UNC Wilmington Receives $1 Million Endowment from Osher Foundation
7/12/2007 10:11:01 AM
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Wilmington, N.C. - The Bernard Osher Foundation has given $1 million to the University of North Carolina Wilmington to endow the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, which provides non-credit university courses, seminars, lectures, travel excursions and other educational opportunities to adult learners.
"The Osher Foundation is dedicated to lifelong learning, and this wonderful endowment ensures a long life for the programs and services UNC Wilmington offers adult learners," Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo said. "We are extremely grateful to the foundation for its confidence in the university, and we look forward to using the endowment to support a rich variety of intellectual opportunities for adult learners throughout southeastern North Carolina."
In addition, the foundation gave UNC Wilmington a $50,000 grant to fund the institute's programs until the endowment's investments generate income. The foundation previously contributed $100,000 both in 2005 and in 2006 to establish the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). As part of another grant program, the Osher Foundation in May gave the university a $50,000 grant to provide tuition assistance to as many as 25 qualified re-entering, non-traditional students.
With the endowment, UNC Wilmington plans to significantly enhance OLLI's programs, which currently serve about 750 participants. To learn more about OLLI and other community outreach initiatives offered by the UNCW Division for Public Service and Continuing Studies, visit www.uncw.edu/dpscs.
"UNC Wilmington is the only public university in North Carolina that has an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute," said Karel Dutton, director of continuing studies. "We are truly honored that the foundation recognized our commitment to offering adult learners opportunities to enrich their lives through educational travel, compelling lectures and seminars, cultural events, leadership opportunities and much more."
The Bernard Osher Foundation of San Francisco supports lifelong learning programs for mature adults at colleges and universities across the United States. Of the 115 institutions in the national network, 27 have received $1 million endowments.
"The foundation is delighted to provide UNC Wilmington with significant resources to serve adults seeking lifelong learning opportunities," said Dr. Mary Bitterman, president of The Bernard Osher Foundation. "The character and quality of the university's programs merit this award."
Stephen Demski, vice chancellor for public service and continuing studies, said the funding the Osher Foundation previously provided enabled the university to offer more programs in more regional locations with its "On the Road" series. For example, UNCW teamed up with the Wilmington Housing Authority to provide programs in public housing communities, making it possible for the university to reach out to historically underserved residents.
Participation in the OLLI programs has quadrupled in two years, he added, because Dutton and her staff work closely with UNCW faculty to develop stimulating courses, lectures, seminars and other enrichment activities.
"OLLI participants directly benefit from the world-class faculty and dedicated staff at UNCW. Our faculty members bring the same enthusiasm and knowledge to OLLI programs that they do to the university's for-credit academic programs," he said. "With this endowment, the Osher Foundation is helping UNC Wilmington fulfill a significant component of its mission - to improve the quality of life for all citizens of southeastern North Carolina."
Media contacts:
Woody Sutton, Division of Public Service and Continuing Studies, 910.962.7074 or suttonc@uncw.edu
Andrea Weaver, Marketing and Communications, 910.962.7631 or weavera@uncw.edu
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