History of OLLI Boca at FAU

Celebrating Exceptional Programming Since 1980

1980

Fla. Gov. Daniel Graham signs Older American's Act allowing residents 60+ to audit classes at land universities. FAU responds by forming the Guild for Older Students (SOS). Fifty participants sign up, led past Sol Kolodny. Office space was in the basement of the Kenneth R. Williams Assistants edifice.

1984

Harold Wayne appointed as SOS outset Executive Managing director.

1985

SOS renamed the Lifelong Learning Social club (LLS).

1989

Sculptor, and LLS attendee Alfred Richman, donates his "Water Ballet" sculpture which was originally part of a fountain. Previous SOS members donated the granite base of operations it sits on.

All membership information is computerized for mailings.

1991

LLS moves to the Social Science building, room 108, and a group is formed to raise $3.5M for an LLS building on the FAU Boca Raton campus.

1994

Barry and Florence Friedberg donate funds to assistance construct the auditorium which was named in their award.

Harold Wayne retires.

1995

Ely Meyerson appointed every bit the Executive Director in August.

More than than 140 volunteers assist LLS as class monitors, greeters, function staff and committee members.

1997

December  11, groundbreaking anniversary held for the Barry and Florence Friedberg Lifelong Learning Center.

LLS expands by establishing an LLS programme on the John D. MacArthur Campus in Jupiter.

1998

The starting time classes are held in the new auditorium.

LLS partners with the FAU Department of Continuing Education to build a hall next to the Friedberg Center.

2000

December 7 – LLS celebrates it's 2Oth anniversary titled, "A Gala Affair" at Pete's eatery with keynote speaker Govenor Michael Dukakis.

2003

The Greenish Room is designed and furnished by Anne Sckolnik and Virginia Huntzinger.

2005

January 20 – FAU fifth President Frank Brogan and his wife Courtney host the 25th LLS ceremony commemoration at the Baldwin House.

LLS awards a $250,000 endowed professorship in Current Diplomacy to the Dorothy F. Schmidt Higher of Arts and Letters − Jeffrey Due south. Morton, PhD, political science professor, is the first recipient.

2006

LLS contributes $250,000 to the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Messages to establish an LLS Professorship in Arts and Humanities.

2008

2008 Presidential Debate uses the Friedberg Auditorium for student and guest participation via cable.

Ely Meyerson passed away on July xv. Virginia Huntzinger serves every bit the Interim Assistant Provost.

2009

Herbert E. Shapiro, Ph.D. is appointed to the Assistant Provost's position on September 21.

2010

FAU 6th President Mary Jane Saunders hosts the 30th Anniversary at the Baldwin House.

Oct 26 marks the dedication of the new hall named the Ely Meyerson Continuing Instruction Hall (CEH).

Online registration is initiated for LLS patrons.

2017

LLS becomes office of the Osher Network, receiving an endowment of $4M over 2 years shared with the Jupiter and Fort Lauderdale sites. LLS is renamed the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI).

2018

Construction plans are started to expand the OLLI Boca infinite.

2019

Construction is completed on the CEH to accommodate smaller classrooms and boosted courses.

Jump 2019 OLLI Fort Lauderdale is created and begins offer programs at the Broward Middle for the Performing Arts.

Herbert Due east. Shapiro, Ph.D. retires.

Benjamin Joella, 1000.M. is promoted to the Associate Executive Director of OLLI Boca.

2020

Video Catch-up is introduced – a new option for patrons who would like to see a program but may have a conflict in their schedule or are out of town. Patrons unable to brand it to OLLI Boca are able to view programs for which they have registered in a video format online from their patron account anytime, anywhere, for up to 2 weeks after the program date.

FAU OLLI Boca celebrates it's 40th ceremony as a leading provider of adult education in the United States, presenting events, lectures and special programs to more than 27,000 annual attendees.

OLLI Boca live performances shut downward due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021

In response to the postponement of OLLI Boca live presentations, and patrons sheltering at home OLLI Boca created Edify at FAU, an exclusive lecture streaming service that provides access to high-quality documentary-style lectures by OLLI Boca presenters and some new faces. The service is accessible on any internet-continued device anytime, anywhere.

Due to the release of vaccinations for COVID-19 the Friedberg auditorium reopens to the public July 2021 for live performances.