Curiosity Doesn’t Retire: How OLLI Opens New Doors at The Commons in Lincoln
Through The Commons in Lincoln’s partnership with Tufts University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), residents are discovering new interests, building meaningful connections and embracing the joy of lifelong learning.
At The Commons in Lincoln, residents are showing that retirement can be a time to explore more deeply, ask new questions and reconnect with interests that may have been waiting in the wings for years.
That spirit comes to life through the community’s partnership with Tufts University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), which brings non-credit courses, lectures, special events and interest groups directly to residents on campus at The Commons.
What makes the program especially meaningful is not simply the course catalog.
It is the people who embrace it.
Staying Curious Through Life’s Transitions
For resident Judy H., lifelong learning has always been connected to something bigger than education.
A geologist by training who later devoted her career to supporting children and families, Judy moved to The Commons over a decade ago when her husband needed some support with Memory Care. Throughout life’s transitions, she has remained committed to staying engaged with the people, ideas and experiences that matter most.
“I think staying connected matters,” Judy says. “You want to keep doing the things that are meaningful to you.”
Through OLLI, she has explored topics ranging from Scottish myths to morality and philosophy. One course in particular challenged her to consider situations from multiple perspectives, reinforcing a lesson she believes becomes increasingly important with age.
“Learning helps you stay flexible,” she reflects. “As life changes, continuing to learn helps you adapt.”
A Lifetime of Asking Questions
Resident Barbara T. spent her professional life in chemistry, public health and scientific research, fields built on inquiry, analysis and discovery. Today, that same curiosity continues to guide her life at The Commons.
“I can’t imagine life without learning every day,” Barbara says.
She actively seeks opportunities that either deepen her understanding of familiar subjects or introduce entirely new ones.
“I seek out activities and things that will either enhance what I already know or expand what I don’t know.”
Through OLLI, Barbara has explored everything from Japanese woodblock prints to photography and art history. She has even challenged herself creatively by enrolling in drawing classes after years of believing she lacked artistic talent.
“I’ve always felt that I couldn’t draw,” she says with a smile. “So I’ve decided to take it because I want to see.”
For Barbara, lifelong learning is not about mastering a subject. It is about remaining open to possibility and giving herself permission to explore.
Learning Creates Connection
For resident Prudy V., education has always been about people.
Her career in higher education and educational programming reinforced the value of intellectual engagement throughout every stage of life. Today, she sees OLLI as a natural extension of that philosophy.
“It expands opportunities,” Prudy says. “You can actually personalize it, individualize it.”
Residents in the OLLI program can choose topics that genuinely interest them, whether that means history, literature or philosophy.
For Prudy, however, one of the program’s greatest strengths lies beyond the classroom.
“It opens up the opportunity to meet other people.”
Barbara and Prudy have become enthusiastic ambassadors for the program, helping fellow residents find classes that match their interests and encouraging them to embrace new experiences.
Their enthusiasm speaks to something that makes OLLI particularly successful at The Commons. Residents are not simply attending classes. They are helping create a culture where learning is shared, celebrated and woven into everyday life.
A Culture of Engagement
While OLLI has quickly become a valued addition to the many programs and activities available at The Commons, residents are quick to point out that it fits naturally into a culture that has always celebrated engagement.
Learning here does not begin and end with a lecture.
A conversation sparked during an OLLI class may continue over lunch with neighbors. An interest in art may lead someone to join the Art Committee. A love of books often finds its way into the Book Club, while a passion for music may connect residents through the Commons Choral Group or one of the community’s many cultural partnerships.
Through relationships with organizations including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Museum of Fine Arts, deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum and the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, residents have countless opportunities to continue exploring the world around them.
That spirit of discovery extends throughout the community. Residents lead discussion groups, mentor one another, participate in committees and share their own expertise and experiences.
In many ways, that is what makes OLLI such a natural fit at The Commons. The program does not create curiosity. It simply gives curious people another place to thrive.
Where Curiosity Finds a Home
At The Commons, residents are surrounded by opportunities to learn, connect and engage with the world around them. OLLI is one example of that commitment, offering residents the freedom to pursue subjects that inspire them simply for the joy of learning.
At The Commons, curiosity does not retire; it continues to open new doors.