Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) in Oklahoma
By: J. David Chapman/April 4, 2024
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is a nationwide network of educational programs designed for adults over 50 who are interested in lifelong learning. These institutes offer non-credit courses and activities in a wide range of subjects, including arts and humanities, history, science, technology, business, and health and wellness.
OLLI programs are typically affiliated with universities and supported by the Bernard Osher Foundation. Courses are taught by volunteer instructors who are experts in their fields. In Oklahoma, courses are offered by both Oklahoma State University and Oklahoma University.
The primary goal of OLLI is to provide intellectually stimulating and socially engaging learning experiences for older adults thereby promoting personal enrichment, social connections, and continued education throughout life. A few weeks ago, I was asked if I would present to this year’s OLLI class in a session called “OKC Town Talk – Looking Ahead,” specifically focused on commercial real estate in OKC. They explained that I would be speaking with Mark Beffort, CEO of Newmark Robinson Park, and Richard Tannenbaum, CEO of Gardner Tanenbaum.
In the early 90’s, Mark Beffort and his business partner Gary Brooks helped a couple of very young and inexperienced entrepreneurs, named David and Julie Chapman, find office space for a new computer-training concept called ExecuTrain. Mark has gone on to be one of the most successful and impactful real estate professionals in the state of Oklahoma.
Dick Tanenbaum participates in nearly every aspect of commercial real estate including multi-family, industrial, retail and office. Since 1997, he has overseen the growth of the company’s commercial portfolio, expanding it from 800,000 square feet to more than 8,000,000 square feet.
The good news for Oklahoma is Beffort and Tanenbaum have formed a partnership agreeing to collaborate on several large projects in Oklahoma. While I delivered a summary of commercial real estate activity in OKC and some performance data and information, these two guys bantered back and forth explaining to the audience the nuances of developing the largest, most impactful commercial real estate projects in the state.
One such development is a mixed-use project called Convergence, positioned in the Innovation District on a 5.5-acre site near NE 8th Street and I-235. The development includes an Office & Research Tower, an upscale boutique hotel and restaurant, a 2-level, below-grade parking garage, Stiles Park and OKC’s Innovation Hall.
Dr. J. David Chapman is Professor of Finance & Real Estate at The University of Central Oklahoma (jchapman7@uco.edu).