Learning Never Retires: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Rhode Island is part of a network of 125 OLLIs that span all 50 states and the District of Columbia. They exist because of the philanthropy of Bernard Osher; knowing a little bit about Osher provides a good basis for understanding the lifelong learning philosophy that guides these institutes. Early in amassing his fortune, he managed The Palace Playland amusement park in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. He started taking piano lessons at 80 and surf lessons in Hawaii at 84. He presents background information on OLLI in the form of a cartoon that is so charming you owe it to yourself to access it through the OLLI-URI website and watch it.

The OLLI started in 2008. Fittingly, the impetus for its development came from an older member of the community, Don Wilson, a retired engineer interested in lifelong learning. Wilson approached Phillip Clark, director of URI’s gerontology program, with the idea of creating an OLLI at URI. Wilson also eventually connected Clark to the Osher Foundation, which offered money to initiate a program. A committee was formed and applied for $100,000 to start the project. Over three years, the structure was created, and membership and offerings expanded rapidly. By the end of its third year, OLLI shifted from start-up funding to endowment funding, becoming a permanent part of what the university offers to the broader community. OLLI is a learning community for people over 50. There is an annual membership fee. The most overt aspect of OLLI is the courses it offers. The Fall catalog has more than 120 listings. Each course has been submitted to an evaluation committee by a member of the OLLI community. There are no restrictions on who can propose a course. Many come from former teachers at the university or highschool level. The variety of what is listed in the catalog is quite remarkable: The Lyrical Poetry of Bob Dylan and Gordon Lightfoot, Rocky Point Park; Rhode Island History, Tiny Seats: 300 Years of Children’s Chairs, The Five Senses of Oral Storytelling in African Culture, Alfred Hitchcock – Cinematic Genius, and Understanding Septic Systems – how is that for a set of esoteric, fascinating, engaging topics to learn about!

Some of these are one-session courses, others meet weekly. Most sessions are in person, and some are offered on Zoom. The course fees are very reasonable; $15 for a single session, and $40 to $45 for weekly sessions. There are no tests or grades. At OLLI, it is all about the pure joy of learning. In addition to the courses, OLLI members have formed several free special interest groups, including Current Events Discussion, Cosmic Questions, Photo Friday, and Bowling. These groups require registration but are open to anyone with a membership. As if that wasn’t enough, OLLI also offers facilitated travel opportunities ranging from day-long bus outings to international tours. For anyone who has tried to access the URI campus, it is worth noting that membership includes parking in the lot directly in front of the building that houses the organization.

Beth Leconte, OLLI’s executive director, explains that the institute is, first and foremost, a community. From the beginning, Bernard Osher’s goal was that older adults would have a place to get together, meet new friends, have fun, and work to promote lifelong learning and engagement. The OLLI program at URI has done such a good job of actualizing this goal that it has twice been awarded million-dollar endowment grants. Leconte is a warm and friendly administrator. She states that the people who form the OLLI community are the most rewarding part of her job. “If I focus on the people,” she says, “The rest will follow.” For example, when I called to schedule an appointment with her, I left a message that said, in part, “I think you will recognize my name…” She got back to me and said, “John, of course, I recognize your name…” and then proceeded to tell me several ways in which our paths crossed and friends we had in common. I felt immediately welcomed and connected. My guess is she makes anyone who shows up in her office feel that way. I am corrected when I say OLLI is for people over 50. Leconte says, “Osher says 50 or better.” That is the expression we like to use.”

The average age of people taking OLLI classes at URI is 72. Leconte says it is one of her goals to get younger members. She’d like “to get more people in their ‘60s.” Unfortunately, I can’t lower the average age, but I’m definitely signing up for a course again this fall. Maybe Ernest Hemingway: A Farewell to Arms and Other Stories or Be Ready for Ticks. Want to join me? •