OLLI RU at Rutgers University

The OLLI-RU community mourns the loss of Gerald "Gerry" Pomper, a beloved instructor, dedicated lifelong learner, and cherished friend.

After a distinguished career as one of the nation's leading political scientists and a longtime Rutgers professor, Gerry continued sharing his passion for learning through OLLI-RU, where he taught courses, inspired students, and remained an enthusiastic participant in classes himself. Gerry so believed in the art of teaching that he named an award in honor of his late wife, the Marlene M. Pomper Award for Teaching Excellence. It was also through OLLI-RU that he met his beloved second wife, Sandy Bergelson, a testament to the connections and community he valued so deeply.

Gerry's intellect, humor, and generosity touched countless lives. We are grateful for the many years he shared with OLLI-RU and will miss him dearly. Our thoughts are with Sandy, his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Thank you, Gerry, for a life devoted to learning, teaching, and inspiring others.

Remembering Gerald M. Pomper, Longtime Distinguished American Political Science Scholar Gerald M. Pomper, a national scholar in voter behavior and American presidential politics who dedicated his nearly six-decade career to Rutgers University, died on May 21.  He was 91.

Before it hits the big screen… read the story that started it all.
For nearly 3,000 years, The Odyssey has captivated readers with its tale of adventure, resilience, and the long journey home. Written in ancient Greece, it remains as relevant today as ever—offering insights into identity, perseverance, and what it means to find your way back.

This summer, experience it in a new way. A major film adaptation directed by Christopher Nolan arrives in July—so now is the perfect time to read (or revisit) the original.

We’ll read the full work (Emily Wilson translation recommended) and explore its major themes through informal, engaging discussion—connecting this ancient epic to our lives today.
Registration: https://olliru.rutgers.edu/

Wednesdays, May 27 – June 17 (4 weeks)
1:00 – 2:30 PM | In-person, New Brunswick
Instructor: Steve Yacik

Watch the trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzw2ttJD2qQ&t=5s

Don't miss this OLLI RU exclusive event coming soon on June 5th

“I am the Law.” That’s how one mayor described his rule over Jersey City…

Discover the rise—and fall—of the city’s powerful political machine in Boss Rule in Jersey City: Hague, Kenny, and Whelan.

Led by Peter Begans—Jersey City native, journalist, and curator at the Museum of Jersey City History.

🗓 June 2 & June 9
⏰ 10:30 AM – 12 PM
💻 Online
👉 Reserve your spot today: https://go.rutgers.edu/a0v3ypjv

JERSEY CITY MY HOME TOWN. WE GREW UP IN JERSEY CITY TAPinto Jersey City

Before it hits the big screen… read the story that started it all.
For nearly 3,000 years, The Odyssey has captivated readers with its tale of adventure, resilience, and the long journey home. Written in ancient Greece, it remains as relevant today as ever—offering insights into identity, perseverance, and what it means to find your way back.

This summer, experience it in a new way. A major film adaptation directed by Christopher Nolan arrives in July—so now is the perfect time to read (or revisit) the original.

🎬 Watch the trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzw2ttJD2qQ&t=5s

We’ll read the full work (Emily Wilson translation recommended) and explore its major themes through informal, engaging discussion—connecting this ancient epic to our lives today.

Wednesdays, May 27 – June 17 (4 weeks)
1:00 – 2:30 PM | In-person, New Brunswick

Instructor: Steve Yacik

Registration: https://olliru.rutgers.edu/

Join Flannery O’Connor: Selected Short Stories course this summer at OLLI RU - One of the greatest short story writers in American literature, O'Connor created universes as profound as Hawthorne or Camus. With a blend of violence and humor she exposed the consequences of sin and the nature of human redemption. We will begin with "A Good Man Is Hard to Find," and move on to "The Displaced Person," "Everything that Rises Must Converge," "The Lame Shall Enter First," and conclude with "Revelation." I intend to post the stories online and can recommend additional ones.
Tuesdays, May 26 – June 23 (5 weeks). Location: New Brunswick. Instructor: George Schroepfer
Registration at: https://olliru.rutgers.edu/register?combine=flannery

Home | Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Rutgers is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to direct suggestions, comments, or complaints concerning any accessibility issues with Rutgers web sites to [email protected] or complete the Report Accessibility Barrier or Provide Feedba...

The Summer Catalog is here! Registration opens April 14.
Find your favorite summer classes here https://a9hm6veab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016CPHXVZNxfgybKZBAVhH3j7dNqIn5kBCvHE0-BHk53nQDTGBdzhofSqk3mdRAFx3OihKA1oLVn6Dw6GKn8CAY2RdaCgvRaKhLirI_B_HdrI4LupDji-qQ_z3uhN6exQEcVvq0JSWyizEYNyVw0UEUr8ZZWGG7XSdizlAYpz6IuwKE2MvxP_L89YCM63MY6ns4fq75dey-5yhy9Zeaan51rUNvVgBJH-bQxoYuwL2cULn2gpQCP-i4g==&c=YgbeuGzPtHiMK1Ccv31J6sUxE5jMotLSl2h5fYp90cro1d9ndhVzdA==&ch=RIjud75Cuh5X5nHFlP1kbB0wtfAQMMHesVTNY3a2A1CNI0vb6MWSmA==

Love a good mystery? It all started with Edgar Allan Poe…

Before Sherlock Holmes, there was C. Auguste Dupin — the original detective. Join us as we explore four of Poe’s fascinating stories filled with puzzles, crime, and clever reasoning.

📚 Five Short Stories: Edgar Allan Poe Creates Detective Fiction
🗓 Tuesdays, starting March 3 (5 weeks)
🕐 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

👉 Tag a friend who loves mysteries and join us!
🔗 https://ce-catalog.rutgers.edu/courseDisplay.cfm?schID=96931

Members and friends of the OLLI-RU class “Princeton and the Atomic Bomb” ended the 5-week course with a “class trip” visiting many of the locations referenced during the lectures, including:

- A visit to the Historical Society of Princeton and its exhibits relating to Albert Einstein, John von Neumann and others from the Manhattan Project
- A drive through the Institute for Advanced Study and past Einstein’s house
- A walking tour of Princeton campus, to experience first-hand the sights/stories taught in class.

Here the group gathered on the steps of Nassau Hall:

SINATRA ON SCREEN at OLLI RU - Starting March 2
With instructor and noted "Sinatraphile” Jerry Wichinsky
This 10-week course offers an in-depth look at Frank Sinatra’s prolific movie career, examining his transition from teen idol in musicals to a respected, Academy Award-winning dramatic actor and a commanding presence in Hollywood. This course will delve into his on-screen persona, chart his evolution as a performer and actor, and contextualize his work within the shifting landscape of American culture. This course is a must for all fans of “Ol’ Blue Eyes”! Explore the cinematic artistry of one of the greatest performers of the 20th Century, as we screen his historic films the way they were meant to be seen--on the big screen in the OLLI RU Theatre!
Sign-up at https://olliru.rutgers.edu/