• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

MarionMade

People, Places, Products, Programs

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On TwitterVisit Us On YoutubeCheck Our FeedVisit Us On Instagram
We Are Generous!We Are Presidential!We Are Having Fun!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
    • MarionMade! 5k Sign Up
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

LEI Lifelong Learning

By MarionMade! on January 15, 2018

The Learning Enrichment Institute (LEI) provides an opportunity for individuals 50 and older to broaden their experiences through a schedule of short, non-credit courses that promote creativity, free thinking, and personal growth and development. The program is a partnership between The Ohio State University at Marion and Marion Technical College and was established in 2006.

Over the past 11 years, LEI has provided over 500 unique courses to more than 600 community participants. It offers two terms (autumn and spring, each lasting approximately 5-6 weeks) of programming each year that meet the diverse needs and interests of adults 50 and older.

Faculty and staff from both campus institutions make up a large number of our instructors. However, many of the instructors for these specialized courses come from the Marion community. Presenters from local establishments including the Marion Public Library, Marion County Park District, Carousels and Carvings have willingly donated their time to share their knowledge with our participants.

Although most of our LEI participants come from Marion County, we are starting to pull more from outside of our area, bringing more people to our community to experience something positive. Instructors from across Ohio also participate, bringing in speakers and specialists from many disciplines and backgrounds.

LEI is a community service/outreach effort modeled after more than 600 successful “elderhostel” programs across the country. It belongs to the official Road Scholar Institute Network. It is living proof that learning never stops and the Marion community is lucky to have such a gem.

#MarionMade #WeAreLearning #WeAreTheOhioStateatMarion #WeAreMarionTechnicalCollege

Recent MarionMade! Stories

  • The Remnant Serves Up Coffee and Community

    A family-owned coffee shop serves up delicious treats and smiles in downtown Marion. “We started the Remnant coming out of the confined atmosphere of COVID-19. We saw a need for a meeting place where people could gather together and realize they are not alone,” said Riffe. “We originally only needed the kitchen for The Board […]Read More »
  • Home Again Stained Glass

    HOME AGAIN STAINED GLASS: 10 YEARS IN DOWNTOWN MARION  . Sherrie Haver moved to Colorado in 1972, where she opened her first stained glass retail shop. Colorado was enjoyable and the size felt right for some time; but, Marion was always home. In 2006, Sherrie and her husband came home for Thanksgiving and never looked […]Read More »
  • Founder of Black Heritage Council, Mother Hatch

    Unsung hero. Spiritual Advisor. Mentor. Social Justice Advocate. Earlean Baskin Hatch, 88, has been a change-maker in Marion. Although she grew up in Waxhaw (Union County), North Carolina, Earlean (affectionately known to many locals as “Mother Hatch”) was a powerful force in the Marion community for well over 40 years. Earlean, a registered nurse, and […]Read More »
  • Cummins Facility Services: 50 Years of Service Excellence

    For 50 years, Cummins Facility Services (CFS) has been part of the Marion Community. Founded in 1972 by local residents Ron and Myra Cummins at their kitchen table, CFS started by providing janitorial services and floor care to local businesses. Ron took great pride in making old surfaces look new again. Myra worked hard on […]Read More »

Share Your MarionMade! Story

Click Here to share your story about MarionMade! people, places, products, and programs!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Downtown Marion Love INC Marion Public Library Marion Area Chamber of Commerce Marion CANDO! Marion Community Foundation United Way of Marion County Marion Technical College

© 2025 · MarionMade! is a community initiative led by Marion Technical College · Website is powered by Neighborhood Image