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THE OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE AT DUKE UNIVERSITY
THE OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE AT DUKE UNIVERSITY.
AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY OF NEARLY 2,000 ADULTS WHO SHARE A LOVE OF LEARNING.
Rhonda Parker is Director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Duke University. She previously served in senior leadership positions at Duke, including at the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability, and Duke Divinity School. Her career spans more than three decades across higher education, nonprofit, and public sectors, with a focus on strategic engagement, program development, and advancing mission-driven work. Rhonda earned her B.A. in Sociology and her Master of Divinity from Duke, and holds a Specialist degree in Higher Education Leadership from Appalachian State University.
Dick Chady has had an extensive career in both journalism and public relations. More recently he has lent his expertise in communications to the development of classes, videos, and other instructional materials in the Triangle. Since joining OLLI at Duke University in 2013, he has participated in many classes, presented several as well, and has previously served on its Board of Advisors and several OLLI committees. Dick is also a strong advocate for the aging community, has served on the Board of the NC Coalition on Aging, and also contributes his expertise at the Carol Woods Retirement Community in Chapel Hill, where he lives.
Rhonda, It is so good to talk to you today about your Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Duke University. I have personally enjoyed the many classes I have taken at OLLI at Duke, and I am excited to be able to help tell others about how its programs and events can enrich their lives as well.
To start with, can you tell everyone what exactly is OLLI at Duke?
Photo: Les Todd
Thank you Dick.
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Duke is an inclusive community of nearly 2,000 adults who share a love of learning. OLLI at Duke provides this community with an array of diverse educational programs, social engagement, and volunteer opportunities that encourage their curiosity and personal growth.
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Members participate in a variety of non-degree educational and social activities, including taking courses, joining special interest groups, and attending gatherings with Duke undergraduates.
Rhonda, just to be clear, there is also an organization called the Bernard Osher Foundation.
Yes, we are endowed of The Bernard Osher Foundation, headquartered in San Francisco. It was founded in 1977 by respected businessman, philanthropist, and community leader Bernard Osher. Part of its mission is to improve the quality of life through innovative funding in higher education and the arts.
What is its connection or relationship to your unit?
The Foundation supports a national lifelong learning network of programs designed for adults 50 and older. Thanks to the assistance of this Foundation, Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes are able to operate on 124 college and university campuses in all 50 states and also in the District of Columbia. Duke is one of these campuses.
So what are some of the opportunities that members have access to?
Dick, one of our most highly used and sought-after benefits is access to our rich catalog of non-credit courses.
On average, there are about 90–100 courses offered in each catalog, and with new catalogs each term.
And there are three terms - Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Can you list the general areas or themes that your courses cover?
There are so many that I could mention but the most popular and highly attended ones are courses that include history, science, literature, arts, current events, wellness, technology, and more.
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It is also very important to mention here that our members help shape our curriculum, leading to offerings as varied as Shakespeare, AI, watercolor painting, and local nature walks.
Your website mentions experiential learning. What is this and how does this help you achieve your goals?
Experiential learning literally means learning by doing.
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We encourage experiential learning through events like field trips, walking tours, and other hands-on experiences that bring ideas to life. It’s a chance to connect classroom concepts with the wider world.
I know you have hands-on workshops as well. What can you tell us?
Yes, we offer many art classes, writing workshops, movement classes, and other interactive sessions that emphasize creativity and skill development.
Rhonda, that sounds very interesting and I think that many of us would like to learn a little bit more. What can you tell us about Internet versus in-house learning, and if some of your more popular courses are ever offered again?
Absolutely.
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Our courses are priced individually, so you can choose as many or as few as you like. And we offer both in-person classes in Durham and live online courses via Zoom. Many of our most popular classes will return in future terms, so if you miss one, you’ll usually get another chance later.
What are some of the other benefits that you want to mention?
Photo: Les Todd
There are several additional benefits of membership, things like participation in special interest groups, invitations to social and cultural events, travel opportunities, and the chance to connect with a vibrant community of lifelong learners.
Many newcomers to the area find OLLI is a quick fun way to make many new friends and get acclimated to the Triangle's many attractions.
Can you explain a little about your special interest groups?
Special Interest Groups (SIGs for short) are member-led communities built around shared passions like singles activities, crafts, or even book clubs. These meet on a regular schedule and often become tight-knit social circles.
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We feel that our SIGs are a great way to keep learning and connecting outside of the classroom.
What are some of the social and cultural events that are offered on a repetitive basis?
We often will have different types of member socials.
There are our “New Member Welcome” gatherings, and special speaker events with authors and thought leaders. We also have trips to venues like theaters, museums, and local landmarks.
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Some events are seasonal, others repeat every year, and all of them bring people together.
Back to courses for a minute. I know that there is a short description of each course in your catalogue and also information about the cost and when these are offered. But what about things like recommended pre-requisites, and what experience or prior knowledge or interests might enable a person to do well?
This is a very good question.
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We make it clear in our course catalogs if some prior experience is recommended. But I must say that generally not the case. Our goal is to meet learners where they are— whether you’re a beginner trying something new or an experienced hand diving deeper.
For remote learning, are some of these courses interactive class-room types where Zoom (or similar applications) are often necessary?
Yes, we offer many courses that members attend virtually. But typically, about 70% of our members are currently attending courses in person, while 30% join courses virtually.
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Interestingly, many members enjoy a mix of both options.
And are some of them “on demand” types of learning where one works at their own pace and convenience?
We do not offer on-demand learning.
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We purposely plan our classes to be live so that participants can interact with instructors and classmates. This is important to us as part of the learning and interaction process.
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And while we don’t have a full on-demand library, many of our online courses are recorded so you can watch later if you miss a session.
Photo: Les Todd
I am sure that everyone will want to know about the cost of joining OLLI at Duke.
I’m delighted to share that membership in OLLI at Duke is $60 a year. Many new members are surprised to learn how much that modest annual contribution opens the door to — from engaging courses and special programs to events, social connections, and more.
It seems that one gets so much for only $60 per year. And the course fees are also an important revenue resource as well. Are dues and fees sufficient to cover all of your expenses, or are there other means as well?
We depend on both donations and gifts to help us meet our expenses, keep our courses affordable, and fund community memberships for those with financial need.
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Every gift directly benefits our members and we have a Make a Gift webpage that makes the giving process both easy, straight forward, and secure.
I am already sold on the many benefits of membership. So what do I do next?
Becoming a member is easy.
Simply visit our website, click on “Join OLLI,” and complete the online membership form. Once you’ve joined, you’ll receive regular communications, including a digital catalog of upcoming courses.
From there, you can register for classes, attend events, join a special interest group, and begin making connections with other lifelong learners.
And what about paying for my membership, how is that managed and what about reminders for subsequent years, and is my membership prorated when I join?
One can purchase and renew their membership online, and we send renewal reminders when it’s time for your renewal. Our registration system will automatically add a membership if yours is out-of-date. Memberships cover between two and four terms, depending on when you purchase. There is no prorated membership.
Typically what types of events or learning might one go to your facility for?
Photo: Les Todd
Our members will typically come in for things like classes, guest lectures, performances, meetings, and social events. You will always find that our spaces are welcoming, accessible, and designed for connection.
Do you have a physical facility or building on Duke’s campus that is fully dedicated to your Osher Lifelong Learning Institute?
We don’t have a fully dedicated building, but this has never been a problem for us. We utilize several spaces on Duke’s campus and also at the Judea Reform Congregation’s education building in Durham. These all have modern learning spaces with classrooms equipped for both in-person and online participation.
We also use other locations around Durham and the Triangle as well for special courses, events, and trips that better fit the courses and events that members participate in.
Photo: Les Todd
Is there any kind of affiliation with Duke that requires membership in order to participate at OLLI at Duke? What about things like geographical location, education, or age?
Photo: Les Todd
The really good news for those thinking of joining OLLI at Duke is that no university affiliation is ever required.
Membership is open to adults of all educational backgrounds, and while most of our members are age 50 or older, we welcome anyone with a passion for lifelong learning.
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There are no geographic restrictions.
Rhonda, can you tell us about any other interesting aspects about the history and evolution of your unit that you want to share with us?
Dick, as you know, OLLI at Duke has been an important part of the Triangle community for over 45 years.
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It was originally founded as the Duke Institute for Learning in Retirement in 1977 with about 42 members. Our program has grown from a handful of courses back then to more than 200 each year at the present time, and we now have almost 2,000 members and growing!
Thank you, Rhonda. Now please tell everyone if some of your courses and events are ever open to the general public?
Occasionally, we may offer lectures and events to non-members. However, most courses do require an active membership, which ensures that our OLLI community remains member-driven and connected.
What about member newsletters? How often are these sent and what may they include?
We send out a very nice weekly email newsletter to all of our members.
Among the information that these newsletters offer are updates on courses, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and stories from our community.
And is there an online calendar of important dates as well?
Dick, there is a calendar on our website that contains important dates for things like registration, events, and term schedules. This calendar is updated daily when needed.
Where are your in-person classes held?
Most are at Judea Reform Congregation on W. Cornwallis Road in Durham, and we have other venues throughout the Triangle where we hold courses and events.
The other facilities provide a convenient option for those that may live closer to them.
​I know that at a very high level you offer courses, lectures, and study trips. Can you briefly describe the major differences for each? Some are day trips and some of these appear to be for longer durations.
The differences are important and are easy to explain.
Courses are all multi-session classes and are usually held over several weeks, while lectures on the other hand are simply one-time presentations on a variety of topics.
And you are correct about our study trip as these can be single-day experiences or can also be multi-day travel experiences that combine learning with exploration
In addition to OLLI at Duke, I know there are similar organizations at NC State, UNC Asheville, and UNC Wilmington. Are there any major differences between them, do they sometimes share courses and other activities, and can members of one OLLI enjoy any of the benefits of the others?
We regularly share our ideas and best practices not only with the OLLI programs at NC State, but also with the programs at UNC Asheville and UNC Wilmington. Of course, each OLLI has its own offerings, and while memberships don’t transfer, we always work collaboratively and have been experimenting with ways to share courses and events.
Rhonda, we have not yet discussed volunteers and how important that these are to meeting your goals. What do you want to tell us?
As you know, volunteers are at the heart of OLLI at Duke. From leading courses and facilitating Special Interest Groups to serving on committees and supporting events, members share their time, talents, and experiences in ways that enrich our entire community.
Volunteering is not only a way to give back — it’s also an opportunity to learn, connect, and help shape the future of OLLI. Whether you have a few hours to offer or want to take on a leadership role, there’s a meaningful way for you to get involved.
What help or accommodations do you offer for ADA members?
All of the facilities and buildings we utilize have classrooms that are wheelchair accessible. And all of our online courses include live captions for accessibility. We will also collaborate with members individually to support participation where there may be special needs.
Rhonda, it is obvious that your program is making a great contribution on many fronts. Can you tell us what warms your heart the most about what you do, and what thoughts do you take home with you in the evening?
It’s the people.
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One member told me OLLI gave her “a reason to get up and go each morning” after she retired— and she’s now part of a social group she met here. Another, a widower, found friendships in a history class and is now in a key volunteer leadership role. During the pandemic, an online Broadway course kept a mother and daughter connected – and 5 years later - they still take a Broadway course together every term.
There are many, many, more heartwarming stories like these that I will not easily forget.
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The real win for me at the end of the day isn’t just in the “content” we might offer- rather it’s in the friendships, the shared curiosity, and the joy in the room. Seeing members leave with a smile and a sense of belonging… that’s what warms my heart the most.
Rhonda, I want to again thank you for taking the time to talk about all the opportunities that OLLI at Duke can offer those who wish to continue their learning and meet others that have this same desire. OLLI is a great source of learning, friends and fun for me. I admire the many new and creative ways you've found to expand and strengthen the community.
Editor’s Note: While the Olli program at NC State University in Raleigh was not able to participation in this Conversation due to resource limitations, its program is similar to the one at Duke University. For information about Olli at NC State and how to become a member, please visit https://olli.lifelonglearning.ncsu.edu/