The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Connecticut in Waterbury has announced that several Waterbury residents – Nunzio DeFilippis, James Coleman, Sr., Concetta Scarfone, Cynthia Paolino, Donna Bonasera and Sheila Waters Fucci of CT Dance Theatre, along with former Waterbury residents Sue Matsuki and Dr. Eashwarll Ramdhani, will be leading programs in the upcoming session. The fall courses and special events will take place from September to November, 2012.
OLLI at UConn is offered at the Waterbury campus and other downtown locations and is one of a national network of Institutes associated with the prestigious Bernard Osher Foundation. Bernard Osher, a New England native, is ranked among the top fifty most generous philanthropists in the United States. In its sixth year, OLLI currently provides non-credit courses, special events, author talks, research lectures, and current events forums to over 750 adult participants (usually age 50 and up). Since its inception in 2007, OLLI has served over 900 individuals from over 75 cities and towns in Connecticut representing five of Connecticut’s eight counties.
Nunzio DeFilippis will offer a 4-week class (Oct. 12 to Nov. 2), From Seed to Harvest to Preserve! 8:15 AM – 9:45 AM. He will also present an 8-week class (Sept. 14 to Nov. 2), Opera: A Passion for the Ages, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM.
James Coleman, Sr. will offer a 6-week class (Sept. 14 to Oct. 19), Passport to Retirement, 11:40 AM – 1:00 PM.
Concetta Scarfone will lead an 8-week class (Sept. 14 – Nov. 2), Jewelry Archaeology, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM.
Cynthia Paolino will offer a 6-week yoga course, Sept. 14 to Oct. 19 (10:00 AM – 11:30 AM), entitled
Yoga: Stretch, Strengthen and Breathe. Paolino is a certified, registered yoga teacher for adults and children.
Donna Bonasera and Sheila Waters Fucci will teach three dance classes at the CT Dance Theatre in the Howland Hughes building on Bank Street in downtown Waterbury. The 10-week dance classes will be held on Tuesdays, Sept. 11 to Nov. 13. Dance for the Love of It will be held from 10:00 – 11:30 AM (taught by Donna), followed by All Tapped Out – Part I (taught by Sheila) from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM, followed by Sheila’s more advanced class, All Tapped Out, Part II from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Sue Matsuki will conduct and 8-week course from Sept. 14 to Nov. 2 called Life Is a Cabaret- The Show!, 1:15 PM – 2:45 PM. From Sept. 14 to Oct. 5, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM, she will offer the beginner course – Life Is a Cabaret, and from Oct. 12 to Nov. 2, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM, she will also present Counting Cross Stitch for Beginners.
Dr. Eashwarlall Ramdhani will present a 4-week course from Oct. 12 to Nov. 2 called Unlocking the Secrets of Health Using Ayurveda, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM.
This innovative and fast-growing, community-based program offers non-credit learning experiences (courses, lectures, and special events) for older adults who want to engage socially and intellectually with their peers as teachers and learners. OLLI at UConn is the only program of its type in Connecticut and one of 117 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes in the U.S.
Classes are held at the Waterbury campus and other downtown locations. The program will offer over 60 courses in the upcoming fall session. In addition to class offerings, there are university research lectures, author talks, special events and discounts offered by community partners such as The Palace Theater, Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, the Mattatuck Museum, 7 Angels Theatre and CT Dance Theatre.
Dr. William Pizzuto, Waterbury campus Director comments, “Our University has been delivering academic degree programs to the community for over 60 years. The Osher Institute at UConn has become a great way for citizens of the Waterbury region and five surrounding counties, to take a step into college life for the first time, to reconnect with higher education, or to come back to UConn.” Dr. Brian Chapman, Director of OLLI at UConn, has stated, “We are pleased to be reaching out to the community and engaging course leaders and new participants—it is great to see them reach back with enthusiasm and a zest for learning!”
The annual membership cost is $60, allowing participants to sign up for courses (from $20 – $50 each), to participate in OLLI Café lunchtime presentations, university research lectures, receive discounts to OLLI partnership events, attend special OLLI events, obtain an OLLI membership card and a UConn Waterbury parking pass for OLLI classes. Membership is “first come, first served” and courses fill up quickly.
For additional information, please call 203-236-9924, 203-236-9925 or e-mail Osher@uconn.edu. To view a list of courses and membership registration information, visit the UConn OLLI website at www.waterbury.uconn.edu/osher. Website updates to reflect fall should be posted by mid-August.