October 16, 2018 - 8:30pm
No homework. No grades. No pressure. VIU’s ElderCollege is about the pure joy of lifelong learning.
At its core, VIU ElderCollege is about inspiring learners 50 years old or better to explore new ideas, expand their knowledge and make connections in their community. Regan McKeever, Program Coordinator, says attending courses keeps the mind active and promotes healthy aging.
This fall, ElderCollege celebrates 25 years serving Vancouver Island communities. It all started in 1993 when a group of volunteers came together to create the organization. Now it has almost 1,000 members and offers nearly 100 courses annually, all led by instructors as passionate about learning as the students.
Volunteers are the driving force behind ElderCollege. Without their dedication and enthusiasm, it wouldn’t be possible to provide these learning opportunities to community members. McKeever says when volunteers and learners come together it’s like two pieces of the same heart joining as one.
“The volunteers are the heartbeat of ElderCollege” she says. “They are the reason this program has flourished over the past 25 years.”
A celebration was held in Parksville recently to mark the occasion. To learn more, please visit: viu.ca/ElderCollege.
*This article originally appeared in the Fall 2018 edition of VIU Magazine. Check out more stories on the VIU Magazine webpage.
Tags: VIU Magazine
