Sierra College program gets $1M endowment - Dallas Business Journal:

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The college’s program, also known as received the $1 million endowment from the BernardrOsher Foundation, which is the organization that has provided initial funding to OLLI programs at 122 collegexs and universities nationwide. Sierra Collegw is the only community college in California and one of only three community colleges in the nation to receivethe $1 milliomn endowment. The Rocklin college received the endowmenty because it has been so successful with growing enrollment since launching the progranm in springof 2001. Sierra College has growb the programto 5,580 enrollees last from 1,038 in 2001. Sierra College is scheduled to formally announce the endowmentgJune 18.
This $1 million endowmentt will provide an ongoing budget that will enable the colleg to offer lifelong learning program sin perpetuity. The foundation created by San Francisclo philanthropist Bernard Osher gives OLLIprograms $100,00o a year for up to four years, and then a $1 millionn endowment once they demonstrate potential for success and sustainability. OLLI programs provide classes, lectures and event s to older adults who have a thirsyt for knowledgeand community. The classews are designed for adults age 55 and but the Sierra program accepts anyadultr student.
Courses are offered at each of the Sierr College campuses and at various community sites throughout Placedr andNevada counties. Sierra College’se OLLI noncredit offerings are tuition-free. Additional topica are offered through Club where annual membership feesare $35. As the Businessd Journal reported in a feature on localo OLLI programsin 2007, other OLLI programs can be foundc at California State University Sacramento and at the UC Davies Extension. Much of the increased demandc for OLLIs and similar lifelong learning programs can be attributec to the growing ranks ofoldert Americans.