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Area universities team up to educate retired adults

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By Lindsey Hilty, Staff Writer 12:52 PM Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Miami University and the University of Cincinnati are teaming up to bring a special event to the Miami University Voice Of America Learning Center.

The Ohio Innocence Project will be the topic of a Nov. 19 seminar open to adults age 50 and older. It will be taught by a University of Cincinnati College of Law professor and explores how DNA technology is being used to prove the innocence of Ohio inmates. One of those exonerated inmates will join in the class discussion. The seminar is free to prospective students, but they must pre-register with the Olli office at (513) 556-9186 because space is limited.

“In addition to the stimulating topic and something that probably a lot of people are not aware of, I think it also is an opportunity for people to learn about the different programs available at Miami as well as at U.C., and to have some social interaction and for them to do some networking with other people that might be interested in this particular topic,” said Nancy Hoffman, program manager for the Miami University Lifelong Learning program.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute programs meet at the University of Cincinnati’s main campus, Raymond Walters College, Adath Israel, the Sycamore Senior Center and other on-site learning locations. The cost is $80 per quarter. Miami University’s Institute for Learning in Retirement programs meet primarily in Oxford, but also in Hamilton and Fairfield and the cost is $60 per semester. Both are non-credit courses taught by volunteers.

West Chester Twp. resident Rosemary Deitzer said she has enjoyed taking and teaching the classes for OLLI. “It’s continuing education,” she said. “It’s not basket weaving. It’s art, architecture, anything you can imagine.”

She said both programs offer convenient times and locations for classes, and hundreds of adults are involved. Topics include writing, history, languages, music, personal finance and hobbies.

“I meet more people,” she said. “My circle of friends is so wide and so varied. You really stay connected by volunteering ... the worst thing you can say is ‘I’m too old.’”

For more information on the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Cincinnati call (513) 556-9174, e-mail: fred.bassett@uc.edu, or visit www.uc.edu/ce/olli

For more information on Miami University’s Institute for Learning In Retirement or to be added to a mailing list, contact the Lifelong Learning Office at (513) 529-8600, lifelearn@muohio.edu or visit the Web site at www.muohio.edu/LLL/ilr.

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