“Learning never retires” is the tagline for the Oklahoma State University Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, a member-driven program developed for adults age 50 and better who are interested in enriching their lives by expanding their intellectual experiences.
OLLI @ OkState offers classes in Stillwater, Bartlesville, Tulsa, and OKC, and through Zoom. Offerings include one-time classes that meet just once or several-week courses that cover a topic in more depth, as well as hands-on classes, and tours of special sites and facilities around the state. Subject matter ranges from history, science, health, the arts, and literature to more local and global issues. OLLI also hosts occasional road trips, like a recent visit to Denton, Texas, for a class on the campus of the University of North Texas along with dining and other touring stops along the way.
“We offer incredible options taught by top-notch instructors,” said Robbin Davis, OLLI director. “The diverse topics and participation formats make it easy for anyone to participate, regardless of location.”
A sampling of topics includes the history of the automobile, literature of the Revolutionary War, Oklahoma geography, jazz, Bogey and Bacall movies, the books of Laura Ingalls Wilder, JFK in Berlin, seasonal floral design, the U.S. Census, philosophy, war posters, goddess mythology, western cowboy history, memoir writing, genealogy, and Understanding America, to name just a few.
The schedule is like the semester system in most schools, except the OLLI semesters are shorter and there’s no homework, no tests, and no grades. The Fall Session runs for eight weeks beginning most Septembers. Spring Session, also about eight weeks long, usually starts in February. The Summer Session lasts about five weeks starting in May.
“We’re enrolling right now for our Summer Session which runs for five weeks from May 16 to June 17,” Davis said.
“We offer incredible options taught by top-notch instructors,” she said. “The diverse topics and participation formats make it easy for anyone to participate, regardless of location.”
Classes vary in length with upcoming start dates the week of May 16. Multi-week classes are $25 and single-session classes are $10 with some offered for free, in addition to a $40 annual membership fee. Those seeking unlimited attendance to classes offered in the fall, spring, and summer sessions can purchase a premium annual membership for $200.
“Learning new things, meeting new people, and enjoying life is what OLLI is all about,” Davis said.
For more information on the program and to enroll, please visit OLLI.okstate.edu or call 405-744-5868.
