After retiring, Morgantown residents Byron and Carolyn Nelson found themselves searching for something many retirees often miss: connection, purpose and continued intellectual engagement. Encouraged by friends, the couple joined the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at West Virginia University and quickly discovered a community that offered all three.
“It gets lonely after retirement,” Byron Nelson said. “It’s hard to find venues to meet new people. OLLI provided the ideal environment for that.”
For the Nelsons and others, OLLI is more than just a place to take classes. It’s a space to build friendships, explore new interests and even share their own expertise.
The impact is made possible in part through donor support. Private contributions account for approximately 20-30% of OLLI’s operating costs, helping keep the program accessible and affordable for members.
“For donors who currently support OLLI, I want you to know the impact your support has on the community,” Kathi Elkins, an OLLI member and instructor, said. “It really helps us keep OLLI here in West Virginia, in Morgantown and Charleston. I truly thank you for that support and hope you recognize the importance it brings to our community.”
Donor support helps preserve OLLI as a vital resource within the community, one that fosters lifelong learning, connection and a renewed sense of purpose beyond retirement.
Byron Nelson, professor emeritus within the English department at the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, has taught OLLI courses ranging from literature to opera, subjects he didn’t always have the chance to teach during his academic career. He has also incorporated music into his classes, playing the piano and using multimedia to enhance the experience.
For many members, the experience begins with anticipation: receiving the course catalog, exploring new class offerings and discovering topics that spark interest. That excitement becomes part of the learning process itself, as members enroll in classes ranging from history and literature to hands-on experiences like chess, music and field trips to destinations such as Fallingwater and the National Aviary in Pittsburgh.
Beyond academics, OLLI fosters connection. Participants learn alongside others with shared interests, forming friendships and building networks that extend beyond the classroom. The program, offered through the WVU School of Public Health, creates a welcoming space where engagement and discovery continue well into retirement.
Elkins, who both coordinates and teaches classes, said OLLI has opened doors to new connections and opportunities. Known for her creative course on making ice cream, she combines hands-on learning with history, exploring topics like early refrigeration, to create