OLLI Student in Classroom

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)

Experience the joy of learning from those who find joy in teaching. 

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  3. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)

Meet lifelong learners. Expand your intellect. Explore new cultures. As a member of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), you'll complete noncredit courses that equip you to learn, explore, and socialize. 

What is OLLI? 

OLLI is a lifelong learning institute for adults ages 50+ that offers opportunities for intellectual development, cultural stimulation, and social interaction. We celebrate the insatiable curiosity of older adults and their ongoing quest to learn about, engage with, and contribute to the world around them. At OLLI at Widener, we never stop learning!

Classes are primarily offered on our main campus in Chester:

  • Widener University Center
    701 E. 14th Street
    Chester, PA 19013

We also offer classes at offsite locations, which may vary by semester. Current locations include:

Wherever you take courses, you'll experience an environment that cultivates creativity and critical thinking. 

Become an OLLI Member

As an OLLI member, you will belong to an exclusive and vibrant learning community — a community of peers who have discovered the joy and thrill of lifelong learning fused with social enrichment. Our noncredit classes offer intellectual stimulation and a forum for friendship and socialization. 

Membership benefits include:

  • OLLI @ Widener e-newsletter full of curated lectures, opportunities for engagement, and more.
  • Access to special seminars and talks, social events, and discussion groups.
  • Discounted or free group tours or excursions.
  • University-issued student ID card allowing access to academic & learning spaces, including the Wolfgram Memorial Library, Pride Recreation Center, Taylor Arboretum, and other campus amenities.
  • Free parking at Widener University (Chester), Taylor Arboretum (Wallingford, Immaculata University (East Whiteland Township), and the Program, Activity, and Resource Center (Exton).

Course fees on average are $10 per course depending on the length and content of the course. Please consult the Course Listings for additional details. 

Lectures that take place at Immaculata University are free and open to the public. 

The membership fee is non-refundable. Course fees will only be refunded if a class is cancelled and not rescheduled.

The Summer 2026 semester runs from May 18 to June 12, 2026. Please consult the Course Listings for specific details.

Registration is now open. To register, complete our online registration form and follow the prompts to pay via credit card on our secure website.

We encourage you to register early! Some courses have limited seats, and spots are available on a first come, first served basis. For questions or assistance, please email olli@widener.edu or call 610-499-4279.

Ways to Engage with OLLI

OLLI Students Laughing in Classroom

Sign-Up to Attend OLLI Courses this Summer

The 2026 Summer semester will take place from May 18 to June 12, 2026.

Register Today!

Course Topics

Membership has its privileges! Learn more about the free OLLI member courses and activities planned for Summer 2026. When registering for OLLI, you’ll be able to RSVP to the members-only courses and events that you are interested in attending.

American Songbook Masters: The Highbrow Sinatra 
Learn More About the OLLI Free at Noon Series
Bill Palmerio | Wednesday, May 20 | 12pm | Immaculata, Alumnae Hall | Free
Frank Sinatra fans may be surprised to learn that he was well read and passionate about classical music. This lecture tells the story of Close to You, his collaboration with the Hollywood String Quartet and arranger Nelson Riddle and considers why the album represents one of Sinatra’s artistic high points.

Paul Robeson: America's Tragic Hero
Learn More About the OLLI Free at Noon Series
Joseph Romano | Wednesday, May 27 | 12pm | Immaculata, Alumnae Hall | Free
Paul Robeson was a Phi Beta Kappa scholar, All-American collegiate football player, Columbia University Law School graduate, international star of stage and screen, and powerful voice against fascism and racial injustice. This lecture explores his extraordinary talents, public courage, and the political forces that contributed to his tragic end.

The Lincoln Assassination
View Course Flyer
David Hudiak | Tuesday, May 26 | 10 am | Widener University, Wyman Room | $10
The assassination of Abraham Lincoln was one of the most significant and traumatic events of nineteenth-century America. In many ways it shaped the course of American history during the rest of the century. This lecture will tell the dramatic story of the assassination along with fascinating bits of trivia related to it.

The Revolutionary War in Chester County
View Course Flyer
Bruce E. Mowday | Tuesday, May 26 | 11:30 am | Widener University, Wyman Room | $10
This lecture explores Chester County’s role in the Revolutionary War. The focus will be on the Battle of Brandywine, Washington’s defense of Philadelphia, and the local landscape where national history unfolded. Participants will learn how events in this region shaped the broader struggle for independence. The lecture offers a local perspective on the Revolutionary War rather than a focus on individual personalities

America 250: Common Soldiers - Uncommon Heroes
View Course Flyer
Bruce E. Mowday | Tuesday, June 2 | 11:30 am | Widener University, Wyman Room | $10
This lecture shares stories of lesser-known men and women whose courage, sacrifice, and service shaped American history. The focus will be on people whose actions may not always appear in traditional history books but still have made a lasting impact. Participants will hear compelling stories that connect individual choices to larger historical moments. The lecture reminds us that ordinary people often play extraordinary roles in history.

Personalities of the American Revolution 1 & 2
View Course Flyer
David Hudiak | Tuesday, June 2 & 9 | 10 am | Widener University, Wyman Room | $20
This two-week course discusses the lives of two significant and colorful personalities of the American Revolution: The Marquis de Lafayette and General Mad Anthony Wayne. Participants will learn about their contributions to the war effort and interesting facts about their lives.

George Washington
Learn More About the OLLI Free at Noon Series
Gerald McNeff | Wednesday, June 3 | 12 pm | Immaculata, Alumnae Hall | Free
George Washington was the indispensable founding father. As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, this lecture reviews Washington's life, leadership, and enduring place in American history.

How Native Americans Shaped Our Democracy
Learn More About the OLLI Free at Noon Series
Jim McKinley | Wednesday, June 10 | 12 pm | Immaculata, Alumnae Hall | Free
Long before Europeans arrived in North America, the Haudenosaunee established a democracy based on the Great Law of Peace. This lecture considers how that system of governance later served as a model for ideas reflected in the U.S. Constitution.

Feeding the World Using Nanotechnology
View Course Flyer
Dr. Ilise Feitshans | Tuesday, May 19 | 1 pm | Widener University, Wyman Room | $10
Everyone eats, which means food is shaped by national, international, religious, and regional trade laws. This lecture explores how nanotechnology is changing crops, harvesting, storage, packaging, transport, marketing, drug delivery using food, and efforts to reduce food waste. Participants will consider the promise and legal questions surrounding nanotechnology as a tool for addressing food insecurity.

Support the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Thanks to the generosity of friends, neighbors, and current members, OLLI can make powerful programming and compelling courses available to hundreds of lifelong learners. These supporters ensure that adults in nearby communities never stop learning. Will you join them? Find out how your gift will extend OLLI offerings for years to come. 
Make Your Gift

Get in Touch

Questions about the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute? We're glad to connect with you.