Spring courses for senior adults feature literature, folklore, music, culture

GOSHEN, Ind. – No tests, no grades and low tuition– it’s an adult’s dream for educational engagement!

Goshen College and Greencroft Retirement Communities in 2005 jointly established the Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI), with its own board of directors, to provide learning experiences for seniors in Elkhart County. “The mini-courses allow adults to keep learning,” said Wilbur Birky, LLI co-director with his wife, Fanni. “It’s an opportunity to enrich our minds,” she said.

The 2006 spring mini-courses:

The first mini-course features exploration of contemporary novels: “The House of the Spirits,” by Isabel Allende and “The Handmaid’s Tale,” by Margaret Atwood. Judith Davis, Goshen College professor emerita of French and humanities, will teach “Two Contemporary Classics by Allende and Atwood,” on April 3, 5, 10 and 12 in Newcomer Center Room 19. Registration and a $40 course fee are due by March 27.

“Folklore Here and Now” will be taught by Ervin Beck, Goshen College professor emeritus of English, on April 17, 19, 24 and 26 in Newcomer Center Room 17. The course covers family folklore and urban legends and will include at least one field trip. There is a $40 course fee.

“Music Across Cultures: Sub-Saharan Africa” will be taught by Mary Oyer, Goshen College professor emerita of music, on May 1, 3, 5, 8 and 10 in Music Center Room 110. By hearing, performing and reflecting on the music of Sub-Saharan Africa, participants will observe how music and related arts reveal both a common and a uniquely personal world outlook. Oyer also taught at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Elkhart), Taiwan Theological Seminary (Taiwan), and Kenyatta University (Kenya). There is a $50 course fee.

“A Kaleidoscope of Local Hispanic Cultures” will be taught by Goshen resident Zulma Prieto, editor of “El Puente,” on May 15, 17, 22 and 24 in Newcomer Center Room 17. The course will explore the richness of local Hispanic culture in its social, familial, religious, commercial and geographic forms. There is a $40 course fee.

Classes for all courses meet from 2 to 3:30 p.m. To register for one or all of the courses, send payment to Goshen College Welcome Center, 1700 S. Main St., Goshen, IN 46526. To register by phone and pay by credit card, call the Welcome Center at (574) 535-7566.

Scholarships (excluding supply and travel fees) are available for seniors living in HUD housing or on Medicaid. Registration forms are available at Greencroft Senior Center, Goshen College Welcome Center, and online at www.greencroft.org.

In 2005, 81 people enrolled in the five courses offered. Participants commented, “Course was just outstanding!” “Well organized, clear, relevant, practical, great for networking.” “I loved all of the course.” “This learning institute is welcomed with my enthusiasm!”

The institute is a member of Elderhostel Institute Network, a national organization of independent Lifelong Learning Institutes. Institutional liaison persons for LLI are Janette Yoder, director of community programs and adult educational travel at Goshen College, and Kelly Schrock, program coordinator of Older Adult Programs at Greencroft.

Editors: For more information about this release contact either John Bender, Greencroft Retirement Communities Public Relations Director, (574) 537-4017, johnb@greencroft.org; or Jodi H. Beyeler, Goshen College News Bureau Director, (574) 535-7572, jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a four-year residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

Greencroft Retirement Communities, established in 1962, operates housing and services in Goshen and Middlebury, Ind., and manages Southfield Village in South Bend. Residents from 20 faith traditions reside in Greencroft communities. Greencroft Retirement Communities is a not-for-profit organization sponsored by MHS Alliance. Visit www.greencroft.org.