Pitt's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Receives $1 Million Endowment

PITTSBURGH-The University of Pittsburgh's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)-which offers a wide array of courses to adults 55 and older-has received a $1 million endowment from the San Francisco-based Bernard Osher Foundation.

The gift will allow OLLI, which operates within Pitt's College of General Studies, to continue to offer noncredit courses to its membership of more than 700 people. OLLI members also have the opportunity to audit two Pitt undergraduate courses a term, taught by the University's premier faculty. Members pay $100 a term (or $180 for an annual membership) and choose as many OLLI classes as they like. Most courses meet for two hours a week for five weeks. Members are given an OLLI photo ID card for admission to Pitt libraries and shuttles and a Pitt computer account. for access to e-mail, the Internet, and a 24-hour help desk.

Over More than 50 unique and wide ranging OLLI courses are offered this fall. They include exploring Brazilian music, studying the history of the Pittsburgh streetcar, gaining an appreciation of fine wine, and learning more about the culture of Ireland. A complete catalog is available at www.cgs.pitt.edu/osher. In granting the endowment, the Osher Foundation praised OLLI director Judith Bobenage for making "remarkable progress" since the program's inception in January 2005.

OLLI is hosting two free Open Houses from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on July 24 and Aug. 8 on the fourth floor of Pitt's Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Fifth Ave., Oakland. Interested parties can learn more about course offerings and hear from current OLLI students about their experiences. Four courses will be offered for the first time at the Monroeville ExpoMart, directly in front of The Monroeville Mall, on Business Route 22.

For more information, call 412-624-7308 or visit www.cgs.pitt.edu/osher.

###

7/20/07/tmw