2008/10/14 City Council Resolution 2008-160RESOLUTION NO. 2008-160
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
Recognizing and Commending
JEANNE JOHNSON AND THE C. PAUL JOHNSON FAMILY FOUNDATION
FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE OSHER LIFE LONG LEARNING INSTITUTE
WHEREAS, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is in its eighth year at Sonoma State University and
features courses for adults 50 years or better, and
WHEREAS, each year more than 1,200 OLLI students attend stimulating and challenging courses offered by
distinguished retired faculty and other experts. OLLI courses are offered through the School of Extended
Education purely for the pleasure of learning — no tests and no grades; and
WHEREAS, OLLI students have access to numerous campus resources including the Jean and Charles Schulz
Information Center and Library, the University Art Gallery, the Sonoma Film Institute, and educational travel
opportunities; and
WHEREAS, Jeanne Johnson's commitment, along with the support of the C. Paul Johnson Family Foundation
annual grant, allows OLLI the opportunity to achieve unsurpassed excellence through innovative program
development, faculty recruitment, and dedicated service to students; and
WHEREAS, Jeanne Johnson has been instrumental in the success of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute since
its inception in 2001. Her legacy to the OLLI cannot be overstated. Her personal leadership has guided the
program in the following ways:
• Her appointment to the OLLI Board of Directors in 2005 -2006 provided strategic guidance and support
to fellow volunteers and staff
• As Chair of the OLLI Legacy Circle (a group designating OLLI in their estate plans), she provides a one -
of -a -kind donor program in the OLLI network
• She initiated the Johnson Family Endowed Student Scholarship Fund for OLLI for the benefit of
student scholarship recipients
• Her generosity in underwriting of the Annual OLLI Legacy Luncheon allows all OLLI donors, regardless
of the size of their gift, to attend the luncheon
• Jeanne was chosen as recipient of the 2003 -2004 Stolman Award because of her dedication to
furthering the Lifelong Learning Institute, its mission, and its future
• She once provided a fundraising grant to the OLLI that was matched by fellow OLLI students. She also
provides grants that supply essential items for the program. She is most proud of the grant that offers
scholarships to seniors who cannot afford the program; and
WHEREAS, Jeanne believes in the program and supports it in numerous ways. She watches closely over the
program, never taking it for granted. She joined the program at the insistence of her late husband, Gilbert, who
had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. He knew that she would need something positive to help her through
the coming months. Jeanne has formed many deep friendships at OLLI and considers these friends her
extended family. According to SSU and OLLI, Jeanne is family!
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Rohnert Park that it commends the
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and extends our deepest gratitude to Jeanne Johnson and the C. Paul;
Johnson Family Foundation for the gift of education to our community.
DULY AND REGULARLY ADOel�! of October, 2008
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CITY OF ROHNERT PARK ATTEST:
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Mayor ake Mackenzie / Ci Jerk Judy
BREEZE: AYE SMITH: AYE STAFFORD: AYE�tIi- MARTINEZ: AYE MACKENZIE: AYE
AYES: (5) NOES: (0) ABSENT: (0) ABSTAIN: (0)