Local News
Local colleges offer inexpensive lifelong learning opportunity
By Wayne Rowe, Manager of Communications
Mar 7, 2008, 10:22

Residents fifty-years and older are invited to join the Learning Enrichment Institute this spring

Marion Technical College and The Ohio State University at Marion are pleased to announce their spring 2008 schedule of classes for lifelong learners in north central Ohio.

The Learning Enrichment Institute (LEI) is an opportunity for individuals 50 years of age and older to broaden their experience through a schedule of short-term, non-credit courses that promote creativity, free thinking, and personal growth and development. LEI combines the educational resources of Marion Technical College, The Ohio State University at Marion, other community organizations, and dozens of volunteers to offer two terms (fall and spring, each lasting approximately five to six weeks) of programming that meet the diverse needs and interests of 50+ adults.

Spring course offerings vary. Whether you want to relive a period of history, learn a new skill or hobby, or exercise your mental acumen, LEI has a wide variety of courses to appeal to almost any interest - study globalization and the developing world; investigate the war from a Marion perspective; learn to play cribbage; delve into the fascinating world of crime scene investigation; improve your computer skills; discover the wonders of Bach and classical music; learn digital photography; and much more. There are a total of 17 learning courses to choose from. Sign up for an unlimited number for a $50 fee.

All spring 2008 class sessions fall between April 2 and May 21. Course registration deadline is March 28, 2008.

Visit http://www.marion.ohio-state.edu/pdfs/08SPRLEISCHEDULE.pdf for a complete list of courses and to download the course registration material, or call Terri Martin at 740.725.4014 for more details or to have a course brochure mailed to your home.

LEI is a community service/outreach effort modeled after more than 600 successful ''elderhostel'' programs across the country. LEI is a member of the official Elderhostel Institute Network.

A complete list of courses, dates, times, and locations follows:

Globalization and the Developing World
1-2:30 PM • April 7, 14, 21, 28 & May 5 • Instructor: Vladimir Steffel, PhD
Marion Campus, Morrill Hall, Room 200

This course will focus on how economic globalization is transforming the world.

The War from a Marion Perspective
3:30-5 PM • April 7, 14, 21, 28 • Moderator: Gale Martin
Marion Campus, Morrill Hall, Auditorium

Ken Burns’s documentary The War brought renewed attention to the American experience of World War II, from the perspective of those who fought and the men and women who waited at home. This class will focus on the contributions that Marion made to the war effort.

Cribbage
6-8 PM • April 7, 14 (also April 8, 15) • Instructor: Gary Heller
Marion Campus, Center for Workforce Development, Room 125

In this class, you’ll learn the basic rules of one of the oldest and most enduring card games of skill.

Crime Scene Marion
7-8 PM • April 21, 28 & May 5, 12
Instructors: Phil Reed, Marc Comianos, Randy Caryer, Jim Slagle
Marion Campus, Morrill Hall, Room 265

Learn how Marion’s own professionals would conduct a crime scene investigation and see how real life compares with what we see on TV.

Basic Microsoft Word® and Excel®
10-12 PM • April 22, 29 & May 6 • Instructor: Mary Donaldson
Marion Campus, Technical Education Center, Room 191

Learn word processing beyond the basics and how to create a spreadsheet and track your checkbook or your finances easily.

Musical Events of 1742
3-4:30 PM • April 8 • Instructor: Albert N. May, MD
Marion Campus, Morrill Hall, Room 290

This single-session class is devoted to the musical events of 1742, foreshadowing a new era in
European (western) music.

You Son-of-a-Bach!
3-4:30 PM • April 15, 22, 29 & May 6 • Instructor: Albert N. May, MD
Marion Campus, Morrill Hall, Room 290

In this class, one session each will be devoted to Johann Sebastian Bach’s sons and their influence on the development of later European (western) music.

Digital Photography
6-8 PM • April 22, 29 & May 6 (also April 24 & May 1, 8) • Instructor: Tim Hardgrove Marion Campus, Technical Education Center, Room 191

Learn the basics of digital photography.

Elizabeth I: A Love Story?
10-11:30 AM • April 9, 16, 23, 30 • Instructor: Marcia Dickson, PhD
Marion Campus, Morrill Hall, Room 245

You will read Philippa Gregory’s The Virgin’s Lover and compare it to other novels, film treatments, and historical fact.

Curb Appeal
10-12 PM • April 2 • Instructor: Luke Henry
Marion Campus, Center for Workforce Development, Room 125

Make your home’s first impression a good one, by learning how to give it curb appeal.

Knitting Beyond Scarves: Soxes for Foxes
5:30-7 PM • April 30 & May 7, 14, 21 • Instructors: Linda Condry, Barbara Stover
Marion Campus, Center for Workforce Development, Room 125

Learn to knit a pair of hiking socks and how to size socks for anyone.

Going Green
7-8:30 PM • April 9 • Instructor: Pat Case
Great Impressions, 288 E. Church St., Marion, OH

You will learn how “going green” is affecting the home products you purchase. We’ll discuss ways that you can do your part and how it affects you.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame
7-8 PM • April 16, 23, 30; optional field trip Sunday, May 18
Instructors: Randy Mobley, Greg Swepston, Dick Brown
Marion Campus, Morrill Hall, Room 219

This class examines baseball’s organizational structure, the role of scouting, and collecting baseball memorabilia. We’ll wrap up the class with an optional field trip to a Columbus Clippers game.

Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics
9-10:30 AM • April 3, 10, 17, 24 • Instructor: Ted Price
Marion Campus, Center for Workforce Development, Room 125

The goal of this course is to help those of us who are primarily users of statistics to judge whether the statistical results we’re given represent the “truth”.

Successful Aging in Marion
10-11:30 AM • April 17, 24 & May 1, 8, 15 • Instructor: Denise Stewart
Marion Campus, Morrill Hall, Room 206

Students will explore different aspects of aging, including local resources, memory loss, nutrition, caregiving, planning, and activities.

The Marion County Courthouse Past, Present, Future
1-2:30 PM • April 3, 10 • Instructor: Trella Romine
The Marion County Historical Society, Auditorium

The Marion County Courthouse faces an uncertain future, needing expensive renovation both inside and out to remain safe and usable. Class discussions will include the Courthouse’s history and architecture and review the options presently being considered for its future.

Watercolors
1-3 PM • April 17, 24 & May 1, 8 • Instructor: Patti Sharpe
Marion Campus, Morrill Hall, Room 266

Brush up on or learn basic watercolor techniques in a series of four workshops.

© Copyright 2003 by Marion.Net