About OLLI

History

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Network is a dynamic consortium of more than 120 lifelong learning institutes dedicated to serving adults aged 50 and better. Funded in part by The Bernard Osher Foundation, each independent Institute is affiliated with a college or university, offering intellectually stimulating, non-credit courses and learning opportunities tailored to meet the diverse interests and needs of their local communities.

Members of OLLI at the University of California, Irvine, are learning explorers who choose to focus time and energy in extending their knowledge through a broad range of subjects — literature, history, science, the arts, and more. With vibrant minds and unbounded curiosity, we discover, share, and build social connections with like-minded individuals in a rich learning culture.

Our own story began in 1997 when a small group of mature learners, under the leadership of Rose Moldave, Joan Schwartz, Sally Schwartz, and Rayna Zeidenberg, collaborated with the Division of Continuing Education at UC Irvine to form the Academy of Lifelong Learning. Without their personal connection with the university and access to the early faculty presenters, OLLI might not have the quality it enjoys today. Six years later, with an initial grant from the Osher Foundation, the Academy became part of the growing OLLI Network and OLLI at UCI became official. Three years later, the Osher Foundation presented an endowment to the university on our behalf, which provides annual earned interest.

We have courses in three terms each year (fall, spring, and summer) to pursue topics of our own choosing. We rely on the contributions and participation of our members to develop classes, coordinate lecture series, lead small group discussions, organize activities, and serve on committees and on the Board of Directors. Members also act as course facilitators, help with administration, and volunteer for all the tasks that make us a vital organization.