ISSUED: 8 September 2017
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — The fall semester of Shepherd University Lifelong Learning Program classes start the week of Monday, September 11, with a lineup that covers a variety of topics from gardening to radicalism in the Middle East. Lifelong Learning is a member-driven program dedicated to meeting the interests of the mature members of the community who want to engage in stimulating and fun discussions and activities in an academic setting.
The program offers two annual memberships, silver for $85 that includes free Brown Bag Luncheon Lectures and discounts on tours and events. Silver members pay tuition for classes. The gold membership at $325 includes waived tuition, free Brown Bag Luncheon Lectures, a free parking decal for the West Campus with access to the shuttle bus, a free Scarborough Library card, discounts on tours, and invitations to social events.
Examples of Lifelong Learning classes available to members are “Islam 101,” which will help expand participants’ knowledge and understanding of one of the world’s fastest growing religions; “Blowing on Hot Soup Part 1: Essential Ingredients for Coping with Stress and Managing Mood,” which will explore perceptions of what is stressful and how to respond to those perceived stresses; “Folk Songs Across America (A Singing, Playing, and Dancing Experience),” where participants learn about the traditional folk song genre of our country featuring examples of songs by Appalachian and southern artists; and “Middle East Radical Groups,” a course that will look at events and terrorist groups from the Middle East. Classes are taught by experts in that field, are free to gold members, and are available to silver members for a fee.
The Brown Bag Luncheon Lecture series, which takes place during lunchtime on Wednesdays at the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium, is free to all members and open to the public for a $15 fee. There are two lectures that are free and open to the public. They are “Confused About Medicare?” on Wednesday, September 13, from noon-1:30 p.m., which will offer help in understanding how Medicare works; and “A White Historian Explores Voting Rights” on Wednesday, October 18, from noon-1:30 p.m., which will address contemporary issues of race and racism.
The Lifelong Learning Program also offers the Café Society Discussion Group, which meets every Tuesday, except holidays, from 8:30-10 a.m. in the Student Center Rumsey Room to discuss a variety of contemporary social and political issues. The Café Society is free and open to the public.
The Lifelong Learning Program teams up with the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education to offer a Wednesday evening film series that is free and open to the public. Each event runs from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Advance registration is required by contacting Jody Brumage, Byrd Center archivist and office manager, at jbrumage@shepherd.edu. Films planned for the semester are:
- October 11 — “I Voted?,” a documentary about the integrity of U.S. elections. This screening is in conjunction with the League of Women Voter events that are occurring on campus.
- November 29—“The Reagan Show,” a documentary composed fully of archival video footage that focuses on the Reagan administration’s efforts to manage and manipulate the media during the 80s, specifically focusing on the end of the Cold War.
Members of Shepherd’s Lifelong Learning Program have the opportunity to join interest groups that focus on topics like investment, knitting, opera, guitar, and visiting Washington, D.C. The program also offers a variety of day excursions and national and international trips.
To see a full schedule of Lifelong Learning events and to learn more about joining the program, visit www.shepherd.edu/lifelonglearning or contact Karen Rice, director, at 304-876-5135 or krice@shepherd.edu.
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