08/03/2026
As OLLI at UNF celebrates its 20th anniversary, we are taking a journey through stories that made our community what it is today. Over the coming weeks, we’ll introduce the founders whose vision, dedication, and passion helped shape OLLI into the vibrant lifelong learning community. We hope you’ll follow along as we honor the people, memories, and moments that have defined 20 incredible years.
Meet OLLI founder Martin “Marty” Connor, whose curiosity and love of sharing knowledge helped shape the OLLI experience we know today.
In 2012, Marty recalled:
“I’ve been told that since OLLI began in September 2006, I’ve taught more than 43 classes. Why have I done it? I suppose it’s because I’m compulsively curious and love sharing what I’ve learned. But the OLLI experience has been a particular joy! I’ve had the opportunity to interact with people my age who share my interest in such a wide range of topics.
“It’s difficult, looking back, to single out one moment as more gratifying than the others, but one experience after class deserves retelling. Our daughter, Anni Baker (Cecil), a history professor at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, was visiting and sat in on one of my classes.
“As we drove home, she seemed to be in a state of shock. ‘Dad,’ she said, ‘I’ve been teaching undergraduate and graduate students for 15 years, and I’ve never experienced anything like that. They wanted to be there! They were genuinely interested! You had their complete attention! They asked great questions and made great comments! Astounding!’
“What could I say? She was right. That’s OLLI.”
