In June OLLI@UNR enrolled our 2000th member, a significant benchmark. We are now the third largest and fastest growing of all OLLI’s across the country, offering more programs per member than any of the other 118 groups. This is a tremendous accomplishment as OLLI@UNR is one of the few “member-driven” organizations. As we deliver programs and grow even further, we are dependent on you the members to volunteer and help carry the load. Please consider how and what you might be able to do, since your active involvement is needed and appreciated.
In the Spring 2017 Semester OLLI@UNR will mark its 10th anniversary. OLLI has grown from ElderCollege with about 400 members in 2007 to our current 2018 members. This accomplishment has been lead by volunteers, supported by UNR Extended Studies. This significant achievement will be celebrated by special 10 year course offerings, a partnership with the Sanford Center on Aging to bring in a major national speaker on the value of lifelong learning, and “alumni” celebrations and events guided by LaMerne Kowsloski and Margo Daniels.
Our biggest challenge is the possibility of having to move to a new location. Negotiations for Cathexes’ purchase of the Nelson Building are progressing and it is anticipated that an agreement will be recommended to the UNR Board of Trustees at their December meeting. This means that OLLI would need to move to a new location next summer. Our Building Committee, chaired by past-president Warren Ronsheimer, has suggested relocation sites to Stacy Burton, the UNR Provost who oversees such matters. Although we have not yet had a chance to discuss our needs or relocation sites with UNR, University President Johnson has assured us OLLI will not be forgotten in this process.
It is going to be a tremendous year for all of us and we will meet the challenges we face with success.
Thanks for being part of OLLI and welcome back!
Ralph Jaeck, OLLI President.