Lifelong Learners Thrive Through OLLI Program

Carl Johnson’s, MM’94, introduction to OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) began with a simple invitation from a friend to attend a class. What started as casual participation blossomed into passionate engagement. With a lifelong background in education, Johnson soon found himself teaching classes, leveraging his musical background and his extensive experience with the San Francisco Bay Area public schools. For the past 20 years, Johnson conducted for the Des Moines Community Orchestra, the Greater Des Moines Community Band, and the Urbandale Community Theater.

It wasn’t long before Johnson joined the OLLI programming committee, and eventually, became its chair. Under Johnson’s guidance, and with a transformative grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation, the program expanded significantly. Over the last three years, Drake’s lifelong learning organization, previously called the RaySociety, has received incredible support to strengthen and expand its programming, including grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000, as well as a $1 million endowment gift.

This growth hasn’t been without challenges. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, one could argue a need for the community OLLI provided was never more necessary, but safety for all was the top priority. Johnson and others put their past skills at teaching and adapting to work by embracing Zoom and ensuring classes could continue online. This shift maintained community and broadened OLLI’s reach, enabling members to participate from anywhere.

The hybrid model of in-person and virtual classes became a staple. OLLI now offers members global connections with virtual classes that draw an international reach and strengthen local connections through collaborations with venues like Varsity Cinema, which hosts OLLI students every month for a movie viewing.

As with all good teachers, Johnson takes pride in watching the passion for continued education grow.

“As a teacher, I want to communicate the importance of lifelong learning to all my students regardless of their ages,” Johnson said. “We all need to model that idea in as many ways as we can.”

David Hansen, BN’65, is a lifelong supporter of Drake and embodies the spirit of continuous learning and community involvement. His journey with Drake began in the 1960s as an undergraduate and MBA student, and it has extended into his retirement through his participation in OLLI.

Hansen’s initial involvement started when he was asked to join the advisory council, back when OLLI was known as the RaySociety. Reflecting on that time, he shared, “I was serving a two-year term, and it was interesting, and I loved it. It was just at the time that OLLI came into the picture.”

Hansen, a retired consulting partner in a CPA firm and former adjunct professor at Drake, has taken numerous OLLI classes with his wife. He describes the experience as, “like being back in college again, just keeping that mind going.” Among his favorite courses are those on jazz, performance arts, birdwatching, and old-time movies. “The movies are right on the top of my list. You get a class before the movie, then go to the movie, and after the movie, another session to discuss it,” he said.

Hansen’s deep connection to Drake extends beyond academics. He was a member of the first men’s basketball team to play at Madison Square Garden in the 1963-64 season, and has been actively involved with the athletics department ever since. “I serve as liaison to the Drake Athletics Department for men’s basketball alumni recognition activities every year,” he noted proudly.

For Hansen, lifelong learning and staying engaged with the Drake community have been central to his life. “I think that’s the key. It’s a continuation, you know, and you just don’t quit learning because you got your degree. It’s really a great thing for the seniors,” he emphasized.

Together, Johnson, Urtz, and Hansen illustrate the broad and inclusive nature of the OLLI program, which continues to attract and inspire a diverse group of lifelong learners.