Santa Clara University

Our Mission Statement
Santa Clara recognizes that learning is life long and adults bring particular interests and experiences to the University. This next generation of learners will be encouraged to explore who they are and what they want to become at this juncture in their lives, through intellectually challenging, psychologically and spiritually engaging offerings. An expanded catalogue of non-credit courses and events planned for Santa Clara Osher Lifelong Learning Institute features the leadership and expertise of the University's most recognized scholars.

Our OLLI Director
Dear OLLI members,

I am delighted to be able to assume the position of Faculty Director of Santa Clara University's Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning.

The very first thing I would like to communicate is enormous gratitude to Patti Simone, OLLI's founding Faculty Director. Over the past five years, Patti has devoted her considerable creativity, energy, and commitment to OLLI. It is largely because of her indispensable contributions that we are where we are today-- over 600 committed members, wonderfully engaging courses, and a host of other interesting activities which make Santa Clara's OLLI such an exciting place. As Patti returns to her colleagues in the Psychology Department as a full-time teacher and researcher, we will all miss her wisdom and enthusiasm. Anyone who knows Patti knows that that her energy is legendary, and I am sure that will continue to benefit from her presence and insight. Thanks for everything, Patti!

Patti got me involved in OLLI over three years ago, and I have taught a course every year since then. These courses have been some of the highlights of my teaching experiences. I have always enjoyed the energy of the OLLI classroom and the way in which OLLI members actively participate in all aspects of the course. Every teacher always learns from his or her students, and I myself have learned a considerable amount from my OLLI students. In an OLLI classroom, education is definitely a two-way street, and I have found that is one of the best things about it!

Over the time I have been at Santa Clara, I have gotten to know many OLLI members, but for those of you whom I have not yet met, here's just a little bit about me. I've been Santa Clara since 1976, as a teacher in the History Department and as an administrator in various student life and academic positions. I teach American history, generally the colonial and revolutionary periods and also California history. My research, all of which I am currently doing in collaboration with Rose Marie Beebe, Professor of Spanish here (and, more importantly, my wife!) has focused on California before the gold rush, when it was a part of the Spanish Empire and the Mexican Republic. We are currently working on a new edition of the essential writings of Fr. Junípero Serra, founder of the California missions, and also on the lives and testimonios of a number of "californios"-- Mexicans who lived and worked in California before it became a part of the United States.

I hope to get to know many of you better while I am Faculty Director.

Robert M. Senkewicz
Osher Lifelong Learning Inst.
Professor of History
rsenkewicz@scu.edu
408-554-6850

Olli Director, Bob Senkewicz

The Osher Foundation
The Bernard Osher Foundation was founded in 1977 with the idea to improve quality of life for residents of the San Francisco Bay Area through various educational programs. Bernard Osher is a community-oriented businessman whose philanthropic ideas have greatly benefited Bay Area organizations for over two decades. Assisted by his wife, Barbro Osher (current President of the Foundation), Bernard Osher has collaborated with various Universities both regionally and nationally offering intellectually stimulating learning opportunities for mature audiences.

Visit the new website for The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute National Resource Center and see the various Osher programs across the United States!