Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

What Our Students and Instructors Say

I believe learning is a lifelong journey. Osher provides me with the opportunity to learn from expert instructors who enjoy sharing their knowledge with enthusiastic students.
– Suzie Barbour

Our joy in learning has found a home with Osher! It is the quintessence of continuing education – compressed content, no stress and no tests. Our instructor for the Music Appreciation course was excited about her topic and delighted to be teaching people who chose to be there. The class was small, making it easy to ask questions and participate as we wished.
– Rita Moon Reid and Larry Reid

Osher classes offer an opportunity for renewal and learning something completely different from the focus that we have had in the past. New ideas! New people! It's a great experience.
– Renie O'Rourke

Having a chance to take classes from some world class experts in their field is a real benefit of the Osher program.
– Marilyn Milhous

We joined Osher to continue our education and to stay mentally active in retirement. The courses offered are interesting and challenging.
– Herb and Lynn Cantor

The greatest benefit of the Osher program to me is the intellectual stimulation. I am an eternal student, always looking for new material and this program is it. The subjects and variety of classes offered in the Osher program are of interest to me. I usually find one to satisfy my curiosity. My favorite aspect of the Osher program is the experience of the professors, who exhibit an in-depth knowledge of their material. The classes are enjoyable!
– Els Deininger

My favorite aspect of the Osher program is the depth of knowledge of the instructors on the topics in a relaxed atmosphere.
– Dianne Bruhin

Osher classes are presented by friends with superb backgrounds and anecdotes - who could resist? A class without homework and no tests, but with optional readings and lots of ideas is my kind of class. Thanks to Osher for providing all this for so many of us in the Fort Collins area.
– Betty Brown

Osher is such a great opportunity for lifelong learning experiences and for meeting interesting new people. I also enjoy the many people from CSU who I haven't seen much of since retiring.
– Ardeth Nieman

The two classes I've just finished, offered through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute here at CSU, may have been very diverse in their content, but both were taught by world-class instructors in a very supportive environment. I want to thank OLLI for offering these classes, and keeping my brain well fed, and my sense of wonder alive and well!
– Steve Allen

I have just finished my second Osher course. OLLI welcomed us as students to join the adventure of learning, and it has been my pleasure to have picked two course areas where I knew very little coming in. I came with just my curiosity and willingness — and it worked! I have nothing but praise for the openness of the leaders and instructors. Thank you so much!
– Tom Linnell

Imagine attending a class requiring no homework and you have chosen to take it and that the teacher is excited to be there among students who are interested and engaged in the subject. Did I mention, no homework for us and no papers to grade for the instructors? THAT is the Osher experience. Great fun.
– Nancy Hansford

Teaching in the Osher program is especially rewarding. The learners are very attentive, ask good questions, and are clearly interested in thinking about the material presented. The learners want to know why the subject is important and the details that bring any subject to life.
– Bob Zimdahl, Osher Instructor

Individuals enrolled in the courses bring a lot of energy and varied experiences. Their willingness to share and interact with each other greatly enhances the learning experience for all of us!
– C. Dean Miller, Osher Instructor

I thoroughly enjoyed teaching and preparing for my Osher class, Goddesses of Ancient Greece. What fun to have all adults with some life experiences behind them who are there just because they want to be. And preparation for the class was great fun - an excuse to do more research, and then get a chance to talk about it, in an area that I hadn't had time to spend much time with before I retired.
– Carol Mitchell, Osher Instructor

I especially enjoy teaching Osher classes because the participants are interested in the subject matter (Geology) and eager to understand the origin and evolution of Earth. They encourage me to prepare the best class possible, and in doing so, I learn the latest research on the topics covered.
– Frank G. Ethridge, Osher Instructor

I have taught two Osher classes and have enjoyed thoroughly working with mature students who not only have life-experience to inform their questions but are eager to explore new ideas and perspectives that might be relevant to their lives.
– James Boyd, Osher Instructor

Teaching through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is as enriching for me as I hope it is for my students. The participants are vibrant, curious, and though many are retired from their "day jobs", they have not retired from new adventures, experiences, and intellectual challenges!
– Joannah Merriman, Osher Instructor

The Osher program provides opportunities to meet people with diversified backgrounds and experiences. The classes offer the chance to expand learning about a variety of topics in an open and casual atmosphere. It's been a joy to facilitate classes in partnership with Osher.
– Kay Easley, Osher Instructor

I took the course on the U.S. Supreme Court in fall 2010 and found it quite fascinating for both its application to current events and its insight into the workings of the Supreme Court and the duties of the justices. The instructor, Eric Waples, is not only knowledgeable about the Supreme Court in theoretical terms, he also has met with a number of justices in his teaching duties and had lots of interesting and entertaining anecdotes about their philosophies and peculiarities.
– Doug Ernst

We need to exercise our senses and mental abilities the way we exercise a muscle, and attending an Osher class is a good way to stretch our brains and meet interesting people.
– Howard Nornes, Osher Instructor

As a senior myself, I find it personally gratifying to share my theatre experience with my peers. After teaching this class several times, I find I now have a body of friends whose enthusiasm refreshes my own, and offers me a sense of place within the community. After a lifetime of performing, I am still often astonished by the spirit and creativity that can spring from the active exercise of the spoken word.
– Jonathan Farwell, Osher Instructor

I’ve taken two classes: War and Peace: Costs and Benefits, for personal interest, and Estate Planning for my professional development. Both classes were wonderful. The War and Peace class was full of well-informed people with high levels of curiosity. The estate planning course was loaded with hands-on information on how estate planning is done, which helped me with how to approach my own, as well as advising people on doing their estate planning. The instructors were professionals in the field, and highly committed to what they were teaching. I wish I had more time for Osher classes.
– Nancy Hazelrigg

I was fortunate to be able to join the Osher program at CSU through my inquiry in the Fall of 2010. Since then I have become an avid supporter because I believe in ongoing learning and sharing between people who have devoted their lives to higher education and the quest for fellowship. Teaching art to adults who appreciate it and are willing to take risks with the confidence of life experience is a joy. I cherish the friendships I've formed and look forward to each class. The support I get from the Osher staff speaks of Osher’s high level of excellence. I'm grateful to be associated with this excellent program.
– Monica Cavanagh, Osher Instructor

The Osher program provides an opportunity for deeper learning of complex issues for folks who have the time, or a quick tidbit for folks who are on the run. Although Teresa and I currently fit into the latter group, we have had the chance to expand our appreciation for Colorado wines as well as expand our knowledge of local genealogy resources because of Osher. The Osher program can accommodate any lifestyle.
– Paul Mueller

I joined Osher because I had just retired and I wanted to be sure I stayed sharp and up to date on things. The program allows me to meet new people and to get viewpoints other than my own.
– Gene Mahoney

The Osher classes provide an opportunity to learn new subjects. The neurology and geology classes were taught by retired CSU professors that were very knowledgeable and made excellent presentations. I recommend Osher to anyone that wants to continue learning.
– Don Oliver

In her poem "Why We Tell Stories," poet Lisel Mueller answers, "Because each of us tells the same story / but tells it differently..." Osher participants are delightful members of creative writing courses; they bring lives rich in different experiences. Vivid details evolve into compelling stories, whether written as nonfiction/memoir, poetry, or fiction. Another of the reasons for telling stories in Mueller's poem indicates how important the telling can be: "Because the story of our life / becomes our life. . ."
– Veronica Patterson, Osher Instructor

Learning never stops. People who pursue specific topics and questions after decades of life experience are focused and truly motivated. What they bring enhances the mutuality of learning for everyone involved.
– Charles Greer, Osher Instructor

Osher courses are a real boon to our community. They enable engagement with very interesting and important topics while in the company of people who represent an extraordinary experience base and range of viewpoints.
– Bill Carson

We became Osher members because we needed to keep our minds alert and some of the courses looked very stimulating and interesting. Our two geology courses, taught by Frank Ethridge, were outstanding! The other class, The Changing Brain, taught by Howard Nornes, made us aware how the brain works and how important it is to stay active. This what Osher is all about – keeping our minds sharp and sharing life experiences as we learn with others as eager as we are to absorb new knowledge.
– Penny and Don Oliver

We appreciate the unique opportunity to learn from so many talented and respected scholars and professionals Osher has been able to bring to classes. We have enjoyed learning and sharing with others attending classes who want to expand their knowledge of a wide variety of topics.
– Janet and Allen Eddy

As one of those common individuals who really believe that life is a non-stop, ongoing learning experience, I love being associated with Osher. For me, learning and studying about planet Earth’s cultures, nations, and ethnic diversities (and similarities) is irrepressible.
– John Roberts, Osher Instructor

I have always been a fan of lifelong learning – especially now that Osher is offering classes in downtown Loveland.
– Phil Farley

We believe in education spanning one’s life. It is energizing to the mind and body. It is fun! It is also challenging to grow in our thinking…which sometimes can get into a rut. To say, "Aha!" at new knowledge is like stepping out of a muddy road onto a highway into the future. With the Osher "Global Climate Change" course, we attended, we entered a "new room" not entered before. "Lateral drilling", and "frac-ing", and "jump pumps" took us into the oil business – new to us. A favorite aspect of our Osher courses was conversation with experts in a subject we knew little about and other students.
– Janet and Bruce Harshberger