|
Date 7-10-06
Contact Jana Bryant 601.266.4497
Hattiesburg—Volunteer facilitators at the
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Southern
Mississippi will be recognized at a “Celebration of OLLI Talent”
at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12, at the Peck House Asbury Annex
located at 3601 Pearl St. in Hattiesburg.
The event will also showcase the artwork that OLLI members have
created through the institute’s art classes in addition to providing
interested persons a look at some of the institute’s offerings,
said event coordinator Don Hegwood. Persons interested in finding
out more about the OLLI are invited to attend.
”There’s no other organization in this region that provides these
kinds of activities for senior citizens that contributes to their
quality of life and helps make them more healthy contributors to
the community,” said Hegwood, a three-year member of the OLLI and
a retired university professor.
Nearly 20 volunteers who are members of the institute will be recognized
for their contributions to two projects over the past year.
Ten members were trainers for a project that placed computers in
five nursing/independent living homes in Hattiesburg, Collins and
Lumberton and provided training to residents who had never used
a computer. “The project was quite successful,” said Hegwood. “One
grandmother learned to use e-mail so she could communicate with
her grandson in Iraq.”
In another project, the OLLI was one of 19 institutions nationwide
over the past few months to participate in “The Elderquest in Today’s
Movies and Novels” project. During weekly sessions, participants
examined a book or movie that highlighted issues faced by older
persons.
“There are so few older people who are depicted as heroes in film
and novels. These classes helped our members relate to the challenge
of growing older,” said Sue Pace, OLLI director.
With a membership of 400, the OLLI is a member-driven, member-governed
and member–taught organization, said Pace. “This is not a service
organization. It is unique in its concept of peer teaching and learning.”
The institute offers a variety of ongoing classes, seminars and
field trips to members. For more information about membership and
course offerings, call 601.266.4186.
| 
