Published: July 14, 2008 02:09 pm            

Senior college | St. Francis offering classes for students 50 and older

By TOM LAVIS

TLAVIS@TRIBDEM.COM

Who said the learning process only is for youngsters?

More than six stress-free courses are being offered from Aug. 4-8 during Senior College at St. Francis University, Loretto.

The enrichment classes, ranging from Computers for Beginners to Old-Fashioned Sing-A-Long, are being provided at a minimal cost for people older than 50 years of age.

Classes are divided into morning and afternoon sessions, and cost is $75 for one class or $135 for two.

Lunch is included in either price.

Lois Quist, administrative assistant in the continuing education office, said this marks the first year that classes are specifically designed for people older than 50.

“We have had a lot of success in our Kids College program, so it was suggested that we do the same for members of our more mature population,” Quist said. “We gathered suggestions from employees and faculty to come up with a slate of classes that may be of interest to that specific group.”

A minimum of 12 students must sign up for a class to be held. Deadline for registration is Aug. 1. Morning sessions will be conducted from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and afternoon classes are from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

“These sessions were scheduled in this manner to tempt people to take two classes during the day,” Quist said.

Two morning classes, Discover Relaxation Within and History of Loretto, already have generated interest.

“The relaxation class will include a little yoga and other methods of reducing or managing stress,” Quist said.

“For those people with Highmark insurance, all they have to do is show their card and the course will be paid for by the carrier.”

The History of Loretto will be conducted by university professor Raymond Bradley, who will lead a tour through historic Loretto.

Throughout the week, participants will travel by van and visit the McGuire Settlement, Chapel House, the site of the first church, Demetrius Gallitzin’s Sepulchre, Shrine of Our Lady of the Alleghenies, The Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, Mount Assisi Monastery Chapel, St. Bonaventure Hall Sunken Gardens and the water tower.

Gallitzin, the priest who brought Catholicism to the region, died in 1840 and was the first priest educated and ordained in the United States.

“Even lifelong residents will learn things they never knew on these tours,” Quist said. “It should prove very educational and fun.”

The other morning class, Computers for Beginners, will instruct people on the basics of computer use, e-mailing and accessing the Internet.

Afternoon sessions emphasize Card Making 101, where participants will learn to create personalized greeting cards; and Fly Fishing, a basic introduction to fly fishing, a fly-tying demonstration and casting.

Other classes are The Loss of Our Loves: Francis of Assisi’s Response, a session on how to spiritually cope with grief; and Old-Fashioned Sing-A-Long, where students gather around the piano each day to sing.

Information: 472-3012.



Back to school

What: Senior college.

Where: St. Francis University, Loretto.

When: Aug. 4-8.

Cost: $75 for one class or $135 for two.

Information: 472-3012.

        

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