The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Delaware in Dover has just moved to a new location at 1201 College Drive, in Dover’s College Business Park.

Members of the community are invited to an open house and ribbon-cutting celebration from 10 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, July 19, at the program’s new location.

“The Dover lifelong learning program has grown substantially in the past few years, not just numerically, but also in enthusiasm, breadth and creativity,” said UD’s Tim Plimpton, program coordinator for UD’s lifelong learning program in Dover. “Our new location will provide a home base for continued synergy among our members and with our community partners.”

Now entering its seventh year, the Dover program currently offers over 50 classes each semester, taught by an enthusiastic and dedicated group of instructors in subjects ranging from art, history, movies and literature, to computers, health and environment. The upcoming fall semester will start Sept. 6 at the new College Business Park location.

Dover lifelong learning member Joe Bailey, also a volunteer and new program council member, is passionate about the program’s learning opportunities. “What is the first thing to like? No tests, no grades, and no required homework! The low membership fee is another great feature.”

And there are only two program prerequisites, noted Bailey: “You must be at least 50 years of age, and have a desire to learn in a fun environment.”

Courses planned for the Dover program’s fall semester include Introduction to Western Art, History of the Presidency Through Portraits and Political Cartoons, Top Ten Supreme Court Cases, Building Your Own Theology and more.

In addition to the July 19 open house and ribbon cutting event, two additional open houses are planned, for Tuesday, Aug. 2, and Wednesday, Aug. 17. All three events will feature short demo classes, tours and refreshments, and the opportunity to meet the program’s instructors, members and staff.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Delaware in Dover was launched in 2010 with a dedicated steering committee of community partners and UD staff, and until now has been housed at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover.

Plimpton credited the program’s early partnership with the Modern Maturity Center for providing a supportive start-up location for the program. “We will always be immensely grateful to the Modern Maturity Center and its director, Carolyn Fredericks, for serving as a wonderful incubator location,” said Plimpton.

The new location will also lend itself to new outreach opportunities for UD, said Jim Broomall, associate vice provost, professional and continuing studies. “The University of Delaware is committed to extending its resources throughout the state. With the opening of our new office in Dover, the Division of Professional and Continuing Studies will enhance the range of opportunities for our lifelong learning programs and expand noncredit professional development courses and certificate options for residents of central Delaware."

For more information about the Dover lifelong learning program, including a full schedule of all three open house events and demo class topics, visit the program’s website or contact the program at 302-736-7450 or LLL-dover@udel.edu.

About Osher Lifelong Learning

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes at the University of Delaware are membership organizations that provide opportunities for adults 50 and over to learn, teach and travel with their peers.

There are no academic requirements for admission. The only requirements are interest in a continuing educational experience, support of the programs through participation and the modest membership fee. UD’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes are located in Wilmington, Dover and Lewes/Ocean View. More information on all locations is available online.