‘OLLI,’ Cal State’s Palm Desert adult-education program, ending after 20 years

After two decades, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Cal State San Bernardino's Palm Desert Campus will close at the end of June. The program experienced a decline in membership during the COVID-19 pandemic and faced challenges in rebuilding its membership base.

"It wasn't just about learning how to write better, it wasn't just about current events or so many things that we learned," said Ray Smythe, a long-time member of the OLLI program. "It was the anecdotes and the wonderful inspiring stories shared with us. The magic was all the people coming into the (Mary Stuart Rogers Gateway Building). It was a place where there was just so much joy."

Also in this week’s education news roundup: A nursing student at College of the Desert is gifted a car; two students from Desert Mirage High were awarded scholarships from the Coachella Valley Surf Club; Palm Springs Unified School District honored its nutrition professionals; and our weekly scholarship spotlight.

Did we miss a noteworthy education story? Raise your hand and send it my way: jennifer.cortez@desertsun.com.

More: Indio paraprofessional recognized for 'perseverance' in alternative education

CSUSB ending OLLI program; UCR Palm Desert to expand its version

In 2003, Kevin Sweeney, a recent transplant to the Coachella Valley, joined the newly established Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at CSUSB's Palm Desert Campus. Throughout the following 21 years, he observed the program's development, initially as a member and, more recently, as chairman of the curriculum committee.

OLLI, as the program is affectionately called, provided an avenue for intellectually curious adults aged 50 and over to dive into topics that they, and their instructors, were passionate and curious about. The program offered a variety of year-round noncredit classes lasting one, three or six weeks, along with travel opportunities.

"It was like going to college again," Sweeney said. "You got to know a lot of the other students in the class and the other members, and some turned into friendships and casual (acquaintanceships)."

Ray Smythe, another longstanding member of OLLI, said that one of the program's greatest aspects is its ability to unite people solely for the simple pleasure of learning, free from the burden of tests or homework.

Now many members, like Sweeney and Smythe, are mourning the loss of the program, following the university's announcement in early April of the closure of the Osher Institute at CSUSB, effective June 30.

"For a long time, we had more members in the OLLI program than we had undergraduates on the campus," Sweeney said, "so it was such a blow when the administrators announced (in an email) they were going to cancel the program. We just couldn't believe it."

As the OLLI program gradually reintroduced in-person classes after the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns, membership saw a significant decline, plummeting from nearly 1,000 members to below 300.

"When the numbers dropped, it made it fiscally challenging for us to keep the program operating," said Robert Nava, CSUSB's vice president for advancement. "The university has been providing a subsidy out of state funds to keep the program operating, so that became a bit of a challenge for us from a financial standpoint."

As Nava explained it, OLLI functions as a self-supporting program, meaning its budget relies on membership numbers. "It was a wonderful base of support from community members and thanks to the Bernard Osher Foundation in San Francisco that established the initial endowment gift to start that program all those years ago," he said.

The director of the OLLI program had been working diligently to try to rebuild the membership base, and while there were some fundraising efforts and philanthropic donations, it wasn't enough to sustain the program in the long term.

There are 125 OLLI programs at colleges around the country, according to the Bernard Osher Foundation.

CSUSB announced that it would be working with its partners at the UC Riverside Palm Desert Center, a block away from the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus on Cook Street, to introduce members to UCR's local Osher Institute.

Sweeney said there seems to be a willingness from current members to eventually join the new community, but at the moment, "there's a lot of anger right now." He understands that administration made the decision for financial reasons, but wishes the university would have communicated the termination in a less "disappointing" way.

"There was no thanking the community for supporting the Osher program for 20 years, no thanking the volunteers for all of their work," Sweeney said. "It's as though they couldn't have cared less about our program."

Johnna Norris, director of UCR's OLLI, said she, too, is grieving the loss of CSUSB's program. Norris had previously served as the program coordinator for OLLI at CSUSB's Palm Desert Campus.

"This is a program that serviced them for 20 years and many of them were there for a good part of that 20 years," she said. "It's a second home for them, and we want to make sure that they know we are welcoming them with open arms and we're open to discussions."

Norris intends to attend the final spring classes at CSUSB's Palm Desert Campus to announce open house dates for touring the adjacent campus. She plans to host a roundtable session where OLLI members can inquire about the types of programming available and what to expect in the upcoming summer and fall terms. UCR will soon launch a travel program, just as CSUSB had, featuring day trips, with plans to gradually expand to include domestic travel opportunities. (UCR's Osher program is available at both campuses in Riverside and Palm Desert, and will continue offering virtual classes.)

"Ours is now going to expand a little bit more than it had here in the past," Norris said. "I'm really hoping that people will come join us and take some great courses, but also come and meet new people in their community that they might like to spend time with."

For more information: Visit palmdesert.ucr.edu/welcome-ucr-osher

COD nursing student gifted with car to get to school and work

Diane Von Kaenal, a dedicated nursing student at College of the Desert, received a life-changing gift, thanks to the National Auto Body Council and the collaborative efforts involving the COD Foundation, Allstate and Fix Auto.

Von Kaenal was handed the keys to a fully refurbished 2020 Hyundai Elantra on Friday, a gesture that will "help her drive across the finish line and become a registered nurse," said Val Martinez Garcia, vice president of instruction at COD, in a press release.

Concurrently enrolled in a bachelor of science nursing program at CSU Dominguez Hills, she faced consideration challenges as a single parent when her vehicle broke down irreparably for the second time. Von Kaenal found herself relying on her peers for transportation to class and clinical experience. Despite the challenges, she's passed all of her courses with above average marks, is involved in the Student Nursing Association as an officer, serves as a peer mentor and engages in community outreach volunteer activities.

“We are honored to be able to help such a deserving student,” said COD Foundation Chair Diane Rubin. “Transportation continues to be a barrier for many students, but in this case, we were able to bridge the gap for (Von Kaenal). COD Foundation exists for these kinds of opportunities, but we wouldn’t be able to do it without our donors and supporters in our local community."

Desert Mirage High students will enjoy a wave of scholarships from Coachella Valley Surf Club

Two students in Desert Mirage High School's Green Technology Academy in Thermal — Anacaroline Cesena-Galarza and Diego Torres — will soon be awarded $500 scholarships from the Coachella Valley Surf Club's founder, David Hilts.

Cesena-Galarza and Torres will be honored on Friday, May 11 for their outstanding essays, which articulated their future aspirations, dedication to community service and resilience in supporting their families despite financial hurdles, according to a press release. Their essays showcased a deep appreciation for the importance of education and outlined how they plan to leverage the scholarship funds to both advance their pursuits of higher education and contribute to their communities.

Palm Springs Unified dishes up recognition for its school lunch heroes

Not all heroes wear capes; some wear hairnets and aprons as they prepare delicious food, adhering to strict nutrition standards and navigating student food allergies — all while offering service with a smile, despite having a lot on their plate. May 3 marks School Lunch Hero Day, an occasion of recognition in which Palm Springs Unified School District is acknowledging its nutrition professionals.

“School nutrition employees must balance many roles and follow numerous federal, state and local regulations to ensure safe and healthy meals are available in schools," said Sarah Phelps, director of nutrition services, in a press release. "School Lunch Hero Day provides the opportunity for the community to thank these hardworking heroes for their dedication to fueling our students for success."

For more information: Visit psusdnutrition.com

Scholarship Spotlight: One application deadline looms

The Democratic Women of the Desert, dedicated to promoting policies that reflect the priorities of women, is offering college scholarships in the amount of $500 to high school seniors. The application is open through Monday, May 6. Applicants residing in Riverside or Imperial counties must demonstrate a dedication to equal rights, leadership and academics. Two letters of recommendation are also requested.

For more information: Visit democraticwomenofthedesert.org/dwd-2024-high-school-senior-scholarship-applications

Jennifer Cortez covers education in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at jennifer.cortez@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Cal State’s adult-education program, OLLI, ending after 20 years