University of Richmond to Establish Osher Lifelong Learning Institute With $100,000 Grant
April 5, 2004
The University of Richmond will soon have more seniors on campus, but they will not be typical 21-year-olds. Instead, the seniors will be adults over 50 taking courses designed especially for them.
The university recently received a $100,000 grant from The Bernard Osher Foundation of San Francisco to establish the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Based in the School of Continuing Studies, the institute will offer courses lasting six to eight weeks in the fall, winter and spring. The grant is renewable for two years and could then be endowed to continue the program permanently.
The university will hold an open house May 16 from 2-4 p.m. in the Special Programs Building, room 217, to introduce the institute to the public. Several four-week "mini courses" will be offered this spring, with a full schedule of courses planned for fall.
"It is our intent that courses be intellectually challenging and engaging experiences, shorter than regular course offerings in length, but not in seriousness," said James Narduzzi, continuing studies dean. Courses will be "ungraded considerations of subjects worth the attention of well-informed, thoughtful adults."
Instructors will be primarily retired university faculty. A steering committee, composed of adults over 50 who are leaders in the community, active participants in SCS programs or retired faculty, will shape the institute.
Four existing programs will anchor the institute's offerings. All Richmond undergraduates take a multidisciplinary "core" humanities course. From it, the institute will develop a series of courses that examine approaches to common human problems through discussion of selected major works. Courses will be supplemented by related arts events.
Richmond Quest, which focuses the collective attention of the campus on a broad question confronting society, also will offer ideas for courses. Institute members also may participate in lunch discussions, campus-wide events, field trips and other opportunities tailored to the Quest theme.
Richmond is home to the radio program "A Moment in Time," which provides historical vignettes that air on more than 400 public radio stations. Host Dan Roberts, a member of the SCS faculty, will teach institute courses based on major historical events covered on the programs.
Finally, offerings at the Modlin Center for the Arts will provide additional course opportunities. Since performances and exhibitions are frequently grouped around a theme, the institute will develop courses related to those themes, incorporating the center's presentations and lectures by visiting artists.
Institute participants, called "members," will have a selection of courses each term; ability to audit regular undergraduate courses on a space-available basis; special lunch discussions, field trips, lectures, backstage tours and meetings with visiting lecturers; access to university libraries and dining facilities; and discounts for campus events and performances. In addition, plans call for a newsletter and Web site, an annual lecture series or special event, and a service learning component where older adults may work alongside undergraduate students on such projects as a Habitat for Humanity house, the university's annual Community Service Day or individual volunteer projects in the community.
The cost of institute membership will be $150 per term or $400 for the three-term academic year.
"We believe that Richmond will become a national model for the successful interaction of a university with the active senior citizens in its community," said President William E. Cooper. "Having this constituency on our campus will enrich the educational environment for our undergraduate students as they participate together in intellectual pursuits through our core humanities course and engage in community service activities."
For more information, call the SCS Office of Community and Professional Education at (804) 289-8133.