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FULL STORY
Beginning in October, the University of North Texas will become one of the first universities in North Texas to offer programming specifically designed for individuals ages 50 and over.
The new endeavor, known as the Emeritus College, will offer not-for-credit classes, travel programs and social activities to community members. The program is being launched by UNT's Center for Achievement and Lifelong Learning. Dr. Jim Miller, retired dean of UNT's College of Education, will serve as the Emeritus College dean.
"A university should be a place where everyone can come to pursue lifelong learning, regardless of age, work experience, or whether or not they have already achieved a college degree. We are excited to be reaching out to our 50 and over community with this new endeavor," said Wendy K. Wilkins, UNT provost and vice president for academic affairs.
According to Marilyn Wagner, director of CALL, the Emeritus College will be "a health club designed especially for the brain." The program will launch during the fall semester with about 15 to 20 courses being offered. Organizers expect to offer twice as many courses in the spring. The courses will be offered in two formats: lectures and seminars. The lectures will be one-time classes that last approximately 90 to 120 minutes, and the seminars will meet for 90 to 120 minutes on multiple occasions over a span of four to six weeks.
"The term "emeritus' means ‘retired with honor,' and that is part of the message that we want to send with the Emeritus College--that we honor UNT retirees and seniors throughout the area, and we want to make them partners in an intellectual community of lifelong learners," said Wagner.
Classes taught by CAS-affiliated instructors that have been approved for the fall include:
- “Solar System Leftovers” taught by Ron DiIulio, director of the UNT Planetarium and Astronomy Laboratory Program
- “Denton County Historical Tours” taught by Dr. E. Dale Odom, a UNT emeritus professor of history
- “How to Remember Not to Forget: Improving Your Memory” taught by Dr. Bert Hayshlip, a Regents Professor of Psychology at UNT
- “ENGLISH, ENGLISH, EVERYWHERE: Where It's Been and Where It's Going” taught by Dr. Charles Martin, a UNT professor emeritus of English
- “Environmental Trends That are Shaping Our Future” taught by Dr. Ken Dickson, “partially retired” UNT professor of biology
- “The Evolution of the American Presidency” taught by Dr. Donald Pickens, a UNT emeritus professor of history
Classes will be offered on the UNT campus and at locations throughout the Denton community. Membership in the program is based on an annual fee. The annual membership fee allows members to attend as many classes as they wish. Individuals or couples who join this fall will be able to participate in unlimited programming through August 31, 2010.
Interested individuals can join by visiting the Emeritus College website. For more information contact Wagner at 940-565-3487 or Marilyn.Wagner@unt.edu.
The above text is based on a UNT News Service news release available on the web at http://web3.unt.edu/news/story.cfm?story=11567.
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