Celebrating 20 Years!

Celebrating 20 Years!


The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Bradley University (OLLI) is a group of more than 1,000 individuals, age 50 and over, who learn together through three distinct programs: OLLI Classes, OLLI Learning Trips, and OLLI Study Groups.

Here, members can discuss what they learned, what they enjoyed, and offer suggestions to enhance future program offerings.

Take a look at the photos we're taking, and the discussions we're having as OLLI members.

Whether we're in class, in town, or out of town ... we're on the go, having fun, and constantly learning.


We look forward to reading your comments!

While you're online, be sure to visit our website www.bradley.edu/continue/olli to register for our programs.

Don't forget -- OLLI has its own YouTube Channel, where you can see video clips of Learning Trips, Classes, and Study Groups!

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Tuesday, January 28, 2014

WEEK-TV January 22, 2014

OLLI visited the WEEK-TV station in East Peoria. We went behind-the-scenes for a viewing of the midday news broadcast and a question-and-answer session with Gary Moore and Alyssa Donovan. We had an opportunity to meet Tom McIntyre who discussed his career in news as a reporter, anchor, and writer. McIntyre shared his most memorable career experiences with OLLI members.

During our tour, we watched reporters and anchors at work, learning how news is gathered. We visited the control room and also viewed the editing bays. OLLI thanks the entire crew at WEEK-TV for such an amazing chance to have a glimpse inside a working TV station.

For more information about WEEK-TV, visit CINews.

Powerton Generating Station January 21, 2014

OLLI visited Powerton Generating Station in Pekin, IL. Our tour guide was Mark Kelly, a Chemical Engineer at Powerton, the largest coal burning power plant in the state of Illinois. The station can burn up to 20,000 tons of coal per day. We learned that over the winter months the station stores 1.5 million tons of coal which equals about 75 days worth of coal, and how the coal-fired boilers produce enough electricity to meet the needs of 1.8 million households. Powerton's coal comes all the way from out west near Gillette, Wyoming.

We went behind the scenes viewing the turbines and generators and found out how electricity is transmitted for distribution to commercial, retail, and industrial customers. OLLI members also enjoyed touring the control room to learn more about our local electricity and why blackouts happen.

OLLI thanks Mark Kelly and the staff at Powerton Station for allowing us to tour their facility.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Winter Classes- January 2014

Close to 200 OLLI members braved the cold weather to enjoy a wonderful week of learning January 7-10, 2014. Participants chose from an extensive list of classes ranging from Robots and Hemingway to City Council realities and ancient ruins. Be sure to catch the next round of OLLI classes starting Wed. April 2, 2014.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Toraason Glass Studio- January 20, 2014

OLLI visited Toraason Glass Studio in Peoria. Owner Hiram Toraason gave OLLI a tour of his gallery, as well as a glass blowing demonstration using glass cane. Toraason explained cane is a cylinder of glass that had been heated and pulled like taffy then cooled to be used at a later time. He used the cane to show a different way to make glass art. Toraason also explained that using cane allows him to create a basket weave pattern in the glass, which is a great way to add dimension to his piece of artwork.

OLLI thanks Hiram Toraason for another amazing tour of his studio.

Learn more about Toraason's artwork on Facebook.

Monday, January 20, 2014

AMT - January 13, 2014

OLLI visited Advanced Medical Transport (AMT) in Peoria. AMT is a private, not-for-profit company which serves the people of more than 30 communities throughout Central Illinois. Our personal guide was Kelly Walsh, a Pre-Hospital Registered Nurse who has both the certification to be a Paramedic and a Registered Nurse. She gave us an overview of AMT and discussed the differences between her role as a PHRN as compared to an EMT-Paramedic, EMT-Intermediate, EMT-Basic, and a First Responder. She took us on a tour of the AMT facility on Sterling Avenue, where we got a behind-the-scenes look at some high-tech equipment. AMT has a fleet of 44 different ambulances, some of which are very unique. One such ambulance is that used to transport children to St. Judes in Memphis -- it's even equipped with an Xbox and DVD player. We also learned some amazing facts, including this one: most ambulances have nearly 300,000 miles logged before they are retired. We also had the opportunity to observe their communications center which serves as their dispatch and 2-1-1 center. OLLI enjoyed the visit to AMT and learning more about how they serve the community. OLLI thanks Kelly Walsh and the entire staff at AMT for giving us a tour of their outstanding facility

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