UK Office of Lifelong Learning celebrates 60 years

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 13, 2024) — For 60 years, University of Kentucky’s Office of Lifelong Learning has empowered older adults to explore, connect and learn without limits.

This week, UK will recognize these scholars — current and former — and honor the impact the office has made at a celebratory anniversary gala downtown. 

“It’s a milestone event that promises to be a memorable evening of reflection, gratitude and looking ahead to the future of lifelong learning,” said Joey Conrad, executive director of the Office of Lifelong Learning.

The Office of Lifelong Learning is home to the Donovan Scholars and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UK. Both programs provide educational, social and community activities for adults 50 and up.

The Donovan Scholarship pays tuition and mandatory course fees for adults who are 65 years and older, taking academic courses at UK. The scholarship is available for courses held on campus and limited availability for UK online classes.

Donovan Scholars may audit classes (exams, papers or other assignments are typically not required), take classes for credit without working toward a degree, or take classes for credit as a degree-seeking candidate.

The OLLI at UK offers courses, forums, seminars, travel opportunities, shared interest groups and events throughout the year in a variety of topics, formats and locations for adults who are age 50 and up. 

All OLLI learning opportunities are enrichment activities that are offered for the joy of learning. Program activities are offered in Lexington, Morehead and online.

“The friendships that I have made, the cultural experiences through trips, the opportunities to serve on committees that interest me and benefit all seniors in our community are just a few ways OLLI has given me a renewed purpose at this age and stage in my life,” said Diane Woods, a former student and now OLLI advisory board member.

The Donovan Scholars program was created in the 1950s by then-UK President Herman L. Donovan, who believed education was a lifelong process and who became a strong advocate of higher education for retired persons.

He proposed that colleges and universities open their doors to persons aged 65 and older, allowing them to register for courses free of cost so that they could continue to pursue their interests. He reasoned that colleges and universities owed their greatness to the work, support, gifts, taxes and votes of the older generations.

In the fall of 1964, 26 Donovan Scholars, ranging in age from 65 to 84, joined traditional UK students on campus for the first time. In 1967, Amanda Hicks became the first Donovan Scholar to receive a degree. In 1975, Alfred D.G. Arthurs became the first to earn a Ph.D. 

One of the first programs of its kind in the country, it was not long before the Donovan Program gained national attention. While most of the early Donovan Scholars were from the Lexington area, the national publicity resulted in inquiries from every state and many foreign countries.

In January 2007, UK received financial support from the Bernard Osher Foundation to increase learning opportunities in Lexington by changing the name of the enrichment branch of the Donovan Scholars program to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UK. This allowed offerings to widen in number and scope, as well as membership numbers by lowering the age to 50 and extending lifelong learning to other sites in Kentucky. The Osher Foundation continued their support financially to the University of Kentucky through additional grants, gifts and finally two endowments. A National Resource Center, created and funded by the Osher Foundation, supports a national network of 125 OLLIs located from Maine to Hawaii.

Current statistics at UK

Donovan Scholars - Fall 2024 Semester

• Number of scholars: 158
• Average age: 71
• Youngest Scholar: 65
• Oldest Scholar: 87
• Attempted credit hours: 700
• Degree seeking scholars: 95

OLLI at UK

• 971 members
• Average age: 75
• 150+ courses, shared interest groups and lectures annually
• 100+ volunteers

“We are excited to celebrate 60 years of lifelong learning at the university this year,” said Conrad. “This is a momentous occasion that marks six decades of engaging the minds, elevating the spirit, and enriching the lives of adults aged 50 and up through educational, social and community activities.”