Southern Miss Learning in Retirement Program Begins 23rd Year
Tue, 08/05/2014 - 09:24am
Members of OLLI, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at USM, will embark on an action packed schedule, when the program opens its 23rd year, on Sept. 15.
Fall offerings include: 35 classes, 57 seminars, three field trips, and eight additional seminars offered in the University Series. Most classes/seminars meet at the Peck House and Asbury Annex on Pearl Street, in the mornings and afternoons.
Topical offerings will feature programs dealing with art, computers, cooking, crafts, exercise, gardening, health, history, language, literature, music, philosophy, religion, science, social activities, sociology, sports and recreation, special events open to guests, and a miscellany group, including the AARP Smart Driving Course, and Submarine Life.
Offerings in the University Series will be eight noon seminars about current university topics. Administrators and faculty members from USM will present the seminars.
New activities on the fall schedule include: New Member Mondays which are bi-monthly seminars for new member orientation; OLLI Buzz invites members and guests to a social time each Wednesday and Friday morning, featuring coffee, tea, sweets, and socializing in the OLLI Buzz Coffee House; Let's Do Lunch, alternates lunch at different restaurants in the area, with the only cost being the meal itself; The Food to Table Series, hosted by OLLI and open to the public, will offer four seminars, October thru May, to explore the rich culinary culture that speaks to our state's identity, history, diversity, and familial traditions.
OLLI offers the opportunity for stimulating learning in retirement experiences, while developing new friendships. All offerings are presented in a relaxed atmosphere with break time to socialize. Southern Miss is one of 120 universities and colleges in 49 states and the District of Columbia receiving a grant from Philanthropist Bernard Osher to launch such programs.
While most OLLI events are held in the Peck House, some venture off-site for special offerings such as to an 1884 log cabin, where author and owner Dean Smith will discuss One Hundred Years of Hattiesburg. Other off-site ventures will be to the Polymer Science Research Center at USM for a briefing by Dr. Jeffery Wiggins on New Inventions in Polymer Science as well as a trip to the Asbury Discovery Center and through the Hattiesburg Zoo with Krissy Hamilton. Off-site classes include hands-on Beginning Pottery with Candice Iron, and Hot Glass for the Holidays with Dee Tatum.
A rich favorite for OLLI members are field trips. In the fall OLLI travelers will head to the IMAX Theater in Mobile, AL for: “Jerusalem: Discover the Heart of the World.” In October there will be a Walking Tour of St. Louis Cemetery #1, in New Orleans, and in November the Peter Anderson Festival in Ocean Springs, MS. All are first time offerings for OLLI.
Registration is available on-line, on-site, or by mail. The Fall Class Schedule Guide explains all methods of registering and joining OLLI, as well as offerings in complete detail with times, locations, and costs. On-site fall registration will be held August 19-21 at the Peck House.
Individuals interested in receiving a schedule, or joining OLLI should call the OLLI office at 601.264.2780, visit the web site at: www.usm.edu/olli, e-mail at olli.usm@gmail.com or visit the OLLI headquarters at 3601 Pearl St., Hattiesburg, during normal office hours. New members may join at any time.