In one class, John Miller is studying the shared qualities George Washington, Ulysses S. Grant, and Dwight D. Eisenhower possessed as former Army generals and U.S. presidents; in another, he’s learning about current world events. There are no pop quizzes. No tests. But there is plenty of fun and learning.
Miller is a student in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Iowa State. At 92 years old, Miller has attended 347 classes and counting. He’s a former ISU staff member and a savvy student, the kind OLLI instructors — often current and retired ISU faculty — can count on. “One time, the teacher could not get to class and asked me to take charge,” Miller recalls. “Attending OLLI classes gives me information, and contacts with classmates who I might not meet in other situations.”
To understand Miller’s love of learning — and the community of OLLI — you need to understand College for Seniors. Founded in 1993, College for Seniors was hosted by the ISU Retirees program of the alumni association. In 2008, a $100,000 grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation — which supports a national lifelong learning network — ushered in OLLI.
Jeff Johnson (’14), Lora and Russ Talbot Endowed President and CEO of the association, has seen the evolution firsthand alongside Jerilyn Logue (’81), who served as director of OLLI from 2010 until her retirement this month.
“Three things have become very clear to me from the OLLI experience,” Johnson says. “Firstly, OLLI has created an expansive community, resulting in enriched socialization and learning opportunities. Secondly, it creates deepened relationships among its members. Lastly, OLLI, in some instances, bridges the gap between former students and former faculty, extending already existing relationships.”
Over the years, the program has fostered passionate instructors and volunteers. It would be impossible to share all of them, but one character stands out: Jorgen Rasmussen.
Rasmussen, who passed away in January, was the epitome of everything OLLI. He was an instructor, a past board of directors and committee member, and an ISU Political Science Distinguished Professor Emeritus.
“It had been said by one OLLI member that he would take any class taught by Jorgen, even if it was basket weaving,” Logue says. “There will never be another OLLI instructor who could present on so many topics, from politics to art, to baseball, to music, and more.”
Like Rasmussen, OLLI learners and instructors have always been adaptable. During COVID-19 uncertainty, OLLI went online. Today, classes are offered online, in-person, hybrid (participants are divided with online and in–person options) and blended (certain class sessions are held online and some in-person).
“Encouraging lifelong learning is bigger than Iowa State or the alumni association,” Johnson says. “It’s about extending our mission to communities.”
This spring alone, Miller enrolled in six classes. “John is a curious and eager-to-learn person,” says Kathryn (’59), Miller’s wife and a former ISU faculty member.
“I’ll suggest OLLI classes for anyone,” Miller says. “Find a topic of interest, register, and go!”
While affiliation with Iowa State is not required, Cyclones looking to stay connected to their alma mater find OLLI is the perfect portal to the excitement of campus and classroom learning, “all without the tests and pop quizzes,” as Logue likes to say.