Osher Open House to Feature Class Information, Honor Lifelong Learners

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Fall 2014 Course Catalog

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute’s fall open house on Sept. 4 will feature information about fall courses being offered along with entertainment and refreshments. The organization based at the University of Arkansas will honor 10 lifelong learners from Northwest Arkansas during the event.

Honorees will be Genie Donovan of Fayetteville, Mildred Grear of Fayetteville, Douglas James of Fayetteville, Al Kaeppel of Springdale, Oda Mulloy of Fayetteville, John Rago of Fayetteville, Charles Richardson of Fayetteville, Roy Reed of West Fork, Vicky Sloan of Springdale and Sally Stone of Fayetteville.

The open house will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. at the University of Arkansas Global Campus, 2 E. Center St. in Fayetteville. Individuals can purchase a membership, renew their membership and sign up for classes at the open house.

Susan Tonymon, director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, said registering online is a convenient and secure way to purchase an annual membership, review the fall class offerings and activities, read instructor biographical information or register for classes. Members can then pay for classes online.

“OLLI at the YOUofA has adopted a 2014 motto: Live well. Learn forever,” she said. “This dovetails into the investment our members and the university make in supporting lifelong learners and also promoting Northwest Arkansas as an aging-friendly place to live. The demand for classes should grow significantly in future years as more baby boomers retire in our area and seek education and quality of life activities.”

OLLI is a member-driven, nonprofit organization.

“Our primary goal is to meet the needs of our members by providing resources for stimulating, educational programming that is affordable and accessible,” Tonymon said.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is based in the University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions. The Bernard Osher Foundation established more than 115 centers at universities across the United States for the purpose of meeting needs of adult learners. The hybrid organizations are comprised of staff and empowered members who generate peer-led organization and content. They provide valuable opportunities to adults 50 and over to share intellectual interests, make new friends, explore cultural topics and other thought-provoking subjects, and exchange ideas with peers.

More than 80 courses are being offered this fall, including three with the theme of Renaissance, which is also the theme of the open house. There will be door prizes and a humorous monologue by Doug Cummins, an emeritus professor of theatre arts at Furman University.

Information will also be available about member benefits and social occasions, including at least four events held each month such as casual tastings, birthday celebrations and book luncheons, TED Talkers Walkers group, Mall Walker Mondays, Photo Shoot Group, Downton Abbey Watchers, Arkansas Alumni Hog Wild Tailgates and University of Arkansas selected special events.