OLLI @ UND in Bismarck to offer Custer course

George Armstrong Custer’s legend isn’t as crystal clear as some folks would have it: some historians view the famous U.S. Cavalry commander as a hero while others have suggested he was more of a scoundrel.

“The Legend of George Armstrong Custer: Hero or Scoundrel” is the title of a new course offered by veteran OLLI @ UND instructor and retired Mandan High School teacher Dave Mellen through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of North Dakota (OLLI @ UND) in Bismarck. The class will run Wednesdays, 9-11am, September 15 through October 20.

Mellen, a native of Elgin, Illinois, came to join the wrestling team at Bismarck State College and made North Dakota his home. After receiving his degree from Dickinson State University, Mellen taught social studies, government, history, and sociology at Mandan High School for 32 years (and three at Bismarck High School prior to that). For several seasons, Mellen also served as an interpretive ranger at Fort Lincoln State Park and led a western frontier history class for Elderhostel.

About his involvement with OLLI @ UND, Mellen had this to say: ““The way you stay young is never stopping learning. I am always reminded of an assistant superintendent who was known for saying ‘mind like steel stays sharp through use.’ It’s true, andOLLI helps the mind stay sharp.” (Read more of Dave Mellen’s observations below.)

Mellen’s course is part of the OLLI @ UND program, which offers courses from its Grand Forks campus and through Bismarck State College (BSC).

OLLI @ UND Bismarck program manager Robin Thorstenson interviewed Dave Mellen about his work; go to http://www2.und.edu/our/news/submit/editoradd2.php for an edited version of the interview.