LEARNING FOR THE FUN OF IT Learning is a way of life in a university community. And it doesn’t stop when the degree is granted— at OLLI at WVU, learning goes on lifelong. The Osher LIfelong Learning Institute at WVU, one of 124 OLLIs at colleges and universities across the country, fosters community for people over 50 centered on noncredit courses and social and volunteer opportunities. “It’s learning for the fun of it,” says Director Jascenna Haislet. OLLI at WVU offers dozens of classes taught by members of the community. Play the Irish tin whistle, discuss stories in The New Yorker , take a virtual tour of West Virginia—these are just a few recent courses. Activities go well beyond classes. The organization hosts meetings of interest groups like yarn arts and tai chi. Cooking classes are popular, and OLLI organizes in-house concerts and group attendance at theater performances and baseball games. Field trips visit sites like Pearl Buck’s birthplace in Pocahontas County. OLLI offers courses in four terms each year—a $30 membership fee gives access to all of it. olliatwvu.org
MORGANTOWNMAG.COM 11
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker