UNL Osher Institute announces Aug. 29 open house, fall lineup

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute plans an open house to kick off its new season. The open house will be Aug. 29 beginning at 9:30 a.m., at Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Building, 1800 N. 33rd St.

Now in its third year, OLLI offers non-credit courses and special events year-round. Presentations are aimed at lifelong learners age 50 and above, but all ages are welcome.

Course titles for the seven-week session beginning Sept. 5 include "Ancient Greek Civilization," "Great Artists of the Italian Renaissance," "It All Started with Abraham: Christianity," "Nebraska's Wine Industry Past and Future," "Become a Culinary Artist," "Presidents and America's Wars," and "Making the Elderquest Personal: Writing Our Own Quest Stories."

A free public presentation on "Tony Blair and the War" by Martin Holmes, senior research fellow in political economy, Mansfield College, Oxford University, is Sept. 15. The presentation will be at the Nebraska Educational Telecommunications Building from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration is required.

A series of six enrichment presentations with UNL professors led by Marilyn Armagost starts Sept. 11. This potpourri of class presentations includes "Milkweed...a Fiber Crop?" with Ken Von Bargen; "Costa Rica: Geography, People and Economy," with Darrell Watts; "Robotics Research at UNL," with Shane Farritor; "Two Cheers for Ned Ludd: A Critique of our 21st Century Technological Life," with Jerry Petr; "The Role of Agriculture in Economic Development," Dale Anderson; and "Water, Water Everywhere," with geologist Dave Thommsen.

"It All Started with Abraham: Christianity" begins Thursday, Sept. 7, taught by Rita Lester, chair of the Department of Religious Studies at Nebraska Wesleyan University. The course explores the monotheistic religions that developed from descendents of Abraham. The development of modern Christianity, the Middle-Eastern family of religions, scripture, authority, worship and global Christianity will be discussed.

Monday through Thursday courses are offered at Southeast Community College Continuing Education Center, 301 S. 68th St. Place. Friday courses are at UNL's East Campus.

The UNL Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is a collaboration between the Bernard Osher Foundation and the UNL College of Education and Human Sciences. It provides access to intellectually and culturally stimulating programs for adults ages 50 and above throughout the year. It is one of a national network of institutes creating programs for lifelong learners at 73 universities and colleges across the country.

For more information about membership, registration information and more details about the upcoming study sessions schedule, contact the OLLI office at (402) 472-6265 or e-mail olli@unl.edu.

CONTACTS: Deanna Eversoll, Director, OLLI, (402) 472-9891; or
Deanna Aguilar, Project Coordinator, OLLI, (402) 472-6265