History of OLLI-UO
OLLI in Eugene/Springfield was originally established in 1993 as Learning in Retirement. A sister site was established in Central Oregon in 2003 as the Silver Sage Society.
In June 2004, the San Francisco-based Bernard Osher Foundation selected the University of Oregon to become the first Northwest institution in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute network. The Bernard Osher Foundation awarded a million-dollar endowment to the University of Oregon in 2008 to provide annual supplemental funding for the lifelong learning program. The new program name was adopted at this time: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Oregon, with program sites recognized by their primary geographic location.
Fall 2023 marks our 30th anniversary in Eugene/Springfield and 20th anniversary in Central Oregon. Over these years, approximately 3,100 "dues paying" individuals have participated in these important community engaged programs.
Additionally, there is a National Resource Center for Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes, with the mission of connecting, collaborating, consulting and celebrating to help Osher Institutes thrive. There are more than 120 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes on university and college campuses, including in all fifty states. To find an OLLI program near you, visit the Osher National Resource Center.
OLLI-UO Historic Timeline
1990-1999
1992 President Myles Brand authorized UO’s Continuation Center to proceed with a noncredit learning program for members of the community, age 55 and older.
1993 Learning in Retirement established at the University of Oregon.
1999 Continuation Center and LIR members establish a quasi-endowment for member donations to the lifelong learning program.
2000-2009
2001 The Sylvanus and Cynthia E. Smith Endowment was established for the purpose of providing funds for special projects not covered in the annual budget.
2003 Learning in Retirement celebrates its Tenth Anniversary. Silver Sage Society established in Central Oregon per President Dave Frohnmayer.
2004 Continuation Center staff work with member-leaders at each site to develop fundraising plans. Quasi-endowment established by Continuation Center for Central Oregon donations.
2004-2005 UO becomes the first northwest university to join the Osher national network and programs are renamed after receiving a $100,000 grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation.
2010-2019
2016 OLLI–UO awarded its first $25,000 Osher Capacity Building Grant to help grow membership and support annual fundraising.
2018 Financial Sustainability Plan developed by OLLI-UO and UO Continuing and Professional Education leadership.
2020-present
2020 Launch of some programming and trial recruitment events via Zoom.
2020 Third site is launched virtually called OLLI-UO Northwest, offering participation to the northern part of the state.
2021 All OLLI-UO programs integrated across sites through virtual programming.
2022 Launched synchronous/hybrid (in-person and Zoom) classes. Members gain flexible options of how to participate in OLLI-UO.
