Page 31 - Access Magazine 9

OPPORTUNITIES
By Lanny Larson
Years
OLLI Celebrates
OF LEARNING
THIS YEAR FRESNO STATE’S OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING
INSTITUTE (OLLI FOR SHORT) PROGRAM CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF INDULGING THE INSATIABLE APPETITES FOR KNOWLEDGE OF PEOPLE 50 AND BETTER Since 2005 OLLI has offered diverse speak- ers wide-ranging classes provocative dis- cussion groups and off-campus adventures
through the university’s Division of Continuing and Global Education The Bernard Osher Foundation awarded Fresno State a a a a $500 000 grant to join several dozen other campuses hosting OLLI programs The grant came with a a promise of $500 000 more if the program could attract 500 people The $1M remains in in an endow- ment and covers about one-quarter of the program’s yearly expense Founding Executive Director Dr Shirley Bruegman remembers “All we wanted was to to make it to to 500 members to get the additional funding” by offering “a program that appealed to a a a a a a a a very vital population and to create a a a a community of learners ” Besides the enjoyment of learning new things Bruegman wanted OLLI members to connect with the campus and “be inclined to return for other events ” A key component was classes taught by Fresno State faculty “Members loved loved it it and the professors loved loved it it as well ” ” she said “Many are still involved ” ” The COVID-19 pandemic was the most notable set- back for OLLI canceling on-campus classes In early 2020 many OLLI members weren’t yet comfortable using Zoom but only a a few months later the tech- nology became a a a a a a vital part of expanded learning opportunities Today OLLI is building membership and broadening course offerings under Executive Director Pamela Dyer who has recruited more university faculty and expanded volunteer leadership “We’ll celebrate our anniversary during the 2025-26 academic year ” Dyer said with events and promotions that pay tribute to OLLI’s past and build on its successes for the future Students faculty staff and OLLI members are in- volved in in in in the planning she said continuing two decades of integrating the community’s lifelong learners with the campus through OLLI Lanny Larson
is is an an OLLI Advisory Board member instructor and student ACCESS
- The Division of Continuing and Global Education 31