It may be summer break for the lifelong learners at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Southern Oregon University (OLLI at SOU), but the members of the volunteer OLLI faculty are far from idle.

They are putting the final touches on the content for 135 courses being offered during OLLI’s fall term that runs Sept. 16 through Nov. 22.

Tony Davis, a retired PhD computational linguist, is monitoring the fast-evolving field of artificial intelligence to be sure his course on this topic includes the latest developments. Cori Frank, a former healthcare professional who has become passionate about pickleball, is preparing three different courses for students whose familiarity with the game ranges from absolute beginners to frequent players. Allison Renwick, an art history educator, is refining her PowerPoint presentation for her newly created course, “Etruscan Art.”

The donated time and expertise of these and others who make up the OLLI faculty warrants acknowledgment. The generosity of these volunteer instructors helps keep OLLI membership fees low — $150 per year and no per-course tuition — and lets members make unlimited selections from among an average of 125 courses in each of three quarters of OLLI’s academic year. It also enables a membership fee waiver for those for whom the fee is not affordable.

Not all OLLI instructors are retired, not all are OLLI members, and some have never taught before.

Brooke Friendly offers dance classes in the community and at camps, workshops and events around North America and England in addition to her OLLI course, “English Country Dance.” Interim Ashland City Manager Sabrina Cotta will facilitate presentations from the heads of key functional areas that typify municipal government in a course titled “The Work of the City of Ashland.” Martin Majkut is drawing on his experience as music director of Rogue Valley Symphony and Queens Symphony Orchestra in New York City to provide details of how a symphony orchestra is run from a business as well as an artistic perspective.

OLLI instructors enjoy the fact that there are no tests or papers to grade, but compared to teachers in more conventional academic situations, they face some unique challenges. Because OLLI instructors and students are peers, instructors must rely on carrots rather than sticks to manage the classroom. In addition, there is no degree or prerequisite required to take an OLLI class, so instructors need to adapt course materials to students whose backgrounds in a particular subject are not uniform.

What motivates OLLI instructors to take on these challenges? The answers range from having a classroom full of eager learners, to staying current with a field from which they retired, to deepening their understanding of a topic. All can receive support from the OLLI Curriculum Committee and staff.

Adults in the Rogue Valley community of all ages are invited to contribute to the intellectual stimulation, physical activity, personal development, skills, recreation, and social connections of OLLI members, mostly, but not exclusively, aged 50+, by joining the OLLI faculty for Winter 2025. Course proposals are currently being sought, with a deadline for receipt of Aug. 31. Courses can include from 2 to 10 weekly sessions of 90 to 120 minutes in length, start and stop within the quarter that runs from Jan. 6 through March 13. Class settings vary and can be taught in person in Ashland or Medford, offered online only, or provided in a format that includes both in-person and online participation.

For those interested in taking OLLI courses, early course registration for fall term ends Friday, Aug. 23, but seats for most courses remain will remain available when Open Registration starts Sept. 3 and continues all term for classes that start later.

For more information about becoming an OLLI instructor or member, visit the sou.edu/olli or phone 541-552-6048.