About

While the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Western Michigan University is a young organization, its roots extend wide and deep within the University community. WMU emeriti, faculty, and staff have collaborated for years on educational opportunities for mature adults. Thanks to a growing desire within WMU to support academic enrichment for adults 50 and better—and the longstanding commitment of emeriti to lifelong learning—OLLI at WMU was established.

The purpose of the Institute is to:

• Provide intellectual and cultural stimulation, personal growth, and social engagement for adults in an informal, lively learning atmosphere.
• Enrich and extend the quality of life for participants.
• Create an academy of learners who can share what they have learned and experienced throughout their lives.
• Participate in the global movement of over 400 lifelong learning programs hosted at colleges and universities across the country.

Planning for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute began with WMU emeriti, the WMU associate vice president of community outreach, and Extended University Programs, which is now known as WMUx. The leadership team was established during the Summer of 2010, and the committee has focused on garnering support and participation from community representatives from around the Kalamazoo area.

Planning for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute began with WMU emeriti, the University’s associate vice president for community outreach, and the former Extended University Programs unit. The inaugural executive committee was formed in summer 2010 and focused on building support and participation from across the greater Kalamazoo community.

The Institute is also proud of its partnership with WMU's Center for Gerontology, which provides classroom space in the state-of-the-art Health and Human Services Building.