OLLI at Southern Miss
"Come be OPEN with us.
Open to learning,
Open to fun and friends,
Open to new experiences."
—OLLI Advisory Board President Dallas Gorbett
OLLI is celebrating 30 years of community, learning and fun in 2021! Thus, new members
may join for $30 this year only. Join today!
Fall 2021 Registration Details
Registration is ongoing!
On the coast? Register online, email your class list to Maryann.HerodesFREEMississippi, or call 228.214.2377.
In Hattiesburg? Register online, email your class list to olliFREEMississippi or call 601.264.2780.
Fall 2021 Semester Dates
Tuesday, September 7 - Friday, November 19
- No classes scheduled October 11 - 15
Fall course lists are available in the Gulf Park Courses and Hattiesburg Courses pages
of this website. Icons for each are in the left-side menu, and no matter which city
you're in, you may enroll in classes listed for either campus.
Members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) are active adults who share a love of learning. Members enjoy innovative and enriching programs in an inclusive environment with others who share their interests. Many members are retired, but it is not a requirement to join, nor do you need to be a graduate or otherwise affiliated with Southern Miss. Our members come from a wide range of backgrounds, vocations, and connections to local community.
There are only 125 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes in the United States. In Mississippi, OLLI programming is available exclusively at Southern Miss in Hattiesburg and Long Beach.
We're currently meeting in the online platform Zoom. Zoom provides us an opportunity to learn and socialize together online when virus conditions preclude gathering in person. It also allows us to participate in courses with peers from both campuses and most anywhere, no driving required. It’s a user-friendly program, and instructions on downloading it are available in the short, straightforward video available here: ZOOM with OLLI! If you need assistance or practice in ZOOM, please call us.
Join or Renew TodayRequest More Information
Learning is for Life!
Our semester is filled with opportunities for learning, creating, camaraderie and fun!
- Friday, September 3, 1 p.m.
- Friday, October 22, 1 p.m.
- Friday, November 12, 1 p.m.
*Gulf Park Holiday Social—December 10, 11 a.m.
*If we are unable to gather in large numbers at the time of these events due to virus conditions, OLLI will host them in Zoom. In that case, a single date will be determined for the holiday socials, and it will be a combined campuses (Gulf Park and Hattiesburg) celebration in Zoom.
OLLI offers classes that meet the needs and schedules of active adults. We typically divide the Fall and Spring semesters into two five-week terms and offer a six-week term in the Summer, with no classes the week of July 4th. Fall terms typically begin in September and October. The Spring terms typically begin in February and March. The Summer term typically runs during June and July. During each term we offer three different formats of learning experiences: classes, seminars, and field trips. All Hattiesburg classes and seminars are held at the Peck House or Asbury Annex (unless otherwise indicated). Gulf Park classes are held in Lloyd Hall, unless otherwise indicated.
Our goal at OLLI at Southern Miss is to create environments that maximize the learning experience for all members. Many of our programs offer a forum for the lively and even passionate exchange of views. To that end, our learning community follows principles of courtesy and mutual respect that promote reasoned discourse and intellectual honesty. Opposing viewpoints are honored and appreciated to preserve the dignity of others.
Transgressions may include denigrating others’ views or opinions, threatening behaviors, offensive or abusive language, disruptive classroom conduct, sexual harassment or discrimination, and monopolizing discussions. Personal attacks are especially unwarranted.
OLLI members, instructors, facilitators, staff, or guests who do not or cannot adhere to the principles of courtesy and mutual respect may be removed from class or denied the privilege of future participation.
The Bernard Osher Foundation was founded by Bernard Osher in 1977. Through the foundation, his philanthropy has benefited a wide range of educational, cultural and other nonprofit organizations across the United States. Currently, the foundation provides support to four distinct programs:
- Osher Scholars and Fellows
- Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes
- Osher Integrative Medicine Program
- A Local Arts and Educational Program
Bernard Osher is a successful businessman and community leader, a patron of the arts and education, whose philanthropy has affected countless organizations over the past quarter-century. His wife, the Honorable Barbro Osher, Consul General of Sweden in San Francisco, serves as chair of the foundation. To learn more about Bernard Osher, his philanthropic interests and investments, please visit the foundation's website: http://www.osherfoundation.org.