Blog

The OLLI Blog showcases the voices and perspectives of the OLLI @Berkeley community as well as news from and about OLLI. Have a submission? Please contact Nancy Murr to learn more.

We all know our nation’s history of slavery in the South as well as many details and aspects of “The Underground Railroad”, a term used to describe attempts of citizens in the…
Richard Bell is Professor of History at the University of Maryland and author of the book Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and their Astonishing Odyssey Home which…
Susan Alunan, Ph.D. teaches political theory, urban politics, and activism. Previously, she staffed, then led the SF Urban Institute, developing creative approaches to critical…
By Sara Orem Sara Orem, Ph.D, is a longtime OLLI instructor and member who also founded and facilitates OLLI @Berkeley's Vital Aging program. Because I grew up in a fancy…
Thich Nhat Hanh. Photo by Dana Gluckstein.
By Hugh Winig, M.D.Dr. Winig is a retired psychiatrist and a longtime OLLI @Berkeley member and volunteer When I moved to the Bay Area in 1975, I felt frustrated that the New…
From top right: Harlow in front of the Kremlin (2017), with friend in Moscow (1978), and on TransSiberian railroad (1972). Harlow Robinson is an author, lecturer, and the…
By Linda Wing, PhD
Courses about History have been perennial favorites at OLLI @Berkeley, and our member surveys tell us to keep offering them. Whether it’s local or national, just-past or the…
Bill Smoot received his PhD in philosophy from Northwestern University, specializing in existentialism and ethics. A lifelong teacher, for the past decade he has taught at Mount…
By Louise Nayer Nayer is the author of six books, including Narrow Escapes: A Memoir, out in March. She is teaching a memoir writing course with us this spring. The Genesis of…
By Linda Wing, PhD Dr. Wing spent more than 45 years working to transform public schools in order to enable students in the nation’s cities to learn and achieve at high levels…