About OLLI at USM

Background

OLLI started as Senior College in 1997 at the University of Southern Maine. It began with a vision—a simple idea, really: to provide a stimulating program for older learners. Thanks to dedicated community and university leaders and volunteers, OLLI has now expanded into one of America’s fastest growing and leading programs in lifelong learning.

A very generous endowment gift from the Bernard Osher Foundation in 2000 encouraged expanded programming opportunities. In recognition of the Osher Foundation’s gift, the organization’s name was changed to Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, or OLLI.

OLLI at USM also houses the Maine Senior College Network and serves as the National Resource Center for Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes, a national network of lifelong learning institutes, designated and funded by The Bernard Osher Foundation of San Francisco. The network of OLLIs has expanded to over 118.

2009 sees OLLI at USM offering classes 5 days a week during term time!

The summer term of 2009 completes the first full year of the new schedule for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Southern Maine. For the first 10 years, all OLLI classes were held on Fridays. Now with the completion of our new space in the Wishcamper Center, we are able to offer classes five days a week. In the past OLLI students have been limited to 2 classes per term and sometimes the choice was difficult. With the current schedule, a student can take up 9 classes per term!

SAGE lectures are now housed in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the Wishcamper Center

Now in its 25th year, SAGE at the University of Southern Maine provides academic lecture and discussion programs chosen by its members, in topic areas such as history, culture, the arts, geography, anthropology, and science. Using University and community resources, the SAGE program provides a format in which enthusiastic learners can discover new realms of intellectual challenge and academic pursuit.

SAGE lectures will be posted on the OLLI Courses and Lectures at USM page.

For further information or problems with this page contact: OLLI at USM