UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Ever since she first stepped foot in a classroom, learning and education have played a significant role in the life of Penn State alumna Pamela Francis, a longtime member and volunteer with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Penn State.
“I was five years old when I started first grade and every year of my life, until my retirement, I was actively involved in formal schooling and learning,” Francis said.
Francis’ passion for education was evident in her career as an educator, teaching in the classroom for 13 years before working in curriculum and professional development.
Throughout her career, she never stopped her own academic pursuits, earning a master’s degree in counseling with an emphasis in group facilitation from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, and then a doctorate with an emphasis on leadership and small group dynamics from Penn State’s College of Education.
After retiring, she was encouraged by a former colleague to bring her expertise to the Curriculum Committee at OLLI at Penn State. She has been a dynamic member and volunteer for the institute ever since.
“I have been an active learner and teacher all my life and OLLI is a natural fit for me. Besides, I like people and OLLI attracts great people. I feel incredibly lucky to live near OLLI at Penn State,” Francis said.
Now, after serving the organization for a dozen years, Francis has been awarded OLLI at Penn State’s highest honor, receiving the Barbara Lindenbaum Award. The award is given to volunteers who have demonstrated leadership, service and a passion for lifelong learning.
Brynn Rousselin, director of OLLI at Penn State, said volunteers like Francis are essential to the organization’s mission of providing lifelong learning opportunities to the community.
“In fact, the Osher Foundation designed OLLI with the goal of providing significant opportunities for leadership and volunteerism among our members. OLLI at Penn State is often rated among the top OLLIs for numbers of volunteers and we are truly thankful. OLLI as an organization benefits greatly from this sharing of experience, expertise, skills, talent and time,” said Rousselin. “Pam is the epitome of this. She has impacted our organization academically, as a member of our curriculum committee, organizationally, through her leadership on various committees, and financially, through her generous sustaining donations.”
OLLI at Penn State offers community members aged 50 or better the opportunity to learn, explore, and connect through educational experiences, travel, social and volunteer opportunities. Francis said being a part of OLLI at Penn State has enriched her post retirement life.
“There is a vibrancy to OLLI, a palpable feeling of joy. Perhaps, it is a collective love of learning, as experienced through the enthusiasm of OLLI members for this stage of life. I have experienced this enthusiasm in classes, in social activities and through travel opportunities,” Francis said. “Simply put, OLLI is fun. OLLI is welcoming. OLLI is an opportunity to stretch oneself, to continue to grow, to have new experiences and to feel more fully alive.”
Francis has been an active volunteer in the community for years, giving her time and expertise to groups such as Leadership Centre County and Penn State College of Education Alumni Board. In her work with OLLI at Penn State, she uses her skills to bring people together and help the organization grow.
“I believe in the incredible power and influence of the collective good to make a positive difference in the world. I am hopeful that these skills are useful to our OLLI as we move forward with providing vibrant opportunities for mature learners,” Francis said.
OLLI at Penn State is a Penn State Outreach program. More information about how to get involved is available here or by calling 814-867-4278.