March 21, 2018

SVSU lifelong learning program receives Outstanding Humanities Organization Award

Saginaw Valley State University's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) - an enrichment program geared toward individuals age 50 and older - has received the Outstanding Humanities Organization Award from the Delta College Humanities Learning Center in recognition of its humanities-based classes and trips.

"This award illustrates just how important OLLI is to the humanities in this region," said Katherine Ellison, the director of OLLI. "Our members truly enjoy learning about the humanities, and we deliver that for them.”

Ellison accepted the award during a ceremony Sunday, March 18 at Andersen Enrichment Center
in Saginaw.

"It was an honor to be recognized in this way by another institution," she said. "It shows that we impact the entire community."

OLLI serves about 2,000 members. Yearly, the SVSU institute facilitates about 250 classes including humanities-based topics such as history, philosophy, film, literature, religion, and music.

OLLI also organizes trips to regional landmarks as well as historic sites on the other side of the world. In the fall, a group traveled to view historic Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia. In February, another group explored the wonders of Australia. In May, a trip to Mount Rushmore is planned; then Iceland in July.

"My biggest joy is seeing our members so engaged and involved in our programs," Ellison said. "They want to learn about these subjects sometimes just because they love to learn; other times, because they've lived through a time that they want to understand better."

For more information about OLLI and its offerings, call 989-964-4475 or visit www.svsu.edu/olli.