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Contact: Tracie Stone
Ph: 603-493-2647
E-mail: traciestone@comcast.net

SECRETARY OF STATE SPEAKS AT OLLI ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
Adult learners talk politics and history with Secretary of State Bill Gardner.

April 23, 2008 MANCHESTER _  Secretary of State Bill Gardner appeared recently as guest speaker at “Weekly News Review:  A Focus on Current Events,” a discussion group offered by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Granite State College and facilitated by retired businessman Bob Shaine.

In addition to sharing his thoughts on the relevance and responsibilities of the Secretary of State’s position, Secretary Gardner talked with attending OLLI members on Tuesday, April 22 about current political happenings in New Hampshire and around the nation and about the historical relationship between New Hampshire and Vermont during colonial times. 

Well known for his ongoing commitment to securing New Hampshire’s first in the nation primary, Secretary Gardner has been charged with overseeing all general and primary elections in the Granite State since being elected to office by the New Hampshire State Legislature in 1976.

Secretary Gardner has also written about the history and significance of the New Hampshire primary in Why New Hampshire?: The First-In-The-Nation Primary State,” a book co-authored with longtime friend and former New Hampshire Governor, Hugh Gregg.

“Weekly News Review: A Focus on Current Events” is one of the more than 60 classes and activities offered each session by OLLI at Granite State College.
“This type of intellectually stimulating learning experience provides members with the opportunity to keep their minds engaged and active, which we all know is essential to staying healthy longer,” said Virginia Martin, Director of OLLI at Granite State College,.

A community-based membership organization, OLLI at Granite State College offers two 8-week sessions annually to adults 50 and above who choose to embrace learning just for the fun of it. 

OLLI classes are offered at Granite State College’s regional facilities in Concord, Manchester and the Seacoast.  Classes will be added in Conway in September 2008.  

For more information about OLLI at Granite State College, visit www.granite.edu/olli or call 603-513-1377.

Granite State College is one of four University System of New Hampshire institutions and a leader in online education.  It offers associate and bachelor degrees, post-baccalaureate programs for teacher education and transfer opportunities.

With nine academic centers located throughout New Hampshire, Granite State College is committed to delivering affordable and convenient access to higher education via innovative programming. 

Learn more about Granite State College by visiting www.granite.edu.