Lifelong learning center offers classes for seniors
Many older adults have become aware of research that suggests
that cognitive stimulation may increase the longevity of a healthy
brain. They also likely are aware that social connectivity often
stimulates happiness, which in turn promotes cognitive fitness.
Perhaps with those thoughts in mind, Denver metro southerners
may be pleased to know that they have brain-invigorating options
beyond Sudoku, crossword puzzles or solitary reading. They have a
brain health club in their part of town – OLLI-South.
The University of Denver’s University College, in conjunction
with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, has been promoting
lifelong learning opportunities for adults ages 50 and older for
more than 15 years. In the last 16 months, the program has branched
out to the southern metro area with its OLLI-Central location in
Cherry Creek and its OLLI-West site in Golden. OLLI-South, in
Valley View Christian Church in Highlands Ranch, 11004 Wildfield
Lane, offers seniors a wide array of classes on philosophy,
economics, literature, history, visual and performing arts,
sciences, politics, religion and current events. Topics are
ever-changing, determined by student feedback and the passions and
expertise of the volunteer facilitators. There are no tests, grades
or pre-requisites.
OLLI-South classrooms aim to promote enlivening student-teacher
and student-student interaction, a natural result of the melding of
curious and inquisitive minds with the wisdom of years and wide
variety of career and life experiences. Even beyond the joy of
learning in a fun, friendly, non-competitive environment, students
often note that they particularly value the easy opportunity to
make a new circle of like-minded friends.
OLLI South will have an open house from 9:30-11:30 a.m. March 7
at Valley View Christian Church. Registration forms for OLLI-South
spring term, which runs from March 28 to May 20, are available
online and will be opened randomly and processed together. Students
will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and based on
availability of space for each class. The course catalog and
registration form can be found at www.universitycollege.du.edu/olli/
or www.portfolio.du.edu/ollisouth/.
The $100 per term fee includes an unlimited number of classes in
any and all OLLI sites, conditioned on space availability. Classes
are generally 2 hours per week over 8 weeks, unless otherwise
noted. In addition, students are eligible for a number of other
University of Denver-sponsored special events free or at a reduced
fee.
For further information, contact Jenny Fortenberry at
720-339-1379 or ollisouth@gmail.com.