Ian Scott, president of the P.E.I. seniors’ college, speaks to local residents who were on hand for an information meeting last week at Convocation Hall. A steering group was formed to develop the idea for Sackville.as published by the Sackville Tribune-Post - March 12, 2008
BY KATIE TOWER, Staff Reporter
Seniors in the community could soon have access to more fun and engaging learning opportunities.
A local steering committee was formed last week to get plans under way on the founding of a seniors college in the Sackville area, an initiative which would offer stimulating and affordable courses to the 55-and-over crowd.
Heather Patterson, director of the continuous learning centre at Mount Allison University, organized the founding meeting at Convocation Hall last Thursday, which drew over 75 residents, and said she’s excited about the potential of a seniors college where local seniors can learn from their peers.
“We have so many wonderful seniors in the community with so much experience in many different areas. . . some very engaging, exciting, active and happening people.”
The local project would be modeled on the successful P.E.I. seniors college, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2007. Ian Scott, president of the seniors college on the Island, said the organization has grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade.
“We started out small. . . we had 45 students in the first year and we offered three courses. Now we have 527 students in four locations on the Island and we have over 100 programs,” said Scott, who was on hand last week to share ideas on how to get the project off the ground.
The premise of the seniors college is based on peer learning, he explained.
“We are strong believers that we all have something to share and we’re never too old to learn.”
One of the keys to its success has been the ability to access retired professors and educators in the area, said Scott, who want to teach about engaging, entertaining topics they are passionate about.
“Our teachers have a love affair with their courses and it shows.”
The membership – at $125 – provides seniors the opportunity to take as many, or as few, courses as they would like during the semester – classes that range from alternative medicine to computer skills, genealogy to painting, life writing to astronomy, and much more.
The college co-ordinator Bruce Garrity said seniors can share skills, knowledge and experience with each other through their eight-week courses.
“This enhances the quality of life for seniors by providing them with professional-level courses and it also gives them the opportunity to experience the joy of learning.”
The P.E.I. seniors’ college is affiliated with UPEI – and uses several facilities at the university - but is operated by a separate board.
The local steering committee – made up of Heather Patterson, Pat Dixon, Barb Jardine, Art Miller, Donna Capper, Janet Hammock and Erik Hulsman – will develop the basic concept of how a seniors’ college would work in the area and will present their findings to the public
