Lee's Encore Program offerings for this spring semester take students into the field and behind the phone
“Without exams and required attendance, these folks can engage in learning in a relaxed atmosphere that is highly interactive,” Dr. Murl Dirksen, who teaches one of the 17 classes offered by the Encore Program, said. “They can tell their stories, and the professors can tell theirs. It is very much a peer, collaborative exchange, and I love to teach in the Encore Program.”
Courtesy of Lee University
The spring class offerings for this spring's Encore Program, which gives senior adults the opportunity at a second chance at college courses, have just been released.
Dr. Murl Dirksen teaches one of the classes with Dr. Robert Jones that examines their excavations on the North River in the Cherokee National Forest and the Eagle Rock Shelter dig on the Gunnison River in Colorado. Dirksen said the Encore Program gives these non-traditional students a new creative outlet.
“Encore students are retired professionals that want to expand their knowledge in some areas that they have always wanted to delve into but have not had the chance to do so,” Dirksen said. “Without exams and required attendance, these folks can engage in learning in a relaxed atmosphere that is highly interactive. They can tell their stories, and the professors can tell theirs. It is very much a peer, collaborative exchange, and I love to teach in the Encore Program.”
According to Dirksen, the program aims to broaden the horizons of its students.
“The Encore Program is a great opportunity for older people of the Bradley-Cleveland community to take advantage of a variety of specialized courses taught by regular Lee faculty,” Dirksen said.
The program is an essential part of the institution’s commitment of service to the community. For a fee of $25, Encore participants may choose up to two out of the 17 courses offered.
All of the courses are on a first-come, first-serve basis, and spaces are limited. All enrolled Encore students will be granted free entry to any concerts, athletic events and plays on campus including a part in the University Choral Union.
Assistant director of Lee’s community relations Bethany McCoy said in a press release that the program's success is evident in its growth.
“The Encore program has experienced exponential growth over the past 10 years,” McCoy said. “We are so pleased to be able to continue offering education enrichment opportunities to the community at a very affordable price.”
Some of the classes offered for the Encore Program this spring include more active classes, such as Fitness for Encore Years. This class will help and encourage students to enjoy a happy, active lifestyle. Another course, Joint Conditioning, will help participants strengthen and regain movement in their joints. In an effort to combine fitness and history, a class called Tennessee in Tennis Shoes: A Traveling History Course will feature visits to five historical sites in Tennessee as well as Georgia and Alabama. This semester’s locations include Alcatraz East Museum, Chickamauga Battlefield, Huntsville Space Museum, and one mystery trip.
Encore participants can even choose to explore the world of technology. The class iHows in the iWorld will introduce the students to the world of iPads and iPhones. The course will cover the basics of navigation, settings, email, FaceTime, messaging, and taking pictures and videos. Basic Computers will teach students the basics of computers, including how to receive and send emails, search the internet, and keep in touch with family on social media. Another techology-based class, Basic Word and Excel, will focus on creating simple documents using Word and simple spreadsheets using Excel.
For more information about the Encore Program and the courses offered, please contact Community Relations at (423) 614-8598 or communityrelations@leeuniversity.edu or visit http://leeuniversity.edu/encore/.
