MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT For me, the last quarter of 2025 was biƩerly disappoinƟng. The Supreme Court, uh — uh, I mean the ICL Council overturned all my brilliant iniƟaƟves — my Department of InsƟtute Efficiency (DOIE), my BiƩy Bad Bill (BBB), and all of my tariffs (except for California – no one can argue with that one). They used the word - UNCONSTITUTIONAL! What the...?? That leaves me only one opƟon — the NUCLEAR OPTION! And I’m going to use it. If your name is Phil or Buster, I’m coming for you! Once all the Phils and Bust- ers are purged from the roles of ICL, I should have smooth sailing once again.
Okay, okay, enough of this silliness — now, let’s talk New Year’s ResoluƟons. The older I get; I find I’m more likely to make health - related resoluƟons and I’m more likely to keep them, especially if they’re published. So, here’s what I promised to myself for 2025... One – I resolve to walk at least 3 miles a day. Two – I will conƟnue to play online chess (unƟl I can finally beat the Russkies). Three – I vow to write another novel this year. Four – I will teach one class a semester. Five – I will not bet on another Utah/BYU football game (unless it’s a sure thing). Six – I will relieve my wife of all household chores. So, like everything I write, some of the above are true resoluƟons and with others, well… I had my fingers crossed. Anyway, here’s something that’s not silly. A recent study in Nature Medicine (Harvard U.) shows walking can slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease! The greatest benefits are seen at around 5,000 – 7,500 steps a day. This level of acƟvity significantly slows cogniƟve decline, and even a moderate amount (3,000 – 5,000 steps) has a notable effect. The benefit appears to be linked to the slower buildup of tau tangles (a key pathology in Alzheimer's), rather than a reducƟon in beta - amyloid plaques. Also, new research by Associate Professor Hanzhang Xu, PhD (Duke U.), recently published in InnovaƟon in Aging, shows later - life learning is associated with improved cogniƟve funcƟon. The study found people who engaged in any learning acƟviƟes, such as courses or training programs, showed beƩer cogniƟve funcƟon over Ɵme, compared to those who never parƟcipated in such acƟviƟes — and these benefits remained consistent as people aged. On average, the cogniƟve funcƟon of a 71 year old who has engaged in later - life learning was similar to a 65 year old person. Considering the above studies, it is obvious ICL’s hikes, field trips, social acƟviƟes, and thought - provoking courses provide the exact recipe for prolonged and beƩer cogniƟve funcƟon as we age. So, let’s all make this a New Year’s ResoluƟon — to get more involved in ICL and bring your neighbors! Oh, by - the - by, we need more instructors and new courses for next year.
Stay tuned and I will see you in class, ~ Dr. Warren Stucki, ICL President
2 LIFELONG LEARNING
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