Page 54 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2023

Faces of OLLI
CHRISTI MAGRATH
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Committee Chair
Biloxi native Christi Magrath is a retired, disabled biology professor that taught at Troy University for 20 years. After returning here from Alabama, she wanted to find an activity to keep her discovering and learning. She discovered OLLI and is now the USM Gulf Park Curriculum Committee Chair for OLLI.
About two years ago, Magrath went through what she calls “the great poisoning.” She had a bad reaction to
a strong antibiotic. “I lost most of my balance. Staying upright, even in my wheelchair, is hard work,” she explains. “But life is still wonderful, and now I make efforts to be an advocate for the disabled.”
While she may have a PhD in molecular and cell biology, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t know how to have a good time. “I greatly enjoy dressing up/costuming/cosplay. After my poisoning, getting to decorate my ‘wheels’ just added to the fun!”
PAULA LEWIS
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Member
While originally from Mississippi, Paula Lewis grew up in the northern part of the state and visited the coast often. She’s lived in the Midwest for most of her life, but Lewis is glad to be on the coast to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle that it provides. Lewis has taken multiple classes with OLLI and has loved each of them.
She loves photography and being in nature. “Now, I have the time to devote and am enjoying it to the fullest,” Lewis explains.
When asked what she wants you, the reader, to know about her, she responded, “I would like to wish all readers a great day and a happy, fruitful life. Always, be kind, you never know what someone is going through.”
730 East Beach Blvd., North Academic Building Room 225 usm.edu/lifelong-learning | 228.214.3277 EOE/F/M/VETS/DISABILITY
54 | January 2023
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