Page 144 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2019

OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE
join the club
A GROUP OF Doers, Learners, Thinkers ANDFriends
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos courtesy of OLLI at USM
Members of The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, OLLI for short, are active adults who share a love of learning. Members enjoy innovative and enriching programs in an inclusive environment with others who share their interests.
“Many members are retired, but it is not a requirement to join, nor do you need to be a graduate or otherwise affiliated with USM to participate,” says Paula Mathis, OLLI director. “Our members come from a wide range of backgrounds and vocations.”
There are only 123 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes in the United States. In Mississippi, OLLI programming is available exclusively at Southern Miss campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach.
“USM started an Institution of Learning in Retirement on its Hattiesburg campus in 1991, which later became the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute,” said Mathis. “At that time in 2007, OLLI USM was awarded a $1,000,000 Osher Endowment and also received
a $50,000 Bridge Grant from the Osher Foundation. In 2015, OLLI programming expanded to the USM Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach.”
Carol Ann Lewando, an initial member of the Gulf Park OLLI program, says, “OLLI has something for everyone no matter their interests. From kayaking and yoga to museum visits and classroom learning, there are opportunities for every type of learner.”
And learning is what OLLI is all about. “I always say that we’re a
group of doers, learners, thinkers and friends,” said Mathis. “Our members come from all walks of life and backgrounds, but we share the joy of continued eduction. While we learn together, we are building meaningful relationships that become a lifeline for many.”
OLLI USM has some of the lowest rates of any OLLI in the country. Membership at the Gulf Park campus costs only $40 per year with small additional fees for each course. A two hour seminar costs only $10, though there are options for longer courses that span several weeks to
a full semester. A full list of courses is available online in 11 categories, including art, health and fitness, science and technology, travel and special interests.
For those considering joining OLLI, Lewando says to give it a try. “We offer one free class before membership so you can see what we’re all about. Our membership and classes are so affordable, and it’s not a longterm commitment. I can promise you that you’ll form new interests and make new friends in OLLI.”
730 E. Beach Blvd., Long Beach Elizabeth Hall 104 228.214.3277 www.usm.edu/lifelong-learning
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OLLI Gulf Park Campus
^ Mosaic Birdbath creations by OLLI members.
^ OLLI members enjoy a meal with friends at Saltgrass Steakhouse.
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trip to the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reser ve.
^ Clay sculpting at the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art.