News Release

August 3, 2007

Boise State's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Announces Fall Schedule of Short Courses, Lectures

Boise State University’s newly named Osher Lifelong Learning Institute will begin the fall season with the largest schedule ever offered to adult learners in the Treasure Valley.

Formerly the Renaissance Institute, the organization celebrated its fifth year at Boise State with the receipt of a $100,000 grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation and a name change.

“Adult learners will be impressed with the courses and programs that we will be able to extend to them with the help of Osher funds,” said Mark Wheeler, dean of Extended Studies.

The $100,000 first-year grant is renewable for two additional years. After the initial three years, programs that are thriving (demonstrated by 500 active members engaged in a vibrant curriculum) qualify for consideration for permanent funding in the form of a $1 million dollar endowment. Until Boise State’s successful application, Idaho was one of only a few states that did not have an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Boise State’s program joins other institutions across the country that have OLLI programs, including Duke, Clemson, University of Cal Berkeley, Rutgers, Carnegie Mellon, Washington and Utah.

Billed as a spa for the mind, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is a membership-based program for the adult community, offering a series of lectures, noncredit courses, and special events. The Institute is offered through Boise State’s Division of Extended Studies and in cooperation with local organizations. It is open to anyone who wishes to participate.

Membership includes seating at lectures in the independent lecture series and the opportunity to register for the institute’s short-term courses. Membership fees are $30 for one season or $50 for two consecutive seasons with discounts for second family members and Boise State Alumni Association members. For more information, visit www.boisestate.edu/osher.

The fall lineup is as follows:

Short Courses

The Basques!
7-9 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 13, 20 and 27. Instructors arranged by Basque Museum and Cultural Center.

Baroque Music and Improvisation
Noon-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 11 and 18. Director Dan Stern of the Boise Baroque Orchestra and guest musicians from the orchestra.

Sports in the USA
10 a.m.-noon Mondays, Sept. 17 and 24, Oct. 1 and 8. Instructor Jim Odenkirk.

Our Changing Boise River Landscape and Its Implications on Community
10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays, Oct. 2, 9 and 16. Instructors Peter Goodwin, Allyn Meuleman, David Blew, Susan Stacy and Stephen Sweet.

The Question of God
10 a.m.-noon Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 24 and 31, Nov. 7 and 14. Facilitator Rev. Elizabeth Greene.

Discovering a Treasure of Indian Literature
10 a.m.-noon Mondays, Nov. 5, 12 and 19. Instructor: Mohan Limaye.

The Role of Friendship and Bipartisanship in Politics
Noon-2 p.m. Thursdays, Nov. 8 and 15. Instructor Steve Ackerman.

Lecture Series

A President’s Perspective
10 a.m.-noon Thursday, Sept. 20. Presenter: President Bob Kustra, Boise State University.

Coping with Change through the Lens of an Anthropologist
10 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Oct. 17. Presenter: John Ziker.

Reporting, Filtering or Shaping: The Role of the Media and Public Opinion
10 a.m.-noon Thursday, Oct. 25. Presenter: Kevin Richert.

Enron and Its Aftermath
10 a.m.-noon Thursday, Nov. 29. Presenter: Michael Bixby.

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Contact: Ellie McKinnon, Extended Studies (208) 426-2047, emckinno@boisestate.edu 
Media Contact: Sherry Squires, University Communications, (208) 426-1563, ssquires@boisestate.edu

Boise State University celebrates its 75th anniversary this fall. From its founding on Sept. 6, 1932, the institution has evolved from a small church-sponsored college in a downtown schoolhouse to a metropolitan research university of distinction with about 19,000 students. Visit boisestate.edu and click on the “75” button for more information.
 

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Last reviewed on Monday, August 27, 2007