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News: ORICL celebrates its 20th anniversary

Former Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Robert Smallridge, standing, talks with Murray Rosenthal, the founder of Oak Ridge Institute for Continued Learning, during the 20th anniversary celebration of the organization.

Sept. 15, 2017

By Bob Fowler
Roane State staff writer

Murray Rosenthal had a distinguished career that included his job as the deputy director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

But it was his role in creating Oak Ridge Institute for Continued Learning (ORICL) that may be “one of the best things I’ve ever done,” he said.

Rosenthal and scores of other students involved in the numerous classes held at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus gathered in the City Room in the college’s Coffey-McNally Building to celebrate ORICL’s 20th anniversary on Sept. 7.

From ORICL’s origin, Roane State has played an integral role in the organization, from sponsoring it to providing two classrooms and office space.

“We could not ask for a better partner,” Roane State President Dr. Chris Whaley told group members. “You all reach out into the community and inspire others.”

“I’m pleased it (ORICL) has continued to be just like it was at the beginning,” Rosenthal said.

That means that during the fall, spring and summer terms, students have a myriad of opportunities to take an eclectic variety of courses; from technology to religion, from Chinese acupuncture to supernatural phenomena.

ORICL’s slogan says it all: “A perfect blend of those who love to learn with those who love to teach.”

Rosenthal’s ORICL inspiration begin in 1996 when he learned of a lifelong learning institute at Duke University. He began talking with Dr. Sherry Hoppe, Roane State president at the time, about launching a similar program in Oak Ridge.

Discussions continued the next year with Dr. Loretta Friend, then the dean of the college’s Oak Ridge campus. Friend said Roane State then had already been looking at opportunities to engage with the area’s significant population of older residents.

Organizers had hoped for 30 to 40 attendees at an organizational meeting in September 1997. An overflow crowd of 250 showed up.

“It’s a continuing surprise as we go along how enthusiastic the (ORICL) student body is,” said Hal Schmitt, one of the organization’s early presidents. “It’s a tribute to all the volunteers.”

During its first 20 years, there have been more than 630 volunteers – from college professors to Oak Ridge National Lab scientists – who have taught classes without pay.


“I think the program has a tremendous amount of momentum now,” said Dr. Bob Hatcher, an award-winning geologist at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, who for years has taught an ORICL class. “The opportunity to teach a group like this is an enriching process.”

Bob Olson, president of the board of directors of Oak Ridge Institute for Continued Learning, is pictured with Tennessee General Assembly Speaker of the House Beth Harwell and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally after the lawmakers read a proclamation celebrated ORICL’s 20th anniversary.

As part of the anniversary celebration, ORICL bestowed a $5,000 honorarium to the Roane State Library. Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and Tennessee Speaker of the House Beth Harwell shared the reading of a special proclamation from the Tennessee General Assembly in recognition of the event.

Rosenthal, meanwhile, continues to be one of ORICL’s most ardent students. He says he takes five classes every term, or 300 classes over the organization’s lifespan – so far.

For more information about ORICL, email oricl@roanestate.edu.​

 

 

 

 

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