Now Loudoun’s retired population has a place to continue its education, simply for the love of learning.
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) will offer classes at George Mason University’s Loudoun campus in Sterling.
OLLI is an independent, nonprofit organization affiliated with George Mason University and is one of a number of lifelong learning institutes in the United States supported by the Bernard Osher Foundation. There are two other Osher institutes located in Northern Virginia, including OLLI Fairfax and OLLI Reston.
ANN HARTMANN is a site administrator at OLLI at George Mason University’s Fairfax campus.
Hartmann said OLLI’s classes are geared toward semiretired and retired residents because they are offered during the day and are strictly designed for students who love to learn. George Mason University does not offer continuing education credits for OLLI courses.
Classes are offered between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays. One annual fee of $350 covers four class terms, but scholarships are available to those in need. Students can enroll in as many courses and special events as they want, subject only to class-size limits.
Classes come in all different shapes and sizes. The writing workshop currently offered at Loudoun’s campus is made up of 10 students, Hartman said.
"Some of our lecture series have 120 students in them," she said.
There’s no homework, no exams, no college degree required, nor an age limit, she said.
For a list of classes, visit www.olli.gmu.edu.