In This Issue: A Message From the Director | A Word From Our Departing Advisory Board Members | Meet Our New Advisory Board Member | 2021 Osher Reentry Scholarships | Recording Links Expiring Soon! | Memorable Moments of the Year | Happy Summer!
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A Message From the Director |
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Dear Osher members,
The end of another semester is upon us, and I marvel that it has been a full year of Osher programs delivered 100% online! What initially was a challenge became an opportunity. In true lifelong learning fashion, we used that opportunity to make some great things happen. We expanded development of online programs, created an archive of recorded Osher programs, brought in new members from other states, and opened our doors to a new cadre of speakers from across the country. This fall, as we embrace an opportunity to return to the classroom in some capacity, we look forward to merging all we have learned, creating a much higher-functioning Institute than we were before. Speaking of the fall, I can’t wait until you see what we have planned for the next semester of lectures and courses!
The Osher Institute work continues this summer even after our final program has concluded. This month, we will host Curriculum Committee and Advisory Board meetings to wrap up the year and prepare for the upcoming year. Our Fall 2021 catalog will be posted online on June 25, so you can begin working on your schedule for the next semester. You may renew your Osher membership beginning July 1 using the online renewal link. Then, on July 6, our printed catalog will begin arriving in members' mailboxes; registration opens online that same day. Something new to watch for in the printed catalog is a monthly calendar of programs. You can pull this out of your catalog and post it where you can refer to it for upcoming programs at a glance!
On July 7, I will host an Osher Virtual Social Hour specifically to respond to any of your questions about registration, upcoming programs and presenters, classroom seating updates, and whatever is on your mind. In August, I hope to resume the Casual Coffee with the Director (with homemade baked goods) each month. I cannot wait to see each of you in person again! Watch for your email for the dates of these sessions.
There are so many individuals who should be thanked for helping me and my team this past year. First, thank YOU for your continued support of the Osher Institute. You demonstrated your support in so many ways, beginning with your ongoing membership and participation in the new livestream and recorded presentations this year. You also shared your love of learning with others by giving guest passes to friends to enjoy our programs. And, thank you for the personal emails and cards that came our way—you really made our day, week, month, and year! I also want to thank the Osher volunteers who continued to work via Zoom on creating programs, identifying amazing speakers, sharing ideas, and encouraging me and the Osher staff. The Advisory Board and all committees put in considerable time and effort investing in this amazing Institute. Your dedication, support, creativity, engagement, and hard work during this year was appreciated!
You are each missed and cared for. To take a line from the movie Nomadland: “…we’ll see you down the road.”
Dana
Dana Thorp Patterson, Director
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A Word From Our Departing
Advisory Board Members
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On June 30, four members of the Osher Advisory Board will be coming to the end of their terms of Board service. The Osher Institute has benefitted immensely from their expertise, dedication, and commitment to our organization. We greatly appreciate all they've done for the Board over the years. Here, they share their parting thoughts with us. |
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Ben Simko
Past Board Chair
Faculty Grant Committee
Track Three Curriculum Committee member
Not only was joining the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Boise State a learning experience, it was also a life-changing experience. During my eight-year tenure, I encountered opportunities for intellectual growth, teaching assignments, and leadership. Serving for seven years on the Advisory Board (two years as Board Chair) involved a whirlwind of change, challenges, and tremendous personal rewards. Helping to guide the Institute during the rapid growth in membership and assisting with the selection of a new Director was, at times, daunting. Witnessing the great staff and our members adapt to a pandemic was inspiring. It all added a unique and cherished chapter to my professional and community service résumé. As with any of my endeavors, I hope my participation in the Institute left it in better shape to fulfill its mission and to be ready to adapt to what lies ahead. Thank you to the Osher staff, my fellow Board members, and all our members for your support and for giving me the privilege to be a small part of this great organization.
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Bae Emilson
Volunteer Committee Chair
Board Development Committee member
Participating in the growth of Osher through my six years on the Board has been a delight. To pursue my goals of getting to know more Osher members and supporting Osher objectives, I embarked on several volunteer roles. My initial greeter duty led to chairing the Volunteer Committee. This committee supported the Spring and Winter Socials; welcomed members at classes and handed out membership information at Packet Pickup Day; and provided support at an Idaho Shakespeare Festival production in 2019. I also coordinated with Osher staff to refine the online Volunteer Application Form. After taking an Osher trip to Yellowstone, I joined the Travel Committee to assist in developing plans for future travel options. The committee researched and interviewed independent educational travel partners, including Road Scholar and Travel Fever, which led to successful trips in the U.S., Europe, and Mexico. The committee also designed and reviewed a member Travel Interest Survey. When both of these committees were paused during the pandemic, I joined the Board Development Committee. I provided input for the redesigned Board Application Form and interview questions, which were used in the selection of a new Board member for 2021. Although my role on the Board is coming to an end, I will continue to attend courses and volunteer wherever my skills will be helpful.
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Russ Centanni
Track Five Curriculum Committee member
My experience with Osher goes back to its origins as the Renaissance Institute. As I recall, I was one of the early presenters—number three, I think—at the Flicks Theater, where classes were held. From that beginning, and with my retirement from the Boise State University Biology Department in 2004, I gave more presentations on topics like bioterrorism, infectious diseases, the immune response, and a fun class titled "Anhingas to Zebras: A Look at Global Fauna." During my service on the Advisory Board, I also served on both the natural sciences and medical curriculum committee tracks. In that capacity, I assisted in obtaining some of the wonderful presenters we have had over the years. Another fun activity has been introducing some of our presenters who have been colleagues and past students of mine. Thank you for the opportunity to assist and serve in the development and establishment of the Osher Institute we have today.
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Susan Gibson
Scholarship Committee Chair
Track Five Curriculum Committee member
My six years on the Osher Board have been a case study in serendipity. A beloved Director retired only to be replaced by a highly competent new leader with just the right skills to handle our rapidly growing Institute. The Board developed a strategic plan focused on technical advancement just in time to accelerate the goal into the online (and soon hybrid) presence required by the pandemic. As existing staff members departed for other opportunities, new ones emerged with talents we never knew we would so urgently need. And Osher members stepped up to join the Board with an extraordinary array of talents to inspire and support the work of lifelong learning. I have been awed to witness this endeavor and honored to be part of it.
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Meet Our New Advisory Board Member |
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We are pleased to introduce a new member of the Osher Advisory Board. His term will begin on July 1, 2021.
Michael Bixby
Michael was a professor in the College of Business and Economics at Boise State University, where he taught courses on legal and ethical issues in business for 30 years. Professor Bixby retired in 2012, but he continued to teach one, seven-week MBA law class online for the next six years as a Professor Emeritus. During his career, Michael won several teaching awards and wrote two textbooks and many academic articles. He also was selected to teach four times in the Boise State/USAC Studies Abroad program, spending one semester each in Spain (Basque Country), Chile, Italy, and China.
Michael grew up in Michigan and attended the University of Michigan for both undergrad and law school. While at U of M, he met Sharon, who was from Idaho and a student in music. After graduating from law school in 1968, Michael and Sharon were married and joined the Peace Corps, serving two years as volunteers in Jamaica. Returning to the U.S., Michael practiced law in Michigan for 11 years, both as a legal services attorney and program director, and in private practice. He and Sharon came to Idaho most summer vacations to hike and camp in the Sawtooths and visit her family. When he was offered the faculty position at Boise State in 1981, they packed up their two young sons and headed to Boise, where they've spent the past 40 years.
Now fully retired, Michael enjoys hiking, golf, reading, music, travel (when possible), and spending time with his family—being a grandpa is really fun! He and Sharon are also very involved with the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights and serve as docents at the Anne Frank Memorial. Michael has enjoyed the Osher Institute from near the beginning, when it was the Renaissance Institute, both as an attendee and a presenter.
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2021 Osher Reentry Scholarships |
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Thanks to the generosity and vision of the Bernard Osher Foundation, $50,000 in scholarships are available for reentry students during each academic year.
Annual individual awards are up to $1,250 for part-time students and $2,500 for full-time students.
To be considered for an Osher Reentry Scholarship, a student must:
- Be admitted as a degree-seeking undergraduate at Boise State University.
- Be a reentry student, typically between the ages 25 to 50, who experienced a five-year cumulative gap in their college studies. (The gap does not have to include five consecutive years away from school, but five total years.)
- Enroll primarily in face-to-face courses.
- Have a 3.0 cumulative college GPA.
- Plan to participate in the workforce for a significant period of time after graduation.
- Demonstrate financial need.
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Complete the online Boise State Scholarship Application and respond to the Osher Reentry Scholarship supplemental questions within the application.
Click here to read more about the nine recipients of this year's scholarships.
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Recording Links Expiring Soon! |
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We hope you've been enjoying the recording links from all the Osher courses and lectures for which you were registered!
This is a friendly reminder that the links will expire on
June 30, 2021.
New archived options will be included on the Fall 2021 online registration page.
The new recording links will be valid through June 30, 2022.
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Memorable Moments of the Year |
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The 2020-2021 academic year was certainly one for the record books! As the pace slows down a bit for the summer, the Osher staff would like to share some of their most memorable moments from the past year.
Dana: I loved finding several silver linings during a pandemic year. One of many benefits of presenting via livestream was the new ability to host expert presenters from all over the country. I was surprised and grateful at the responses and performances of several distance presenters, but chief among them was that of Mr. David Pogue. Instead of an agent's reply, Mr. Pogue responded personally to my email, appeared grateful for the honorarium offered (which I am certain is far less than his standard speaking fee), and indicated that it would be HIS pleasure to speak to our members. "It sounds like your Osher members are the PERFECT audience for me, and I am honored to accept your kind invitation." Moments like this provide me such encouragement in all our endeavors!
Laura: I really enjoyed Osher Advisory Board member Chuck Folkner's wonderful interview with former astronaut and Director of the Johnson Space Center, Dr. Ellen Ochoa, in March. I will also always remember the warm welcome I received when I first joined the Osher team. The staff, Board, and members went out of their way to invite me into the Osher community, and I am so grateful.
Jill: I loved seeing the vibrant blossoms of the courtyard trees come to life this spring (photo above). There were also four goslings that hatched in the courtyard who were quickly—and with much squawking from Mom and Dad—moved to the Greenbelt to access food and water. I appreciated the special guests that spoke to our members at our Virtual Social Hours, such as Carole Skinner from The Flicks and Boise State President Dr. Marlene Tromp. Most of all, I feel lucky to be part of the amazing and caring community that makes up our Osher Institute every day.
Jeremy: I was overjoyed in October to meet and catch up with a group of socially distanced Osher members from the Walking SIG in the Yanke parking lot. Their friendly (and fluffy!) dogs and words of encouragement brightened my week and reminded me of the valuable connections that Osher's unique community brings to the lives of staff and members alike.
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As a reminder, the Osher staff will be working from home from Tuesday, June 1, to Monday, August 9.
If you have any questions during this time, please feel free to email osher@boisestate.edu or call (208) 426-6554.
We wish everyone a safe and healthy summer, and we
look forward to seeing you in the fall semester!
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Our thanks for the continued support from our Community Sponsors and Partners: |
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Boise State University
Phone: (208) 426-OLLI (6554)
Email: osher@boisestate.edu
Website: boisestate.edu/osher
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Boise State University operates within the Division of Extended Studies. It is a membership-based, lifelong learning program offering non-credit, college-level programs for intellectually curious adults age 50 and over.
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Osher Institute Advisory Board
Chair: Merilee Marsh | Past Chair: Ben Simko | Cindy Anson | Ralph Bild | Russ Centanni
Bae Emilson | Chuck Folkner | Susan Gibson | Dennis Hall | Rod McLean | Celeste Miller
Sharon Moses | Rainey Pieters | Virginia Rivers | Chuck Robertson
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Osher Institute Staff
Director: Dana Thorp Patterson | Program Coordinator: Laura Mehlhaff
Communications Specialist: Jill Chmelko | Administrative Assistant: Jeremy Trent
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