The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is an inclusive learning community of adults who want to share their love of learning. By becoming a member, you’ll join peers who want to foster connection, exploration and engagement.
Established in 1977, OLLI at Duke’s mission seeks to engage the minds, elevate the spirits and foster the well-being of its members through numerous educational programs and opportunities for volunteer service and social activity.
OLLI courses run for three terms per academic year – fall, winter, and spring – with approximately 200 courses per year. Courses are reviewed and selected by a Curriculum Committee made up of peer members. Topics come from member suggestions as well as expert instructors and advisors. Our goal is to present a balanced variety of courses with something for everyone. Course topics generally fall under these areas:
- Art and Architecture
- Economics & Public Policy
- Hands-On Art
- History: Past & Present
- Literature and Languages
- Performing Arts
- Photography
- Religion & Philosophy
- Science & Technology
- Society and Culture
- Wellness Activities
- Writing
OLLI’s dedicated instructors may be retired from Duke and nearby universities; graduate or postdoctoral students; independent scholars; or community experts. If you have a suggestion for a course topic for a class, or know of someone who would make a great OLLI teacher, please contact jenny.levine@duke.edu.
In-Person Courses
Online Courses
| Course | Time | Tuition | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evangelicalism Then and NowIN PERSON: In the 21st century, "evangelical" and “evangelicalism” have become practically synonymous with right-wing white politics. That common current usage, though, overshadows a broad range of Christian beliefs and practices,… - |
9:00AM - 10:30AM | $75.00 | Canceled |
Accessing Zoom links for Duke OLLI Courses in the Student and Instructor Portal
OLLI Registration
Becoming a member of OLLI at Duke is easy. Our annual membership fee of $50 entitles members to enroll in courses, participate in special interest groups, vote in elections and attend social events in person and online.
Membership is available starting March 1 and is good through June 30 of the following calendar year. Membership dues are non-refundable.
There are two ways to purchase an OLLI at Duke Membership:
- Automatically during registration: If you have been a member, but your membership has expired, our online registration system will automatically add a new membership to your cart when you enroll in courses.
- From this website: Click on this link to add a 2023 - 2024 Membership to your cart.
Scholarship Support
We want OLLI at Duke courses to be accessible to all who have a passion for lifelong learning. Thanks to the generosity of Lynne Blake, a former OLLI president, scholarship support is available to those who may not otherwise be able to attend. For information, please email Kathy.Parrish@duke.edu and ask about our Community Membership. All requests are confidential.
Dates
Spring 2023 registration:
For classes held on Monday, and Tuesday registration opens Tuesday, April 11 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
For classes held on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday registration opens Wednesday, April 12 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
Most online courses have the capacity for more than 100 participants, we do not expect many waitlists. It's not critical to log on exactly at 9 a.m. to register unless you plan to register for courses with limited enrollment.
In-person courses are smaller than usual in order to comply with social distancing requirements. We expect in-person courses to fill fast.
Maximum enrollment limits can be found on the course’s profile page and in the catalog.
Members must register for courses using this website. There are two ways to find your course.
- Search Courses Link: If you know the Course Name or Course ID click here Advanced Course Search. This is the most direct way to find your course. Click on the link to the course and “add to Cart”. Then follow the steps to check out.
- By Day of the Week or by Category: Go to learnmore.duke.edu, click on “Osher Lifelong Learning,” expand the section labeled “Courses,” and click on the tab “View by day” or “View by category.” Click on the course title to get to the course page, click on “Add to Cart,” and follow the steps to checkout.
Payments
All courses are priced individually and listed in the course descriptions with the specific dollar amount.
Members who enroll in courses must register for classes/membership and pay online via credit card. OLLI staff are working remotely and are unable to register members by phone or accept paper registration forms.
Refund Policy
Membership dues, special events, and workshop fees are non-refundable.
Course Fee Refunds:
- To request a refund for an OLLI course, please email learnmore@duke.edu within five business days of the first class meeting. There is a $20 service charge per course dropped, $10 if the course fee is $50 or less. To avoid the service fee, you can request to transfer to a new course. If the new course costs more, you will be charged for the difference.
- No refunds will be issued after five business days from the first class meeting, except in a medical emergency.
- To request a refund due to a medical emergency, please email Kathy.Parrish@duke.edu.
- If a course is canceled by OLLI at Duke, your course fees will be refunded automatically.
OLLI at Duke reserves the right to cancel a course or event due to inclement weather, insufficient enrollment, or circumstances beyond our control; refunds will be made automatically and no charges will be incurred by members.
Activities are an integral part of the OLLI program, providing opportunities to learn and socialize outside the classroom. For questions regarding activities such as Special Events or Workshops, please email olli@duke.edu.
Special Interest Groups
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are an added bonus to membership with OLLI at Duke. These groups and clubs provide opportunities to connect outside the classroom. If you want to find out more about any of the listed groups, please contact the designated coordinator for that activity. For general questions about SIGs, please contact Kathy.Parrish@duke.edu.
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Contemporary Literature Group |
This group enjoys reading and discussing the best contemporary literature, both fiction and nonfiction. They will meet via Zoom on the second Monday of each month from 3:00 to 4:15 p.m. For more details and to be added to our mailing list, please contact Barbara Amago (BarbaraAmago@gmail.com). |
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| Courageous Conversations |
Courageous Conversations About Race is a Special Interest Group (SIG) that meets weekly to discuss important social justice issues of racial equity and inclusion. Our past discussion topics informed by current events have included “Gerrymandering,” “Reproductive Rights,” “Gentrification” and “Gun Violence.” Our website is frequently updated and includes recommended articles to enrich each discussion and a new “Take Action” page with a variety of resources to encourage individual engagement. We also offer a Dialogue without an agenda every Thursday from 3 to 4 when the SIG is not meeting. We meet via Zoom on the second Thursday of each month from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. Email us olliatduke.courageous@gmail.com to get on our list for meeting announcements. We look forward to welcoming new members!” |
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Craft Group |
The Craft Group will meet via Zoom on the first and third Monday of each month from 3:00 - 4:15 p.m. For details and more information, please contact Judy Grauer at judygrauer@gmail.com. |
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International Folk Dance: |
What’s the best exercise for your brain? Dancing! Join us for a fun way to keep your body and brain healthy and improve your balance. Our dances are mostly from Eastern Europe, are done in a line or circle (no partner needed), are low impact and not highly strenuous. This group meets on Tuesdays, 2:30-4:00 p.m., at Croasdaile Village Retirement Community. For more information and details please contact Judy Stafford at judy.stafford.nc@gmail.com. |
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Mystery Mavens Book Group |
This group will meet via Zoom on the second Tuesday of each month from 2:00 to 3:15 p.m. Do you suspect you’ll be interested? Simply contact Judy Graham (JudyGraham1000@gmail.com) for more details and information. |
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OLLI Short Story Discussion Group |
A well-written short story can make you feel the same thrill, experience the same attachment to the characters, as reading a full-length novel, but typically takes less than an hour to read, rather than days (or weeks). Come join our lively discussions on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Contact Howard Goldberg, hgoldberg16@gmail.com for more details. |
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| OLLI Singles |
This is an active group with monthly virtual and in-person events. During the past year, we have enjoyed plays at Playmakers, a visit to the Mark Hewitt pottery, a private docent-led museum tour at the NC Museum of Art, NC Symphony Summerfest concerts, and lunches and dinners at numerous restaurants in the area. Our virtual meetings have included focused docent tours of various collections at the NCMA, as well as roundtable discussions. We welcome new members and look forward to meeting you! Contacts: Robbi Weinman and Mike Rychener Robbi's email: rsweinman@att.net; Mike's email: keyrick9@gmail.com |
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| Science Book Club |
We read and discuss nonfiction science books on topics including biology, evolution, the physical sciences, medicine, the environment, economics, and biographies of famous scientists. This group meets on the first Thursday of the month from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. via zoom. Contact Daniel.Oldman@gmail.com for more information. |
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All OLLI events are in Eastern Time (ET). Please read carefully as all dates are subject to change.
| When | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2023 | ||
| April 11 |
Registration for Winter courses open at 9:00 a.m., ET -For classes held Monday and Tuesday |
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| April 12 |
Registration for Winter courses open at 9:00 a.m., ET -For classes held Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday |
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| April 13 | Zoom Basics and Refresher for OLLI members - 10 a.m., ET | |
| May 1 | Spring Classes begin | |
| May 29 | Memorial Day, Office closed, no classes | |
| June 9 | Winter classes end | |
| June 12-15 | Make up days for online classes | |
Board Service We welcome both new and longtime members to join the leadership of OLLI at Duke. Serving on the Board of Advisors as an elected officer, an at-large advisor, or a committee chair offers you the opportunity to use your talents, and contribute to the success of the OLLI at Duke community.
Teach for OLLI Would you like to teach a course, do you know an outstanding teacher, or do you have a topic you’d like to learn? Let us know! Jenny Levine at Jenny.Levine@duke.edu, Program Coordinator for OLLI at Duke.
Course Moderators are members who support online courses. The moderator’s primary role is to assist the instructor. They monitor the Zoom chat for the instructor or call on people who have virtual hands raised. They also assist in welcoming students and introduce the instructor on the first day of class. Given their important role, moderators do not pay for the course they are moderating. If you think you would enjoy this role, please email Chris Abrons at volunteer@olliatduke.org.
Class Assistants are members who support in-person courses. They make announcements, take attendance, and support instructors. Contact Kathy.parrish@duke.edu to sign up.
Other ways to help: We are always looking for people to help with events and committees. If you are interested in volunteering, or if you have ideas for a new activity or improvements to an existing program, please email Chris.McLeod@duke.edu.
Who is OLLI at Duke?
All adults with a passion for learning are welcome. Our members include people from all walks of life, from educators to lawyers, from essential workers to doctors, and from native Durhamites to new arrivals. We believe such a rich and diverse mix of backgrounds and interests makes the classroom discussion even more interesting. In this relaxed and congenial atmosphere, our goal is to deepen our understanding of the world around us through study and discussion, to rekindle former interests and discover new ones with no grades or tests. Our members share a passion for learning and all the benefits of keeping mind and body active and engaged.
OLLI at Duke is a learning community where you can enjoy daytime courses, good conversation, and the companionship of peers. In addition to outstanding instructors, being a member of this community offers you access to a broad range of intellectual and cultural activities.
OLLI at Duke is a cooperative venture and we rely on the contributions and participation, both in class and out, of our members. Our members teach classes, coordinate lecture series, lead small-group discussions, serve on the Board of Advisors, and committees. We invite you to join us.
Founded in 1977, the Duke Institute for Learning in Retirement (DILR) was a joint venture of Duke University Continuing Education and the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development. In 2006, DILR became OLLI at Duke has since grown from its 42 original members to over 1500, and offers 40 to 60 courses each term.
Leadership
OLLI at Duke operates under the auspices of Duke Continuing Studies and Summer Session. We are a member-led organization with our own Board of Advisors, bylaws, and committees. OLLI at Duke is led by a Director, and supported by a Program Coordinator, an Operations/Administrative Assistant, a Technical/Communications Assistant, and several part-time staff, who are employees of Duke Continuing Studies.
The Board of Advisors consists of the President, the Vice President, the Immediate Past President, the chairs of the standing committees, the At-Large Advisors, and the Board’s Recording Secretary (ex-officio). If you are interested in learning more about the positions on the Board please contact chris.mcleod@duke.edu.
2022-2023 Officers (one-year term, elected at annual meeting)
- President: Marion Jervay
- Vice President: Bobbie Hendrix
At-Large Advisors (two-year term)
- Term Ending 2023: Ben Edwards, Vacant
- Term Ending 2024: Kenneth Chestnut, Sr., Ted Segal
Committee Chairs (Appointed by President)
- Community Engagement: Diane Hundley
- Curriculum: Beth Anderson
- Instructor Relations: Alan Teasley
- Legacy: Lisa Gabriel
- Leadership Development: Sue Dennison
- Member Engagement: Vacant
- Social Activities & Hospitality: Vacant
- Space: Peter Blaufeux
Ex-Officio Board members:
- Board Recording Secretary: Ellen Luken
- Director: Chris McLeod, JD
Staff
- Director: Chris McLeod, JD
- Program Coordinator: Jenny Levine
- Operations/Administrative: Kathy Parrish
- Technical/Communication: Betina Huntwork
- Staff Representatives: Jonathan Bitner, Annette Gooch, Jay Starks, Annie Taft, Mary Thompson, Beverly Thorpe
OLLI at Duke keeps members informed and connected to the program in a number of ways.
The OLLI Newsletter is produced by staff to inform the membership of upcoming events, special workshops and course registration details. Please click here to sign up for Newsletters
Online Learning Website
OLLI at Duke has created a website to host information about Online Learning activities. This site provides Zoom how-to guides, requests for technical assistance, and information on the current Online Learning term. Please visit: https://www.olliatduke.online.
The majority of our courses are being taught online via Zoom. Links to classes can be found in the Student Portal by logging in at the top right of this website.
OLLI will be hosting several in-person courses at our classroom facility at the Judea Reform Congregation, 1933 W Cornwallis Rd. Durham, NC, 27705. Please join our Newsletter Mailing list for more information on in-person events.