In response to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the OLLI@UGA program will offer a program of classes during the summer for the first time.
The lineup of 28 classes, featuring some of OLLI’s most popular instructors, will be presented July 6 through Aug. 6 at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily. All classes will be presented via Zoom because OLLI classrooms in the River’s Crossing building remain closed due to the pandemic.
OLLI normally operates on a two-semester schedule—spring, which begins in February and ends in June, and fall, which begins in August and ends in December. When the coronavirus pandemic hit in March, about half of the 250 classes that were underway in spring semester were either canceled or transitioned to Zoom. The summer session was created to make up for the lost classes.
Membership in OLLI, which is for people aged 50 and up, is required to attend the summer classes. Class registration, which will be online only, begins July 1 and will remain open throughout the five-week session. To join OLLI and to register for classes, go to www.olli.uga.edu.
The summer curriculum is designed to appeal to a broad range of interests. Topics of classes include an update on Athens-Clarke County government from Mayor Kelly Girtz, secrets of good photography, the movie Casablanca, the historical impact of cotton and peanuts on Georgia, the creation of Coca-Cola, bats and coronavirus, how changing diets can improve vision and cognition, mindfulness for better health and happiness, and guided autobiography.
In addition, a Saturday film series will feature four movies starring famed actor Kirk Douglas. No fee will be charged to watch the movies, but registration is required.
For the full schedule of classes, movies and more information about the summer session, go to www.olli.uga.edu.
