Classes, lectures, and events are available to mature adults this semester through the Lifelong Learning program at Shepherd.
In its second year, the program offers short, noncredit courses, as well as one-day lectures and tours, for retirees.
“The Lifelong Learning program is dedicated to meeting the interests of the mature members of our community who wish to engage in stimulating, fun discussions and activities in an academic setting,” said Karen Rice, director of Lifelong Learning.
“Older adults want to learn and keep their minds active,” she said. “They also enjoy the social interaction with others that they receive from Lifelong Learning courses and the energy that is exuded on campus from students.”
A variety of classes and lectures are available, such as The American Intelligence Community and the CIA, Shakespeare’s As You Like It and King Lear: Comedy v. Tragedy, and Almost Everything You Wanted to Know About Biological Evolution.
Class instructors include a former CIA chief, high school and college educators, and a former U.S. Ambassador.
There is also a series of one-day lectures scheduled for Wednesdays at noon. Some of those lectures available are How I Became Benjamin Franklin: The Story of the Making of Signers Hall, An Environmental History of the Potomac, West Virginia’s River, and Male for Sale.
A one-day class, Food for Life: Nutrition and Cooking Class, is set for Saturday, September 29. Instructor Tracey Moody will explore how eating fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes can support your wellness goals.
One of the most popular classes is Retirement Planning Today, which has two different sessions that meet for either two Thursday evenings or Saturday mornings. It is taught by Ed Slonaker, a certified financial planner and wealth advisor who has been in the financial services business for over 25 years.
“He’s going to talk about what it takes to retire and not just the investment side of it, but what are you going to do now that you’re retired,” Rice said.
In addition, a trip to Richmond, Virginia, to tour Chihuly at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, a major exhibition of work by internationally renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly, is scheduled for Wednesday, October 24.
Lifelong Learning has two different membership plans, as well as an introductory offer.
For more information and to download the registration form, visit www.shepherd.edu/lifelonglearning/ or call Karen Rice at 304-876-5135.
