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Five years ago, our world was turned upside down by Covid-19. Suddenly, people were isolated from their families and friends to control the spread of illness. But isolation comes with its own health concerns for older adults, so the Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes at Auburn University, the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Huntsville began offering virtual courses to keep their members connected. The technological learning curve caused some hesitation among instructors and members who were more accustomed to traditional classrooms. Still, OLLI members soon embraced using Zoom to continue learning and stay engaged with their community. With all three programs holding courses online, Scott Bishop, director of OLLI at Auburn, saw an opportunity to collaborate and expand programming for everyone; thus, OLLI Shares was born, and it continues today.
Through OLLI Shares, each school shares three online courses per term in which members of any of the OLLI programs can enroll. OLLI Shares allows the schools to draw on a larger pool of expert instructors to offer more subjects - from opera and history to paleontology and quantum mechanics. It also makes OLLI courses more accessible when members face mobility issues or health concerns that prevent their in-person participation. OLLI Shares allows adults from around the state to interact with those who share their interests and, on occasion, meet in person through field trips and OLLI Day.
Governor Kay Ivey proclaimed the first OLLI Day on August 20, 2020, to acknowledge how the programs adapted to new ways of learning. OLLI Shares was announced at the first OLLI Day, held online with Gov. Ivey, benefactor Bernard Osher, Osher Foundation President Mary Bitterman and Vice President for University Outreach Royrickers Cook among the special guests. In subsequent years, each school has hosted OLLI Day with members traveling to meet each other and hear guest speakers including authors Sean Deitrich, Homer Hickam, Jr. and Margaret Renkl.
This year, participants in one OLLI Shares course, the Monroeville Literary Festival Series, are enjoying virtual talks from renowned Southern authors including Auburn University alumnus Ace Atkins who will be honored at the festival in February as the winner of the 2026 Harper Lee Award. OLLI Shares participants will be there to cheer him on as they meet in Monroeville to enjoy the festival together.
Born out of necessity, over the last five years, OLLI Shares has broadened the definition of community and strengthened bonds between lifelong learners throughout Alabama.
Learn more about OLLI at Auburn.
