About

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute – Rutgers University

Have you ever heard of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute – Rutgers University, now familiarly known as OLLI-RU? Well, if you haven’t, join most of your neighbors, friends and family. It’s probably the best-kept secret in NJ! If you have taken one course - or many - you are part of the rich tradition of learning for the pure joy of it! The backstory of OLLI-RU is told by two current members of its Advisory Council, Loretta Dumas and Sandy Bergelson, among the first students in the early 1990’s - both still curious, both still taking courses.

In 1992, Rutgers’ staff, inspired by the University of Delaware’s model, created the Rutgers University Academy of Lifelong Learning (RU-AAL).  The first classes launched in 1993: just 4 courses with 80 students. Two of those first students, Loretta Dumas and Sandy Bergelson, are still active on the OLLI-RU Advisory Council today. In 1993, Loretta was a secretary at the Rutgers University Arts Services and Sandy was the personnel administrator to the Associate Dean of Rutgers. Both report a lifelong interest in learning. The “Stay Curious” tag line captured them both!  Can you imagine how many courses they have taken collectively in the last thirty plus years? By 1996, there were 12 courses being taught. By 2018, there were 82 courses, 8 special one-day offerings and 1,165 students. While the COVID epidemic slowed operations, the program is bouncing back with 62 courses offered this fall.

In its early days, space for classes was always a major issue. Rutgers had no available space for daytime classes for older adult learners. Therefore, a member of the advisory committee rented space at the Highland Park Reformed Church where classes were offered. Though classrooms became available, adult-sized chairs were not always, and Loretta recalls sitting in child-sized chairs while studying various topics. Though curiosity was a lifelong characteristic of Loretta, at times it came at a price! Sandy recalls the early days when both the church basement and attic were used for classes as the need for more space accompanied the increased enrollment. The George St. Playhouse was also often the site of lectures followed by the plays. Day trips and overnight trips were frequent. Sandy recalls an overnight at Hyde Park with a stop at the Culinary Institute for lunch and a visit to Roosevelt’s home and Storm King. Before Covid and remote classes, various eating spots in Highland Park were frequented by students as friendships were forged among classmates. Day trips remain a special part of OLLI-RU with a trip to the Cloisters planned for the fall.

Small but vital support was provided by Rutgers in the beginning and over the years. Summer School allowed the use of their photocopier and audiovisual equipment. It also underwrote the first brochure. Rutgers University Foundation awarded a one-time grant. Beyond that, the University provided no financial support. RU-ALL paid its own way, using student fees for all expenses. Instruction was totally on a volunteer basis as was the management of the program. Mailings, announcements, and filing were all done by volunteers.

In 2005, a generous grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation led to the current name and expanded offerings, including a satellite site at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft. OLLI-RU is now part of Rutgers’ Division of Continuing Studies with dedicated teaching space in the Lifelong Learning Building and the option for in person and hybrid classes in addition to many offered remotely via Zoom.  A full-time director of the program was hired, and instructors became eligible to receive stipends for their teaching responsibilities.

A bit about the Bernard Osher Foundation. Bernard Osher is a 98-year-old businessman/philanthropist living in southern Maine. He graduated from Bowdoin College and began his career running the family hardware store in Biddeford, Maine. From there he moved to investment banking in NY and then to California where he founded World Savings which became the then second largest savings institution in the U.S. Osher, an avid art collector, purchased the auction house, Butterfield & Butterfield, which he eventually sold to eBay. Osher’s philanthropic efforts began in 1977 when he founded the Bernard Osher Foundation. Since 2001, the Foundation has funded over 120 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes at universities and colleges throughout the U.S. Every state and DC have at least one OLLI. Many other academic endeavors of diverse types have been funded by the Bernard Osher Foundation resulting in Bernard Osher being named the third most generous donor in 2010 according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

The OLLI-RU Advisory Council remains vital - reviewing potential courses, interviewing potential instructors, fund raising and assisting in efforts to increase interest and access to courses. Though not an official part of OLLI-RU, the Advisory Council confers the Marlene Pomper Award for Distinguished Teaching each semester to an instructor selected with the input of the student body. Sandy heads the process, financed by her husband, Gerry Pomper, a former RU professor of political science and regular OLLI-RU instructor, who began the award in honor of his deceased wife, Marlene.

As a long-time member of the Advisory Council, Sandy has served as its chair for many years. In fact, there isn’t an office she has not held. She recalls hearing about RU-ALL from her then husband. Since her education was of a technical nature, liberal arts were not in the program. Interested in the liberal arts offerings, Sandy retired and threw her energy into RU-ALL. While always taking classes, often in literature, the list of her activities in support of RU-ALL and OLLI-RU include teaching, making coffee, filing, mailing, running the travel program, laminating membership cards, counting, and reporting results of various questionnaires - pretty much whatever was needed. Sandy reports that other volunteer activities have come and gone. “This is the one constant since 1997.”

Loretta has served loyally as a member of the council for more than 20 years. Her love of learning goes back to childhood when she insisted on doing homework with her older sister to learn more than what she was learning herself in school. Now in her ninety-first year, Loretta shares that OLLI-RU has been a bright light throughout her life. Learning interesting new things and serving to make the program rich and available to others has brought her great joy.

Today, OLLI-RU members can explore numerous literature genres, attend movie viewing courses, engage in political discussion, creative arts, music, theater, poetry writing, history, health, finance, religion, yoga, on and on. There is surely something for everyone! Though a modest cost is involved, all courses are all without required homework or exams. Learning for the pure joy of learning!

As you consider your next class - or even teaching one - know that each member makes this organization thrive by sharing information about OLLI-RU with friends, neighbors and family members. Please explore and share OLLIRU.rutgers.edu with others and always stay curious!