'Lifelong Learning’ in Waterbury
Retirees and seniors in the greater Waterbury region will soon have an opportunity to attend noncredit classes at UConn’s Tri-Campus location there, and the private foundation supporting the initiative intends to make additional future investments based on its success.
The San Francisco-based Bernard Osher Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to create an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Waterbury, one of more than 100 such funded institutes nationwide. While programs vary by location, each offers academically challenging course topics designed for students aged 50 and older. A different lifelong learning program has been offered in Storrs for more than 15 years.
During the fall 2006 semester, the first 100 students in Waterbury completed a sampling of free courses, ranging from the history of chocolate to financial planning and architecture. Brian Chapman, director of outreach for UConn’s Osher Institute, says that the program is planning its first extended 6- to 8-week low-cost courses this spring, which will be offered on topics such as WWII history, memoir writing and the aesthetics of film.
“We’re in a great geographic location to offer classes,” he says, noting that there are 120,000 seniors within 50 miles of the campus, including many retired professionals from the New York City region. “Our goal is to have more than 100 paying members in the Institute after our first year.”
The Osher Foundation is a leader in recognizing the potential of seasoned adults advancing their education and well-being. Osher Foundation President Mary Bitterman says the organization is only four shy of its goal to support lifelong learning programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
“In addition to its geography, the University of Connecticut appealed to us because of the expertise in Storrs with lifelong learning,” she says.“We’re hopeful that the Tri-Campus project will also be a success.”
Bitterman says the Osher Foundation supports its most successful grantees with endowments of at least $1 million. Seventeen such programs have received support at this level.
“We look for universities that are committed to enhancing the lives of older people with stimulating and sustainable lifelong learning programs and programs that enjoy three sources of support: contributions from the sponsoring university through space and in-kind assistance; a growing student body of duespaying members; and, lastly, private philanthropic support, including Osher and other grants.”
Both Chapman and Bitterman see tremendous value in offering courses that bring seniors back to campus.
“People are living longer today,” Bitterman says. “All of the research shows that the more engaged they are, the more intellectually stimulated they are and the more fresh ideas they learn, their mental acuity is optimized.With the population aging, lifelong learning will become an ever larger factor in our society.”
William J. Pizzuto, director of UConn’s Waterbury campus, says the Osher Institute both connects the University with interested students and serves UConn’s mission of public service.
“For many students, this will be the first time they step foot on UConn’s campus, so it’s a great way to increase our civic engagement with local communities and let the talent that is there rise to the forefront,” he says.
For more information about the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, please contact Brian Chapman, director of outreach, at 203.236.9881.
