Osher National Resource Center at Northwestern University Extends Hand to Hurricane Victims

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, described as North Carolina's most destructive storm to date, an unexpected silver lining has emerged through the solidarity of lifelong learning communities. The Osher National Resource Center (NRC) at Northwestern University has opened its virtual doors to members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of North Carolina Asheville (UNCA), whose campus was severely impacted by the hurricane.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute programs, supported by the Bernard Osher Foundation, serve adults aged 50+, offering stimulating noncredit classes; there are no tests or grades. The UNCA campus, facing significant structural damage particularly to its water systems, was closed during substantial recovery efforts. OLLI at UNCA was forced to cancel fall classes and many OLLI members found themselves displaced, either dealing with damaged homes or seeking refuge with distant relatives.

In response, the Osher NRC extended a helping hand by offering free enrollment in four fall Osher Online courses to displaced OLLI at UNCA members. The gesture has proven more successful than anticipated, with over 90 enrollments from Asheville members.

"The response has been remarkable," said Steve Thaxton, NRC Executive Director. "These courses are providing a sense of community and normalcy for people whose lives have been disrupted by the hurricane."

For the OLLI at UNCA members, these online courses have become more than just learning opportunities — they've become a virtual lifeline to their educational community during a challenging time, demonstrating how technology and institutional cooperation can help maintain connections even in the face of natural disasters.

The collaboration showcases the strength of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Network, which includes over 120 OLLI programs across the country and representation in all 50 states. The National Network is the brainchild of philanthropist Bernard Osher ’19 H.

The Osher NRC is hosted by Northwestern University School of Professional Studies. The NRC is a non-governing center of excellence that provides consulting to the 120+ Osher Institutes, facilitating collaboration, connection, and celebration. Osher Online, a service of the Osher NRC, provides shared online courses which supplement local OLLI curriculum for participating Institutes.