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Greetings from the NRC May 2016
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May brings closure to the academic year on campuses and often year-end celebrations to Osher Institutes. Those celebrations frequently include looking back on memorable occasions and milestones in our OLLI year. In this issue of the OLLI Newsletter, we look back on a poignant lecture of personal experience from a Holocaust survivor and alumnus of the University of Richmond; we hear about a real "gem" of an event at the University of Arkansas; we find a link to a public broadcasting produced video featuring OLLI at the University of North Carolina, Asheville; and we celebrate a statewide award in
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Tulips bloom on Northwestern University's Chicago campus |
Ohio that recognizes the Osher Institute at the University of Dayton as a leader in that state's robust continuing education field.
As you reflect on your own OLLI program's year, take a few minutes to consider the contributions of your volunteer and staff leaders who help keep the program thriving - those that help improve the offerings, who teach, innovate, and tenaciously work for your institute. It might be time to formally or even simply express thanks for their efforts. There's nothing like a sincere thanks to inspire us to keep doing good work.
Happy Mother's Day and Memorial Day to all of our colleagues in the Osher Network!
Steve Thaxton, Executive Director
National Resource Center for Osher Institutes
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OLLI at University of Arkansas
Real or Fake? The Great Jewel Hunt
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"The Great Jewel Hunt" took members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Arkansas on a two day historical adventure where they learned new and useful details about gems, jewelry and precious metals.
Tom Paradise, a certified gemologist in the United States (GG, CJ) and Europe (FGA) as well as the institute's advisory council chair, gave a lecture on the first day of the event, about the early history of jewelry dating back to the  Victorian period. The lecture discussed jewelry not only as a commodity, but also as a means of currency and wearable art over nearly 200 years.
"Dr. Paradise is simply marvelous as an experienced and engaging instructor," says Essie Anderson, a charter member. "Something can always be learned from Tom regardless of the setting," another member noted.
The lecture took members through the evolution of jewelry beginning in 1820, to the ways in which present technology have now elevated and advanced the designs and progress of this art form. Jewelry has been enormously influenced by powerful world leaders and involves many different educational backgrounds such as science, history, politics, art, and fashion design. "The history of jewelry and jewels isn't what people think it is; it links art to materials, architecture, social mores, politics, fashion, and world discovery," Paradise said. 
Paradise also conducted a jewelry and gemstone identification clinic. OLLI members and other residents of the Northwest Arkansas community were invited to bring an item or two to be evaluated by Paradise. For a $10 donation per item, attendees were able to visit individually with Paradise to learn the history of their most precious heirlooms.
"Several years ago, I inherited a lovely strand of beads from my grandmother. They are precious to me regardless if they are real or just of sentimental value. I was excited to learn what they are made of and more about their history," said Susan Tonymon, previous director of the OLLI at University of Arkansas.
The event provided a local high school student, who is aspiring to be a gemologist himself, the chance to sit with Paradise as he conducted the evaluations. "It was great to see firsthand how the evaluation process works, the equipment needed and to learn more about the history of jewelry," the student said. 
The clinic was an opportunity for OLLI at the U of A to provide an exciting program for its members as well as engage with the community while also raising money to help support its great programs. "It's a nice act of community service for the university and for the Osher Institute. I hope the visitors appreciated the practical advice on what they own," Paradise said. "There is a certain peace of mind and value in knowing if what you have is real or fake."
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OLLI at University of North Carolina, Asheville
When I'm 65
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The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at University of North Carolina, Asheville is featured in a video entitled
Lifelong Learning for Retirees
created by the healthcare and lifestyle division of Detroit Public Television called
When I'm 65
.
When I'm 65
examines "
how the times and timing, even our own psychology, affect us all and offers can-do action plans to answer the questions posed by Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, and Millennials alike."
Through personal interviews, the producers of
Lifelong Learning for Retirees
note that "for members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Asheville, NC retirement isn't about endless leisure time. Instead it means an open door to the pursuit of knowledge and community."
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Click on the photo above to watch the 5 minute video |
Catherine Frank, director of the OLLI at University of North Carolina, Asheville notes that the video "captures beautifully the spirit and vitality of our OLLI program."
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OLLI at the University of Dayton
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Each year the Ohio Continuing Higher Education Association (OCHEA) bestows Program Excellence awards upon individuals and institutions that are making exceptional program development contributions to continuing higher education in Ohio. Nominees are individuals or institutional members of OCHEA and come
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Dr. Barbara Hanniford, Awards chair for the Ohio Continuing Higher Education Association, Julie Mitchell, Osher Institute director and Paul Vanderburgh, associate provost at University of Dayton |
from throughout the state.
This year an award was presented to Julie Mitchell, director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Dayton. The Osher Institute was acknowledged for the structure, seminars and curriculum that benefits the Dayton community. One University of Dayton component of particular note to award judges was the recently established
Connecting Generations and Cultures program. This program gives members an opportunity to establish a connection between community organizations and the members' personal and professional life experiences, along with the new things they are learning in the classroom.
Congratulations to Julie and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Dayton, for a job well done!
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Osher Institute at University of Richmond
A Wrench that Saved a Family
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Jay Ipson addresses OLLI members |
On March 31, Holocaust survivor Jay Ipson spoke to members of the University of Richmond's Osher Institute and others in the university community.
His story, A Wrench That Saved a Family, recounts how on October 28, 1941, 27,000 Jews in the Kovno Ghetto in Lithuania were forced to line up in rows. A German SS Sergeant, holding a riding crop, came to the head of a row and asked, "What is your profession, damn Jew?" He sent scholars, businessmen, rabbis, and other professionals to the left, while manual laborers were sent to the right. Israel Ipson, Jay's father, was a lawyer and businessman, but said he was an auto mechanic. Thankfully, when put to the test, Israel proved able to repair vehicles, which saved his life.
A few years later, in October 1943, Jay and his mother waited in line in Kovno Concentration Camp to be deported to Riga, Latvia. A Jewish ghetto policeman pulled them out of the line and sent them home to rejoin Jay's father, but the rest of his mother's family were deported for execution. Jay and his mother were the only two people to survive out of 5,000. (They are standing to the left of the pole in the photo.) 
After escaping the ghetto with his parents later in 1943, they hid for 9 months in the countryside where they spent 6 months underground, hiding in a potato hole. Jay and his family endured bleak post-war conditions until the family immigrated via Munich to the United States when he was twelve.
Jay's family settled in Richmond, Virginia, where Jay attended the University of Richmond. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve, was a successful local business owner, is a frequent lecturer in schools and universities, and is co-founder of the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Richmond.
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Osher NRC 2016 Webinar Series
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Mark your calendar for the next webinar on May 18, 2016 beginning at 2:00pm Eastern/1:00pm Central/noon Mountain/11:00am Pacific/10:00am in Alaska and 9:00am in Hawaii. It is entitled: Listen Up, OLLI.
 Classrooms are difficult acoustic environments. There are many factors that contribute to a less than desirable experience for those who have some level of hearing impairment. Among them are distance from the talker, background noise, and reverberation off hard surfaces. If the message can't be heard, it takes more cognitive resources to learn and think about the materials. There are many things the presenters and participants can do in order to create a productive learning environment so that all can hear, communicate and participate. This webinar will share some simple, low cost, practical tips that assist in resolving these issues.
Join Dr. Pamela Souza from Northwestern University's School of Communication Sciences and Disorders and OLLI at Northwestern University director Kirsty Montgomery as they talk about building a culture of awareness of hearing loss.
If you have interest in being a presenter on any of the above topics, or have ideas for other topics, please contact Diane Venzera (diane.venzera@northwestern.edu).
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An Advice Column for Osher Institute Staff and Volunteers
Dear Olli
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Dear Olli, 
One of my best OLLI friends has hearing loss but just won't admit it. I watch as she tries to follow along in class and asks me what was just said. After repeatedly suggesting she see an audiologist, I'm giving up hope. What do you suggest I do for her and for others who I see struggle in our classes?
~Listening Hard
Dear Listening,
You are a caring friend to display patience even as your resistant friend(s) avoid getting help. And there are a number of things that you and others can do to help fellow member/students have a better experience. According to Dr. Pamela Souza, from Northwestern University's School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, building cultural awareness is key. Becoming aware of hearing loss as a problem affecting many (maybe most) members costs nothing and is the first step for any institute. It involves engaging in dialog about how presenters and members can be mindful of things like facing the group when talking; making sure your face and mouth are visible when speaking; limiting talk to one speaker at a time; keeping doors and windows closed to minimize outside noise; using the subtitles/caption feature on videos whenever available and encouraging people who have hearing loss to sit strategically near to the primary presenters in class.
These and many other excellent ideas will be included in an OLLI Webinar coming up on May 18th. Join Dr. Souza and OLLI at Northwestern University director Kirsty Montgomery for Listen Up, OLLI. Details on time and registration appear above in this newsletter.
~Olli
Have a question for Olli? Please send it in care of Stacey Hart at the NRC:Stacey.Hart@Northwestern.edu
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Educational Travel Ideas from In and Outside the OLLI Network
The OLLI Traveler
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Osher Institute at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
New York City Theater Tour: The Best of Broadway
 Visit the theater capital of America on a four-day adventure with Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Executive Director, Kim Beck. Fly nonstop to New York City, see four top Broadway shows, stay in the heart of the Theater District at the Hilton Garden Inn, and experience some of the Big Apple's most famous cultural sites. Visit the Osher Institute at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
website for further details.
Dates:
Nov 10-13, 2016
 OLLI at University of Miami
OLLI Goes to Italy
This unique study/trip/adventure is offered in coordination with partner, the American University of Rome. Experience magical, medieval Capranica, Italy with our 10-day trip. Learn from local experts about Italian art, architecture, history, and culture. Taste the wine and the food. Learn and speak the language. Have fun in a cooking class. Visit an olive oil mill. Experience a chocolate factory. Enjoy a wine tasting. Visit the OLLI at UM
website for further details.
OLLI at Furman University
Multi-Sport Adventure: Sea Kayaking, Bicycling and Hiking in Maine's Acadia National Park
Enjoy a spectacular outdoor adventure and experience seaside cliffs, ocean air and breathtaking views atop the highest peak along the Atlantic Coast. Offered in partnership with Road Scholar. Visit the OLLI at Furman
website for further details.
Dates: September 11-16, 2016
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Interesting Facts to Know and Talk About
Did You Know...?
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- Nationally, more than 40% of OLLI members age 74 and below use Facebook.
- The brain is conditioned to forget completed tasks and focus on more uncomplicated ones, so if you want to remember something that you're studying, take breaks to do unrelated things.
- Those with more education and higher incomes are more likely to engage in lifelong learning.
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Career Openings in the OLLI Network
Job Board
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Executive Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Classroom and Facilities Coordinator, OLLI
Program Coordinator, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Administrative Assistant, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Program Assistant 2, OLLI
Is there a staff opening at your Osher Institute? Please send it to us at oshernrc@northwestern.edu
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