OLLI at UAF - - Lifelong Learning for Older Adults
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UAF is a membership organization providing learning opportunities for seasoned adults (age 50+) in the Fairbanks area. Led by its membership, OLLI offers stimulating courses, lectures, educational travel, and special interest groups.
Members explore academic and general interest classes in an atmosphere that is intellectually stimulating, but without the stress of tests and grades. Members are invited from all backgrounds. They share the common bonds of intellectual curiosity and the experience of their generation. They are self-motivated learners, eager to share opinions, knowledge, and expertise with humor and mutual respect.
OLLI is a program of UAF Summer Sessions and Lifelong Learning. It has received generous financial support from the Bernard Osher Foundation and recognizes the generosity of benefactor Bernard Osher by using the Osher name.
Click on "Registration Form" in the menu at the left to register for:
EX10: Alaska Senior Games, meets Friday May 3 in UPark room 151, 2:30 - 4:00 pm. (*Note: this class was originally scheduled for May 2 - 3 with an outdoor hands-on component, but the weather did not cooperate with our plans.)
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All other spring 2013 classes are either at least half over or are filled.
The fall schedule will be available in early August, and fall classes will begin September 9.
Looking for materials from your particular OLLI class?
Click on "Classes and Lectures" in the menu at the left.
Then click on "Reference Materials"
The list is ordered chronologically with the most recently posted material at the top.
A "Signature Story"
in memory of Ted Fathauer's work
Click below to download the pdf of illustrated remarks Dave Norton made praising OLLI, using his experience in Prof. Bill Schneider's inspiring fall 2012 OLLI class on Signature Stories, and commemorating Ted Fathauer, all at the same time, to the local AARP group on Jan.24.
Classes
Classes are provided for the joy of learning - with no test or grades. Most classes meet once a week for four weeks during spring and fall sessions. They are taught by UAF faculty and retired faculty, Fairbanks professionals, and OLLI members eager to share their expertise. Over 100 courses are offered each year on a variety of topics. Some recent topics have included:
- Musicals by Andrew Lloyd Weber
- Epigenetics and the Aging Brain
- Digital Photography
- Alaska's 1964 Earthquake
- Conversational French
- Zumba Gold
- Edible Wild Plants
- Great Decisions (a world affairs discussion program of the Foreign Policy Association)
- Eureka! Insights Which Changed Our Minds and Our World
Video!
Instructor Neal Brown had a surprise for his class on the first day of "Looking Down On Our Planet," fall 2012.
Educational Travel
Travel programs in various locations in Alaska have become part of the OLLI learning experience. Members enjoy 4 - 7 days of learning and adventure with friends.
2013 Excursions:
* Petersburg Little Norway Festival and LeConte Gacier Cruise
* Beaver Creek Float Trip
* Rock Skipping Contest at Lake Minchumina
* Kennicott and Iceberg Lake in the Chugach Mountains
*Thorne Bay McFarland's Floatel and Raffia Basket Class *CANCELED*
*Denali National Park by Rail
Click "Travel" in the menu at the left of the page for more information about this year's excursions.
Membership
Membership is open to adults 50 and older and to their adult companions. Beginning in 2013, the annual fee is $35. The membership year is January to December. Membership includes e-newsletters, socials, special interest groups, and eligibility to register for courses and excursions.
Course fees are $15 per course - or-
$80 for unlimited courses for a half-year (Jan - June or July - Dec) -or-
$150 for unlimited courses for a full year (Jan - Dec).
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