Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is a non-credit program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln that offers educational opportunities for adults 50 and older.
OLLI needs your support to advance the organization and successfully meet the growing demands today and tomorrow.
After people retire from their careers, approximately 50% of individuals over the age of 60 are at risk of social isolation and one-third will experience some degree of loneliness later in life, according to BMC Public Health. It is essential to discover a sense of purpose to maintain a fulfilling life.
Thankfully the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute provides a chance for individuals to do just that. OLLI is a non-credit program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln that offers educational opportunities for adults 50 and older.
“Shortly into my retirement, it seemed natural that joining OLLI would be enjoyable and help fulfill my passion for learning,” said Mary Casner. “I agree with two statements I found on the OLLI webpage: ‘Curiosity never retires’ and ‘OLLI is for the love of learning.’”
Bob Michl, Director of OLLI, encountered a similar challenge when he realized he hadn’t planned for life after retirement. Yet, as a former high school principal, he already had a deep passion for learning, which is why he knows, based upon firsthand experience, how beneficial this opportunity is to its members.
“The reality is that research says, if you're going to improve your quality or maintain the quality of life as a senior, you have to stay physically active, mentally active and socially active.”
“That’s why we think OLLI is such an important component in people’s lives because we can offer all of these types of things,” said Michl.
With the help of over 300 volunteers and nine curriculum teams, OLLI can provide a wide variety of experiences and curriculum for its members to learn in a personalized way.
“When each new course catalog is posted, my first thought is that I wish I could enroll in nearly all of the class offerings,” said Casner.
Not only does the program provide general educational classes, but it also allows members to be active, travel and socialize.
“We teach people how to kayak and paddleboard, rock climb and we go on hikes and all these different types of things, just really creating a more balanced approach,” said Michl.
With a community of over 1,600 members, the strong connections foster a supportive environment where individuals can find the connection and camaraderie they seek. This sense of community and shared curiosity is at the heart of what makes their experiences meaningful.
“Many members want to get together and just go out to eat and have lunch and socialize…we have a lot of people that show up on Zoom before class starts, or even in person before class starts, just to talk to other people,” Michl said.
“That's important for us, we do have that sense of belonging here.”
Thanks to donor support, OLLI can continue offering the valuable experience of learning to all of its members, no matter what circumstance they may be in. OLLI is funded through the OLLI Development Fund, which is used for scholarships, volunteer appreciation gifts and recruiting events.
“Our focus with using those funds is to provide scholarships for people who are low income or on a fixed income and may not otherwise get a chance to belong to the organization,” said Michl.
Through the development fund, OLLI has goals to expand the organization and ensure that it is not a secret to the Lincoln community.
“In order to serve everybody the way we want to serve them, every donation is greatly appreciated,” Michl said.
To support ongoing educational opportunities for members at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, please consider donating to the OLLI Development Fund today.
