About
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute was established at the University of Arkansas in 2007 through an endowed gift from The Bernard Osher Foundation. The mission of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Arkansas (U of A) is to provide a community of mature adults with a lifelong learning venue that promotes intellectual vitality through exploration and discussion via diverse, high quality and affordable educational programs. OLLI programs are tailored to adults, 50 years of age and older, however there are no age restrictions or academic prerequisites.
OLLI at the U of A offers a variety of courses, special events and social activities to its members, who come together in a lively learning environment to explore intellectual and cultural topics of interest, share their experiences and talents, and make new friends. Courses and events cover thought-provoking and wide ranging topics from global events to the arts, from history to health science research, to important local and worldwide issues of the day. Courses and programs are led by current and retired UA faculty and community experts who are knowledgable, engaging and passionate about the topics they teach. There’s no pressure of tests or grades and no papers to write. Classes are held around Northwest Arkansas, such as Fayetteville Municipal Airport at Drake Field, on the University of Arkansas Uptown campus, Rolling Hills Baptist Church, Butterfield Trail Village, Grand Village at Clear Creek, David and Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, as well as many other sites throughout the region.
Videos on OLLI UA activities, instructors and events are available on our YouTube channel “OLLI at the U of A.”
The Bernard Osher Foundation was founded in 1977 by Bernard Osher, a respected businessman and community leader. The foundation is headquartered in San Francisco, California, and seeks to improve quality of life through support for higher education and the arts.
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes are found on the campuses of 120 colleges and universities from Maine to Hawaii and Alaska. Each provides a distinctive array of non-credit courses and activities specifically developed for seasoned adults aged 50 or older who are interested in learning for the joy of learning. The Foundation also provides support to the National Resource Center for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes at Northwestern University.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes Across the Country
Aquinas College
Auburn University
American University
Arizona State University
Berkshire Community College
Boise State University
Bradley University
Brandeis University
Cal Poly – San Luis Obisp
Carnegie Mellon
Casper College
Clemson University
Coastal Carolina University
Colorado State University
CSU Bakersfield
CSU Channel Islands
CSU Chico
CSU Dominguez Hills
CSU East Bay
CSU Fresno
CSU Fullerton
CSU Long Beach
CSU Monterey Bay
CSU San Bernardino
CSU San Marcos
Dominican University
Duke University
Eckerd College
Emory University
Florida International University
Florida State University
Furman University
George Mason University
Granite State College
Hampton University
Humboldt State University
Indiana State University
Iowa State University
Johns Hopkins University
Kennesaw State University
Louisiana State University
Northwestern University
Oklahoma State University
The Pennsylvania State University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rutgers University
Saginaw Valley State University
San Diego State University
San Francisco State University
Santa Clara University
Sierra College
Sonoma State University
Southern Oregon University
Stony Brook State University of New York
Temple University
Texas Tech University
Towson University
Tufts University
UC Berkeley
UC Davis
UC Irvine
UC Los Angeles
UC Riverside
UC San Diego
UC Santa Cruz
University of Alabama in Huntsville
University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa
University of Alaska at Fairbanks
University of Arizona
University of Arkansas
University of Cincinnati
University of Connecticut
University of Dayton
University of Delaware
University of Denver
University of Georgia
University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of Illinois
University of Kansas
University of Kentucky
University of Maryland
University of Massachusetts – Boston
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota
University of Missouri – Columbia
University of Montana
University of Nebraska
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of Nevada, Reno
University of New Mexico
University of North Carolina, Wilmington
University of North Dakota
University of North Florida
University of Oklahoma
University of Oregon
University of Pittsburgh
University of Rhode Island
University of Richmond
University of South Carolina Beaufort
University of South Dakota, University Center
University of South Florida
University of Southern Maine
University of Southern Mississippi
University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at El Paso
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
University of the Pacific
University of Utah
University of Vermont
University of Virginia
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Vanderbilt University
West Virginia University
Widener University
Yavapai College