Lifelong Learning

By Jennifer Verzuh

OLLI at MSU offers classes, lectures to seniors

OLLI members participate in a history course.

When retired water engineer Gretchen Rupp was approached to teach a course at the Osher Lifelong Learning institute (OLLI) at Montana State University she’d never heard of the program before. Five years later, she’s not only a member, but she’s taken several classes herself as a student and is now involved as a volunteer, acting as the chair of the organization’s executive committee. MSU’s OLLI is a membership program based on lifelong learning that offers multi-week courses, tours and one-time lectures for individuals over 50. Although all unique, there are over one hundred OLLI programs associated with public or private across the country, all of whom receive support from the The Bernard Osher Foundation. Rupp said she’s previously taught undergraduate and graduate students, but teaching those at retirement age is a “different experience.”

“They want to be there,” she said. “They

ask really {good questions. It’s a wonderful student body to deal with.” “Teaching curious adults is incredibly rewarding,” OLLI at MSU director Bobbi Geise said. “It’s very refreshing for a lot of the faculty and staff to teach OLLI members because they are so engaged and curious, and they bring their own life experience and perspective to whatever the topic is.” Their programs tend to deal with the following topics: history, arts, current affairs, culture and science. Offerings in the past have included courses on genetics,

}Montana agriculture, philosophy and even movie musicals. “There’s a little something for everybody,”

Geise said. Unlike traditional college courses, there are no tests or grading here. The focus is simply on education and connection to the community and other students. ““[It’s] learning for the fun of it,” Geise said. “Our members are curious. They really enjoy spending the latter part of their life engaging their brain and meeting new people.” Volunteerism is also a major component of the organization. The majority of programs are organized by volunteer committees based on what OLLI members are interested in. “By the members and for the members is sort of the philosophy of our organization,” she said. There is a $45 annual base fee for membership, at which point participants can participate in both the free and tuition based classes, lectures and tours. Scholarships and membership assistance is also available. “We want to be able to make this type of learning available to those that are interested,” Geise said. Geise and Rupp both agreed

“I think people tend to be much more active in the community if they tend to be thinking and interacting with other people who are curious about things.”

that the organization helps to keep folks’ minds active as they age, which benefits both individuals and the community. “Our community has a growing population of retirees, and with the rate of technology and changes in [our] lives, it’s important for people to keep their brains engaged and learn new things.” “I think people tend to be much more active in the community if they tend to be thinking and interacting with other people who are curious about things,” Rupp said. “It gives you lots of opportunities to explore all kinds of topics with help and guidance from experts.” Those interested in learning more about OLLI at MSU, membership and their previous course offerings can visit https://www.montana.edu/ olli/.

Photos courtesy of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Montana State University

Fall 2022 “OLLI Shorts” member speakers each shared an 8-minute presentation on a topic of interest.

A Note from the Editor:

Do you know a senior who should be featured in a future edition of prime? Email your suggestions to Karen E. Davis at kdavis@belgrade-news.com.

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