Volunteer Leadership
Executive Committee
Bill Deutsch
Chair
Bill Deutsch is a Research Fellow, Emeritus in the AU School of Fisheries, with degrees in Zoology, Biology, Anthropology, and Aquatic Ecology. He spent more than 20 years directing a community-based water monitoring program which inspired his first book, Alabama Rivers, which delves into the science and stewardship of our waterways. He is a member of the Alabama Paleontological Society and regularly searches for fossils statewide and beyond. He has had a life-long interest in paleontology which he explores in his book Ancient Life in Alabama: The Fossils, the Finders, and Why It Matters.
Ken Autrey
Chair Elect
Ken Autrey grew up in Auburn and lived elsewhere for 50 years before retiring and returning home. For many years, he was an English professor at Francis Marion University in South Carolina. He has been a member of OLLI at Auburn for 10 years and teaches OLLI poetry writing courses.
Rebecca Kelly
Secretary
Rebecca Kelly grew up in South Florida and has lived in Auburn for 38 years. Before retiring, she taught special education, English, and gifted education. Rebecca joined OLLI two years ago, and has thoroughly enjoyed discovering a wide array of new areas of interest as well as getting to know others who have never lost their enthusiasm for learning.
Larry Gerber
Past Chair
Larry Gerber was a professor of history at Auburn University specializing in twentieth century US history before retiring in 2011 and joining OLLI. During his academic career he became deeply involved in faculty governance serving as chair of the Auburn University Senate and then later as national vice president of the American Association of University Professors. He is also an avid collector of antique oriental rugs.
Committee Chairs
Caroline Gebhard
Curriculum Co-Chair
Caroline Gebhard is a Professor of English at Tuskegee University. Her research areas include American Literature and African American and Women’s Studies. She is the co-author or editor of several publications on the Postbellum South.
Steve Harrison
Curriculum Co-Chair
Steve Harrison holds degrees in mathematics and literature and has taught numerous OLLI courses, including those on poets and Jung's psychological theories.
Cindy McGehee
Membership & Social Co-Chair
Cindy McGehee is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in finance. She has had careers in banking regulation, and higher education academic support services. Cindy joined OLLI in 2024 and quickly became a leader among her peers, including spearheading our inaugural OLLI Arts Fest.
Mary Arnold
Membership & Social Co-Chair
Mary Arnold grew up in a family that valued lifelong learning, a tradition she continues through her involvement with OLLI at Auburn. She first joined the program in the early 2000s and found both intellectual stimulation and a strong sense of community. Today, Mary remains dedicated to giving back, helping foster connection among OLLI members as well as volunteering her time helping elementary school students develop stronger reading skills.
Harold Bruner
Fundraising & Development
Harold Bruner is a native of Indiana and a graduate of Purdue. He held several jobs in forestry, followed by a second career in real estate in Florida. In 2014 he moved to Auburn and enrolled in OLLI. In 2018 he introduced the first OLLI hiking classes. Harold has participated in many OLLI book groups.
Satellite Campus Representative
Nancy Anderson
Auburn University at Montgomery
After more than 40 years as an English faculty member at AUM, in 2015 Nancy Grisham Anderson retired and moved to AUM Continuing Education and Community Engagement. She works on the OLLI at AuburnAUM course schedule, teaches classes, leads book groups, and plans field trips.
Alfred Davis
City of Auburn
At-Large
Gabriele Darch
Gabriele Darch has been a member of OLLI for over 10 years. She is a retired RN/Nurse Practitioner who worked mainly in the fields of pediatrics and maternal-infant care, including the last 20 years in public health. She has always enjoyed reading and learning. OLLI has provided a wonderful vehicle for continuing those passions, making new friends, and renewing old friendships.
Mark Gamble
Mark Gamble is originally from Montgomery, Alabama, and holds a degree in Computer Engineering from Auburn University and an MBA in Finance from the University of Florida. He spent 30 years in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, as a developer, team lead, and infrastructure architect with IBM. He and his wife, Cynthia, moved to Auburn in 2022 with their twin daughters. He enjoys scuba diving, biking, reading, home projects, steel darts, and travel. Since joining OLLI in early 2025, Mark has come to love hiking, taking better pictures, and continuing to learn.
Gary Wagoner
Gary Wagoner is Associate Professor Emeritus of Art & Art History at Auburn University. He holds an MFA in Ceramic Art from SUNY College of Ceramics at Alfred University. He developed the Ceramics curriculum at Auburn University and taught all levels of pottery and clay sculpture there for 35 years. During his time as chair of Auburn’s Department of Art, Wagoner was entrusted with creating stone replicas of the original marble eagles that adorned the gates of Samford Park at Toomer’s Corner where his replicas now stand today.
