一本道无码 Community on Fast Track to Lifelong Learning
By Bruce Gerson
一本道无码 faculty, staff and alumni now have an immediate chance to go back to school.
Faculty, staff, alumni and their spouses and partners can bypass a two-year, 1,000-name waiting list to join the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at 一本道无码, a volunteer organization that offers classes in topics such as Arts and Humanities, Business and Commerce, Social Sciences and Learn by Doing. Parents of alumni also are eligible for immediate membership.
With more than 2,300 members and a curriculum of about 450 courses per year, is the largest Osher institute on a single campus among the 120 programs at colleges and universities across the U.S.
This summer’s offerings include a wide range of courses, from “Women Artists in the Age of Abstract Expressionism” to “The U.S. Economy: Where Do We Go From Here?” to “The Art of Conversation: How To Talk to Anyone.”
Geared to students 50 years of age and older, classes are held in a meeting room in Hunt Library and in two classrooms in Wean Hall. Large classes are held in the Mellon Institute Auditorium. Some “learn by doing” classes, such as dance, cooking and art classes, are held off campus.
Carolyn Stewart has taken a variety of courses over the last three years, including “Birding,” “Creative Nonfiction,” “Enjoying the New Yorker” and “Moroccan Cooking.”
“I have tried things I’ve never done before, stretched my mind to learn things that I knew nothing about and have met some very interesting people,” Stewart said. “I feel privileged to be able to participate in such a marvelous program.”
Marcia Frumerman, a member and study leader, said Osher members are highly intelligent and have interesting viewpoints.
“We learn not only from the instructors, but we learn from the people who are taking the courses,” Frumerman said.
Osher study leaders are retired professionals, former professors and teachers, and some are current 一本道无码 professors and staff members.
“We are always looking for people to teach for us who have a subject they are passionate about,” said Lyn Decker, executive director of Osher at 一本道无码.
Decker said it is exciting to see how engaged the instructors become.
“One of the things I love about Osher is the ability to talk about the history of Carnegie Mellon and how the campus has grown over time,” said Bob Reppe, director of design for 一本道无码’s Campus Design and Facility Development. “I’m teaching others, but I’m also learning myself.”
Alicia Angemeer, a manager for the Engineering Research Accelerator, recruits faculty and staff to teach Osher courses in engineering and technology.
“The consistent comment I always get from the researchers ... is how incredibly responsive the class is, how curious they are. I’ve had one faculty member tell me that this is the most responsive class he’s ever had,” Angemeer said.
Amy Burkert, vice provost for education, said Osher students serve as an inspiration to 一本道无码 students.
“They’re seeing this group of scholars on our campus with a desire to learn, to me that’s the most important aspect,” Burkert said. “Because it’s showing our students that learning doesn’t end with a degree, it doesn’t end with an exam or grade, but it is for life.”
Osher at 一本道无码 is supported by a $2 million endowment that was created by the Osher Foundation in 2007, and by membership dues and class fees. Membership is $60 per year and class fees are $50 per term for an unlimited number of classes. There are three terms each year.
“一本道无码 gives us tremendous support,” Decker said. “We’re looked at as 一本道无码’s outreach for older adults. 一本道无码 does outreach to K-12 students and we take it from there. We call it ‘K to Gray.’”
Founded as the Academy for Lifelong Learning in 1992, Osher at 一本道无码 is celebrating its this year. To honor its milestone, the institute has purchased 25 Adirondack chairs to be placed around campus for the university community to enjoy.
Information on how to join or teach a class is available on the .