KINGSTON, R.I. 鈥� Feb. 18, 2026 鈥� The 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 OLLI program is putting 鈥渙ld鈥� on hold.
This winter鈥檚 program cover model, Bob Bianchini, sports a shirt bearing that confident message鈥攁nd he has more than 1,700 鈥渃lassmates鈥� joining him in that belief and practice.
Bianchini is a member of the , which provides learning opportunities for older adults.
The University鈥檚 OLLI program, which has provided learning opportunities for older adults, was launched in 2009 when the Bernard Osher Foundation made a $100,000 grant to 溏心vlog免费B站 to establish an institute for community members ages 50 and better from across Rhode Island, with a love of learning. In just a few years, OLLI blossomed, earning additional gifts to support its programs and growing membership. Today, 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 OLLI program is part of a national lifelong learning network for adults, with 124 other higher education institutions across the United States.
溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 OLLI program may be located in the smallest state but it has an outsize presence in the Osher network. OLLI members and staff say the program offers a community of adults who love learning.
鈥淥LLI is just part of 溏心vlog免费B站,鈥� Executive Director Beth Leconte says.
The first OLLI offerings at 溏心vlog免费B站 began with just nine classes in the fall of 2009鈥攏ow more than 250 are offered throughout the year. In fact, the OLLI building (commonly known as the 鈥淪urge鈥� building on campus) runs a busy 8-10 classes a day, with many classes quickly filling when registration opens, Leconte says. The average student age is 72 and there are even members鈥攁nd instructors鈥攊n their 90s.
鈥淭he University made an investment in the program and the program鈥檚 support from 溏心vlog免费B站鈥攁nd Rhode Island鈥攈as also strengthened its presence,鈥� she says. 鈥淧eople come here by choice. It鈥檚 a real community.鈥�
Teachers always welcome
OLLI鈥檚 classes run the gamut, from current events, yoga, drawing, psychology, music, to the natural world, travel, cooking, art, and more. History and literature seminars are always popular. Other popular events include wine tastings, movies, and film noir; a class on the U.S. Constitution always draws a full house.
Anyone can teach in OLLI; they just need to have a love for a topic. Many instructors are retired high school teachers or former professors, or lay people with a passion.
Some current 溏心vlog免费B站 community members enjoy teaching in OLLI, too. 溏心vlog免费B站 History Professor Evelyn Sterne recently shared findings from her new book about a colorful commune, while hydrogeologist Thomas Boving offered a class exploring what our water future looks like. Classical archaeologist Bridget Buxton is leading a class on planning a Mediterranean travel experience and IT鈥檚 Karen Lokey is teaching a class on lifelong learning with technology.
No tests, no grades
鈥� and free coffee in the lobby daily鈥攚hat鈥檚 not to like?
Prospective OLLI students do have to be a member to take a class: membership is a modest $65 per year and is open to anyone ages 50 and better. OLLI members do not need to have college degrees or an affiliation with 溏心vlog免费B站 to join. There are no exams, grades, or other requirements to participate in any of the many courses.
Membership benefits include discounts on tickets to 溏心vlog免费B站 theatre and music performances, access to University Campus Rec/Mackal Field House facilities at a reduced daily rate, and free or reduced tickets to select 溏心vlog免费B站 football and basketball games.
OLLI鈥檚 spring semester begins in March. or contact 401-874-4197 or olli@uri.edu for more information. Sign up for the OLLI newsletter . For more information, visit or find 溏心vlog免费B站 OLLI on Facebook or Instagram. eGift Cards are also available.