More than 2,000 seniors take advantage of the auditing program offered through Sinclair Community College’s College of Lifelong Learning every semester, and enrollment continues to grow.
The College of Lifelong Learning at Sinclair is one among many similar programs here in Ohio that offers seniors three options to continue their education at little cost.
“The program does continue to grow both in the number of students taking classes and in the number of classes and in the number of classes the students are taking,” Anne Holaday, coordinator for the CLL, said.
Holaday spoke to the reasons many seniors may be reluctant to make the move to becoming a lifelong learner.
“Sometimes people think, Oh I’m too old to go to college, or I won’t be able to find my way around campus, or maybe the students won’t accept me, I’m going to be an odd ball on campus. We’re going to try to dispel all those myths,” Holaday said.
To be eligible to take part in this program students must be 60 years of age or older when classes begin. Students may choose to audit classes, participate in workshops or seminars and they may also take classes for full credit. Auditing classes is an option that gives the student the classroom experience with minimal cost.
While auditing students may participate in the class and take tests just as any other student. To audit a class the student is only required to pay for books and lab fees.
“My children are grown, and they moved away. I live by myself and I have stuff to do everyday,” Carrie Thomas, 71, said. “ Taking writing classes, Phys Ed classes, weight training, and art classes. Just whatever I’m interested in.”
Thomas graduated in 1977 from the radiology program at Sinclair and worked 30 years or more at Miami Valley Hospital and Dayton Children’s Hospital. She started taking swimming for seniors class at age 55, and once she turned 60 she was delighted to register for more classes without having to pay the tuition.
“It’s just a fun thing to do at my age. It keeps my mind sharp and it helps me meet new people,” Thomas said.
Over 100 workshops and seminars are offered every semester, many of those being at no cost to the student. Workshops cover a variety of subjects and topics giving students the option to try new things and seek new interests.
Students can also take college courses for full credit. Vinie Walker, 87, a CLL student is currently working toward her associate’s degree after completing a certificate program.
Once a year the college holds its annual Sharing Education Experience and Knowledge conference. This is known as the SEEK conference. The advisory board and staff work on preparations for the event all year long. This year’s conference was held on Wednesday, Aug. 6.
At the SEEK conference, seniors gather in Building 12 to spend a day listening to speakers of all kinds, take part in workshops, and dine together for lunch. The event only cost the participants a $5 registration fee.
“It’s also inspiring, and inspiration is to breathe life into and I think most people, if not all, when they leave the SEEK conference they’re just kind of joyous. It’s like that life has just been breathed into them,” Bonnie Marshall, incoming chair of the CLL advisory board, said.
Marshall, who considers herself “ageless”, attained her RN nursing degree from Sinclair and has now been serving on the CLL advisory board for six years.
“This is an opportunity for people to reach out and help each other and show caring,” Marshall said. “I’m thrilled to be a part of this.”
Marshall is also an entrepreneur and runs a small health and wellness coaching business. She directs her clients to live a healthy life by eating whole foods, exercising daily, being social, doing brain training and laughing. Marshall claims all these can be found through attendance at the SEEK conference.
A recent 2013 sociology graduate from Sinclair, Dotty Young, is in in her second year of service with the CLL and as a member of the advisory board. Young has from a young age felt a strong connection to the senior community serving at one time as an ombudsman for long term care residents in the Dayton area.
“I had no clue it existed. I had been going to Sinclair for three years,” Young said. “I got to let the people know who don’t know it’s here, whether it be students that can take the classes or other students. I think it would be beneficial for everyone on campus to know it.”
Young became involved with the CLL as a student, and is now a liaison helping to raise awareness on campus about the CLL and working with Professors in the Sociology department to get students involved to bridge the gap between generations.
“Having the two generations get connected in some way, shape, or form. Having them in the same room together, having them in the same building together helps us to understand the other generation,” Young said.
Young recruits traditional students to volunteer at the annual SEEK conference. To get involved or get more information call Amanda Leonard at 512-2372.