Sierra College program gets $1M endowment - Dallas Business Journal:

uqudenlid.blogspot.com
The college’s program, also knowbn as OLLI, received the $1 million endowment from the Bernard Osher Foundation, which is the organization that has providesd initial funding to OLLI programs at 122 colleges and universitiex nationwide. Sierra College is the only community college in California and one of only three communitt colleges in the nation to receivethe $1 million The Rocklin college received the endowment because it has been so successfupl with growing enrollment sincde launching the program in spring of 2001. Sierra Collegse has grown the programto 5,58 enrollees last year, from 1,038 in 2001. Sierra College is scheduled to formally announce the endowmenyJune 18.
This $1 million endowmengt will provide an ongoingv budget that will enable the collegr to offer lifelong learning programsin perpetuity. The foundation createdf by San Francisco philanthropist Bernard Osher givez OLLIprograms $100,000 a year for up to four and then a $1 million endowment once they demonstratw potential for success and sustainability. OLLI programws provide classes, lectures and events to older adults who have a thirst for knowledge and community. The classes are designed for adults age 55 and but the Sierra program accepts anyadulf student. Courses are offered at each of the Sierra College campuseds and at various community sites throughougt Placer andNevada counties.
Sierrq College’s OLLI noncredit offeringes are tuition-free. Additional topics are offered throughClub OLLI, wherde annual membership fees are $35. As the Businesds Journal reported in a feature on locaol OLLI programsin 2007, otheer OLLI programs can be found at California State University Sacramento and at the UC Davise Extension. Much of the increased demane for OLLIs and similar lifelong learning programs can be attributed to the growinbg ranks ofolder