Seniors to continue lifelong learning in Chesco

By Adam Farence, Daily Local News

Published: 06/27/16

EAST WHITELAND   

 In only two months, more than 600 senior citizens living in and around Chester County wishing to further their education and socialize with their peers have found a way to do so at Immaculata University starting in September.

The seniors, originally part of a larger group called the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, (OLLI) used to take classes to continue their education and socialize with one another. That is, until Widener University officials decided in April to shut down the program at their Exton campus after the spring semester and move it to their main campus in Chester, Delaware County.

The decision proved unpopular with many of the program’s current students. Of the 1,000 students who were originally part of the OLLI branch that operated out of Exton, over 600 broke off from the main group, and started a new one called the Lifelong Learning Institute.

Teachers for the Lifelong Learning Institute sometimes come from their own student bodies; it’s possible for the teacher in one class to be a student in another.

Fueled by a desire to continue their goal of pursuing lifelong learning in their retirement years, the seniors found a new home at Immaculata University in East Whiteland to hold their daytime classes and socialize with one another.

“We’re delighted it worked out so well,” said Ed Goll, one of the spokesmen for the newly created group. “urned out to be a It tblessing in disguise.

Goll said they considered several potential venues for their new organization, but ultimately settled on Immaculata University for the quality of their facilities, parking space and lack of scheduling conflicts — since the seniors’ classes take place during the day and most of Immaculata’s classes take place at night.

First on their list of events is an open house at Immaculata University on July 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Classes start the week of Sept. 12. Goll said they have over 70 classes planned already, and praised Immaculata’s administrative officials for their help in getting the program off the ground.

“After learning about the needs of the senior community in our region, we knew that Immaculata University would be able to create and deliver a program that will fulfill the intellectual and cultural interests of Chester County residents in their retirement years,” wrote Dr. Angela Tekely, dean of the College of Lifelong Learning at Immaculata University, in a prepared statement.

The program is not without cost to its students. According to Immaculata officials, there is a fee of $185 for up to seven courses a semester.

“We’re really excited,” Goll said.