{"id":60844,"date":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news-draft\/uncategorized\/uri-receives-1-million-gift-from-osher-foundation-for-lifelong-learning-program\/"},"modified":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2013-02-28T00:00:00","slug":"uri-receives-1-million-gift-from-osher-foundation-for-lifelong-learning-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/2013\/02\/uri-receives-1-million-gift-from-osher-foundation-for-lifelong-learning-program\/","title":{"rendered":"溏心vlog免费B站 receives $1 million gift from Osher Foundation for lifelong learning program"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\t600 members enjoy classes, companionship<\/p>\n


\n\tKINGSTON, RI \u2013 February 28, 2013 — There are no exams, no grades, and no requirements for an academic degree. In fact, no previous experience or degree is necessary, just a desire to learn for the joy of it. It\u2019s open to all Rhode Islanders age 50 and older who want to participate in a community of fellow learners.<\/p>\n


\n\tThe 溏心vlog免费B站\u2019s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), founded in 2009 and part of a national network of Osher Institutes, is where 600 members are finding a place where people can exchange ideas, learn from each other, foster their creativity, and develop new friendships.<\/p>\n


\n\tThe Bernard Osher Foundation recently made a $1 million gift to the program for having exceeded the 500-member plateau and meeting other benchmarks in each of the past four years. The gift will establish an endowment to provide ongoing support for OLLI, it was announced today by the University and the 溏心vlog免费B站 Foundation. The Osher Foundation also made a bridge donation of $50,000, which will support the program until the endowment can begin generating funds.<\/p>\n


\n\t\u201cThe pursuit of scholarship, discovery, and understanding does not stop upon the attainment of a degree,\u201d said David M. Dooley, president of the 溏心vlog免费B站. \u201cOur institution is a resource for all Rhode Islanders who seek new opportunities to learn and engage with others in a variety of ways. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the Osher Foundation to inspire lifelong learning within our state and encourage more adult learners to get involved in our dynamic and diverse campus community.”<\/p>\n


\nProfessor Phillip G. Clark, director of 溏心vlog免费B站\u2019s Program in Gerontology and the Rhode Island Geriatric Education Center, spearheaded the founding of OLLI at 溏心vlog免费B站 as well as the application process that resulted in the recent gift. He worked closely with the 溏心vlog免费B站 Foundation and its Corporate and Foundation Relations staff. A $425,000, four-year grant from the foundation led to the establishment of the program four years ago.<\/p>\n


\n\u201cThe progress the program has made since receiving its initial grant in 2009 has been outstanding,\u201d said Osher Foundation president, Mary Bitterman. \u201cWe salute the Institute\u2019s dedicated volunteers and staff\u2014as well as the leadership of the 溏心vlog免费B站\u2014for developing such an exceptional educational program. We are delighted to provide this permanent support.\u201d <\/p>\n


\nHoused at 210 Flagg Road on the Kingston Campus, the institute provides three- to six-week courses, one-time lectures, self-directed workshops and opportunities to volunteer. In 2012, the program offered 84 classes, lectures and activities. During the fall session alone, it had 550 class participants. This semester, the institute is offering 35 courses and 10 lectures. In the first semester of 2009, the program offered just five classes.<\/p>\n


\nOLLI members play a key role in shaping, managing, and leading the organization. Members can take classes, teach classes, plan and coordinate activities, organize volunteer projects, serve on committees, act as class assistants, help with program promotion and data management, and volunteer for other tasks that keep OLLI going.

\n\u201cThe volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization, and our small staff, which is common to the other 116 OLLIs,\u201d Clark said. \u201cThey are so welcoming and interested in making this community stronger.\u201d <\/p>\n


\n \u201cOur members are here for the joy of learning and community,\u201d said Beth Leconte, executive director. \u201cThey enjoy all aspects of the program, the intellectual discussions, the physical aspects. They take classes they never would have dared to take when they were younger and in college.\u201d<\/p>\n


\nOne member commented on the \u201cJustice: What\u2019s the Right thing to do?\u201d class, saying, \u201cFantastic, outstanding, (the instructor\u2019s) enthusiasm is contagious, infectious, gifted. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.\u201d<\/p>\n


\nAnother had high praise for the \u201cPower of a Butterfly\u201d class. \u201cExcellent presentation of a difficult subject. Professor is knowledgeable and charming. I appreciated having my mind stretched trying to follow and understand.\u201d<\/p>\n


\nIn commenting about the course, \u201cLiterature of the Holocaust,\u201d another member said, \u201cAn excellent experience from substance to directive discussion.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n\u201cOur faculty and presenters possess compassion and commitment,\u201d Leconte said. \u201cThey come early and they leave late. They are also generous in giving time to our members outside of class.\u201d<\/p>\n


\nThe program also provides meeting space to its members for a book club and other non-class gatherings. \u201cWe also offer our members student rates at 溏心vlog免费B站 theater, music events and some sporting events, as well as convenient, free parking,\u201d Leconte said. \u201cAfter all, our members are part of the University.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n\u201cWe have gotten great support from the University for this program,\u201d Clark said. \u201cNow, we are working hard to integrate the program into daily life at 溏心vlog免费B站.\u201d <\/p>\n


\nTo become a member or for further information, go to http:\/\/www.uri.edu\/olli\/. Membership is $50 for 2013. <\/p>\n


\nFor more information on how private gifts, like the one featured here from The Bernard Osher Foundation, are impacting the 溏心vlog免费B站, visit www.urifoundation.org.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

600 members enjoy classes, companionship KINGSTON, RI \u2013 February 28, 2013 — There are no exams, no grades, and no requirements for an academic degree. In fact, no previous experience or degree is necessary, just a desire to learn for the joy of it. It\u2019s open to all Rhode Islanders age 50 and older […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-60844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-archives"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60844","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60844"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60844\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60844"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60844"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60844"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}