Vanderhoef makes his return to "head of the class" with a UC Davis Extension course

Pictured left to right: Chancellor Emeritus Larry Vanderhoef,
UC Davis Extension Dean Dennis Pendleton, OLLI adviser
Romain Nelsen

UC Davis Chancellor Emeritus Larry Vanderhoef is back in the classroom—this time as a teacher with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UC Davis Extension. This week, Vanderhoef conducted a preview of his upcoming Biology 10 course at UC Davis, a curriculum directed at non-science majors. The OLLI course, Biology: Issues in the News, runs two sessions, October 4 and 11, from 1-3 p.m. at the Davis Art Center.

"We're pleased and proud to be the vehicle for the Chancellor's return to yet another of his many contributions to UC Davis and the larger and smaller communities it serves," said Romain Nelsen, OLLI advisor.

Since retiring as Chancellor in 2009, Vanderhoef has planned to return to the classroom, teaching biology. As a Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Vanderhoef has a joint faculty appointment in the Departments of Plant Biology and Plant Sciences. He received his PhD in plant biochemistry and physiology from Purdue University in 1969.

"I have watched the OLLI program mature and grow over the past 10 years, and I couldn't be prouder now standing in front of one of their classes—yet another great UC Davis Extension program," Vanderhoef said.

"His OLLI class is sold out, but we'll be video recording the sessions for transmission on Community TV Channel 15 and for inclusion at the Yolo Davis Library," Nelsen added.