At the insistence of her husband months before he died, Jeanne Johnson needed to find something positive to help her through the tough times. She found the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, and has been working with it since it's inception in 2001.
Along with the support of the C. Paul Johnson Family Foundation, Johnson has allowed OLLI the opportunity to achieve unsurpassed excellence through innovative program development, faculty recruitment and dedicated service to students.
Johnson's hard work and dedication earned her an honorary proclamation from the city of Rohnert Park, which she received on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at an awards banquet.
Now serving on the OLLI Board of Directors, Johnson has become a large part of the organization by providing support and guidance. Additionally, as Chair of the OLLI Legacy Circle (a group who have designated OLLI in their estate plans), her inspiration and example have provided one-of-a-kind donor program in the OLLI network. She also initiated the Johnson Family Endowed Student Scholarship Fund that has benefited student scholarship recipients.
Johnson initiated the Johnson Family Endowed Student Scholarship Fund for OLLI that has benefited student scholarship recipients and her generosity through the underwriting of the Annual OLLI Legacy Luncheon has allowed all OLLI donors, regarding of the size of their gift, to attend the luncheon.
Generous annual contributions from over 130 donors, including Jeanne Johnson and the Johnson Family Foundation, comprise over 40 percent of total revenues of the OLLI program. Such donations allow OLLI to remain self-sufficient. More than 12 courses have been underwritten by donors since the program's launch.
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Sonoma State University features courses for mature adults 50 years or better. Courses are offered through the SSU School of Extended Education purely for the pleasure of learning - no tests and no grades. The OLLI courses are taught on the SSU campus for three eight-week sessions.
Posted by wasp at February 12, 2009 2:59 PM