Lipscomb encourages lifelong learning

Chris Pepple | 01/16/2007

According to William Draves, president of Learning Resources Network, a national consulting firm in Wis., “Continuing education—that is, noncredit courses or classes taken after formal education—is a $6 billion business.” In a 2005 survey conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, about 47 percent of 50- to 54-year olds took some kind of course. About 40 percent of 55- to 64-year olds took at least one course of some type and 23 percent of people 65 and older participated in ongoing learning programs.

Lipscomb University knows the success of offering noncredit courses for older students. “The Lifelong Learning Program at Lipscomb University is an opportunity for all people of retirement or semiretirement age to engage in the ongoing work of learning,” says Patty Dugger, program director. “Our courses cover a variety of topics, and our courses are open to anyone in the community.”

Patty Dugger served as a professor in Lipscomb’s College of Business for 44 years. She stayed at Lipscomb to direct the Lifelong Learning Program which has offered courses since 2001. She keeps a database of 1200-1500 names of people who have taken or are signed up as interested in taking courses offered through the program. Each year, between 450 and 550 people enroll in at least one course.

Interested in courses such as Basics of Family Research and Genealogy, Murder She Wrote, Beethoven’s Hair and Mozart’s Letters, The Victorians or Computer I and II? Now is the time to sign up. Twelve courses will be offered this spring. The program offers two sessions each fall and two sessions each spring as well as week-long courses and new travel courses. A brown bag “lunch and learn” session will also be offered March 8. Most course teachers have a doctoral degree and teach in their field of expertise. The spring 2007 sessions run from February 12 through March 16 and from March 26 through April 27. With the exception of the luncheon and the travel courses, each course has five afternoon sessions.

The cost is $50 per person for each class. Individuals may take two classes during the same session for $75. For two people living at the same address enrolled for classes in the same five-week session, the cost is $75 for the two. Some classes may require the purchase of a textbook. All suggested and required textbooks may be purchased in the university bookstore or at registration. To learn more about the program visit lifelonglearning.lipscomb.edu or call the program office at 966.5733 or toll-free at 800.333.4358. Dugger can be e-mailed at patty.dugger@lipscomb.edu.

Schedule for Session 1, Feb. 12-March 16, click here.

Schedule for Session 2, March 26-April 27, click here.