Community Services & Education

Community Service — Pennsylvania State University and the Gerontology Center serve older adults and the larger public through programs of research and instruction. Our ongoing research projects often rely on volunteers for testing experimental protocols, developing new instruments, and fine-tuning research designs.  In exchange, our researchers do their best to provide participants with diagnostic information, social interactions, and a sense of contribution.  Community residents also benefit from students' special projects and internships in a wide array of caregiving and community settings. In addition, an increasing number of adult learners are enrolling in credit and noncredit courses at Penn State.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) — OLLI is a peer-led, peer-taught daytime educational program for adults in the community. OLLI offers group study opportunities on topics selected by the membership, special events, lectures, and trips. There is an annual membership fee. The members receive notification of course offerings, and special events through brochures and newsletters.                                             

OLLI is affiliated with the Elderhostel Institute Network. For more information, call 814-238-2368 or visit their web site for information.

Geriatric Interest Network of Centre County (GIN) — GIN is comprised of individuals who realize the value of networking, sharing information and collaboration as strategies to improve services designed to help older residents of Centre County. GIN is guided by a Steering Committee consisting of professionals from a variety of businesses and disciplines. The Centre County GIN sponsors two educational offerings in the Fall and Spring which provide continuing education units in multiple disciplines. The Geriatric Interest Network strives to meet the basic goals of: education, advocacy, and networking. For more information contact The Centre County Office of Aging at 814-355-6716.

Go-60 Program — Penn State's Go-60 Program offers tuition-free courses to people who are 60 years old or older. To qualify for the program, older adults must be Pennsylvania residents, former Penn State students, or past employees who are retired or working less than half time. When candidates provide proof of age at a local Continuing Education office, they receive Go-60 membership cards, which are required to register for free or reduced-fee courses.

Nearly all Penn State locations offer regularly scheduled courses to Go-60 members; Independent Learning courses, taught by correspondence, are half price. Enrollment in courses is provided on a space-available basis and course prerequisites must be met.  Information

At the University Park campus, Penn State - Behrend College, Penn State Capital College, and The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, the program applies only to courses and activities administered through Continuing and Distance Education. The program does not apply to workshops, conferences, and similar events at the Keller Conference Center at University Park.

For more information, contact Continuing and Distance Education. The Pennsylvania State University, 102 Wagner Building, University Park, PA 16802-3800; phone 814-865-3443.