Temple's Lifelong Learning Program Celebrates 50 Years of Inspiring Seniors

A Journey of Learning and Purpose at Temple University

On a recent afternoon, the Center City campus of Temple University hosted a lecture that focused on passion and purpose, emphasizing their crucial role in leading a fulfilling life. Instructor Adam Brunner, 66, shared his belief with his class: “I don’t care if you only have one day or one week to live. I would contend it would be far better spent doing what you are passionate about and doing it with a sense of purpose.”

For many of his students, who are mostly in their 60s and 70s, this philosophy aligns with their reasons for enrolling in Brunner’s class titled “Let’s Live as Long and Healthy As Possible.” These individuals are part of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Temple University, where the main requirement is being 50 years or older. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the institute at Temple, celebrating its long-standing commitment to lifelong education.

The classes offered by the Osher program are not for academic credit, and there are no exams or final papers. The cost is significantly lower than traditional college tuition, with an annual fee of $290 allowing students to take as many classes as they want. There are also more affordable options for taking classes during specific semesters.

Phyllis Sledge, a retired public assistance caseworker from Philadelphia, shared her experience: “You’re never too old to learn, and you learn something new every day.” Sylvia Williams, another student, mentioned that she needed structure after retiring and found it through the program. Both women had previously earned their bachelor’s degrees from Temple decades ago.

Teaching as a Passionate Pursuit

Many instructors in the Osher program teach for free, finding the experience just as rewarding as their previous careers. James Pagliaro, 73, who once led the product liability division of Morgan Lewis & Bockius, now teaches art history classes. His passion for sharing his love of art has led him to work as a docent at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and earn a master’s degree in art history from Oxford University. His classes attract both in-person and online students.

Nancy McDonald, 72, who took Pagliaro’s class, said, “It’s really enjoyable to learn more about the artists and their work from the research that Jim has done.” McDonald, an adjunct professor at Wilmington University, also teaches IT courses at the institute. She emphasized the flexibility of the program, which allows people to explore areas they know or discover entirely new subjects.

Lynn Marks, 76, a retired public interest lawyer, co-taught a popular class called “Hot Topics in Justice and Law” until the passing of Phyllis W. Beck, the first woman to sit on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. Their class featured panels of prominent speakers, including former Governor Ed Rendell and Sister Mary Scullion. Marks plans to continue teaching the class on her own.

A Nationwide Network of Lifelong Learning

Temple’s Osher program is part of a nationwide network that includes other institutions such as Pennsylvania State University, the University of Delaware, and Rutgers University. At Penn State, nearly 2,000 students participate across multiple sites, while Rutgers serves over 1,600 students with 158 courses annually. At Temple, more than 1,000 students participate each year, though numbers dropped during the pandemic due to virtual learning.

Brunner, who has led the program for 16 years, is working to boost participation again by piloting a new course delivery method in the fall. This will allow instructors to teach from home while being streamed into classrooms.

The program operates on its own revenue and interest from a $2 million endowment provided by the Bernard Osher Foundation. In addition to classes, members receive access to Temple’s online library and tech tutoring services, where they can schedule one-on-one sessions with undergraduate and graduate students.

Fostering Community and Socialization

One of the key goals of the Osher program is to foster socialization among seniors. Members can start and run “shared interest” groups, acting as facilitators rather than teachers. Those interested in teaching must submit course proposals and resumes to a curriculum committee for review. While teaching experience or a college degree is not required, most instructors have some level of expertise in their subject.

Brunner noted that teaching older students is different from teaching younger ones. Older students tend to be more open and share their life experiences, making the learning environment unique and enriching.

On the day of the lecture, around 20 students attended in person, with more joining virtually, including a group from a senior living community. Brunner discussed research highlighting the physical and mental benefits of pursuing passion-driven activities and knowing one’s purpose. He encouraged even those with limited mobility to find ways to lead a meaningful life.

J.J. Broderick, 70, a retired real estate attorney, attended the class despite his struggles with primary progressive aphasia, a condition that affects speech and language. His wife, Colleen, suggested he join the program after his diagnosis, and he has been attending regularly since. “With him,” she said, “it’s been a life preserver.”