Senior citizens of Cache Valley continue to learn
Prior to college, a student’s peers are largely determined by the school district in which they live and the year they were born.
In contrast, a university typically offers more diversity. Students represent an array of experiences from different cultures, various locations and, sometimes, different eras.
Though many students at USU grew up listening to Britney Spears, watching Power Rangers and wearing tech vests from Old Navy, a smaller demographic experienced childhood during World War II, the golden age of radio and the debut of television.
A portion of these seasoned students meet together every Wednesday as part of Senior University, an education program for senior citizens offered through the USU Service Learning Center.
“No other school in Utah has a program to help senior citizens like Senior University,” said Chelsea Bowman, a senior majoring in social work who
directed the program last year.
The Senior University program began six years ago under the direction of Melissa Nuntapreda, a Service Learning Scholar who said she wanted to provide continued education for elderly adults in Cache Valley.
“Most senior citizens are retired and spend a lot of time at home,” Bowman said. “It’s great to get them out of the house, offer different lessons and let them socialize with other people their age.”
Dinna Freeman, 75, and Elizabeth Erni, 87, were among the first students to attend the Senior University classes when the program began in 2007.
“I think it is really important to stimulate your brain and to keep up on all of the new technology,” said Freeman, who walks to and from her home in the Island Neighborhood each Wednesday for class. “I’ve really benefited and I admire the professors that come and give their time toward us seniors.”
Since joining five years ago, Freeman has witnessed both the growth of the program as well as the leadership of multiple directors.
Kelsey Hopkinson, a junior majoring in human movement, became the director for the Senior University program this year. As part of her position, Hopkinson is responsible for arranging lectures and contacting professors on campus to address the senior students.
“I ask people in the Service Center, friends and roommates to find out who their favorite professors are,” Hopkinson said. “Then I look at what department the professor is with to try and give a variety.”
Because Hopkinson attempts to select professors from multiple departments, she said the Senior University participants are subjected to an assortment of course content. Weekly lectures range from psychology, music and technology to agriculture, health and folklore.
“We’ve had a plants and society professor come and talk about feeding a hungry world, a political science teacher talk about the effects of Obama care and an English professor talk about how to write memoirs for future generations,” Hopkinson said.
This year, Hopkinson said she’s also worked to implement field trips.
“We did an excursion to the library to see the special divisions and archives,” she said. “It was the first (field trip) that we’ve done, and we had a great turnout.”
At the end of each semester, a survey is distributed to each participant for additional feedback on desired topics and course content.
Though some program participants reside at home, the majority of Senior University participants live in either the Cache Valley Senior Center or Deer Valley Lodge. Both senior-living centers promote the Senior University program and provide shuttles for residents wishing to participate in the 10-week program.
Each of the 22 participants currently enrolled is over the age of 62 and most are female.
“We usually only have three guys — most participants are women,” Hopkinson said. “Back then, women were told that the husband worked while they stayed home and raised the kids. As a result, many of the women never went to college.”
The opportunity to return to college is what Helene Coats, 70, said motivated her to begin the program.
“I went to beauty school so I could work my way through college, but then I got married,” Coats said. “I worked in my own shop for 18 years and had eight children. After I retired, I saw the opportunity to take these classes, and I jumped at it.”
Higher education is a significant pursuit to many of the participants who said they were unable to complete such academic achievements in the past.
“We gave them diplomas at the end of last year, and one woman almost broke down into tears.” Hopkinson said. “She said that her husband had a wall of achievements, and now she could put hers next to his.”
Bowman said she feels she has benefited from Senior University even more than the participants.
“All of my grandparents have passed away,” Bowman said. “It’s been fun to have so many people who care about me. Now I have a big family of grandparents.”
Like Bowman, Hopkinson said she has enjoyed the companionship of the participants as well as the diversity of course content.
“I got sucked into the program because the first lesson I attended was about things I had never heard of. I kept going because I kept learning and because I loved talking to the seniors,” Hopkinson said.
Bowman said exposure to various topics was not only interesting but also made an impact on her.
“Last year, the classes helped one volunteer pick a major because they got to hear so many professors speak,” Bowman said.
“You’re not old if you keep learning — we’re always young at heart,” Coats said. “Time is healing, but it’s a horrible beautician.”
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