News

College Establishes Wilmington Institute for Lifelong Learning

20 Seminars Planned to Run from March through May

01/31/10

Computers for beginners, the Aztecs and Mayas, woodcarving and film history are among 20 seminars being offered this spring by the newly established Wilmington Institute for Lifelong Learning (WILL).

The Wilmington College fledgling venture is geared for persons 40 and older as an opportunity for continuing education on topics ranging from the practical and utilitarian to those that tap into one’s creativity and imagination.

Margaret A. Guentert, who retired from WC’s English faculty in 2009, is directing the institute pro bono and as an educational outlet for motivated persons wishing to learn and be challenged.

“These seminars are designed for those with a passion to know, those eager to share ideas and learn new things,” she said. “I think those that enroll in the program are persons that want to build upon their lives and stay engaged.”

The 20 seminars include two that are free of charge, a single day session on Social Security disability and a two-day course on the intricacies of Medicare.

The majority of the seminars range from four to eight weeks with classes meeting once a week for one or two hours. A $60 fee entitles the registrant to one seminar with an option to enroll in a second one this term at no charge.

Also, financial aid is available for anyone unable to readily afford the enrollment cost.
The inaugural spring term runs from March 15 through May 7.

Seminars planned for Mondays include: Our Musicals, Ourselves, instructed by Steven Haines, The Joy of Writing Well by Dean Feldmeyer, American Sign Language by Shannon Tighe, Social Security Disability by Robert Touchton, and Computers for Beginners by Robert Touchton.

Tuesdays: The Cold War: A Brief History by Chris Fuller, Community Gardening by Monte Anderson, Elder Law Issues: Planning for Your Future and Beyond by Karen Buckley, From Community to Economy: Sustainable Economic Development for the 21st Century by Mark Rembert and Taylor Stuckert, and From Ramses to Rothko: A Journey through the Treasures of the Cincinnati Art Museum by Beth Neman.

Wednesdays: Mesoamerica: Aztecs and Mayas by Neil Snarr, Journaling as a Spiritual Discipline by Patricia Thomas, and Introduction to Woodcarving by Donald K. Mertz.

Thursdays: Financial Concerns in Tough Times by Tom MacDonald, Bicycling for Beginners by Rich Conti, How to Look at Movies: A Film History by Terry Inlow, What Can Your Genes (DNA) Tell You? By James Ramsey, and Slithering Snakes and Outrageous Reptiles.

Fridays: The Medicare Maze: A Lesson in Navigation by Virginia Lanier and Stories in the Bible: Liberation, Return, Reconciliation by Daniel Kasztelan.

“This represents a wide range of topics, something for everybody,” Guentert said, noting the diversity of instructors complements the subject matter. Indeed, WILL’s faculty ranges in age from a senior in college to an octogenarian — and, like Guentert, they are working for no financial remuneration.

“There’s quite a cross-section of generations, interests and academic credentials,” she added. “The common denominator among the instructors is they all have a passion for their subject matter and a knowledge of something in which they’ve been intimately involved.”

Offering equal diversity is what Guentert described as a “good balance” of venues. Some will be held at the College while other seminar locations range from Cape May Retirement Community and the United Methodist Church to Friendly Center Apartments, the Community Room of the City Building and the Cincinnati Art Museum.

Registration runs from Feb. 1 through 26.

A comprehensive seminar booklet and more information are available by contacting Guentert at Wilmington College at (937) 382-6661 ext. 226 or via email at margaret_guentert@wilmington.edu.
WILL’s fall 2010 session has been planned for Sept. 13 through Nov. 5.