About Us

The Bernard Osher Foundation

In 1977, respected businessman, philanthropist and community leader Bernard Osher established the Bernard Osher Foundation. Supporting higher education around the country, the Foundation seeks to improve quality of life by providing post-secondary scholarships, educational institutions, integrative medicine programs and lifelong learning institutes throughout the country.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)

In 1997, the University of Southern Maine created Senior College, a higher learning institution made up of active and ambitious lifelong learners over the age of 50. After a generous grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation in 2001, Senior College was renamed the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and, thus, OLLI was born. OLLI is now affiliated with 112 colleges and universities across the nation with a national resource center located at the University of Southern Maine.

OLLI at UCI

Elsewhere in 1997, a small group of adult learners collaborated with University Extension at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) to form the Academy of Lifelong Learning. After receiving its first grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation in 2003, the Academy became part of the growing OLLI network and branded itself OLLI at UCI.

OLLI at UCI currently maintains 700 volunteer workers, presenters, and participants.  The organization is proud to deliver over 65 intellectually stimulating courses each semester—something for every interest.  In addition to courses, OLLI at UCI members have exclusive access to field trips, which compliment classroom lectures and may consist of architecture, museum and artist studio tours.  Members are encouraged to attend lecture series hosted by the UC Irvine Medical School, the UC Irvine Social Science Forum, and play production courses within the UC Irvine Drama Department. 

Members are also invited to join the University’s prestigious University Club, located on campus.  All club dues and fees are waived for OLLI at UCI members attending University Club events.  Membership privileges include University Forum Speakers during lunch on Wednesdays, monthly special events, and reduced room rental rates for catered affairs.