Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at RIT Awarded Grant From Osher Foundation

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at RIT, a membership-led organization that stimulates minds and forges friendships among people ages 50 and older who live in Greater Rochester, has been awarded its second grant from The Bernard Osher Foundation. The academic-based organization—an affiliate of Rochester Institute of Technology since 1987—will receive a grant for $100,000 to support the Osher Institute’s mission and programs.

“This is a significant investment that will enable us to expand our membership and provide additional opportunities for us to enrich the lives of active learners in a growing segment of our community”, says Deborah Stendardi, RIT vice president for government and community relations. “We appreciate the Osher Foundation’s confidence in RIT and being a part of a growing national network of more than 100 university-based lifelong learning centers located on prestigious campuses such as Tufts, Rutgers, Northwestern and Carnegie Mellon.”

Osher at RIT is currently located in its temporary home at 150 Research Blvd., Henrietta. In 2009, Osher will move to Rivers Run, an active older adult living and learning community adjacent to the RIT campus. The program current has 390 members, and includes individuals with a broad range of professional experiences in industry, education and public service.

“Osher offers our members a place where they can learn from other members, lead a course if they choose to, and remain active in their retirement years,” says Julie Blowers, Osher program director. “Since the Foundation launched this program in 2001, it has set a goal with each of the higher education institutions who have received grants—challenging us to increase our membership size to 500. We have no doubt we’ll meet their challenge at RIT.”

For more information about upcoming classes and membership at Osher at RIT, call (585) 292-8989.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at RIT is a membership-led organization that stimulates minds and forges friendships among people ages 50 and older who live in Greater Rochester. Members participate in classes, discussions, lectures, social events and travel, while engaging in a range of courses to include the arts, literature, sciences, history and government. The organization was founded in 1987 as The Athenaeum, an affiliate of Rochester Institute of Technology. In 2006, it became an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, joining a growing national network of more than 100 university-based centers.