Greetings from the NRC........................... August 2025 | |
I just attended the Southern Regional Conference for Learning in Retirement, skillfully hosted by OLLI at Emory University. Although called a “regional” conference, this conference draws attendees from across the country, not just OLLIs or those based in the South. Dozens of the 420+ LLIs nationwide participate, including many representatives from our 124 Osher Institutes. This gathering offers an excellent opportunity to network and exchange ideas within our niche within higher education. Next summer’s Southern Regional Conference will be hosted July 27-29 by OLLI at the University of Georgia.
Through this experience, I’m reminded how fortunate we are to be part of the Osher Lifelong Learning Network.
In conversations with other program leaders, the value of the Osher Network – its staff and volunteers – stood out clearly. One new-to-me term I heard was “OLLI envy,” and it’s easy to see why this phrase has been coined. Our Osher Network provides ongoing connection and collaboration with colleagues, a national conference every 18 months that is free to OLLI representatives, and the benefit of endowment funding that helps cover annual operating costs. We also benefit from a structure that offers proven guidance while supporting each Institute’s individuality within its campus and community.
There is much to appreciate about our Network, beginning with the foresight and dedication of the original university staff and volunteers who founded our Institutes. And of course, we are forever grateful to our generous patron and founders, Bernard and Barbro Osher, along with the dedicated Osher Foundation staff members and trustees who have thoughtfully stewarded this philanthropy since 2001.
Over the years at the Osher NRC, I’ve received inquiries from LLIs interested in joining our Network, including three just this past month. While I must share that new endowment funding is no longer being considered, every inquiry includes sincere admiration for the work you all do. We are a unique and remarkable group, and much of that success is thanks to you.
| | | |
OLLI AT UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE
Osher's Got Art
| | |
When people hear the words “art exhibition,” they may think of Manhattan and its many galleries on the Lower East Side and Chelsea. But this June, an OLLI in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was the site of an outstanding array of multi-media art created by its members. The brainchild of Marcy Dicker, a Program Coordinator for the OLLI at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, “Osher’s Got Art” took form when Dicker put out a call in the weekly newsletter for members to join a new committee to put on an art show with food, bubbly drinks, and live music. The results were nothing less than astounding. As a “warm up” to the main event, the committee arranged a talk several weeks before the exhibit entitled, “Creative Journeys: Discovering Art Later in Life,” featuring a panel of four artists who found their artistic passion after full careers.
To jumpstart the exhibit initiative, Dicker created an application for Osher members who were interested in presenting work for the art show. It included information about their artwork, and an artist’s statement which was included in a booklet that attendees could peruse while at the show. What impressed and inspired everyone who attended was the variety of works on display in the three main rooms of the Hefter historic mansion where OLLI is housed. Besides painting, photography, and prints, there were bonsai, stained glass, quilts, calligraphy, and even a collaborative knitting project submitted by a Special Interest Group (SIG). Osher members stood beside their works to “teach” about their methods and answer any questions.
Tickets for Osher’s Got Art, set at $25 to cover some of the expenses, were sold-out, a great sign that members really appreciated this unique opportunity to socialize with one another and admire the talents of other OLLI members. The unanimous response was that this must become an annual tradition with members already thinking about what new submission they may enter next time and emboldening others to begin thinking about themselves as displaying artists. The event had everything an OLLI would want from its programming: social connection, creative exploration, multiple learning opportunities, and ample volunteer participation and leadership.
Submitted by: Dr. Ellyn Lem, Professor Emeritus of English and Gender Studies
Outreach Specialist/Program Coordinator, OLLI at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
| | | |
OLLI AT DRAKE UNIVERSITY
Celebrating 20 Years of Lifelong Learning
| | |
This spring, OLLI at Drake University celebrated a significant milestone: 20 years of fostering lifelong learning, connection, and community. Members, instructors, volunteers, and friends gathered to mark the occasion, a reflection of the vibrant spirit that defines OLLI. At the heart of the celebration were the members themselves, individuals whose curiosity, passion for learning, and dedication to engagement have sustained and enriched the program over two decades.
Originally launched as the RaySociety, OLLI at Drake has grown from the simple idea that learning should continue well beyond the classroom and career, into a thriving community. Since its inception, the program has offered hundreds of courses and welcomed thousands of adult learners. It has served as a space for shared ideas, meaningful dialogue, and joyful discovery. While the program’s name, topics, and technologies have evolved, its mission remains unchanged: to provide learning for the joy of it. OLLI continues to inspire curiosity and foster connection at every age and stage of life.
The celebration also served as a moment of gratitude to founding members who set the foundation, program coordinator Lisa Cooper for her steadfast leadership, and the volunteers and members who have participated, contributed, and made the community stronger simply by showing up with open minds and hearts.
As OLLI looks to the future, it remains committed to the values that have shaped its journey and to a lifelong love of learning.
Submitted by: Tracy Beck, Director, OLLI at Drake University
| | | 2025-26 Osher NRC Webinar Series | | |
Join us for a dynamic, practical webinar focused on sparking fresh ideas for membership growth at your Osher Institute.
Fresh Strategies for Growing OLLI Membership
- Wednesday August 27, 2025
- 2pm ET/1pm CT/12pm MT/11am PT/10am Alaska/9am Hawaii
- One hour
- Open only to Osher Institute staff and volunteer leaders
- Register Here
Five OLLI leaders will each share one innovative, real-world strategy that helped them attract new members – from creative marketing to engaging course content. Whether you're aiming to boost enrollment, reach new audiences, or refine outreach, you'll leave with actionable tips and inspiration. Don’t miss this chance to learn what's working across the network and ask questions of your peers!
Presenters
Jessica Angell, Director, OLLI @ San Diego State University
Catherine Frank, Executive Director, OLLI @ University of North Carolina, Asheville
Jascenna Haislet, Director, OLLI @ West Virginia University
Toniann Leavitt, Director, OLLI @ University of New Hampshire
Veronica Maxwell, Director, OLLI @ University of South Florida
If you have interest in being a presenter or have ideas for future webinars, please contact Kevin Connaughton (kevin.connaughton@northwestern.edu).
| | | |
INNOVATIVE COURSES AND CONTENT DELIVERY
Curriculum Corner
| | |
Osher Institute at University of Cincinnati
“Investing Ideas for 2025: Align Your Assets and Goals with Today’s Stock Market”
Course Length: Four Weeks (four sessions)
Course Instructor: Dan Nagel, a retired CPA with a lifelong interest in economics and investing.
Course Delivery: In-person
Course Description:
The current stock market is a mix of powerful forces: algorithmic trading, index investing/passive money management, dominance of “mag 7” tech stocks, the gamification (gambling) approach to investing (trading). New opportunities have emerged with companies focusing on capital investments in Artificial Intelligence, the transition to clean energy, and the massive need for electrification. In this environment, we will review how to meet our financial goals and become an “intelligent investor” with diversified asset allocation that balances our need for (after-tax) income, cash flow, and liquidity all while controlling market risk.
| | | |
WOO-HOOS FROM THE 2025 OSHER INSTITUTE'S NATIONAL CONFERENCE
"OLLI Abroad," The Musical
| | |
What is a Woo-Hoo? A Woo-Hoo is one of those wonderful, amazing, out of the box OLLI experiences. All Osher Institutes have the opportunity to submit and showcase their Woo-Hoo for peer Institutes at the Osher National Conference. The Woo-Hoos are shared during general conference sessions, and attendees vote on their favorites. The following is one of the top six winners from the 2025 Osher Institutes National Conference held in Virginia in April.
"OLLI Abroad," The Musical
In November 2023, OLLI at Southern Oregon University emerged from the pandemic raring to celebrate and “go live” again! The result was a wink-wink, over the top musical, written as a love letter to OLLI by OLLI playwrights. It was enthusiastically undertaken by 30+ OLLI actors and crew, with all of the gusto of a Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland film declaring, “Let’s put on a show!”. After months of preparation and rehearsal, five fun-filled, sold-out “OLLI Abroad” performances ensued, generating goodwill all around, and raising $10,000 for the OLLI!
| | | |
CAREER OPENINGS IN THE OLLI NETWORK
Job Board
| |
National Resource Center for Osher Institutes, Northwestern University
Wieboldt Hall, Sixth Floor, 339 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
| |
| | | |
