About Us
Who We Are
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at USF (OLLI-USF) is a member-based ÐßÐßÊÓƵing community of adults age 50+. We offer classes, workshops, lectures, events and social networking. We provide high-quality, low-cost ÐßÐßÊÓƵing opportunities for seasoned adults across West Central ÐßÐßÊÓƵ.
Our mission is to provide intellectual stimulation, social interaction, service opportunities, and outreach to the university and the greater community.
It is our vision to be a world-class ÐßÐßÊÓƵing community, accessible to and meeting the needs of a diverse and growing population of older adults.
We value:
• Supportive peer-group interaction
• Life experience
• Lifelong intellectual stimulation and growth
• Physical activity
• Social engagement
• Creative expression
• The joy of ÐßÐßÊÓƵing
• An inclusive attitude
There are no grades, no tests and no pressure in OLLI. We welcome every adult ÐßÐßÊÓƵer regardless of previous college experience.
OLLI-USF's roots go back to 1993 when we were the USF Division of Senior Programs and its constituent programs, SeniorNet and Learning in Retirement. In February of 2005 we changed our name to Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of South ÐßÐßÊÓƵ (OLLI-USF) after receiving the first of several gifts from . The Oshers, Bernard and Barbro, are philanthropists who have channeled their generosity into education, medicine and the arts.
The Bernard Osher Foundation developed a network of 124 lifelong ÐßÐßÊÓƵing programs at colleges and universities in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Each program shares the common thread of providing intellectually stimulating, non-credit ÐßÐßÊÓƵing opportunities specifically for "seasoned adults" age 50 and better, where member-volunteers contribute significantly to program operations. We are one of eight ÐßÐßÊÓƵ OLLIs, three in : at USF, Eckerd College and Ringling College. We are joined by OLLIs at University of Miami, University of North ÐßÐßÊÓƵ, ÐßÐßÊÓƵ International University, ÐßÐßÊÓƵ State University and ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Atlantic University.