John F. Ohliger

Hall of Fame Class of 2002

John Ohliger is recognized for his outstanding and innovative contributions to the progress of continuing education. He began his adult education career in 1956 with the UCLA Extension Program. In 1977, he began and still serves as Director of Basic Choices, Inc., a Midwest center for clarifying political and social options. 

Dr. Ohliger completed a Masters in Adult Education, UCLA in 1957. He received his Doctorate in Adult Education, UCLA in 1966. He served at Ohio State as Assistant Associate Professor of Adult Education from 1967 through 1973. Since 1973, he has held various visiting and adjunct professor roles.

John Ohliger was co-editor of Second Thoughts, a publication with alternative views about adult education topics for many years, writing many articles and chapters on such topics as far-reaching ideas for adult education, and problems with mandatory continuing education. He was the editor of Mass Media/Adult Education, a publication devoted to helping adult educators understand the impact of mass media and instructional design to the field. 

He served as the Director of Continuing Education for Selkirk College in Castlegar, British Columbia. He has made many presentations internationally at the University of British Columbia, University of Alberta, University of Calgary, and Concordia College in Quebec. He worked in conjunction with Ivan Illich on a variety of adult education topics at the Center for Intercultural Documentation in Cuernavaca, Mexico. 

Dr. Ohliger received the Ivan D. Illich Award for his contributions to adult education. He also served as chair of a mass media interest group for adult education for the Adult Education Association, and later received one of the association's annual awards in recognition for his contribution to mass media.