July 10, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EDITORS NOTE: ATTENTION EDUCATION, COMMUNITY/CALENDAR EDITORS, this news release includes information about fall registration for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Rutgers.
BERNARD OSHER FOUNDATION MAKES $1 MILLION ENDOWMENT
TO OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE AT RUTGERS
Registration opens for OLLI-RUs fall noncredit courses for New Jerseyans over 50
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New Brunswick, N.J. The Bernard Osher Foundation, founded in 1977 by San Francisco business and community leader Bernard Osher to improve the quality of life through support for higher education and the arts, has made a $1 million endowment to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (OLLI-RU).
The foundation also awarded a $50,000 bridge grant to OLLI-RU, which offers a range of noncredit, continuing education courses to New Jerseyans over 50 years of age. Previously, OLLI-RU received two $100,000 grants from the Osher Foundation to expand its offerings in Highland Park, Westfield, Freehold and New Brunswick.
We are delighted to be recognized by the Osher Foundation for the growth and scope of our program, said Marvin Schlaffer, the institutes director. We reach an important constituency for Rutgers: state residents older than 50 who want to continue their learning experience and share knowledge with a group of their peers.
At its inception in 1993, the program (originally named the Rutgers University Academy for Lifelong Learning) offered four courses for 80 students (now known as dues-paying members). Generous support from the Osher Foundation has enabled the institute to grow exponentially, Schlaffer said. It has helped to increase registration and our course offerings, and establish satellite offices.
During the 2006-2007 academic year, the institute had 1,363 unduplicated dues-paying members. Enrollment for fall and spring semesters, as well as a five-week Wintersession, was 1,903 a 24 percent increase from 2005-2006. During the same period, the number of courses offered grew to 160 from 122, an increase of 31 percent.
Classes are offered at three Highland Park locations: the Reformed Church of Highland Park (the original location), 23 S. Second Ave.; the Senior Citizens Center,
220 S. Sixth Ave.; and the Court House, 221 S. Fifth Ave. Additional sites are the Western Monmouth Higher Education Center, 3680 Route 9 S., Freehold; and Temple Beth Or-Beth Torah, a new location at 111 Valley Road, Clark. Classes at all locations will run Sept. 5 through Dec. 6. All facilities are handicapped accessible with free on-site or street parking.
Fall registration for OLLI-RU has begun. Courses are taught by active or retired instructors from high schools and colleges, including Rutgers. There are no grades or tests, and a college degree is not required to enroll in any of the 94 noncredit courses or seminars. Topics range from history, political science, sociology, languages, economics and science to classic and modern literature, philosophy, writing, poetry, opera, jazz, art and film studies.
Members can register for special art programs at Rutgers Zimmerli Art Museum, plays at the George Street Playhouse and computer courses on campus or in downtown New Brunswick and Freehold. Returning participants may choose any number of courses at $60 per course, while first-time registrants pay only $60 and may choose up to two courses.
Registration is required by Aug. 31. To register or to receive an OLLI-RU brochure, call 732-932-7233; write to OLLI-RU, 55 Commercial Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 08901; or visit olliru.rutgers.edu.
Founder Bernard Oshers wife, the Honorable Barbro (correct) Osher, consul general of Sweden in San Francisco, serves as chair of the foundation. OLLI-RU is a unit of Rutgers Division of Continuous Education and Outreach. It is one of many programs that reflect Rutgers dedication to helping the states residents attain their lifelong learning and professional educational goals.
Rutgers is one of about 115 U.S. colleges and universities to receive funding from the Osher Foundation.
Contact: Steve Manas
732-932-7084, Ext. 612
E-mail: smanas@ur.rutgers.edu