alumni news

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and TTAA Tout Merger, "New Beginnings" Event

 

The Texas Tech University Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) has become a program of Texas Tech Alumni Association (TTAA), a move announced by representatives from both organizations at a noon press conference Aug. 3, at Merket Alumni Center. 


The group also announced a "New Beginnings" event from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 16 in the McKenzie Ballroom of Merket Alumni Center, at which members and prospective members may learn more about the OLLI fall course offerings and benefits of the merger.


Representatives from OLLI and TTAA had been discussing the possibility of a merger for close to one year. 


"Right from the start many in the alumni association found this merger to be a win-win scenario for both organizations," said Jim Douglass, associate vice president of TTAA. 


While each organization will still operate independently and do its own fund raising, both will now be given the chance to increase visibility, add value to their programs and increase their membership. 


OLLI is a membership organization that provides learning opportunities for people 50 or older who want to continue to expand their knowledge and interests. In addition to free and "members only" events, benefits of a $35 annual membership ($50 for married couples) include reduced rate course offerings and discounts on admissions to many Texas Tech lecture series and fine arts performances, Rawls Course green fees, student recreation center memberships and Lubbock Symphony Orchestra concerts.


The fall 2011 course catalog presents diverse course offerings, including everything from a study of the JFK assassination to an analysis of "Citizen Kane," Mozart to portrait drawing, archaeology of the Americas to the basics of investing. 


Other popular classes include the Lunch and Learning series, Artist and Film series, Hidden Lubbock tours, Master's Touch Gardening series and wine tastings. The vast majority of OLLI classes are taught primarily by current and retired Texas Tech faculty. Others are taught by local professionals, adding to the high quality of the content of the various courses.


"Most courses will be held at Merket Alumni Center, an immediate benefit of the merger," said Emma Carrasco, director of the Texas Tech chapter of OLLI who now works from an office in the facility. "Merket is easier to find, more accessible, has more parking and has better facilities with more classroom space." 


Although OLLI has operated independently since 2003 on the Texas Tech campus, the move to operating as a program of the alumni association is not without precedent. With more than 100 OLLI programs in colleges across the country such as Oklahoma State, Iowa State, the University of Arizona and Duke, Douglass notes that those operating in conjunction with the university alumni association have proven to be highly successful ventures.


Louise Cummins, founding board chair of OLLI, said, "If this merger proves to be as successful as everyone expects it to be, people will look back in a few years and ask, "What took us so long?" 


Those interested in joining or learning more about OLLI at Texas Tech are invited to attend the "New Beginnings" event at Merket Alumni Center, visit the website or to contact Carrasco by phone at 806-742-OLLI (6554), or by email.

 

Jan 15, 2020