Senior College a hit with region’s lifelong learners

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’s far from the only benefit.

“It has gotten me more involved and enthusiastic to meet new people,” the Middleboro resident said of Senior College. “One of the easiest things for us to do is to isolate, and that’s not a good thing. ... I don’t want to be a sit-at-home old lady.”

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.

“Science has proven that socialization and relationships are key to active aging,” Dr. Reid said. “That’s why we started.”

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 ���鵺��̳ services such as the library and fitness center.

“We’re teaching everything from democracy to drones,” President Frederick W. Clark Jr., ’83, told members at a summer gathering, adding: “We’re always trying to raise the bar. These programs are really, really great and they keep shifting and changing thanks to our amazing faculty.”

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.

“It’s about this journey of self-improvement, curiosity and skill development,” said the retired ���鵺��̳ political science professor. “That is so important for all people.”

Susan Luscombe, of Weymouth, even learned to play the ukulele through a Senior College class. It was her first foray into learning an instrument.

“I’m thrilled with this program,” she said. “I’m so glad I found it. I will be coming forever and ever.”

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 ���鵺��̳ student ID, Allen proudly texted them, proclaiming: “I am now one of the Bears!”

Do you have a ���鵺��̳ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

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’s not a good thing. ... I don’t want to be a sit-at-home old lady.

Freshman and grandmother continue tradition as proud Bears

Most college students don’t get a call from their grandmother when classes are cancelled, but that’s not the case for Peter Koutoujian, ’25.  

That’s because both he and his 84-year-old grandmother, Cornelia “Connie” Koutoujian are currently enrolled at ���鵺��̳.  

“It’s actually really cool, being able to say I go to college with my grandmother,” said Peter, who is studying political science.  

To have both his mom and oldest son taking classes at ���鵺��̳ is a source of pride for Peter J. Koutoujian, ’83, who currently serves as sheriff of Middlesex County and is a former member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.  

“I love seeing the genuine pride on my mom’s face when she tells her friends she goes to school with her grandson and the smile on Peter’s face when he hears her say it,” he said. “I think it speaks volumes about how my family has been connected to this incredible community from the day I entered through this very day.” 

After taking a tour of Bridgewater when he was in high school, the elder Koutoujian knew he wanted to be a Bear.  

“Walking across campus I was struck by how welcoming everyone was, the students, staff, and faculty. That culture continued throughout my time here,” he said.  

His son experienced a similar feeling when touring his father’s alma mater.  

“I have to admit, it wasn’t at the top of my list at first, but I took a tour and have loved it ever since,” Peter said, “I have been hearing about Bridgewater State from a young age, and because of that it’s always sort of felt like home.” 

It feels even homier now that his grandmother is also at ���鵺��̳.  

 When the pandemic first hit the former teacher and attendee of the State Teachers College at Boston knew she needed an outlet to keep her mind occupied.  

“My son told me to try Bridgewater and look at their senior college,” Ms. Koutoujian said.  

After doing some investigating, she enrolled in the ���鵺��̳ Senior College and has enjoyed the variety of classes offered and social interaction.  

“I’ve had such a wonderful time,” she said. “The teachers are absolutely fantastic. I would give them all gold stars and the social element, the way we are able to chat back and forth, it’s so enjoyable.” 

The state school experience is one Ms. Koutoujian is glad her family has taken advantage of. 

“You get an excellent education for a very good price,” she said. 

For Sheriff Koutoujian, ���鵺��̳ will always be a special place.  

“Whether as an alumnus, the son of a student, the father of a student or the friend of a graduate, I am just so proud to be affiliated with ���鵺��̳, this wonderful campus and this incredible community of educators and learners,” he said.   

Do you have a ���鵺��̳ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu 

Whether as an alumnus, the son of a student, the father of a student or the friend of a graduate, I am just so proud to be affiliated with ���鵺��̳, this wonderful campus and this incredible community of educators and learners.

Program for lifelong learners continues to thrive online

The assumption is often made that senior citizens are not savvy when it comes to technology. However, the ���鵺��̳ “Silver Bears” are proving that theory wrong.

When ���鵺��̳ transitioned fully to online/remote learning in response to the COVID-19 public health crisis, the university’s Senior College did likewise.

Despite the challenges of moving online, the program is still thriving, with seniors and instructors successfully adjusting to remote learning.

“We imagined there would be more challenges for seniors going online, but for the majority of them that hasn’t been an issue," said Jennifer Reid, director of ���鵺��̳ Senior College. “They have adapted and are really savvy. Their generation is so resilient.”

The program was first introduced this past fall with 105 seniors signing up to participate in a slate of seminars and courses designed to educate, and foster creativity and self-discovery. Registration numbers jumped to 160 for the spring semester.

“We have been blown away by the level of interest,” Reid said.

When word came down that things were moving online this semester, the Senior College did lose some participants, but most stayed on, including Evelyn DeLutis, ’63.

“In the midst of this pandemic, it was so exciting to know that the senior students would not lose out on the semester I had so looked forward to,” DeLutis said. “Being housebound over these weeks, it has given me something to look forward to.”

Instructors were forced to adapt as well. For some, there was some apprehension as they have only taught in person.

“In my years of teaching, interacting with students in a classroom face-to-face was so rewarding,” said Senior College instructor Michael Kryzanek. “But realizing that a personal teaching experience is just impossible I jumped on the Zoom bandwagon.”

Zoom, a company that provides videotelephony and online chat services, has become a popular platform during the pandemic for online learning and business meetings.

Reid said the feedback has been positive and seniors are grateful that ���鵺��̳ was able to keep the program alive during the public health crisis.

“For this population, the pandemic impacts them even more so. They perhaps are more socially distant than working-age people,” Reid said. “We knew right away we were doing to do what was necessary to get content delivered virtually to these folks.”

DeLutis is impressed the university was able to continue with the Senior College.

“With all that ���鵺��̳ is having to deal with, it is admirable that they did not let the program flounder,” she said.

And while he still prefers the vibrancy of the classroom, Kryzanek believes that remote learning has its merit and is happy to still be teaching.

“I firmly believe in the value of life-long learning that is taking place at ���鵺��̳’s Senior College. It has been a pleasure participating in this important educational program,” he said.

Do you have a ���鵺��̳ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

“I firmly believe in the value of life-long learning that is taking place at ���鵺��̳’s Senior College. It has been a pleasure participating in this important educational program."

It’s never too late to learn something new, just ask the 105 students enrolled in ���鵺��̳’s newest initiative, Senior College.

The program offers intellectually stimulating seminars and courses for mature learners. Each course lasts six weeks and is intended to foster creativity and self-discovery.

Michael Sutton of Whitman signed up for “Living on Purpose: Building and Maintaining Meaningful Relationships When Work Ends.” After his second session, he said he’s enjoying the experience.

“I thought taking a class like this might be helpful because I’m recently retired. I’ve got a lot of free time to fill and I’m learning to adjust to my new role in retirement,” Sutton said.

He’s not alone. According to Cape Cod Campus Continuing Studies Director Jennifer Reid, a recent nationwide survey of over 1,000 older adults found that seniors are interesting in continuing their education to keep up with what’s going on in the world, learning for their own spiritual growth, or for the simple joy of learning something new.

The College of Continuing Studies took on the initiative after President Frederick W. Clark Jr., '83, requested the creation of a dynamic program to improve active aging, allowing mature adults to engage in a meaningful way with their peers in the region.

“The participants of the Senior College from our region will have the opportunity to learn something new to help their minds and perceptions change, which in turn makes it easier for them to adapt to the inevitable changes life always brings,” Reid said.

The first six-week semester is currently underway and offers four courses. Topics this fall include community engagement, constitutional rights, nutrition, retirement, history and politics.

Next semester runs Oct. 28 through Dec. 9 and will offer four courses. Classes are held at the Bridgewater Public Library, located at 15 South Street, Bridgewater.

Participants 50 and older can select up to three courses per semester for $55 per person, per semester. All classes are led by ���鵺��̳ emeritus faculty, full and part-time faculty and other educators in science, social sciences, arts and humanities.

For more information email ���鵺��̳seniorcollege@bridgew.edu or call 508-531-2570. More information can also be found online at /ccs/seniorcollege.

Do you have a ���鵺��̳ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

The participants of the Senior College from our region will have the opportunity to learn something new to help their minds and perceptions change, which in turn makes it easier for them to adapt to the inevitable changes life always brings.