The Faces of OLLI [3]: Meet Don DiGiulian

 

[Photo credit: Susan Williams]

 

 

The Faces of OLLI [3]: Don DiGiulian 

[by Marybeth Johnson, Blogger]

 

Prior to his arrival in Wilmington 20 years ago, Don DiGiulian, a Long Island native, attended dental school in Philadelphia before opening his practice in Connecticut. After a 56-year career as a dentist, Don officially retired just last year.

Since retiring, Don has joined OLLI to explore new skills, build community, and develop interests such as drawing and photography. Discovering the Sages and Scholars program offered the perfect opportunity to connect with UNCW students and exchange ideas across generations.

Sages and Scholars is an intergenerational program that pairs OLLI members with UNCW Gerontology students. The purpose of the program is to foster connections across generations between people who might not otherwise connect with each other. Sages and Scholars partners engage in a series of activities throughout the semester, such as sharing a “day in the life” or attending a community event together.

At the first meet-and-greet, Don was struck by the students’ enthusiasm and curiosity. He walked away with book recommendations and conversations about a wide range of academic and personal passions. A key goal in joining the program is to share his own life experiences and advice while learning from his student partner in return.

As Don puts it, “What’s a three-letter word that will change your life? Ask. Ask questions, always.” 

His philosophy fits perfectly with OLLI’s motto: “Stay Curious.” Don looks forward to future conversations with his student partner and diving into new opportunities through other OLLI programs.