45th Anniversary

Celebrating 45 Years of OLLI

OLLI friends and colleagues,

This spring, I had the privilege of interviewing the “founding mothers” of OLLI at Duke, originally called the Duke Institute for Learning in Retirement (DILR). Jean O’Barr, Judith Ruderman and Sara Craven played key roles in OLLI’s early development. I left each conversation feeling inspired and humbled by the leadership and support they provided to the organization, which prepared the way for it to grow into the lifelong learning program that enriches so many of our lives. I also learned about the many challenges OLLI at Duke faced and overcame to become the vibrant, financially sustainable organization it is today.

I had the opportunity to interview most of OLLI’s past presidents and Bill Wright Award winners as well. These volunteers invested thousands of hours into building the tradition of excellence we endeavor to uphold today. We also owe a debt of gratitude to former OLLI directors, especially Sara Craven, Catherine Frank and Garry Crites, and to current director Chris McLeod. Thanks to their collective efforts and those of the OLLI staff, OLLI at Duke is recognized as a national leader among its peers for its robust curriculum and timely efforts in diversity, equity and inclusion.

To begin celebrating OLLI’s 45th anniversary year, we will be hosting an OLLI birthday party at the Washington Duke Inn in September. All instructors and members will be invited. We will also be hosting a special 45th anniversary celebration in the spring of 2023. Please watch the OLLI newsletter for details.

I hope you take time to review our Fall 2022 catalog and find a few courses of interest. I look forward to seeing you in class very soon! It’s wonderful to be able to say “See you in September” again!

Yours in OLLI, Marion Jervay, President, OLLI Board of Advisers

Founding Mothers

From left: Jean O’Barr, Director of Continuing Education; Judith Ruderman, Vice Provost for Academic and Administrative Services; and Sara Craven, Director of DILR/OLLI 1987-2006

Judith Ruderman holds a photo of OLLI members Percy and Alice Luney with Bill Wright (left), OLLI president 1984-86, for whom the highest volunteer award is named.

Fun Facts

OLLI past presidents at the 40th anniversary celebration in 2017 — back row: Gregg McPherson, Mike Bahnaman, Richard Ellman and Phil Hopkins; front row: Jack Gartner, Wendell Musser, Ginny Knight and Rita Weimer — with Steve Thaxton (far right), National Osher Resource Center.

The OLLI Zoom Team’s first meeting, March 2020. Clockwise from top left: Beth Anderson, Betina Huntwork, Kathy Parrish, Chris McLeod and Howard Koslow. • 67% of members have been in OLLI for more than five years • The ratio of women to men is seven to three

• Membership increased from 43 in 1977 to 1,513 in 2022 • 72% of members hold a master’s degree or higher • Half of members have one or more affiliations with Duke, as alumni, parents, faculty/staff and/or retiree. • 90% of members have recommended OLLI at Duke

• OLLI members cover four generations, ages range from 40s to 90s

• One in ten members is over 80— we never stop learning!