Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
at California State University, Chico
Video Transcript: Leslie Howard : “… the thing that
is really exciting about learning in retirement is how stimulating it is.” Jim McMillian : "Gets them out, gets them to meet other
people. It gets them involved, that's really what it does". John Sutthoff : “A
quarter of the people in Butte county are 60 and older, and if you go down
to 50 or older it's about 1/3” John Jans : “…I am one who
believes that you lose it if you don't use it. And so at least one day
a week I am presented with a number of subjects that I'm interested in,
that are presented by people who are both interested in and sometimes passionate
about them.” Virginia Peterson : “…to me this is like high
school for senior citizens, so if you liked high school, if you liked it,
you'd love this, and if you didn't like it you'll love this anyways because
it is so much better.” Narrator : These enthusiastic retired folks share at
least two things; A love of learning and the belief that engaging with
their peers in a positive educational environment improves their quality
of life. Another thing they share is their involvement with the Osher
Lifelong Learning Institute at California State University, Chico.
That which is now known as OLLI grew from the popular Prime Timers program
that began at Chico State in 1989. For nearly two decades, the University
has sponsored a peer-led, learning in retirement group, giving the opportunity
of education, intellectual stimulation, and peer contact to retired people
in the Chico and nearby communities at an affordable cost and without
tests or grades. Through the generous support of the Bernard Osher Foundation,
Chico has joined a network of more than 90 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes
initiated at universities and colleges around the nation. One of the
reasons OLLI enjoys such great success is because of the variety of interesting
and stimulating classes offered. A typical schedule contains more than
30 peer-led classes covering everything from current events discussion
through physics, with lots of literature, writing, history, and language
study in between. There truly is something for everyone". Virginia Peterson : “… Ever
since I started, I've been a member for Cracker Barrel which is usually
a Monday morning class, and we discuss current events. And that's fun because
you know all weekend long everybody's reading the newspapers are all full
of it what's going on in the world and then we come to class and we discuss
it.“ John Jans : “About every three or four months I will
present a program on a news item, an article, a book, something that
I have read. I'm egotistical enough to want to make that good, so I rehearse
a lot. And people think, boy, he's terrific. He just reels this off!
Right. I've practiced that sucker for a long time, because I want it
good.” Jim McMillian : “…I think the French class I enjoy
the most. Mainly due to the people I have met through it. We are getting
to be a pretty close knit group and we meet for coffee at Barnes and
Noble for a study group and it's fun.” Leslie Howard : “I'm currently signed up. I'm going
to take 10 classes this semester. I keep telling myself, “I have to cut
back,” but every time I look at the class offerings, I say, “I can't
let this opportunity go by. I need to know about this thing.” Narrator : One of the most appealing and practical
aspects of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute classes is that they are
peer-led. The peer-leaders are all volunteers, and they represent the
cream of the community's retired educators, civic leaders, and other
knowledgeable and enthusiastic individuals. John Sutthoff : “…We're blessed by being in a University
town, so that there is sort of an under core of faculty. We have 39 classes
and let's say, I'd say ten or less are taught by what you might call “profs”. The
rest are all taught by high school teachers who have been here in town
(the Ernie Clapton), the others are taught by people
who just have unique backgrounds that you wouldn't, and who want to share
it with people.” Leslie Howard : “I think people do find
that they are very comfortable with our experience with peer led education,
that it's a comfortable and safe place to be in these classes for sharing
ideas. And they get drawn into these connections they are making.” Narrator :
Anyone who is 60 years of age or retired is eligible for membership in
Olli. The affordable annual fee includes as many classes as you care to
take through the year. In addition, there are monthly membership meetings
as well as a monthly newsletter. A “Welcome
Back” meeting is held just before classes begin each fall and spring
semester. Here registration and class sign up is accomplished. Jim McMillian : “ …A
lot of people, retired people who have a lot of time on their hands and
have never heard of the OLLI program, so I think it's up to us to get the
word out and get them involved in it. I think they would enjoy it. I know
the ones who are in now have a really good time.” Virginia Peterson : “And
now at the end of our lives we have time again, our brains are still good
and this helps our brains to stay good, and so we're able to focus on learning
things again and rediscover the great pleasure of learning." John Jans : “It
keeps the wheels turning in your head. You don't want to watch television
all day, you should be out there thinking and listening and questioning
all sorts of approaches to all sorts of problems.” John Sutthoff : “I think it really is, you know, like
any education, it opens up visions to you that you never could have imagined
and as a result of that you begin to look more thoughtfully on maybe
world subjects…” Leslie Howard : “…I think that exercising your mind
is one of the most important things that people can do for their well-being.
And as you say, when you're retired and you get to make those choices
about how you are going to spend your time, if you can give yourself
a little bit of that structure…and that structure will keep you on track
of continuing to explore. So I think having the amount of structure that
we have where we have regular classes to attend is a real valuable thing.” Narrator : The Osher Lifelong Learning institute is
an exceptional opportunity. For much more information please call (530)
898-6679. Or visit our website.
Check out the video below...
and join the Osher Lifelong Learning
Institute at Chico State today!
