Intergenerational Learning Symposium brings Auburn campus together for cross generational collaboration

On Thursday, February 19, Auburn University faculty, staff, students and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) members gathered at Pebble Hill for the inaugural Intergenerational Learning Symposium, a campuswide event designed to strengthen collaboration and shared learning across age groups.

Hosted by the Auburn University Intergenerational Working Group, the symposium highlighted teaching, research and engagement practices that connect generations in meaningful and mutually enriching ways. For Elijah Gaddis, Hollifield Associate Professor of Southern History and African American studies and co-chair of the Intergenerational Working Group, the event demonstrated what is possible when universities intentionally create space for cross-generational exchange.

“I was delighted to be a part of this wonderful event that showed the possibilities of learning, collaboration and community across generations,” Gaddis said. “A day spent in work and reflection with so many other practitioners of intergenerational learning and teaching made me all the more convinced that it should be a central focus of the 21st-century university.” 

OLLI at Auburn, which primarily serves older adults and retirees in the Auburn–Opelika community, provides educational programming and social opportunities for learners across the lifespan. While most participants are older learners, membership is open to anyone with an interest in lifelong learning. Their presence at the symposium underscored the value and impact of intergenerational engagement within the Auburn community.

For many OLLI members, intergenerational learning is more than a concept; it is a transformative experience. Caroline Gebhard, an OLLI member and co-chair of the Curriculum Committee at OLLI at Auburn University, reflected on her introduction to this model through a shared classroom experience.

“I was first introduced to the idea of intergenerational learning through an OLLI class that brought together Auburn undergraduates, graduate students and OLLI members a few years ago,” Gebhard said. “It remains one of the most meaningful educational experiences of my life.”

The symposium’s morning sessions included an overview of generational cohorts, a series of research presentations and an intergenerational student panel that explored perspectives across age groups and academic experiences.

Keynote speaker Cal J. Halvorsen of the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis discussed the future of aging societies and the important role universities can play in fostering purpose, engagement and innovation across the lifespan. His research focuses on aging populations, meaningful work at every age and intergenerational initiatives.

Attendees also participated in a “Lightning Round: How‑To” session in which Auburn faculty reflected on their experiences partnering with OLLI to offer both OLLI classes and Auburn courses that include OLLI participants. The session emphasized one of the Working Group’s core goals: helping Auburn faculty and students recognize the many opportunities to engage with OLLI through teaching, learning and community‑connected programming.

The afternoon concluded with the Biggio Center’s interactive workshop, Writing by Hand, Learning for Life. The session explored how handwriting supports cognition and memory at every age and offered writing‑to‑learn strategies designed to enhance classroom engagement and lifelong reflection.

The event was sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, the Office of Sustainability, the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities and OLLI at Auburn.

The Intergenerational Working Group meets twice annually to build partnerships across departments, share updates, support faculty interested in intergenerational work and develop new programs that promote shared learning.