• 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 Presidential!We Are Generous!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

  • Carroll’s Jewelers – 85 years

    Longevity is just one of the words that describes Carroll’s Jewelers who is celebrating their 85th anniversary this week.  This hometown shop was originally owned by the Carrolls and was established in 1934 in downtown Marion.  Not only does the store have longevity but the dedicated employees have over 172 years of experience there.  Newbies […]Read More »
  • Showplace

    SHOWPLACE. Gary and Mary Ann Ferriman started selling TV sets from the front porch of their Marion home in January 1981 under the name TV Outlet while working full time jobs. They moved the business into its first commercial location on Mound Street in 1982. A suggestion was made in 1983 to rent those TVs […]Read More »
  • Marion’s Miss America Won Local and National Hearts

    With a dazzling smile and a talent for tap dancing, Marion native Marilyn Meseke won the Miss America pageant in 1938. Marion is still the only town to have both a Miss America and a U.S. president. Marilyn’s Beginnings Meseke was born Mary Ellen Spurrier on October 7, 1916 in Lima, Ohio. Charlie and Clara […]Read More »
  • The Forge Helps Small Businesses in Its Fifth Year

    Four local businesses and one non-profit organization participated in the 2021 Forge Competition. This was the fifth offering for the competition following seven weeks of classes with instructor Scott Hughes of Marion Technical College. “Part of the genesis of The Forge was that when we looked at some economic information, we learned that Marion was […]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

© 2026 · MarionMade! is a community initiative led by Marion Technical College · Website is powered by Neighborhood Image