June 2023 Osher Network Newsletter from the Osher NRC

Greetings from the NRC............. June 2023

June is a celebratory month for Osher Institutes. It’s the time of the year that many observe their Institute anniversaries. There are plentiful end-of-year parties and awards bestowed. And with the traditional graduations and retirements at the end of the academic year, campuses show lots of good cheer. One part of our Osher NRC’s mission is to “...celebrate the successes, camaraderie and growth in Osher Institutes.” Yes, it’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it. Which is why we’re always looking for ways to applaud OLLIs' proud moments.

This month we have a few events and people to spotlight who represent many others being celebrated at OLLIs all across the country. But I also want to make a shout out to a group of folks who may have been aptly honored locally, but nationally have been extremely important to the success of our OLLIs – the recently retired and often founding staff directors. About a dozen immediately come to mind. They are talented educators who our team has been privileged to work with over the past nearly nine years. Some of these directors intentionally delayed planned retirements until their OLLIs were out of harm’s way due to the pandemic. Their collective dedication and skills are exemplified by recently retired OLLI at North Carolina State University director Trisha Inlow-Hatcher. While I know she will blush at being the symbol of a larger group of her professional peers, and likely say her contributions were less than others, she’d be saying exactly the things each of them would say. Let me offer hearty congratulations and thanks to Trisha and ______, (you know I’m thinking about you right now).

The Osher NRC team raises our glasses with thanks and all best wishes,

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OLLI AT NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY

Tricia Inlow-Hatcher Receives the William L Turner Award for Outstanding Contributions to Extension and Continuing Education

The Osher Institute at North Carolina State University had the pleasure of celebrating Tricia Inlow-Hatcher - OLLI at NC State’s former director and 2023’s winner of the William L. Turner Award for Outstanding Contributions to Extension and Continuing Education.

The William L. Turner Award for Outstanding Contributions to Extension and Continuing Education is awarded to an individual whose significant contributions and accomplishments have enhanced and reinforced extension and continuing education as an integral component of engagement at NC State. With more than 25 years at the helm of Encore/OLLI at NC State, Tricia played a key role in extending the university to adults in retirement and, even more so, in shaping the field of Learning in Retirement on a national level.

According to Dr. Chuck Korte, founder of Encore and OLLI Advisory Council member, “Tricia had the perfect touch for OLLI. Older adults can be strong-minded. Tricia had to be in charge without making people feel like she was in charge. Tricia listened to others and followed a consensus process, but she was also determined.” As OLLI Director, Tricia created and honed a structure of member committees and processes that embraced member-leadership and enhanced member engagement in the program. In a society that privileges youth, Tricia created a structure that simultaneously serves and elevates the voices and skills of older adults.

Steve Thaxton, Executive Director of the Osher NRC summarized Tricia’s accomplishments and contributions to the field of lifelong learning on the national level. “Tricia’s careful, and always distinguished approach to the issues in our field was highly valued. Not only by the Osher National Resource Center, but most importantly by her local OLLI members and peers, Tricia has been a go-to counselor and confidant. She was instrumental in helping our unit define its future in strategic planning between 2018-2020; she was one of the handful of directors we called upon to help focus the imperative ways for OLLIs to sustain themselves after the pandemic; and she was a constant supporter of our work through presentations, articles, and even quick advice when we needed it most.”

Congratulations, Tricia, on this well-deserved recognition! OLLI at NC State gives special thanks to Chuck Korte, Carol Rahmani, John Hemperly, and Tom Hutchinson for sharing their perspectives on Tricia’s leadership as staff put together the nomination for Tricia. Their contributions helped make the nomination authentic to OLLI – reflective of member perspective.

Submitted by: Eliza Kiser, Director, OLLI at North Carolina State University

OLLI AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY

Celebrating 20 Years of Our Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at San Francisco State University marked 20 years of enriching the lives of older adults on March 23 with a special reception that featured a proclamation from San Francisco Mayor, London Breed, accolades from public officials, and high spirits among the 150 attendees at the university’s Seven Hills Conference Center.

“For over 20 years, SF OLLI has created community through its variety of courses, interest groups and outings,” said SF OLLI Director Kathy Bruin (center in photo). “It was truly gratifying to have San Francisco OLLI recognized by the university president and administrators, lawmakers, instructors, and our champion, The Bernard Osher Foundation. It demonstrates that our program is an asset not just to our lifelong learners, but to the city of San Francisco.”

Among those acknowledging OLLI were San Francisco State University President Lynn Mahoney, who spoke of the university’s commitment to serving a broad learning community. OLLI received congratulatory letters from U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla, U.S. Congressional Rep. Kevin Mullen and State Assembly member Phil Ting. State Sen. Scott Weiner and San Francisco Supervisor Myrna Melgar were welcomed guest speakers.

In a video message, Speaker Emerita and San Francisco Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi thanked “the legendary” Bernard and Barbro Osher for their generous philanthropic contribution in establishing and “enabling San Francisco OLLI to flourish.” To OLLI members, Pelosi said, “Thank you for all that you’ve done to make San Francisco a city where you can live a long, rich and fulfilling life. Your enthusiasm for staying active, informed and engaged continues to be a blessing to our community.”

“We’re so excited to serve our OLLI members,” Bruin said. “We’ve had some exciting and challenging times, but our OLLI is thriving and we are looking forward to strengthening our commitment to lifelong learners in San Francisco.”

Submitted By: Kathy Bruin, Director, OLLI @ San Francisco State University

INNOVATIVE COURSES AND CONTENT DELIVERY

Curriculum Corner

Osher Institute at Saginaw Valley State University

Springtime in Killarney

Course Length: One session

Course Instructor: Patrick Twomey, travel guide, tour operator, author and adventurer lives in Canada but has Irish roots. He embraces virtual travel as an ethical option and has guided many people on interactive, virtual tours throughout the Americas, Asia, and Europe as well as traditional in-person group tours.

Course Delivery: Live online event to a group on campus but originating in Ireland.

Course description: OLLI at Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) enjoyed an April 2023 member tour in Ireland. They designed an innovative group event for members who were not on the trip to experience a taste of the sites in Killarney, Ireland with their friends. It was a live, virtual tour with experienced tour guide and virtual travel instructor Patrick Twomey as they visited a few landmarks and rode along the roads of Killarney. The technology and added value of the trip for those back at OLLI was an exciting and innovative way to expand the experience for members. Take a look at how this event turned out in this video recording.

Of note: Sue Brasseur, SVSU senior director of the Center for Adult Learning and director of OLLI, says, “Patrick conducts virtual travel as well as being an excellent tour guide. He was our OLLI tour guide in Western Canada and in Ireland. I would strongly recommend reaching out to him. Virtual travel keeps our members connected when travel may not be an option, but the adventure can still happen, online.”

QUICK TIPS FOR HELPING OPERATE AN OSHER INSTITUTE

Quick Tip - Keep in Touch with a Newsletter

One of the easiest ways to stay in touch with new or prospective members is via your newsletter. And, one of the best ways to ensure everyone gets on the list is to have a prominent “Join our Mailing List” button easily accessible on your website. Once a curious individual has made it all the way to your website, you do not want to lose the opportunity to continue connecting with them. When they have to search around to figure out how to be in contact, some might give up and move on. Making it easy to get connected will turn many curious individuals into engaged members as they begin to receive course listings, stories of your members and instructors, and invitations to events! Make it easy to keep up to date with all of the great things going on at your OLLI!

CAREER OPENINGS IN THE OLLI NETWORK

Job Board

OLLI Program Coordinator for Curriculum

Furman University

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Assistant Director

Indiana State University

Osher Program Coordinator

San Diego State University

Assistant Program Manager

Dartmouth College

Program Assistant, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Dartmouth College

Osher Video Operator

University of California, San Diego

Administrative Support Specialist (OLLI)

Auburn University

Program Coordinator

University of California, Riverside

Is there a staff opening at your Osher Institute? Please send it to us at oshernrc@northwestern.edu