# UK's Lifelong Learning Institute opens doors for older learners  
**Published:** 2026-05-01T14:12:55.000Z  
**Source:** [University of Kentucky News](https://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/behind-blue-learning-doesn-t-retire-uk-s-osher-lifelong-learning-institute)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/uk-s-lifelong-learning-institute-opens-doors-for-older-learners

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Learning doesn't end after graduation, and the University of Kentucky is doubling down on that message through its [Osher Lifelong Learning Institute](https://olliatuk.uky.edu/).

On a new episode of "Behind the Blue," UK's podcast series, director Joey Conrad and participant Sue Oatey discussed the OLLI program and how it creates community for adults ages 50 and older. [According to UK News](https://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/behind-blue-learning-doesn-t-retire-uk-s-osher-lifelong-learning-institute), the program offers educational and enrichment courses, forums, shared interest groups, trips and events designed for engagement and connection.

"The program is designed for engagement and connection, with opportunities that encourage participants to explore new interests, revisit long-held passions, and build friendships through shared learning," Conrad said during the podcast interview.

Oatey, who relocated to Lexington after retiring nine years ago, discovered OLLI through a friend and found it became her gateway to community. She has taken courses ranging from bourbon and wine appreciation to geology and constitutional topics, building a network of friendships in her adopted hometown.

[OLLI at UK serves more than 1,200 adult learners annually](https://olliatuk.uky.edu/about) and operates sites in Lexington and Morehead. [The University of Kentucky has been at the forefront nationally in lifelong learning since 1964](https://www.uky.edu/olli/about), when it first established the Donovan Scholars program for senior citizens.

The Donovan Scholarship remains a cornerstone of UK's commitment to older learners. [The scholarship pays tuition and mandatory course fees for adults 65 and older taking academic courses at UK](https://olliatuk.uky.edu/donovan-scholarship-adults-65). Participants may audit classes for personal enrichment, take courses for credit, or pursue degrees. [There is no previous educational requirement for those auditing undergraduate classes](https://www.uky.edu/olli/about).

[The program is volunteer-led with member advisory boards](https://olliatuk.uky.edu/about), allowing older learners to take active roles in course development, event planning and program leadership.

Conrad noted the program continues expanding course offerings and access, including online options that allow participants throughout Kentucky and beyond to engage in lifelong learning from home.

## Sources

- [University of Kentucky News](https://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/behind-blue-learning-doesn-t-retire-uk-s-osher-lifelong-learning-institute)
- [OLLI at UK official website](https://olliatuk.uky.edu/)
- [OLLI About page](https://olliatuk.uky.edu/about)
- [Donovan Scholarship for Adults 65+](https://olliatuk.uky.edu/donovan-scholarship-adults-65)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from University of Kentucky News, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/behind-blue-learning-doesn-t-retire-uk-s-osher-lifelong-learning-institute.