Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Address: 540 Arapeen Drive
Telephone: 801-585-5442
Website: continue.utah.edu/osher
District: Research Park / East Bench
“Once you are at Osher, age does not matter,” said Jill E. Meyer, Director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Utah. “The joy of learning is what unites us. It is a place to rediscover passions, meet people who share your interests, and be part of something bigger than yourself.”
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes, founded by philanthropists Bernard and Barbro Osher, form a remarkable network - 124 Institutes across all fifty states, each connected to a college or university. Born in Maine to a Jewish family that emphasized generosity, Osher built his fortune in investment banking, credit unions, and ultimately through the famed Butterfield & Butterfield auction house, which he later sold to eBay. With the proceeds, he established the Bernard Osher Foundation and began funding Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes centers at universities nationwide. In 2025, at ninety-six years old, Osher still takes classes at his local Institute in San Francisco - often opera courses, a passion of his.
Here in Utah, the Osher Institute was founded in 2004. In 2024, it celebrated its twentieth anniversary. Membership is strong -over 1,800 people are enrolled - making it one of the top ten largest programs in the country. Supported by endowment funds, membership and course fees remain affordable, keeping Osher accessible to all who wish to participate.
According to Jill, the offerings are as varied as the people who attend. History is the most popular subject: a retired Air Force colonel teaching World War II, a librarian leading classes on the Roaring Twenties, and conversations that weave in the lived memories of participants - many whose parents or relatives experienced those events firsthand. Literature is another draw: a beloved former bookstore owner who taught at Judge Memorial and West High schools has students clamoring to enroll in her seminars. Art classes range from watercolor to oil painting, while current events sessions, led by a former Hinckley Institute professor, foster thoughtful debate. Retired professionals bring expertise from law, politics, engineering, medicine, and more, while others teach from a lifetime of personal study.
Most courses are six weeks long, striking the right balance for those who want depth without the grind of a full semester. Many members take several at once. Some jokingly call themselves “Osher PhDs.” “We are nerds made cool at last – aged fifty and better nerds,” Jill laughed. Beyond the classroom, Osher offers excursions: architectural tours, behind-the-scenes visits to art institutions, and local adventures that open doors rarely available to the public. One such field trip - a visit to the McCune Mansion - was what first drew Jill to the program.
Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Jill grew up captivated by learning. As an undergraduate at the University of Utah, she pored over the course catalog, unable to choose just one direction until she discovered art history. “It was the history of everything,” she said. “You studied psychology, literature, anthropology, languages. Art history touched it all.” That choice led her to a career where she held an internship at the IBM Gallery, worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and later studied Early American Culture at the University of Delaware. A fellowship at the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum followed before she and her husband decided to leave the city and raise their children.
Life took them first to Connecticut, then to Idaho, where her husband - an adventurous foodie - opened a restaurant. Jill raised their children while supporting his ventures. After his passing in 2020, she found herself searching for a new way forward. By then, she had already discovered Osher, joining in 2016 for that unforgettable mansion tour. What began as a member’s curiosity soon turned into a vocation. She took on more and more responsibility, organizing events, shaping curriculum, and ultimately stepping into the role of Director in November 2020.
Jill’s leadership has strengthened the Institute. Under her guidance, Osher in Utah now offers seventy percent of its courses in person and thirty percent via Zoom, ensuring accessibility for those unable to attend physically. She has encouraged innovative classes, supported volunteer-led special interest groups - including a popular men’s group - and nurtured a community where members form lasting friendships.
For Jill, Osher is not just about education but about belonging. “There is no reason to be at home alone, disconnected,” she said. “At Osher, you find your people. You find community. And in this post-COVID world, that is what matters most.”
With the support of Bernard Osher’s vision, the dedication of retired professionals who still long to teach, and the enthusiasm of lifelong learners who refuse to stop growing, the Institute continues to thrive. And with Jill Meyer at the helm, its future in Utah is bright. “Osher is about lifelong learning, but it is also about lifelong connection,” Jill reflected. “We are not just a program. We are a community where people bring their knowledge, their passions, and their stories.”
