April  2013

 

OLLI at the University of Nevada Las Vegas is thrilled to partner with the OLLI National Resource Center's conference team to represent the OLLI network at AARP's Life@50+ National Event and Expo in fabulous Las Vegas. OLLI at UNLV volunteers will be staffing the booth for the three-day event (May 30-June 1), which will highlight the national presence of Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes while promoting UNLV's own unique OLLI experience.
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Over 22,000 people attended AARP's last Las Vegas conference in 2009. "The opportunity to partner with the National Resource Center to showcase the benefits of our program on this scale is fantastic," says Dr. Peg Rees, Director of OLLI at UNLV and Vice Provost of Educational Outreach. "Our goal is to have every attendee at the conference buzzing about their local OLLI, whether they live here in Las Vegas or are visiting from across the country." If you plan on attending, make sure to drop by the booth and say hello to the OLLI at UNLV volunteers.

For more information on AARP's Life@50+ conference, visit the conference website.

-submitted by Rich Easter, Operations Coordinator, OLLI at the University of Nevada Las Vegas

Members of the Curriculum Committee at U Nebraska spell out "OLLI." (Photo by John Keller)

The OLLI at the University of of Nebraska's Curriculum Committee is so large that it is hard to get them all together. But 38 members of the committee managed to hold still long enough to spell out "OLLI" for the photo shown above!

- submitted by Dee Aguilar, Coordinator, OLLI at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska.

 

Otto Ross celebrating his 100th birthday at the CSU Long Beach OLLI with many friends. (Photo by Jack Blecher )

Otto Ross was born in Nuremburg, Germany, on November 13, 1912, and immigrated to the United States in 1931. Otto felt fortunate to be in the United States in the 1940's when Hitler came to power in Germany. He brought his parents and sister over. His brother was hidden by friendly Germans all during the war and visited America after the war. Otto was drafted into the US Army and after almost four years in the service, he settled in California.

- story by Sylvia Manheim, OLLI at California State University Long Beach

Historic Michie Tavern, Charlottesville, VA

What could be more apt for a series of lectures on "The Fascinations of Thomas Jefferson" than giving those lectures in a historically significant building just down the road from Monticello? One of three lecture-and-lunch events that the OLLI at the University of Virginia held in partnership with the Michie Tavern, this year's lecture series discussed Jefferson's interest in science, his architectural legacy, and Monticello's amazing gadgetry.

- Story by Alice Faintich. Submitted by Joan Kammire, Board President of the OLLI at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia

Wade Burch, one of the OLLI at FSU's many volunteers, plans a field trip for OLLI members.

OLLI at Florida State University (FSU) is setting new records for volunteer involvement. From planning and executing a social event that supports our scholarship fund to making coffee for thirsty students taking class breaks, from serving as an officer or committee chair to getting newsletters ready for mailing, OLLI at FSU volunteers generously contribute their time, ingenuity and energy.

-submitted by Fran Conaway, chair of the Volunteer Committee and Chair of the Communications Committee, OLLI at Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida

 

Members of the OLLI at U Delaware attended a class on healthy aging led by doctoral student Jody Greaney. (Photo by Evan Krape)

How does aging affect hormonal regulation? Can resistance training ward off bone and muscle loss? What are the cardiovascular benefits of fatty acids?

In a class called "Evidence-Based Healthy Aging," students at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Delaware are getting the answers to these and other health-related questions directly from faculty and graduate student researchers.

Led by an associate professor in UD's Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology (KAAP), the semester-long class features a slate of speakers delivering interactive lectures on topics including cardiovascular fitness, exercise training theory, musculoskeletal health, and Alzheimer's awareness. The graduate students get to share their research with an interested audience...and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute members get valuable health information-a win-win situation!

The complete story is available online.

- submitted by Tara White Kee, for the OLLI at the University of Delaware

Pictured, from L to R, are Don Baker, OLLI member and Current Economic Topics course instructor, Dr. Wolfe, and Carl Pinkert, Associate Vice President for Research at Auburn University.  (Photo by Linda Shook)

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Auburn University recently hosted Dr. James Wolfe, President of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM). Dr. Wolfe served as guest speaker for the OLLI course Current Economic Topics taught by Don Baker.

-submitted by Linda Shook, Coordinator of the OLLI at Auburn University in Alabama

UNF/USF OLLI Workshop (L to R): Howard Taylor (UNF OLLI ED-ventures Team Leader), Dennis Sullivan (UNF OLLI President Elect), Mary Keene (UNF OLLI Recording Secretary), Billie Hayward (UNF OLLI President), Kay Menzel (USF OLLI Past President), Cyndy Rylant (UNF OLLI Member Relations Team Leader), and Nancy Lundgren (UNF OLLI Curriculum Team Leader). (Photo by Jeanette Toohey)

On March 28, University of North Florida (UNF) OLLI President Billie Hayward hosted University of South Florida (USF) OLLI Past President Kay Menzel for a visit designed to share USF OLLI's Leadership Development Program with UNF OLLI's Leadership Council. The following day Kay participated in a workshop with UNF OLLI's Executive Leadership Team (shown above) in which UNF's leaders assessed current UNF OLLI leadership development practices and explored opportunities to design a more formal program. Later in the day Kay's husband, Don, presented a riveting program on "The New China" to nearly 60 UNF OLLI members. Their joint visit was a wonderful inter-OLLI learning exchange. Special thanks to Kay and Don Menzel for their generosity!

-submitted by Jeanette Toohey, Director, OLLI at University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida

 

The 2013 Southern Regional Conference for Institutes of Learning in Retirement is being hosted by the OLLI at the University of Georgia, Athens, from July 24-26. Built on the theme "Engaged Minds, Enriched Lives," the conference will focus on techniques for improving lifelong learning programs, which provide educational, social and recreational opportunities for mature adults. Registration information is available online.

Relatively Disengaged

This 12-minute video dramatizes in a non-condescending way the issues that make older adults stop using technology, even if they got started. It is from the UK (enjoy the Scottish accents!) so the specific organization it refers to does not exist in the US.