A Wrap Up by Dr. Warren Stucki
In February and March, the Institute for Continued Learning and Intermountain Health presented the Mini-Med School for its second year. Four health-related lectures were presented to packed crowds in the Dunford Auditorium at Utah Tech University. Like many of you, I went to ICL’s Mini-Med School - the Sophomore Year out of shape, tolerating painful knees, worried about my inevitable cancer (I am a 1960s downwinder), and wondering if the fact that it took 15 minutes to find my car keys (finally located in my sock drawer) meant anything? After four excellent and informative sessions, I’m still out of shape, my knees still hurt, I still worry about cancer, and I still can’t find my car keys — BUT NOW, I better understand all those maladies, thanks to...
Dr. Ginamarie Foglia told me how I could get in shape. She emphasized that good nutrition and physical conditioning were essential, not only for having safe and satisfying golden years but also to slow mental and cognitive decline. She also stressed that falls were a leading cause of death in the aged, then showed me how to get up after a fall. Using a floor mat, she demonstrated exercises to strengthen my core, arm, shoulder and leg muscles. Lastly, this comment from Dr. Foglia hit a home run. “Why would I want to live to be 90 if I can’t get out of my recliner?” Dr. Robert Jamieson explained to me why my knees ache (osteoarthritis). He said I should try conservative Rx first, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or even steroid injections. If those didn’t work, depending on my goals, we could do knee replacements. Using color slides, he explained how he would do my surgery. Likely, he would use a new robotic technique to achieve a more precise fit of my prosthesis.
Dr. Ginamarie Foglia speaking on "Functional Fitness" - Feb. 11, 2026 Lastly, Dr. Jamieson said my new prosthesis would likely last a lifetime, rather than the 20 years for the old prostheses. (At age 80, however, I failed to see the difference). Dr. Ned Williams reviewed for me the remarkable advances in radiation oncology. He explained the different types of external beam radiation, including 3D Conformal Radiation, Stereotactic Radiosurgery (only 5 sessions) and Proton Beam radiation. In addition, he discussed Internal Radiation (brachytherapy) delivered via needles and Targeted Rx, using targeting agents like Pluvicto, which attach to cancer cells for more precise therapy. Nowadays, he added, low-dose radiation is also used to treat osteoarthritis and Dupuytren’s contractures. I came away feeling better, knowing there are many effective ways to Rx my seemingly inevitable cancer.
Karin Edwards and Loriana De Crescenzo with Intermountain Health served as greeters.
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ICL Lifelong Learning
Mini-Med School: A Wrap Up (Continued)
Dr. Kyle Gulbranson explained to me that dementia is an umbrella term usually defined as a decline in memory, thinking and reasoning. There are several types of dementia: Alzheimer’s, Vascular, Lewy Body, Frontotemporal and Mixed Dementia. My risk factors include diet, hearing loss, obesity, alcohol and genetics. Medications, he said, are not a cure (there is no cure), but may slow progression. However, he added, I can mitigate my chances of dementia by losing weight, reducing my consumption of alcohol, eating a better diet and buying new hearing aids. So, anyway, I came away from the Mini-Med School feeling better. Now for the wrap-up. To be honest, there were some problems. First and foremost, attendance well exceeded expectations,
Dr. Kyle Gulbranson presenting "The Aging Brain" on March 4, 2026.
with seating averaging over capacity (235 per session). Unfortunately, this meant not everyone got a seat; some had to stand for an hour, while others got discouraged and simply left. For this inconvenience, I sincerely apologize. Sadly, it seems we are victims of our own success. I am not yet sure how we will address this problem, but I assure you we will, at our next committee meeting. On the other hand, it is obvious to me that this series is of great interest to the members of ICL and the greater Washington County community. So, we will be back next year with a new and improved MINI-MED SCHOOL: THE JUNIOR YEAR. Thanks for your interest, attendance and survey comments, Warren Stucki, MD President of ICL Council
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St. Patrick's Day Bingo Bash
On March 17th, ICL held it's annual FUNdraiser at the gorgeous Entrada at Snow Canyon. The St. Patrick's Day Bingo Bash was attended by over 100 party goers, decked out in their finest green attire.
The view from the clubhouse at Entrada
(L to R) Linda & Russell Stevenson and Michelle Dooley
The evening began at 5pm, as attendees gathered and socialized while enjoying magnificent red rock views from the Entrada clubhouse. While there was no green beer, attendees certainly enjoyed the cash bar and game snacks from the concession stand. Entrada provided a professional Bingo setup and winners were awarded fun prizes after each round. The grand prize for getting a complete blackout on the last round was the "Pot of Gold" valued at over $300.
Bingo winner Helen Bearinger, (left) with Caroline Dulworth.
The Bingo setup
Attendees had the opportunity to bid on amazing food-themed baskets with winners announced throughout the night. Basket themes included Asian Artisan; Mexican Fiesta; Savory Sweets; Italian Feast; Cowboy BBQ Classic; Spring Fling (wine & snacks); Coffee & Tea Lovers, and Trail Lovers Treats. The baskets were amazing. For example, Kevin Marie Fuller won the Cowboy BBQ Classic basket containing Jameson Irish Whiskey; a State of Utah
Michelle Dooley won the "Pot of Gold.
cutting board & kitchen set; grilled beans & cornbread mix; various BBQ sauces; cowboy chocolate, and a Harmon's gift card. A huge THANK YOU to Social Committee Chair Caroline Dulworth who put the event together, along with her committee members and all of the ICL volunteers who provided the baskets and helped out at the event.
Kevin Marie Fuller won the Cowboy BBQ Classic basket.
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Bingo Bash ~ continued We also appreciate everyone who came out to support ICL and participate in our St. Paddy's Day fun, camaraderie, and shenanigans. ICL received some much-needed funds, but more importantly, a good time was had by all!
Caroline Dulworth setting up the basket display.
Chris Haddad, Dwight Holland and Valeria Washburn
George Lasnier served as cashier.
ICL Director Cynthia Holman- Schmidt & volunteer Laurie Call.
Volunteer Teresa Weydert
Sandy Baskerville (2nd from right) and friends.
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Have a Happy, Healthy Summer!
It's Heating Up! To support your physical and mental health during the summer, consider the following tips: • Stay Active: Engage in outdoor activities like walking, yoga, or swimming to stay active and enjoy the fresh air. (The ICL Hiking Club and Table Tennis Club are active all summer and ICL offers morning tennis on the Utah Tech tennis courts.) • Enjoy Nature: Spend time outdoors to benefit from sunlight, which is essential for Vitamin D production and overall health. (There's so much to do in and around St. George. Consider a picnic in Pine Valley or spend a day at Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, Bloomington Petroglyph Park, or Zion National Park.)
• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water, even on overcast days, to prevent dehydration and maintain optimal health. Infuse water with fruits like lemon or cucumber for added flavor. • Protect Your Skin: Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily, even on cloudy days, to shield your skin from UV rays. Reapply every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating. • Eat Seasonal Produce: Choose fruits and vegetables that are in season for their higher nutritional value and flavor. (Check out the Downtown Farmers market open every Saturday, May through October from 8am-12am at Vernon Worthen Park. There's also the new Washington Farmers Market held every Saturday from 10am-2pm at Washington Veteran’s Park.) • Get Plenty of Sleep: Despite the heat and longer days, try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule. Try taking a lukewarm shower or bath before bed and make sure your bedroom is kept cool. At least one hour before bedtime, block out the light in your bedroom and avoid blue light screens such as your phone, tablet, and television.
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Instructor Spotlight Matthew Asai
Matthew Asai has explored nearly every corner of the country, thanks to a career that took him across multiple military stations and a lifelong love of public lands. After 32 years working for the federal government, he moved from Virginia to St. George in 2018. He has set a personal goal to visit all 63 U.S. National Parks and only 11 remain on his list. Photography has been a natural consequence of visiting beautiful landscapes. As a volunteer photographer for Virginia State Parks, he documented 18 parks and taught seminars at several of them. His work has appeared in numerous Virginia publications, and he taught Digital Photography for the Stafford Parks and Recreation Department. He also helped lead the Fredericksburg Fresh Start Photography Group before relocating west, and he continues to stay active in the craft as a member of the Color Country Camera Club.
Matthew Asai Skiing, another lifelong passion, began with his father. Matthew grew up visiting the mountains of Maryland, where his father, who was an Army ski jumper, taught him to ski and ice skate. Matthew rediscovered the sport in college, encouraged by a skiing roommate, and continued to pursue it while stationed in places ranging from Iowa to Illinois. He jokes that skiing in Iowa mostly meant descending the bluffs near the Mississippi River, nothing like our rugged Utah mountains.
Matthew Asai (center in hat) with Fall '25 photography class members.
Matthew first came to ICL as a student, taking classes before stepping into an instructor role. When the leader of an existing southern Utah skiing Meetup group stepped down, Matthew took over, helping maintain the group that now includes participants from Mesquite to Logan and a mix of ICL members and nonmembers.
Matthew (front right) with Ski Club members at Brian Head In addition to leading the ICL Ski Club, Matthew also serves as the official photographer for many ICL events and regularly teaches an Introduction to DSLR Cameras course. His goal is to help ICL members gain the confidence to move beyond automatic settings and take control of their photography. Early classes focus on understanding camera functions, while later sessions explore composition and creative techniques. This Fall, he'll be teaching the class with Saturday morning photo walks. Whether on the slopes or behind the lens, Matthew brings enthusiasm, experience, and a spirit of exploration to the ICL community. Article written by ICL Social Media Intern Ava Knudsen.
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Remaining Class Schedule - April 2026
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Remaining Class Schedule - continued
Summer Schedule and Fall Registration: • Botany Field Trips on May 11, June 15, and July 6. • Desert Archaeology Society meets on April 15 and May 13 (no meetings in June/July/August).
• Hiking Club will continue hikes throughout the summer. • Table Tennis Club continues throughout the summer.' • Tennis continues throughout the summer (summer schedule pending). • Fall 2026 semester begins September 8th. Watch for emails mid-August with the Fall class schedule and registration info. • Course Catalogs will arrive in your mailbox mid-August. • Online registration for Fall classes opens Saturday, August 29th at 9:30am at icl.utahtech.edu. • Fall Registration Social will be held in the lobby of the Udvar Hazy building on Saturday, Aug. 29th from 9:30am-1:00pm.
If you volunteered for ICL in any way this academic year, please RSVP to attend. You can fill out the RSVP form we sent via e-mail or you can e-mail us at icl@utahtech.edu with your name and the name of your guests(s).
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Institute for Continued Learning Utah Tech University 658 East 200 South St. George, UT 84770
NONPROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT No. 35 ST. GEORGE, UT 84770
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