No Tests, No Grades, Plenty to Discover through OLLI at Duke

Explore new subjects, friendships and purpose when registration for OLLI at Duke’s fall offerings opens Aug. 25

OLLI at Duke members pose with a sign that says OLLI at Duke
OLLI at Duke offers courses, lectures, educational travel, volunteer opportunities, social events and special interest groups. Photo courtesy of OLLI at Duke

When Ellen Luken was still early in her nearly 44-year career at Duke, she stumbled across a program called Duke Institute for Learning in Retirement. It immediately intrigued her.

“That'll be what I want to do in retirement because otherwise I'll be lost,” Luken told herself.

After retiring from Duke Health Development and Alumni Affairs, Luken followed through on that plan, joining what is now known as OLLI at Duke, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. She quickly learned OLLI is more than classes – it is a community built around curiosity, connection and continuous learning.

“They say that in older age, the best things for your health are diet and exercise, stimulating your brain, good connection with other people, and finding purpose with something that's important to you,” Luken said. “For me, that's what OLLI provides.”

Register for OLLI

See the Fall 2026 course catalog and register Aug. 25.

Course Catalog

For nearly 50 years, OLLI at Duke has offered lifelong learning opportunities for adults in the second half of life. More than 2,100 members participate each year in courses, lectures, educational travel, volunteer opportunities, social events and special interest groups.

Membership is open to anyone and costs $60 annually. Members can then register for one of 250 courses and programs offered annually, ranging from history and public policy to art, literature, science, wellness and technology. Fall 2026 registration begins Aug. 25 at 9 a.m.

Learning for the sake of learning

Two women speak at a social gathering
Ellen Luken, right, speaks with an OLLI at Duke member during a gathering. Photo courtesy of OLLI at Duke

Many members discover OLLI after retirement, but Director Rhonda Parker encourages Duke staff and faculty to explore it sooner. The program is available to all current staff and faculty, as well as community members.

“This is a community they can participate in now and later, both as learners and potentially as instructors,” Parker said.

What makes OLLI different from a traditional academic program is that there are no grades, no tests and no degrees.

“This is your chance to learn for the joy of it,” Parker said.

That idea resonated with Luken, who has taken classes on everything from astrophysics and foreign governments to the history of tea.

“The only challenge I sometimes have is trying to decide what courses to take because there are so many things that pique my interest,” she said.

Luken also has served on and chaired the OLLI Advisory Council the past two years, finding purposeful work with other members and the OLLI staff to advance OLLI's offerings and organization.

The joy of learning – and teaching

For retired Duke IT professional Alonzo Felder, OLLI offered a different opportunity: the chance to teach.

After retiring from Duke following a 40-year career, Felder became an instructor, leading a family history discovery course that helps students uncover and preserve their family stories.

Alonzo Felder
Alonzo Felder

“My goal is to help people who may know little about their family history become the elders who can pass that history on to their grandchildren — so they know where they came from and who they are,” Felder said.

The experience has given Felder a view of the enthusiasm OLLI members bring to learning.

“These are active, highly engaged students,” Felder said. “They come in, and they're ready to learn.”

OLLI can provide a glimpse of what life after work might look like — as a transition into new interests, friendships and opportunities.

For some, like Felder, that means sharing knowledge. For others, like Luken, it means finally having time to explore subjects they never had the chance to study before.

And that's exactly the point.

“It's learning for the fun of it,” Luken said. “And it's such a cool thing.”

OLLI at Duke offers nearly 250 courses and programs annually. Membership is open year-round, with the largest selection of courses available during the fall and winter terms. Learn more at learnmore.duke.edu/olli or email olli@duke.edu.

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