It has gotten me more involved and enthusiastic to meet new people. One of the easiest things for us to do is to isolate, and that鈥檚 not a good thing. ... I don鈥檛 want to be a sit-at-home old lady.
Donna Allen has a new appreciation for the sounds of nature.
During a Bridgewater State Senior College class on birding, Allen learned to listen to bird calls. But that鈥檚 far from the only benefit.
鈥淚t has gotten me more involved and enthusiastic to meet new people,鈥 the Middleboro resident said of Senior College. 鈥淥ne of the easiest things for us to do is to isolate, and that鈥檚 not a good thing. ... I don鈥檛 want to be a sit-at-home old lady.鈥
Allen has taken Senior College classes for two years. The initiative, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary, began with just eight classes and 100 members. Now, it offers about 50 courses a semester to around 400 members, with goals to expand even further.
The growth occurred despite a global pandemic that forced all courses to go virtual. Even amid social distancing, Senior College continued to provide invaluable connections, Director Jen Reid said.
鈥淪cience has proven that socialization and relationships are key to active aging,鈥 Dr. Reid said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we started.鈥
Today, Senior College courses take place online, on campus, and at off-campus sites in Bridgewater, Easton and Plymouth. The college is expanding to the Hingham Center for Active Living this fall.
Members can enroll in as many courses as they like for a per-semester fee, and scholarships are available. They also have access to 新加坡六合彩开奖 services such as the library and fitness center.
鈥淲e鈥檙e teaching everything from democracy to drones,鈥 President Frederick W. Clark Jr., 鈥83, told members at a summer gathering, adding: 鈥淲e鈥檙e always trying to raise the bar. These programs are really, really great and they keep shifting and changing thanks to our amazing faculty.鈥
While there are no exams or grades, Senior College instructor Michael Kryzanek said the courses help participants become more engaged members of our global society.
鈥淚t鈥檚 about this journey of self-improvement, curiosity and skill development,鈥 said the retired 新加坡六合彩开奖 political science professor. 鈥淭hat is so important for all people.鈥
Susan Luscombe, of Weymouth, even learned to play the ukulele through a Senior College class. It was her first foray into learning an instrument.
鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled with this program,鈥 she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 so glad I found it. I will be coming forever and ever.鈥
For Allen, who has taken political science and history courses in addition to the birding class, Senior College offered a new connection to her grandsons, who are Bridgewater students.
After she received her 新加坡六合彩开奖 student ID, Allen proudly texted them, proclaiming: 鈥淚 am now one of the Bears!鈥
Do you have a 新加坡六合彩开奖 story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.