Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Announces Fall Programs and Activities

Josh Raney

OLLI members take a spring hike to Kings River overlook.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, or OLLI, at the U of A offers nearly 100 courses this fall, with descriptions and other information, including registration and membership options, available in a printed catalog and on the institute website.

The fall season begins with "Scams Affecting Older Adults," a presentation on the scams and frauds affecting older populations. It will be held at the new Fayetteville Police Department headquarters and led by Corporal Greg Lawson. Topics for the season include local history, art appreciation, literature, yoga, hiking and other things that require participants to be active. Other topics cover current events abroad and at home, such as county government, pending elections, weather events and living on Mars. A few season highlights are "The State of Arkansas Politics," featuring long-time journalist John Brummett, and a broadcast meteorology class led by Dan Skoff, the chief meteorologist at KNWA news.

The institute will kick off the fall season with an open house from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18, at OLLI Headquarters, 481 S. Shiloh Dr. in Fayetteville. "We are excited to welcome our community to the Fall Open House," said Josh Raney, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute director. "This event is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the incredible variety of courses we offer and to foster connections among our lifelong learners. We encourage everyone to come out, meet our instructors and discover what makes learning with OLLI so special."

Online registration for current members opens on Aug. 19, and general registration begins on Aug. 26. Programs are primarily held at OLLI Headquarters, but there are several opportunities to take day trips around the region or participate in programs online.

OLLI was established in 2007 at the U of A and is an outreach and service unit in the College of Education and Health Professions. It is one of 125 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes across the United States dedicated to providing non-credit courses and continuing education opportunities to seasoned adults.