OLLI at OSU Celebrates 20 Years with Expanded Programs and Major Membership Discounts

STILLWATER, Okla. (January 2, 2026) — At Oklahoma State University, education doesn’t stop at graduation. As the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at OSU (OLLI at OSU) prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2026, the program is launching a recruitment drive for its Spring semester. While its focus population is those who are 50+, OLLI welcomes adults of all ages to rediscover the joy of learning without the pressure of exams or grades. 

Under the guidance of newly appointed Director and lifelong educator, Dr. Robin Fuxa, OLLI is evolving to be accessible to a multigenerational membership. "The ability to nurture our curiosity and creativity at every age is vital to individual well-being and a thriving community," says Dr. Fuxa. "When people ask 'What is OLLI?', I tell them it’s where truly top notch learning opportunities meet genuine friendship."

Breaking Down Barriers: New 50% Discounts

And to make lifelong learning more accessible than ever, OLLI has introduced significant "Public Servant" and "OSU Retiree" discounts. Retirees from OSU can try out our premium membership at 50% off their first year with OLLI, no matter how long it’s been since retirement. Current or retired Pre-K-12 teachers, first responders, and military service members can now access memberships at 50% off the regular price of either membership type.

"OLLI is a natural next step for those who have spent their lives serving others," says Dr. Fuxa. "We want to ensure that cost is never a barrier to exploring new interests and staying connected.” 

More Than Just a Classroom

OLLI at OSU offers a diverse range of experiences that go far beyond traditional lectures. Members can select any or all of these offerings: 

  • Academic & Civic Discussions: Engaging with experts on topics ranging from global affairs to local issues, history, arts/literature, health and wellness, the latest advancements across scientific fields, and so much more! 
  • Hands-on Creativity: Culinary demonstrations, painting, ukulele workshops and more.
  • Exclusive Travel: Group excursions to world-class destinations like the Canadian Rockies and Iceland.
  • Day Trips: OLLI offers day trips to explore nature or historical sites, visit museums, etc.
  • Social Connection: Access to weekly Town Hall series (free for members), book groups and other peer led learning opportunities, and events that build lasting community. 

Spotlight on Spring 2026 Courses

The upcoming Spring catalog features a mix of "tried and true" favorites and brand-new courses. With about 50 courses this spring, we can’t list them all so be sure to check out our catalog: OLLI Spring 2026 Catalog by Oklahoma State University College of Education and Human Sciences - Issuu

This session will feature history and current events courses from experts like returning instructors Meredith Woodruff (former CIA), Dr. Martin Brienen (Global Studies faculty focused on Latin America), Joe Dorman (former state legislator and Executive Director of the Oklahoma Center for Child Advocacy), Dr. Rick Moore (former OKC mayoral and U.S. Congressional staffer instrumental in MAPs) and Dr. James Showalter (historian). We’ll have another amazing series from Stillwater Medical at Home, movie and Ukulele courses, and ecologist Dr. Timothy O’Connell will teach us about birds. We’ll also have opportunities to learn about American Sign Language (ASL) and Women in Art, Holocaust educator Dr. Shanedra Nowell will join us; Stillwater Medical Center offers a sought after series, and so much more. Don’t miss our full catalog above, and reach out to olli@okstate.edu if you’d like to be added to our email newsletter. We’ll be adding Glass Blowing and more this session as pop up classes, so joining our email newsletter is the best way to learn about those opportunities. There is something for everyone at OLLI! 

How to Join

The Spring session officially begins February 16, 2026, with enrollment opening January 12. Prospective members can choose from a Premium Annual Membership ($200/year) for unlimited courses or an À La Carte Membership ($40/year) for those who prefer to pay per class.

Courses are held in three locations – Stillwater, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa – as well as online. Classes vary in duration from a single session of 90 minutes or 2 hours, as long as 8 weeks at 2 hrs/week, and everything in between. 

"My pitch is simply: try it," says longtime member and instructor Dr. Pam Brown. "The coursework is high quality, and the people are remarkable. You’ll find that the members are just as sharp and engaging as the instructors."

The Spring 2026 catalog is now available for browsing at olli.okstate.edu. Printed versions will arrive in members’ mailboxes mid-January.

About OLLI at OSU

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Oklahoma State University is a program of the Bernard Osher Foundation. It provides non-credit enrichment for lifelong learners who value cultivating our curiosity in a supportive, intellectually vibrant community.

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