Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Do you like to Learn? Exercise? Travel? Are you 50 or older? OLLI is the place for you!
OLLI at Southern Miss
Printed class schedules for our Spring 2025 semester will be mailed to current members
and others who request one in mid-December.
Registration for Spring 2025 courses will open in mid-January and classes will begin on Monday, January 27.
Want to see a sample of the types of courses we offer? Check out the semester guide for Fall 2024, which just ended. It's available .
*OLLI classes occasionally reach maximum enrollment capacity on day one of registration; therefore, to increase the likelihood of obtaining a seat in your preferred class(es), we highly recommend that you register using one of these methods. If you will not use OLLI's online registration to enroll yourself, we encourage you to email your class request list to olliFREEMississippi prior to opening day of registration. Registration requests sent via email will be entered on a first-received first-registered basis.
Do-it-Yourself online by clicking .
Email your class request list to olliFREEMississippi.%C2%A0
Call us: 228.214.3277 (Coast) | 601.266.6554 (Hattiesburg)
Stop by your local OLLI office:
730 E. Beach Boulevard | North Academic Building Room 212 | Long Beach
3601 Pearl Street | Hattiesburg
Fall 2024 Class Dates
Term I | Monday, September 9 - Friday, October 11 (Five Weeks)
No classes October 14 - October 18
Term II | Monday, October 21 - Friday, November 22 (Five Weeks)
Not a member? Request a class schedule guide by emailing olliFREEMississippi and providing your name and mailing address.
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No matter where you live, you may enroll in classes listed for either campus or on Zoom.
A number of courses will be held both in-person and on Zoom and several on only Zoom.
Members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) are active adults who share a love of learning. Members enjoy innovative and enriching programs in an inclusive environment with others who share their interests. Many members are retired, but it is not a requirement to join, nor do you need to be a graduate or otherwise affiliated with Southern Miss. Our members come from a wide range of backgrounds, vocations, and connections to local community.
There are only 125 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes in the United States. In Mississippi, OLLI programming is available exclusively at Southern Miss, in Hattiesburg and Long Beach.
The platform Zoom provides us an opportunity to learn and socialize together online, whether in Hattiesburg, on the Mississippi Gulf Coast or anywhere in the world, as long as the Internet is accessible. It allows us to participate in courses with peers from both campuses and most anywhere, no driving required.
It is a user-friendly program, and instructions on downloading it are available in the short, straightforward video available here: If you need assistance or practice on ZOOM, please call us.
Learning is for Life!
- Jeopardy Socials: 1st Fridays at 11:00 a.m.
- Dates to be announced soon
OLLI offers classes that meet the needs and schedules of active adults. We typically divide the Fall and Spring semesters into two five-week terms and offer a six-week term in the Summer, with no classes the week of July 4th. Fall terms typically begin in September and October. The Spring terms typically begin in February and March. The Summer term typically runs during June and July. During each term we offer three different formats of learning experiences: classes, seminars, and field trips. All Hattiesburg classes and seminars are held at the Peck House or Asbury Annex (unless otherwise indicated). Gulf Park classes are held in Lloyd Hall, unless otherwise indicated.
Our goal at OLLI Southern Miss is to create environments that maximize the learning experience for all members. Many of our programs offer a forum for the lively and even passionate exchange of views. To that end, our learning community follows principles of courtesy and mutual respect that promote reasoned discourse and intellectual honesty. Opposing viewpoints are honored and appreciated to preserve the dignity of others.
Transgressions may include denigrating others鈥� views or opinions, threatening behaviors, offensive or abusive language, disruptive classroom conduct, sexual harassment or discrimination, and monopolizing discussions. Personal attacks are especially unwarranted.
OLLI members, instructors, facilitators, staff, or guests who do not or cannot adhere to the principles of courtesy and mutual respect may be removed from class or denied the privilege of future participation.
The Bernard Osher Foundation was founded by Bernard Osher in 1977. Through the foundation, his philanthropy has benefited a wide range of educational, cultural and other nonprofit organizations across the United States. Currently, the foundation provides support to four distinct programs:
- Osher Scholars and Fellows
- Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes
- Osher Integrative Medicine Program
- A Local Arts and Educational Program
Bernard Osher is a successful businessman and community leader, a patron of the arts and education, whose philanthropy has affected countless organizations over the past quarter-century. His wife, the Honorable Barbro Osher, Consul General of Sweden in San Francisco, serves as chair of the foundation. To learn more about Bernard Osher, his philanthropic interests and investments, please visit the foundation's website: .