$1 million grant boosts OLLI

Online

Learn more about OLLI and register for classes and trips at bradley.edu/
continue/olli.

Bradley University received a $1 million gift in April from The Bernard Osher Foundation to endow the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). As a result, OLLI at Bradley is recognized nationally as a program of distinction for learners ages 50 and beyond. The Osher Foundation considers endowment gifts once its lifelong learning institutes demonstrate their potential for success. OLLI at Bradley began two years ago.

With this achievement, OLLI now embarks on a quest to grow its membership and expand its programs for new and existing OLLI members. During 2008–09, 110 classes were offered to 761 participants.

“The progress the Institute has made since receiving its initial support from the Foundation … has been outstanding, and we congratulate you … on your remarkable achievements,” said Mary Bitterman, Osher Foundation president.

Echoing that sentiment, Bradley President Joanne Glasser called Bradley’s OLLI program a “vibrant learning community … one of the best in the nation. It is my hope that participants will forever consider Bradley their educational home.”

OLLI is a collaboration between Bradley’s Continuing Education office and more than 750 community members, ages 50 to 97, who believe learning is a never-ending process. OLLI offers classes on campus led by University and community volunteers, educational travel throughout the state and nation, and study groups.

Originally called the Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR), the program began at Bradley in 1994 with 80 members and 10 classes. In June 2008, the group received an initial $100,000 grant from the Osher Foundation and became known as OLLI.

Slideshow of OLLI events

For non-Flash users, view the Flickr set.

Arne Duncan focuses on transforming education

Arne Duncan

From left, Dr. Joan Sattler, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, education major MARCUS BELIN ’10, and Brad McMillan, executive director of the Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service, meet following a symposium on public education.

Online

Learn more about the symposium at bradley.edu/hilltopics/
go/duncan.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan took time to speak with Bradley students when he came to the Peoria Civic Center on April 21 for a public policy symposium on transforming public education. The Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service, the Dirksen Congressional Center, and the College of Education and Health Sciences (EHS) at Bradley were among the sponsors of the symposium. Duncan participated in panel discussions throughout the day, as did EHS dean Dr. Joan Sattler and Dr. Helja Antola Crowe, associate department chair of the Department of Teacher Education. Full-service community schools, charter schools, and the federal government’s Race to the Top program were discussed.