The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the UW (OLLI-UW) offers the opportunity for adults over the age of 50 — like Daniel and Cynthia Whitney — to learn new things and explore passions through a variety of short academic programs.
Eleven lectures and 10 online Zoom courses; that’s a rough estimate of the number of OLLI-UW classes Daniel and Cynthia Whitney have taken. And that’s this year alone, a number that pales in comparison to a lifetime of learning.
Gifted with an insatiable desire for learning and knowledge at an early age, the Whitneys both earned doctoral degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Dan holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, and Cynthia has a Ph.D. in physics and relativity.
Lucky enough to attend school when MIT was revamping its engineering and science curriculum, it was easy for them to become immersed in innovative engineering. After graduation, they worked at Draper Lab for many years, doing everything from research on robotics, manufacturing, and product development to contributing to the Apollo project and more.
Now that we're not working anymore, the OLLI-UW program is a wonderful opportunity to engage. It's been great to discover the activities that are going on at the University of Washington.
— Daniel Whitney, Member, OLLI-UW
A bit preoccupied with becoming actual rocket scientists, Dan and Cynthia couldn’t fit in all the classes on their wish list while in school. Now, through OLLI-UW — a partner program of UW Continuum College that offers individual in-person and online courses across a wide range of subject areas for adults over the age of 50 — they’re able to do precisely that. This year, they’ve taken classes in geology, art, foreign affairs and more, allowing them to explore something new and gain a different perspective.
“We've had a unique education and now that we're not working anymore, the OLLI-UW program is a wonderful opportunity to engage,” Dan says. “It's been great to discover the activities that are going on at the University of Washington.”
CONNECTING ART AND SCIENCE
Dan and Cynthia initially relocated to Washington to be closer to family. However, they were thrilled when they found several OLLI-UW programs and events at their fingertips on the grounds of Trilogy at Redmond Ridge, the adult community they live in. Not only did they have the chance to connect and share their experiences with others (Dan doesn’t only attend OLLI-UW classes but also teaches them and has hosted four lunchtime lectures and four courses over the years), but they also could fulfill their desire to continue to learn and re-engage with a passion — art.
Daniel and Cynthia Whitney learning from the comfort of home.
Introduced to everything from orchestra to sculpture at an early age, Dan and Cynthia have always found the arts fascinating. In fact, Cynthia thought she’d join the art world full-time until advances in space exploration redirected her education and career.
“I was going be an artist until the night that Sputnik launched, and every aspect of life changed. So, I became a scientist,” she explains. “But there's a lot about art and science that's very similar. It’s all about observing, figuring out what's happening and interpreting the answers or results.”
Although their science and math interests kept the Whitneys away from literature, art and music during their academic careers, they were unwilling to completely give up their connection to art, soaking in exhibits whenever possible.
“We’ve lived all over the world and made a beeline for the art museums in any new city, including London, Paris, Munich, Tokyo, Zurich, Cambridge and many other cities we visited on travel,” Dan says. Yet one thing was still missing — the ability to take an art appreciation course and learn more from an expert.
New ideas are always coming out and we welcome the opportunity to have OLLI-UW to keep us thinking.
— Daniel Whitney, Member, OLLI-UW
Getting involved with OLLI-UW and attending the variety of art courses available has changed all that, opening the door for Dan and Cynthia to deepen their understanding of the craft. Now, they’re making up for lost time. Dan says that, during the past five years, he and Cynthia have taken every OLLI-UW class offered by art instructor Kolya Rice. This impressive lineup spans at least 15 classes, ranging from Ancient Art and Architecture: From Prehistory Through the Roman Empire to Museum Masterpieces in the United States.
All those courses have given them a new perspective and respect for the works they’ve seen worldwide. “We didn’t know any formal art history and not much about different styles and periods,” says Dan. “Each OLLI-UW art class we’ve taken has added to our knowledge.” Cynthia shares Dan’s appreciation for the material. “I don't even know where to begin,” she adds. “I enjoy all the courses so much.”
EXPLORING NEW AREAS OF LEARNING
However, the Whitneys’ interests aren’t limited to art. Dan explains that the thought-provoking courses and talks led by local instructors have also allowed them to explore topics that appeal to them scientifically. “We have publications in scientific journals, and I have patents, so we're knowledge creators,” he says. “Hearing a talk from an expert in immunology or neurology about the leading-edge research and what they’re doing is fascinating.”
As academics who have never stopped learning, Dan and Cynthia exemplify the lifelong learning ethos of OLLI-UW and Continuum in many ways. They appreciate the intellectual stimulation the courses offer and the ability to expand their worldview or challenge their thinking, making the world seem richer. “People go to school to learn how to learn,” says Dan. “New ideas are always coming out and we welcome the opportunity to have OLLI-UW to keep us thinking.”
You can help support a vibrant community for adults over 50 like Dan and Cynthia.