From left are Kristin Suess, Lori Payne, Diane Slovin, Carol Wright, and Elisa Victor, gathered around the OLLI Welcome Table at Victory Parkway campus
Submitted by Bob Wilhelmy
OLLI is an organization for the young at heart. OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) is affiliated with the University of Cincinnati, providing a nurturing social environment built around classes of all types for folks 50 and over.
One of OLLI’s some 1,700 enrolled members is Diane Slovin, who takes classes and volunteers on OLLI committees and boards. Currently, she is vice-chair of OLLI’s Board of Trustees. “Attending classes is a wonderful way to expand your horizons and to meet people,” she stated. Those classes are based on the love of learning, and students may sit quietly and listen or engage to their heart’s content, she said, without pressure, tests or grades. Courses on history, philosophy, art, music, language, fitness, nutrition, health, poetry, literature, antiquities, travel, and much more are offered in three terms, fall, winter and spring.
“In 2017, I started by taking classes when my work schedule allowed, since I had the flexibility to be working and taking classes. With the approach of winter (it’s here!) people tend to become more isolated and that’s not good for anybody. We all need to be social beings, and OLLI provides that opportunity to not just learn new things, but to make social connections. On a personal level, there are so many things I would like to take, just a great opportunity to learn things about any topic—so many interesting courses you have to pick and choose.”
Rabbi Gerry Walter is another veteran member of OLLI, who offers glowing reviews of the program. “I’ve been taking classes and moderating for about eight years — started taking classes, and very quickly I said: ‘This is great!’ So, I’ve been teaching classes in Bible since 2018.” Rabbi Walter has taken classes in Islam, in reading the entire work of Ulysses by James Joyce, and a class on the history of America’s moon shot, among others.
“OLLI is magnificent,” he said. “It’s an incredible resource, devoted members and moderators, and for me to get involved is great. My class meets at Temple Sholom when I teach, where I’m the emeritus; about 50 people of all religions and no religion, who want to study the greatest library of books ever written. The classes treat Bible in a literary, religious, historical sense, and also archeological. I try to do the whole shebang, and it’s not religious indoctrination at all. I would encourage anyone who is so moved to be part of OLLI — it’s great!”
As for Slovin, she says she loves the idea of learning, noting a Jewish cultural heritage that emphasizes education. At the same time, the social side of OLLI is every bit as valuable to her. “You go to classes and see lots of the same people week in and week out. (Classes are once weekly over an 8-week term.) Also, OLLI has social events, and you see people and get the opportunity to get to know them and make new friends. And OLLI is run by volunteers, so, like me, you can serve on committees if you want. Or you can moderate a class on a subject you’re passionate about,” she said. Committees include Marketing, Curriculum, Friends (fundraising), Governance and Trustees.
Moderators are volunteers as well, and some of those volunteers are retired educators from high school and college classrooms. Most moderators are OLLI members who are passionate and knowledgeable about their subjects. One quick look at the OLLI winter term class catalog on the website (UC.EDU/OLLI) will confirm that fact, since bios accompany course descriptions for each class offered. “Really, I like the aspect that you can be our age and hear from people who are well versed in a subject, have a passion for a subject and stimulate everybody’s interest in that subject,” Slovin said.
OLLI winter-term classes begin January 27 and end March 21, with online registration beginning January 3.
