Rewarding Lifelong Learning

Friday, November 6, 2015

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Oklahoma State University (OLLI@OSU)received a second $1 million endowment from the Bernard Osher Foundation this past spring. The College of Education serves as the home for OLLI@OSU, which is directed by Ruth McCarthy Sirbaugh.  

The grant helps fund the engagement program that provides courses, workshops and travel trips for people 50 and older at sites in Stillwater, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Bartlesville and Yukon. 

“OLLI is a perfect example of OSU’s historic land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach,” says OSU President Burns Hargis. “The program is an incredible resource, and we are delighted the Osher Foundation has once again made a generous gift to support our efforts. 

“The success of the program is due to the many volunteers who organize and teach the courses, as well as those who continue to have a passion for learning.”

Since the program began in 2005, more than 14,000 people have taken over 600 courses through OLLI@OSU. The first million-dollar gift was made in September 2010.   

“It is so exciting to see the growth of this program and how many people it reaches,” Sirbaugh says. “This program remains committed to continuing education for seniors by providing enriching experiences that improve their quality of life through classes, travel and other activities.”

For more information on the program and upcoming classes, call the OLLI office at 800-765-8933 or go to education.okstate.edu/olli.