Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Casper College Membership Structure

OLLI Members:

• Fall/Spring/Summer (3 Sessions)
  $50.00 per person:  Includes two free classes in both the Fall and Spring sessions, and one free class in the Summer, as well as admission to all lecture series events. Each additional class is $8.00 per class. Additional costs for books and materials may apply. Field studies priced separately, depending on duration and location of the excursion.
• Fall or Spring Only (1 Session)
  $30.00 per person:  Includes two free classes and admission to all lecture series events. Each additional class is $8.00 per class. Additional costs for books and materials may apply. Field studies priced separately, depending on duration and location of the excursion.
• Summer (1 Session)
  $15.00 per person:  Includes one free class and admission to all lecture series events. Each additional class is $8.00 per class. Additional costs for books and materials may apply. Field studies priced separately, depending on duration and location of the excursion.

Learn for the Love of It and JOIN US TODAY!

The Bernard Osher Foundation was founded by Bernard Osher in 1977. Through the foundation, his philanthropy has benefited a wide range of educational, cultural, and other nonprofit organizations primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area and his native Maine. In the 1990s, the Foundation funded a series of Osher Scholar programs, extending scholarship assistance for post-secondary education to nearly thirty colleges and universities as well as professional and technical schools in California and Maine.

Bernard Osher

Barbro Osher

Maine native Bernard Osher is a successful businessman and community leader, a patron of the arts and education, whose philanthropy has affected countless organizations over the past quarter century. His wife, the Honorable Barbro Osher, Consul General of Sweden in San Francisco, serves as chair of the foundation.

History of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Movement
What began in 1997 as the University of Southern Maine’s Senior College became the nation’s first Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. And its beginnings are the stuff of legend. Local Rabbi, Harry Sky, worked with the leadership of the University to invite potential older learners to a meeting about an exciting new learning opportunity for older learners in Maine. They expected 150 people, and had enough “chowdah” to feed 175. When 500 potential students showed up, the program was successfully launched, albeit with a very watered down fish chowder lunch.

The Senior College was renamed in 2001 after receiving a gift from The Bernard Osher Foundation that enabled the program to expand its peer-taught courses, workshops and other activities for more than 950 adult learners, ages 55 and over in the Portland, Maine area. OLLI was started, developed and remains an organization run primarily by volunteers who develop the curriculum, staff the office at USM, and design OLLI's extracurricular activities including local and international field trips. The USM institute also coordinates the Maine Senior College Network (MSCN), an organization of the state's 15 Senior Colleges that serves more than 6000 Mainers statewide annually.

Recognizing that the proportion of older people in the United States is growing rapidly, and with it, the demand for lifelong learning programs, the Osher Foundation began to encourage the development of vibrant learning communities of older adults. The Foundation funded Sonoma State University, a member of the California State University (CSU) system, which planned to model its lifelong learning program on the highly-respected Fromm Institute at the University of San Francisco.

Then across the country, new programs offering stimulating learning opportunities were started—and a national movement was born. Pleased with the results of their two pilot programs, the Foundation decided to join the “lifelong learning” field in a significant fashion. The concept of a network of Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes was compelling, and Requests for Proposals (RFP) were sent to the remaining campuses in the California State University system as well as to those in the University of California (UC) system.

In November 2002, the Foundation Board awarded initial grants to six campuses in the CSU group ( Bakersfield, Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo, Dominguez Hills, Hayward, San Francisco, and San Jose) and four campuses of the UC system ( Davis, Riverside, San Francisco, and Santa Cruz). A separate award was made to the University of Vermont. In February 2003, two more CSU campuses ( Fullerton and San Bernardino) and two more UC campuses ( Berkeley and Irvine) were awarded Osher Foundation grants along with the University of Hawaii at Manoa. With these additional grantees, the Foundation was supporting Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes on 18 campuses in four states. In April 2003, the outstanding progress demonstrated by Sonoma State University led to an endowment grant along with its third year of operating grant support.

In an effort to expand and further diversify the network of Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes, another RFP was issued in mid-September 2003 to nearly 30 colleges and universities in California and across the nation. In February 2004, the Board of Directors of The Bernard Osher Foundation approved first-year operating grants to 23 institutions of higher learning. In this cohort are eight additional California State University campuses (Channel Islands, Chico, Humboldt, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Marcos, and San Diego; the remaining three University of California campuses (Los Angeles, San Diego, and Santa Barbara); four private universities (Brandeis, Dominican University of California, Santa Clara, and Richmond); six state universities from Hawaii at Hilo in the West to New Hampshire in the East – with Arizona State, Kansas, Nebraska, and Utah in between; and two community colleges providing unique services to seasoned learners – Sierra College in Northern California and Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona.

Soon existing Lifelong Learning Institutes became interested in the affiliation with the Osher Foundation, seeking to expand and strengthen current programming. Although prior emphasis had been placed largely on start-up programs, the Foundation was also interested in helping to strengthen existing programs, of which there are nearly 400 across the country. In June 2004, with initial grants from the Foundation, the network of Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes was expanded to include seven established Lifelong Learning Institutes programs at George Mason University, Kennesaw State University, Duke University and the Universities of Dayton, Minnesota, Oregon, and Pittsburgh.

February 2005 saw the designation of 12 additional programs as Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes. The institutes include existing programs at Rutgers University (NJ), University of South Florida, University of Miami; Eckerd College (FL); Tufts University (MA); University of Texas at El Paso; University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston; University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Northwestern University (IL); University of North Carolina at Wilmington; Clemson University (SC); and a new institute at California State University, Fresno.

Thirteen programs were approved in June, 2005 by the Foundation's Board of Directors. They include: University of Alabama at Huntsville, University of Alaska at Fairbanks, American University, Washington, D.C., University of Arizona, Hampton University (VA). University of Massachusetts-Boston, University of Missouri-Columbia, New York University, Saginaw Valley State University (MI), University of South Carolina-Beaufort, University of Southern Mississippi-Hattiesburg, Texas Tech University and University of Wisconsin-Madison. The programs at Hampton University, New York University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison programs are start-ups and the remaining ten are existing programs.

Thanks to the generosity of the The Bernard Osher Foundation, the network of Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes across the United States is meeting the needs of older learners who want to learn simply for the joy of learning and personal fulfillment.

• Registration
  
  
• A Conversation with Craig Johnson about Writing and Sheriff Walt Longmire
  Last fall on a field trip to Buffalo, Wyoming several of our OLLI members were overheard raving about Craig Johnson and the Sheriff Walt Longmire mystery novels, which are set mostly in Buffalo. The minute we arrived in Buffalo we bought a copy of one of the novels. We spent the rest of the winter devouring all the books in the series. They are a great read! Now is your chance to meet the author of these wonderful novels and learn how he began his career as a writer. He also will talk about the people and places that influence his writing. If you haven’t discovered Craig Johnson and Sheriff Walt Longmire yet, you are in for a treat.
  • Course # OLLI 4030
    Wed., Sept. 8
    6:30-8:30 p.m.
    Location: EI 100
    Instructor: Craig Johnson
    Cost: 01 – Complimentary
    02 – $8
    
    
    
• C’mon Ref! Are You Blind?!
  Have you ever attended a football game and booed the referees over a “bad” call? Did you know why it was a “bad” call or did you just boo along with the crowd? Come learn about the fundamentals of football, discuss common fouls and rule infractions, and learn about the rule differences among high school, college, and professional football. Finally, the instructor will try to explain why football officials make some of those “bad” calls, including those that bring on the wrath of the crowd such as holding, pass interference, horse collar tackles, and blocks in the back. If there is enough interest we will try to attend a local high school game so you can impress the other fans with your informed booing.
  • Course # OLLI 3030
    Mon., Sept. 13 to 27
    7-8:30 p.m.
    Location: AD 286
    Instructor: Matt Pollock
    Cost: 01 – Complimentary
    02 – $8
    
    
    
    
• Examining the Battle of Little Big Horn
  In this class we will look at the famous, but largely misunderstood, Battle of Little Big Horn. The instructor, a former Little Big Horn battlefield guide, will share testimonies of battle participants and information about recent archeological findings that may dispel the “mystique” and conflicting theories surrounding the battle.
  • Course # OLLI 7030
    Tues., Sept. 14 to Oct. 12
    7-9 p.m.
    Location: TM 123
    Instructor: Monte Henrie
    Cost: 01 – Complimentary
    02 – $8
    
    
• Exploring the Holocaust Part III
  In this class we will examine the killing centers of WWII, including the mechanized death factories of the Aktion Reinhard camps and the sophisticated industrial center of Auscwitz-Birkenau. We will discuss the conditions of the prisoners and the motivation of the staff in each category of camp. We will finish the class with a discussion of the end of the war and the camp system and the post-war fate of many of the key figures of the Third Reich.
  • Course # OLLI 7033
    Mon., Sept. 13 to Nov. 1 (no class on Sept. 27 or Oct. 18)
    5-6:30 p.m.
    Location: AD 184
    Instructor: Lance Jones
    Cost: 01-Complimentary
    02-$8
    
    
• Fred Before Flubber: The Best Films of Fred MacMurray
  Most people remember Fred MacMurray from his days in Disney films like The Absent-Minded Professor and the hit TV show of the 60s, My Three Sons. But long before either of these, there was a MacMurray that most people today never knew existed. This class will explore MacMurray and his early days as a Hollywood star in classic films including romantic comedy and film noir. OLLI class members voted this as their first choice for a film theme for the 2010 fall semester!
  • Course # OLLI 2082
    Thur., Nov. 11 to Dec. 9 (no class on Nov. 25)
    6-9 p.m.
    Location: CS 160 (Located in the McMurry Career Center, upper campus)
    Instructors: Lisa Icenogle and Rachel Wright
    Cost: 01 – Complimentary
    02 – $8
    
    
• Genetics, Evolution, and Hominids
  This class will include a preview of basic genetic principles, an explanation of Darwin’s theory of evolution, and recent interpretations of the theory of evolution. Included in the discussion will be early Hominids, Neanderthals, and the development of modern Homo sapiens.
  • Course # OLLI 5060
    Tue. and Thur., Oct. 26 and 28
    2-4 p.m.
    Location: PS 107
    Instructor: Terry Logue
    Cost: 01 – Complimentary
    02 – $8
    
    
• Love Me or Leaf Me: Choosing and Maintaining Trees for the High Plains
  Join us for a discussion of the historic development of Casper’s urban forest and current varieties of trees that grow successfully in the community. You will learn about the introduction of new tree varieties, pests and diseases, maintenance, and get advice on hiring a tree service.
  • Course # OLLI 5022
    Thur., Sept. 16
    2-3:30 p.m.
    Location: PS 107
    Field trip: Fri., Sept. 17
    2-4:30 p.m.
    Location: Vans will depart from the Tate Geological Museum parking lot
    Instructor: Judy Logue
    Cost: 01 – Complimentary
    02 – $8
    Fee: $4
    
    
    
• Musical Menus: Aaron Copeland and American Seasonal Cuisine
  Listen and learn about composer Aaron Copeland through his compositions: Rodeo, Billy the Kid, and Appalachian Spring. Each class session will focus on a specific Copeland piece and the instructor will prepare and serve a seasonal American food item.
  • Course # OLLI 8020
    Mon., Oct. 4 to Oct. 25
    5-6:20 p.m.
    Location: PS 202
    Instructor: Kathy Kirlin
    Cost: 01 – Complimentary
    02 – $8
    Fee: $9
    
    
  • Course # OLLI 8020
    Mon., Oct. 4 to Oct. 25
    6:40-8 p.m.
    Location: PS 202
    Instructor: Kathy Kirlin
    Cost: 03 – Complimentary
    04 – $8
    Fee: $9
    
    
• Musical Menus: Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker “Sweets”
  This class will take you through Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, to gain a deeper musical appreciation of the piece. At the same time, inspired by the foods portrayed in Act 2 of the Nutcracker, you will get to sample a variety of deserts and learn about the culinary techniques used to create them.
  • Course # OLLI 8021
    Mon., Nov. 1 to 15
    5-6:20 p.m.
    Location: PS 202
    Instructor: Kathy Kirlin
    Cost: 01 – Complimentary
    02 – $8
    Fee: $9
    
    
  • Course # OLLI 8021
    Mon., Nov. 1 to 15
    6:40-8 p.m.
    Location: PS 202
    Instructor: Kathy Kirlin
    Cost: 03 – Complimentary
    04 – $8
    Fee: $9
    
    
• Natural Disasters on the Silver Screen
  No, these are not the disasters created when a bad script meets bad actors and actresses. Instead, you will be treated to four classic Hollywood films depicting a natural disaster within the context of an exciting story, with people who knew how to act! From an earthquake to a hurricane, watch some of the classics from the golden age of Hollywood BEFORE computerized special effects. The special effects in these movies are really quite amazing. This theme was selected by OLLI class members!
  • Course # OLLI 2081
    Thur., Oct. 7 to 28
    6-9 p.m.
    Location: CS 160 (Located in the McMurry Career Center, upper campus)
    Instructors: Lisa Icenogle and Rachel Wright
    Cost: 01 – Complimentary
    02 – $8
    
    
• Numismatics: A Compendium of Coin Collecting
  In this class you will learn the basics of coin collecting, including coin grading, collecting and purchasing tips, and how not to lose your shirt while building your collection. You may even learn how to make a little money while practicing this fun and interesting hobby.
  • Course # OLLI 2031
    Mon., Nov. 8 and 15
    7-8:30 p.m.
    Location: AD 284
    Instructor: Thomas Schellberg
    Cost: 01 – Complimentary
    02 – $8
    
    
• Old Books, Fresh Eggs
  Have you driven through Sweetwater Junction lately and seen a sign advertising “old books, fresh eggs”? Perhaps you thought about stopping to buy some eggs or a book but you didn’t have time. Well, now is your chance to check out the very unique Mad Dog and the Pilgrim bookstore on scenic Highway 789. Be sure to pack a lunch as we will enjoy a picnic while at the bookstore and learn from the proprietor about the business and how it came to be such an interesting store on this remote stretch of highway. Be prepared to interact with a variety of animals that live at the site, including sheep, llamas, and peacocks. This trip is rated: Easy – we will get on and off the bus several times on flat surfaces. Surfaces will be paved and unpaved at various locations. Restrooms will be easily accessible
  • Course # OLLI 2030
    Tue., Sept. 14
    8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
    Location: Van departs from Tate Geological Museum parking lot. Bring a lunch and cash for the bookstore.
    Cost: 01 – Complimentary
    02 – $8
    Fee: $3
    
    
• Peace, Power, and Passion: Exploring Three World Religions
  Here is an opportunity to learn about three different religions that have more similarities than one might imagine. In this class we will explore the similarities and differences between three streams of faith practices: Buddhism, Native American spirituality, and Christianity. We will discuss how these three faith practices relate to daily life in the 21st century.
  • Course # OLLI 2070
    Tue., Nov. 9
    6:30-8 p.m.
    Location: PS 111
    Instructor: Rev. Jack Damien
    Cost: 01 – Complimentary
    02 – $8
    
    
• Puccini in Your Pajamas: Breakfast and an Opera
  Remember getting up on Saturday morning to watch your favorite cartoons when you were a kid? Just because you are all grown up does not mean you have to miss out on that Saturday morning fun. Join us for a Saturday morning laugh Italian-style. Puccini’s one act opera Gianni Schicchi is a fun-filled opera about a con man who plays a trick on a greedy family and finds a husband for his beloved daughter at the same time. Our showing of Gianni Schicchi will begin with a short talk about the opera and the composer while we enjoy a continental breakfast. Then a showing of the opera will commence. Feel free to wear pajamas if you want to re-live your Saturday morning childhood experience!
  • Course # OLLI 2011
    Sat., Nov. 6
    8:30 a.m.-11 a.m.
    Location: CS 160 (Locted in the McMurry Career Center, upper campus )
    Instructor: Ron Alexander
    Cost: 01 – Complimentary
    02 – $8
    Fee: $6 (for breakfast)
    
    
• Quick, Hide the Christmas Tree in the Closet!: Ten Years in Saudi Arabia
  Our two instructors lived in Saudi Arabia for 10 years and were impacted by the country’s religious, political, and social traditions on a daily basis. In addition to the many insights about the economy, language, technology, and the Saudi healthcare system that they gained while living there, they also returned with boxes full of textiles, artifacts, and clothing that they will display and discuss in the class.
  • Course # OLLI 4071
    Wed., Sept. 8 to 22
    2-3:30 p.m.
    Location: BU 219
    Instructors: Nick and Carolyn Kerpchar
    Cost: 01 – Complimentary
    02 – $8
    
    
    
• Riding up the Canyon
  This two-day excursion will offer discussions involving both history and literature as humanities scholar, Shirley Jacob, reviews the issues of the Johnson County Invasion by cattle barons in 1892 and discusses yeoman ranching as it was practiced in the 19th and 20th centuries, and as it continues today. We will enjoy a special lunch at the historic TA Ranch where the climactic battle between the Invaders and the small ranchers took place in April 1892. Afterwards we will drive through scenic Crazy Woman Canyon where field science educators Dana Van Burgh, Terry Logue, and Ed Strube will discuss the natural features of the canyon. After arriving in Buffalo we will have a special dinner at the Virginian Restaurant in the historic Occidental Hotel.

  The following day we will have time to shop and visit the Jim Gatchell Museum in Buffalo before returning to Casper via Midwest where we will visit the Salt Creek Oil Field and museum. We will discuss the unique geology of the area and learn about the history of oil production in the area.

  The fee includes lunch at the TA Ranch, dinner at the Virginian Restaurant, overnight lodging with continental breakfast, and transportation. This trip is rated: ** Moderate – Some stairs or uneven surfaces; restrooms or outhouses on site or nearby; walking required; some walking may be on rock or dirt paths; expect to get on and off of the van numerous times; most of the sights are not accessible by wheelchair.

  • Course # OLLI 5011
    Pre-trip classes: Thur., Sept. 9 and 16
    3:30-5 p.m.
    Location: AD 170
    Two-day tour: Vans depart from the Gertrude Krampert Theater south parking lot at 8 a.m. on Thur. Sept. 23 and return to the same location early evening of Fri., Sept. 24.
    Instructors: Shirley Jacob, Terry Logue, Dana Van Burgh, and Ed Strube
    Fee: Single: $247
    Double: $204
    Full payment deadline is due Sept. 1
    
    
• Sights and Insights into China
  Calling all armchair travelers to join our instructors for a presentation and discussion of a 20-day trip they took through China in 2008. More than just taking pictures of the scenery, they attended lectures given by university instructors and spent time with farmers to learn what life was really like in China. They will discuss the history, social and economic systems, government versus free enterprise, and personal freedoms of individuals in Chinese society. This class is sure to be informative whether you are thinking of making your own trip to China in the future or are just interested in learning about this ancient society.
  • Course # OLLI 4072
    Tue. and Thur., Nov. 2 and 4
    2-3:30 p.m.
    Location: BU 219
    Instructors: Steve and Libby Kurtz
    Cost: 01 – Complimentary
    02 – $8
    
    
• The Role of Food in Amish Culture
  While famous for shunning modern conveniences, the Amish are also known for their home grown and homemade foods. This class will explore the role of food in the Amish culture where coming together to share food is part of fellowship and celebration within their communities. You will get to sample some Amish dishes and learn about the simple living that is the foundation of the Amish religion and society. The instructor was born in the heart of Amish country in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and her family still has ties to the Amish community.

• Course # OLLI 8005
  Fri., Nov. 5 and 12
  1-4 p.m.
  Location: PS 111
  Instructor: Robin Kepple
  Cost: 01 – Complimentary
  02 – $8
  Fee: $3
  
  
• The World of Tea: Steeped in History
  Have you always wanted to learn about the history of tea and traditions that have evolved around the drinking of tea? Why was it considered politically subversive to drink tea at teahouses or what is the difference between high tea and low tea? Learn the answers to these and all your tea questions as you take tea with us. Class participants are encouraged to bring their favorite teacup or teapot for show and tell.

• Course # OLLI 8001
  Wed., Oct. 6 to 27
  4:30-6 p.m.
  Location: TM 121
  Instructor: Ken Graves
  Cost: 01 – Complimentary
  02 – $8
  Fee: $7
  
  
• Course # OLLI 8001
  Wed., Oct. 6 to 27
  6:30-8 p.m.
  Location: TM 121
  Instructor: Ken Graves
  Cost: 03 – Complimentary
  04 – $8
  Fee: $7

• This is not Your Father’s Stock Market
  Anyone watching the news today is aware that the stock market is making history with its wide fluctuations. Stock market gurus try to forecast what is going to happen next but no one really knows for certain. In this class we will look at the stock market of the past and discuss the historical and economic factors of its highs and lows. We will discuss the difference between bull and bear markets and why the usual theories of investing may not always apply in today’s market. Please note: this is an objective opinion of one instructor meant to generate discussion about the stock market; it is not a forum for investment advice.

• Course # OLLI 1810
  Wed., Sept. 15 to Oct. 6
  6:30-7:30 p.m.
  Location: AD 286
  Instructor: John Dyrek
  Cost: 01 – Complimentary
  02 – $8
  
  

• Up, Up, and Away: Riding High with Planes and Pilots at the Movies
  Take flight with four classic flying films from Hollywood’s golden age. This four-film class will include the first film to win an Academy Award, Wings, as well as classics starring Errol Flynn, Clark Gable, and other screen legends. This theme was selected by OLLI class members!
  • Course # OLLI 2080
    Thur., Sept. 9 to 30
    6-9 p.m.
    Location: CS 160 (Located in the McMurry Career Center, upper campus)
    Instructors: Lisa Icenogle and Rachel Wright
    Cost: 01 – Complimentary
    02 – $8
    
    
    
• Wild World of Wolves
  Wyoming’s newspapers are filled with stories about the wolves that share our state. What do you really know about this native species? Learn the basics about wolves including biology, behavior, and the human impact on the wolf population.
  • Course # OLLI 5030
    Tue., Oct. 12 to Nov. 2
    6-8 p.m.
    Location: PS 111
    Instructor: Robin Kepple
    Cost: 01 – Complimentary
    02 – $8
    
    
• Fall Lecture Series

Both of these lectures are free and open to the public and there is no registration required.
We are excited to announce two special lectures, funded by the Wyoming Humanities Council as part of the Humanities Forum. The Wyoming Humanities Council provides public humanities-based programs in partnership with local organizations and is funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Bring a friend and enjoy learning about Wyoming’s rich history.

Happily Ever Aftering on a 1920s Cattle Ranch
When bestselling Wyoming novelist Caroline Lockhart decided to retire to her very own homestead, she set in motion a conflict: the happy endings of her romantic fictions and the realities of a single woman running a drought-ridden ranch. In addition to being a novelist, Lockhart was a newspaper editor and publisher who founded the Cody Stampede Rodeo. Presented by John Clayton, author of The Cowboy Girl: The Life of Caroline Lockhart. Clayton writes regularly for Montana Magazine and the Montana Quarterly.
Tue., Sept. 21
3-5 p.m.
Location: PS 103
Lecturer: John Clayton

Remembering Sunrise Mine and Its Community: Portrait of a Company Town
Using historical and contemporary photographs, Mary Humstone and Sophia Beck present a history of the Sunrise Mine and its community. The two will touch upon issues including the economic and social impact of Sunrise Mine, the role of Sunrise as an exemplary community town, living conditions and daily life in Sunrise, and ethnic relations. Humstone is a research scientist in American studies at the University of Wyoming specializing in historic preservation. Beck is the office manager for the American Studies Department at the University of Wyoming and grew up in Sunrise, Wyoming.
Fri., Oct. 15
2-3:30 p.m.
Location: EI 100
Lecturers: Mary Humstone and Sophia Beck

Registration

Please click below to receive the registration form in order to print it:

• Registration
  
  

Welcome to the National Resource Center website for the network of Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLI). The OLLI at the University of Southern Maine (USM) serves as the national center for the current network of 101 lifelong learning institutes throughout the nation.

The National Resource Center for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes plays a lead role in disseminating information on effective educational programming for older learners. In addition to providing information and connections via a website, the Resource Center will publish a national research journal, plan a biennial national conference, and provide a number of other ways for OLLIs to connect with one another.

The Bernard Osher Foundation designated the Osher Institute at USM as the National Resource Center for Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes in 2004. The Center is not a governance body so much as a center for excellence and dissemination of best practice models. Each Osher Institute reflects the culture of its own university and its learning community. The National Resource Center exists to facilitate the exchange of opinions, solutions and experiences among institutes throughout the country so that all can benefit.

About the OLLI National Network

Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes

Received Grants before November 2002

• University of Southern Maine (endowment grant in Spring, 2001)
• Sonoma State University (endowment grant in April, 2003)

Received Grant Notification in November 2002

• Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo
• CSU Bakersfield
• CSU Dominguez Hills
• CSU Hayward
• San Francisco State University
• San Jose State University
• UC Davis
• UC Riverside
• UC Santa Cruz
• UC San Francisco
• University of Vermont

Received Grant Notification in February 2003

• CSU Fullerton
• CSU San Bernardino
• UC Berkeley
• UC Irvine
• University of Hawaii at Manoa

Received Grant Notification in February 2004

• Arizona State University
• Brandeis University
• Dominican University of California
• CSU Channel Islands
• CSU Chico
• CSU Humboldt
• CSU Long Beach
• CSU Los Angeles
• CSU Sacramento
• CSU San Diego
• CSU San Marcos
• UC Los Angeles
• UC San Diego
• UC Santa Barbara
• Santa Clara University
• Sierra College (CA)
• University of Hawaii at Hilo
• University of Kansas
• University of Nebraska
• University of Richmond (VA)
• University System of New Hampshire
• University of Utah
• Yavapai College (AZ)

Received Grant Notification in June 2004

• Duke University
• George Mason University
• Kennesaw State University (Georgia)
• University of Dayton
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Minnesota
• University of Oregon

Received Grant Notification in February 2005

• CSU Fresno
• Clemson University (SC)
• Eckerd College (FL)
• Northwestern University (IL)
• Rutgers University (NJ)
• Tufts University (MA)
• University of Miami
• University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• University of North Carolina at Wilmington
• University of South Florida
• University of Texas at El Paso
• University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston

Received Grant Notification in June, 2005

• University of Alabama at Huntsville
• University of Alaska at Fairbanks
• American University, Washington, D.C.
• University of Arizona
• Hampton University (VA)
• University of Massachusetts - Boston
• University of Missouri - Columbia
• New York University
• Saginaw Valley State University (MI)
• University of South Carolina - Beaufort
• University of Southern Mississippi - Hattiesburg
• Texas Tech University
• University of Wisconsin - Madison

Received Grant Notification in June, 2006

• California State University Monterey Bay
• Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
• Colorado State University
• Florida International University
• Oklahoma State University
• Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)
• Towson University (MD)
• University of Connecticut
• University of Denver
• University of Illinois
• University of Iowa
• University of Maryland
• University of Michigan
• University of Montana
• University of New Mexico
• University of Oklahoma
• University of the Pacific (CA)
• University of South Dakota
• University of Washington
• Widener University (PA)

Received Grant Notification in December, 2006

• Boise State University, Boise Idaho
• University of Kentucky, Lexington
• Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
• University of North Dakota, Grand Forks
• Vanderbilt University, Tennessee
• University of Texas, Austin
• West Virginia University
• Casper College, Wyoming

• Winter Newsletter, 2009, Volume 3, Issue 1
• Summer Newsletter, 2009, Volume 2, Issue 3
• Spring Newsletter, 2009, Volume 2, Issue 2
• Fall Newsletter, 2008, Volume 2, Issue 1
• Summer Newsletter, 2008, Volume 1, Issue 3
• Winter Newsletter, 2007, Volume 1, Issue 2
• Fall Newsletter, 2007, Volume 1, Issue 1